By adding just a few key site furnishings, apartments can boost curb appeal significantly
In this digital age, because today's renters have a very short attention span, quickly enhance your apartment's curb appeal with a combination of commercial planters, outdoor park benches and picnic tables.
It's a new world out there. Think about how fast Millenials zip through pages on their smartphones and tablets. Now think about how fast they are going to evaluate your apartment community if you don't have the absolute best curb appeal.
Research shows people make first impressions and generalizations in less than a second. So, while they are walking up the entrance to your community, their minds are already making judgments, putting your property into either a positive or negative mental bucket for review later.
Many potential renters drive by a property first. They might make a decision about an apartment community without even getting out of their car. Experts advise property managers to get in their cars and drive around the community so they can personally see what sort of first impression their property will make at 20 to 30 mph.
Does your property have a positive impact visually? Is the welcome entrance as truly welcome as it could be? Are the pathways appealing? What about common areas? The back of the property? Are there plenty of bright flowers and greenery? Are there benches where walkers can stop and rest? Are those benches worn and splintered?
In today's competitive marketplace, property managers know, you don't need to have just nice curb appeal, you need a look that "wows" potential tenants. (In fact, the "wow" word was referred to several times in the National Apartment Association recent "Curb Appeal" contest and issue).
Real estate expert Theresa Bradley-Banta wrote "Curb appeal is one of the most important things in property marketing and leasing. Presenting an exterior that meets your target market's standards must be one of your biggest priorities."
She points out that "you can develop incredibly creative ads that draw potential renters in droves, yet lose them before they reach your front door if your apartment community has no curb appeal."
With ParkExpress, create better apartment curb appeal fast with colorful commercial planters
In today's fast-paced environment, sometimes there just isn't enough time (or money) to make a curb appeal project happen as fast as one would like. Generally, purchasing the right items you need to improve a landscape can take weeks, maybe even a month.
The Park and Facilities Catalog has a solution.
With our ParkExpress program, we can literally ship attractive and durable site furnishings to spruce up any apartment building entrance in just 2-3 days. That's right 2-3 days. (Note: colors for quick ship items might be limited).
These new site furnishings will have an immediate impact on your property and boost your apartment curb appeal. Attract renters at the right time after an ad campaign or in time for your optimal renting season. We have more than 50 commercial-grade and stylish items in our ParkExpress program. Here are a few recommendations on some products you can quickly add to any location.
Commercial planter
Commercial Planters - this item is a no-brainer and can create an immediate splash of color to any location. Just add planters with big bold flowers to the entrance to your leasing office.to your leasing office. Tearing up and redoing the landscape is not necessary to make a colorful impression. Simply add a number of big pots and fill them with bouquets of bright flowers. Vary planter sizes to create scale and depth.
The Park Catalog has a variety of planters that can be shipped quickly. Call one of our helpful representatives for assistance.
Here are some other options to consider to quickly enhance your apartment surroundings:
Outdoor Park Benches - adding benches to a property sends a message that this location is people-friendly. The company is offering a place where residents and visitors can sit outside and mingle or just take a break. View our selection of classically-designed steel strap benches that are both attractive yet able to withstand the elements and still retain their luster.
Recycled plastic benc
Choose from our Arch or Plaza series, with or without backs. These products can be shipped in just two days.
Another option that appeals to many renters today is to make a "green" statement with site furnishings made with recycled plastic. The process used to manufacture products with recycled materials, such as milk jugs and water bottles, has come a long way. These products are now extremely resistant to the weather and made so that they do not chip, splinter or fade.
With The Park Catalog's ParkExpress program, these recycled plastic benches can be on the way to your destination in just three days!
Picnic tables - this is not an option for properties unless you have some open common areas or a pool area. But if you do have some attractive open spaces, why not add an inviting picnic table? Include a bright umbrella to add another splash of color to the landscape. A picnic table is another indicator that your property is a people-friendly place to hang out and meet other residents. ADA versions are available as well.
The Park Catalog has a number of coated metal picnic tables that can be shipped in two days. These tables have a thermoplastic-coating that is very durable and easy to clean. You can also add a recycled plastic picnic table and make a pro-environment statement. These ship in just three days. If you are looking for a lightweight option so the picnic tables can be easily moved, consider our selection of aluminum tables that are sent out the door in three days. If you prefer a more permanent solution, consider one our hardy concrete picnic tables. With ParkExpress, these also ship in just three days.
Trash Receptacles - while outdoor garbage cans are a necessity at any location, they don't have to look trashy. Providing an adequate number of trash cans is extremely important for any property. Studies show, the closer trash cans are to entrances and exits, the more likely people will use them.
Conversely, litter begets litter. If the outdoor garbage cans are few in number, far away from pedestrian areas or full, then the likelihood of litter hitting the sidewalk in front of your property is extremely high. (By the way, Walt Disney studied this in depth and determined that trash cans must be at least 25 feet away from people at all points, otherwise their usage drops significantly).
Outdoor trash can
The Park Catalog has classic steel strap trash receptacles with lids and rigid liners that can be also be shipped in just two days. In regard to trash cans made with recycled plastic, we can ship those "green" items in just three days. You can also choose from indoor/outdoor recycling containers or waste containers that are square or hexagonal in shape. Another option is our StoneTec or concrete containers with lids that hide unsightly trash. All of these products can also be shipped in just three days.
Commercial Charcoal Grills - many people today love to cook outdoors. Another option to spruce up the surroundings is to add some commercial charcoal grills. The Park Catalog has park grills in-stock that can be on their way in just two days.
If you watch makeover shows on TV, you know how just a few minor touches here and there can make a major difference in a person's appearance. Same goes for real estate. With The Park Catalog's ParkExpress program, you can now make those changes faster than ever and make that solid first impression with potential renters.