From the moment an individual decides to become a renter, to the moment they officially sign their lease, there are several first impressions that occur which can potentially derail a great lead. Think about it:

1. Advertising – How do potential renters learn about your community? Do you have a website? Is it current with up to date information? How about visuals and functionality? Does your customer service/sales team remain responsive to new inquiries?
2. The Leasing Office – Is your office easy to find? Clean and professional? Are there handouts about property amenities for tenants? How are they greeted when they enter the office? Is the staff alert and well-mannered?
3. The Showing – Do you have a designated show unit? If yes, what are you doing to ensure the highest level of cleanliness? Do you have air fresheners to create an inviting smell? Is the unit well-lit? Ultimately, would you be excited about the unit if you were a potential tenant?

If you answered no to any of the questions above, it is possible that you or your team are not making as great of a first impression as possible. However, possibly one of the most important first impressions (and often most overlooked) is a property’s curb appeal.

Curb appeal is, “the attractiveness of a property for sale and its surroundings when viewed from the street.” Before a potential tenant sets foot on the property, a message is being resonated to them from the street level. This message could be welcoming if there is a

well-lit exterior, ample signage, and colorful plants; it can also derail your property’s leasing efforts if management ignores items such as overflowing dumpsters, peeling paint, and overgrown greenery.

Forbes.com identified three specific areas on properties where excellent curb appeal standards should not be overlooked (Greer, 2018):

1. The Front Door – While the article refers to the front door of a residential home, the same should be expected of the front entrance to the Leasing Office or show unit:
   • Freshly painted
   • No remnants of any clutter
   • Colorful plants to draw attention
2. Landscaping
   • Mowed yard with trimmed bushes
   • Planted flower beds
   • Clear of weeds
   • Décor inside of the unit should also be addressed
3. Exterior Materials
   • Consistent, monochromatic paint colors
   • Clean brick or siding
   • Power wash buildings regularly/as needed

References:

Greer, R. (2018, April 11). Curb Appeal Counts: Three Steps To Increasing Interest In A Property For Sale. In www.Forbes.com. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2018/04/11/curb-appeal-counts-three-steps-to-increasing-interest-in-a-property-for-sale/#5b921e863d8b