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The Foundational Approach to Property Improvements

A painter uses a sprayer to paint a balcony railing, image for the blog The Foundational Approach to Property Improvements.

You wouldn’t buy a property with a leaky roof just because it has fresh paint, and you need to determine your priorities for property improvements using the same approach. Prospective renters need safety first, then curb appeal and enhanced amenities and finishes.

If you invest in the long-term success of your property,  good renters will show their appreciation by renting and investing in your equity.

Building as a guide for rehab

When a building first goes up, everything starts with a stable foundation. Think of your capital investments the same way.

Safety and security are the number one concern of any human being. When you’re ready to invest in your property, inspect it for issues that could turn into safety hazards. Are there water intrusion concerns? You’ll have to replace rotten siding and structural components before even considering new kitchen counters.

Once your investment is safe for those who depend on its solid foundation and sturdy walls, it’s time to move on to amenities that will stand the test of time.

Keep property improvements neighborhood-appropriate

Renters expect an affluent downtown loft to look very different from housing in a middle-class residential neighborhood, and rents usually reflect those expectations. Keep property improvements in line with what the market will bear. For example, laminate countertops may be a better investment over granite materials. Or, on the other end, renters in your neighborhood may walk away from a property with carpet, preferring hardwood or laminate.

Improve your property structurally, make it safe and secure, and then make it attractive compared to what is available in the area. Foundational improvements improve a property’s value, not just its marketability. Base your rehab investments on what makes sense to tenants and the market, and back away from big-ticket expenses that won’t add value to your property’s bottom line.

Property improvements with Class A Management

If you are still determining what property improvements your property needs to attract your ideal tenant, call on Class A Management. We offer extensive development services that include remodels and upgrades. Call us today at 817-295-5959 or e-mail info@classamgmt.com.

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Maintain Curb Appeal with Natural Pest Control

Maintain Curb Appeal with Natural Pest Control

Landscaping is expensive to replace, but natural pest control can solve issues for many of your property’s landscaping woes. 

If your property’s shrubs and grass are suffering from an unknown blight, it’s possible you’ve got underground pests. They could be rodents that dig tunnels—moles, voles, and gophers—or wireworms and cutworms that eat new plantings at the base. Learn how to identify these pests, eliminate them, and prevent future expensive landscape damage without the use of toxic products.

Identify the Culprit

Digging rodents are seldom seen, but can be identified by the types of holes they dig. Voles and gophers actively eat your plants’ root systems, while moles, armadillos, and raccoons are searching for the juicy grubs that live beneath the soil. All this digging can create lots of root damage. 

The rodent family isn’t the only culprit when it comes to landscaping damage. Wireworms are thin, reddish-brown worms about 1-1/2 inches long, and they come to the soil surface in early spring to feed. Cutworms feed on the tender stems of new, non-woody plants, and will eat them to the ground.

Develop a Plan, and Attack

Natural pest control methods can take some time to work, but are non-toxic and won’t damage soil health. Also, they provide more humane methods of eliminating infestations that don’t involve trapping or killing the pests. 

Use smelly sprays and baits or even castor oil granules to eliminate these sensitive ground-dwellers, or go for their food source by eliminating grubs. Natural pest control for digging pests can benefit your soil for years to come. Investigate those options before you go chemical, or you could start a cycle of chemical dependency for your property’s lawn.

Plant damage can be prevented with a good organic program that creates healthy soil, combined with a healthy knowledge of how to protect tender plants from damage. Prevent cutworm damage, for example, by wrapping the stems of new transplants with cardboard or foil. Apply beneficial nematodes, compost, and natural sugars 2-3 times a year to maintain soil health. 

When you realize there’s a pest problem at your property, act quickly to minimize damage by eliminating the insect or rodent responsible—it’s the one time you want your property to be as inhospitable as possible so those pesky residents find somewhere else to live. Use natural pest control methods to avoid toxins, unsightly traps, and poisons on your property.

Find Natural Pest Control Experts

Need some help implementing a natural pest control program? Our professionals know a thing or two about it, as well as other methods for increasing curb appeal. Contact us today to learn more about how working with Class A Management can improve your maintenance and tenant recruiting and retention strategy. Call us at 817-295-5959 or send an email to info@classamgmt.com

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Invest in Your Property’s First Impression

Invest in Your Property’s First Impression

Some properties make a great first impression. It’s called curb appeal and paying attention to it can make your property easier or more difficult to find, while also helping you keep good tenants. 

Time to fix an existing eyesore

Take a good look at your investment property through the eyes of a prospective tenant. What is your first impression?  If you don’t want to live there, it’s time to make some changes. Address any peeling paint and lackluster landscaping right away. If you ignore curb appeal, all the high-end interior finishes in the world won’t make much difference. Your property will stay vacant, and your portfolio will suffer.

Prevent the ugly with regular maintenance

Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule is the most effective way to keep your property in tip-top shape, looking its best to attract your ideal tenant. Don’t neglect seasonal landscape changes, especially tree and hedge pruning. Touch up exterior painting when and where it’s needed. Add finishing touches when you can, and don’t be afraid to spend a little money. The return on investment you receive by achieving 100 percent occupancy justifies the relatively low cost of exterior maintenance. 

Enlist tenants’ help

Current renters can help keep your property looking great, or they can ruin its drive-by charm. Ensure your tenants do their part to keep trash and non-running vehicles off your property. Also, encourage them to add their own tasteful touches to their home’s exterior, such as potted plants.

Create a lasting first impression with Class A Management

If your investment property needs help with curb appeal and creating a first impression that attracts your ideal tenant, Class A Management is ready to take on the challenge! The development services offered by our experienced team can help you decide on the best exterior (and interior) remodels or upgrades to heighten the appeal of your property.

Contact Class A Management today to keep your property from becoming a slum (or at least looking like one). We know what renters want and can use an objective eye to create a property that is in high demand.