Blog Post

Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • Jun 11, 2021

Create Curb Appeal and a Happy Tenant with the Right Landscape Design

Low Maintenance Landscaping
All too often, tenants are not willing to put the necessary time and energy into maintaining a yard with high upkeep. Rather, they prefer something simple and non-stressful that requires almost no effort. 

Implementing low-maintenance rental landscaping can help you stand out alongside competitors. Furthermore, finding the right options can add some extra beauty and charm to your property. Below are some of the many additions to contemplate for your Long Beach rental. 

Rocks and Decomposed Granite
Although many Americans are accustomed to white-picket-fences and lush lawns, caring for this idealized vision is difficult in Southern California especially in Long Beach. 

Abandoning vibrant grass yards does not mean your rental has to look unsightly! 

On the contrary. 

Combining rocks and pebbles with decomposed granite pathways creates a simple yet sleek design that enhances your rental and requires almost no upkeep. Additionally, this arrangement will intrigue tenants looking for a low-maintenance property. 

Bark
Bark is a different approach that is softer and might appeal more to tenants with younger children. You can easily substitute bark for rocks and pebbles, and even create a pathway using bark instead of decomposed granite. 

If you intend to add plenty of foliage to your rental, bark (or mulch) may provide an easier landscape to plant in rather than rock. 

Bark is a product that you can find at local home improvement stores. Generally the cost of bark is in the $3-$5 range depending on store and size of bag. If you have a large yard for your rental property or a large area you are buying bark for you can look at places that sell bark in large quantities. 

A place to buy in bulk near Long Beach is in Fullerton, CA. Check out Southwest Boulder and Stone if your project looks like you are going to be taking multiple truck loads of park.

Drought-tolerant Plants
Another landscaping addition to consider is drought-tolerant plants. They do not require frequent watering, thus alleviating a tenant’s responsibilities and lowering water bills. 

Besides needing little to no water, many drought-tolerant plants provide welcome shade for hot sunny days and add a splash of color to the muted tones of rocks, bark, and/or decomposed granite. Aloe, bottle brush, crassula, kangaroo paw, lavender, and palo verde are all lovely drought-tolerant plant options. 

If you are looking for more drought resistant plant options that are recommended to Southern California check out this additional Long Beach Garden resource.

Perennials
Alongside drought-tolerant plants, perennials are wonderful options for your Long Beach property since they live for over two years and, as such, do not need to be replaced often. 

While they tend to require a little more attention than drought-tolerant plants, perennials are the best alternative to annuals if you are looking to add traditional flowers to your rental. 

Perennials include carnations, chrysanthemums, daisies, geraniums, hibiscus, hydrangeas, peonies, and tulips. If you wish to view a more comprehensive list of perennials, we encourage you to visit Burpee’s catalog of perennials

Outdoor Living Space
Constructing an outdoor living space that takes up all or most of your yard means less work for you and your tenants. Not to mention, your tenants will appreciate having an area where they can enjoy the fantastic Long Beach weather, indulge in some afternoon drinks, recline and read a book, or listen to music. Consider putting in cushioned lounge chairs, a dining set, and even a grill to make the space both enjoyable and versatile. 

To add some privacy to this outdoor living space, think about putting up fencing. For more information regarding types of fencing and their effect on property value, check out the following blog post: 3 Items to Consider Regarding Fencing and Your Long Beach Rental.

Crafting a yard that is both tasteful and low-maintenance is far from impossible. While it may take some time and research, it will ultimately make you and your tenants happier. 

If you want a property manager to give you personalized landscaping recommendations for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our Owner Application online.


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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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