The condition and appearance of your exterior sends a message to prospective tenants and their customers. What’s your’s saying?
You might be conveying the wrong message and it could cost you. One study, published in APCBEE Procedia, shown on a light on the connection between property value and landscape design. The study, based on the feedback of 1000 respondents, looked at what features improved the value of a property in attracting tenants. Though the study was specifically about residential development, the lessons learned apply to commercial real estate, as well.
More than two-thirds of the people stated landscape design did influence their decision to rent or buy. About a third said landscape design did not enter the equation. And more than 90 percent of respondents said adding good landscape design improves the value of a property. The takeaway: the optics matter.
Designing a commercial landscape doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Here’s what you need to know when designing a commercial landscape:
1. It starts with a plan.
A landscape plan is similar to a floor plan — it’s a visual representation of the site using scaled dimensions. It reflects natural elements like shrubs, trees, and flowers as well as hardscape and other man-made structures.
Such a plan is a boon to decision-making and budgeting because it gives the landscape contractor or property owner direction regarding materials, budget and timeline.
2. Details matter.
Create a striking entrance by placing decorative bricks or stones on the pathway. The same goes for lighting both for safety and to accentuate the features at night.
3. Make it turnkey.
Determine how much time you’re willing to spend on maintenance. Ask for a maintenance plan from your landscape contractor, which should outline plans for each season and other considerations.
Have the maintenance plan prepared during the designing stage of the landscape, so you can determine from the outset whether it’s feasible. If you can’t carve out time in your schedule, hiring professional landscape services will help you stay on top of things and provide peace of mind.
Taking all of these into account, you can start visualizing your project with sustainability, practicality and feasibility in mind. Confer with experts and trust their advice so that your landscape goals will all be met.
A reliable property management company can help you keep your investment in optimal condition. For example, we are poised to handle ongoing maintenance issues, including landscape maintenance. The end result is that your exterior looks as good as the inside, which can help you turn a profit.
