Blog Post

Maximizing Your Long Beach Rental’s Outdoor Space

Dustin Edwards • Jul 13, 2022

Outdoor Space Is Valuable Real Estate For Your Tenants

In Southern California, backyard areas are a necessity to enjoy the year-round heat and provide relaxation. Making the most of your Long Beach rental’s outdoor space will not only intrigue potential tenants but also increase your property value, earning you more profit and greater rental satisfaction. 


Though designing and decorating your rental’s outdoor space may seem intimidating, here are a few tips and tricks to make the process a breeze. 


Design Palette for Your Long Beach Rental

Much like planning any room indoors, outdoor spaces require a design palette that keeps everything structurally and aesthetically consistent. 


For color, consider earthly tones rather than dramatic or vibrant colors that distract from nature’s beauty. You want your tenants' eyes to immediately be drawn to the beautiful foliage around them rather than a vibrant splash of color. Additionally, earthy tones on pillows and cushions blend well with wooden or metal furniture. 


In terms of ground cover, grass, mulch, decomposed granite, or wood decking are all fantastic options. That said, given the warm climate and drought conditions that can impact Long Beach, grass can be very difficult and costly to care for, whereas decomposed granite is a much more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option that looks sleek and is easy to maintain. Similarly, consider choosing drought-tolerant plants and succulents that can handle minimal watering but still look captivating, such as agave, aloe, bottle brush, hen and chicks, and moss rose. For more drought-tolerant plants,
Las Pilitas Nursery has a large list of options specific to the Long Beach area (while shockingly being located far from Long Beach). 


How will you section your backyard for maximum tenant enjoyment?

Once you’ve decided on a design palette for your outdoor space, it’s time to start thinking about how you want to section off your backyard and what amenities you wish to include. 


The most standard consideration is finding comfortable lounge seats, a dining set,
shade structures, and a grill area to provide your tenants with an area to cook steaks, host outdoor gatherings, or simply sprawl out and enjoy cocktails over conversation or the latest mystery novel. An outdoor living space is a rather simple yet major addition that will fascinate potential renters and utilize space that may otherwise remain empty.


Outdoor living spaces tend to work best on decks or surrounded by foliage that can provide extra coverage from the sun. Additionally, your rental could have multiple outdoor living spaces. Perhaps a dining set and grill on the deck and a fire pit amid the flora. 


In a larger rental,
pools can be another fantastic expansion. Pools are a great way for your renters to get exercise, have fun with family and friends, or cool down all year long.


It’s best to place pools near your outdoor living spaces so that when tenants get out of the water they’re able to easily sit down and dry off. Furthermore, this allows those who aren’t swimming to still be around the action. That said, it’s important to provide a buffer between the barrier of the pool and any seating areas to keep tenants and their guests from getting splashed and to prevent accidental slips or falls into the pool.


Considering these steps and additions can make your rental’s backyard an exciting and beautiful space that tenants will come to love and use frequently. Talking with a property management company can help make the process of making design choices easier by helping you narrow down which ideas are best for your Long Beach rental. For further assistance, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247, or you can fill out our online
Rental Analysis today.

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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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