Spring has arrived, signaling the time for home maintenance and landscaping. These are even more important in HOA communities where enhancing curb appeal is a top priority. Here are some tips on how to improve curb appeal in your HOA this season.
A Springtime Guide on How to Improve Curb Appeal in Your HOA
As the cold weather dissipates and blankets of snow melt away, it is time to turn your focus to boosting curb appeal. Homeowners associations are generally responsible for keeping common areas clean and beautiful, while some provide inclusive landscaping and maintenance services to members as well. Considering the impact of curb appeal on property values, though, this comes as no surprise.
But, in communities where homeowners are responsible for their individual properties, it can be difficult to maintain consistency. Some homeowners are more well-versed with home care and landscaping than others. Fortunately, your homeowners association can help by providing members with the following tips.
1. Decorate the Front Door
If you’re wondering how to make the front of your house look good, a simple way is to focus on your front door. Homeowners can quickly turn a drab-looking house into a chic one by turning their front door into a statement piece.
A simple paint job, a shiny new knocker, or a springtime wreath can do wonders. Of course, HOAs typically only allow certain colors, so make sure to remind members of this as well.
2. Make Sure House Numbers Are Clear
Another great way to spruce up the front of the house is to use large house numbers. Homeowners should make sure these numbers are clearly seen from the street with no obstructions blocking them. It should also be positioned at eye level in a horizontal manner so that visitors can easily spot and read them. Add a touch of lighting, too, so that the numbers are visible even during the night.
3. Maintain the Roof
Something that many overlook when discussing how to improve curb appeal is the condition of the roof. Remind homeowners to check the state of their roof to see if any repairs or maintenance work is needed. Make sure the shingles are secure and that there is no curling at the edges. The same goes for the common areas within the HOA community, too. Of course, since this job can be challenging and dangerous, it is best to hire a professional to complete it.
4. Clean the Exterior
The overall appearance of house exteriors can have a significant impact on curb appeal. As such, it is important to focus on this as well. Make sure the doors and windows are clean. Remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated. Pay attention to the sidings, too. Mold and algae can form in these parts, so getting a head start on removing these contaminants is key. Don’t forget the front porch and railings as well.
5. Paint on a Fresh Coat
Even the smallest and cheapest of improvements can make a huge difference. Advising homeowners to apply a fresh coat of paint to their house exteriors is an easy way to boost curb appeal and make it look brand new again.
In some cases, though, it may be necessary to remove the old coat first. It is always best to hire a professional contractor for such a job.
6. Don’t Forget the Driveway and Garage
Garages and driveways are often within clear view of pedestrians and visitors. Therefore, it makes sense to pay equal attention to these areas as well. Damaged driveways and cluttered garages can quickly distract passersby and drag curb appeal down. Thus, make sure to advise homeowners to repair any cracks in their driveways and clean their garages. The same goes for common areas with driveways and parking lots.
7. Power Wash Surfaces
When it comes to how to improve curb appeal, cleanliness takes top priority. Your neighborhood might have beautiful landscaping, but dirty and grimy surfaces can cancel that out. Power washing, though, is an effective and efficient way to clean surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks. It even works on house exteriors such as siding, decks, porches, and windows. A simple power washing can transform even the dirtiest and drabbest of spaces into something spotless and new.
Of course, as with a lot of these, power washing requires a professional’s touch. For the best results, make sure to hire a licensed power washing company to complete the job.
8. Light It Up
Installing lights on the outside of homes and in areas with landscaping is a great way to add some warmth. Lights also promote a welcoming atmosphere and make spaces look larger than they are. If nothing else, adding lights outside — even simple street lights — can make residents and guests feel safer in the neighborhood.
9. Plant Outside of the Fence
There is often space between fences and sidewalks that is left unutilized. Consider placing plants in these small areas to add some life to an otherwise gray space.
This extra layer of greenery can make front yards look much bigger. This trick is also one of the most neglected yet easiest curb appeal landscaping ideas.
10. Use Potted Plants
Front porches have a tendency to look dull and uninviting. One of the easiest front porch curb appeal ideas, though, is to place potted plants in the space. This method doesn’t require you to plant anything. Additionally, there are a lot of inexpensive potted plants you can buy.
Cluster pots together in a corner or by the stairs. Remember to use differing pot sizes to give the display more dimension. While simple plants and succulents do the trick, adding blooming flowers is a welcome sight as well, especially during springtime.
11. Have a Social Area in the Front Yard
If your community has houses with large front yards, consider converting a few square meters into an outdoor social space. Homeowners can use this outdoor living area as a place to hang out with guests or even just to relax on lazy Saturdays.
If you live in a location with cooler temperatures, you may even want to recommend adding an outdoor fireplace. If there’s no room in the front yard, the front porch will do. Even installing a simple porch swing or sitting area can do wonders.
12. Take Care of the Lawn
For a lot of properties, the lawn is the first thing people see when they visit a house. Thus, it only makes sense for homeowners to take good care of the lawn. Early spring is the best time to add extra sod, reseed the lawn, and mulch flower beds. Remind homeowners to set their sprinklers on a schedule as well. If your community has landscaped common areas, this advice applies to these spaces, too.
13. Use a Good Contractor
While homeowners can take a DIY approach to some of these things, a lot of them require the help of a professional. There are many landscaping companies, cleaning companies, and maintenance companies that are qualified to do the job.
If your homeowners association already employs one, it is a good idea to recommend them to homeowners as well. You might even get them a bulk discount.
A Team Effort
Homeowners associations have the responsibility of maintaining the community and enhancing curb appeal. And while this mainly applies to common areas, you shouldn’t leave homeowners wondering how to improve curb appeal on their own. Educate members and guide them through the process using these helpful tips. In doing so, your community can have a lovely springtime.
Elite Management Services offers assistance with community maintenance and management. Call us today at (855) 238-8488 to learn more about our services or contact us online to request a proposal.
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