Having a beautiful and well-maintained community is one of the best ways to attract new people to your homeowners association (HOA). Residents who invest a lot of time and resources into their homes will also take more pride if the property is managed well. When beautifying the HOA, board members should not forget about community curb appeal. Exterior enhancements ensure that everyone has a positive and long-lasting impression of your association.
How to Boost Your Community Curb Appeal
Here are key tips to improve curb appeal in your HOA:
1. Maintain Landscaping Regularly
Regular maintenance of your landscaping can help maintain curb appeal in an HOA community. Seeing freshly-cut grass, well-groomed bushes and trees, and vibrant flowers conveys that your community has a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Prospective homeowners will be impressed if they see that your community is beautiful and well-maintained. Residents will also enjoy living in the community. They will see that their assessments are being put to good use.
2. Power Wash Your Surfaces
Dirt and grime tend to accumulate on surfaces over time. In order to preserve curb appeal in homeowners associations, the board should ensure that concrete walls, porches, walkways and other surfaces are power-washed regularly.
This is a simple method that can make your structures look brand-new. It also makes a big difference when it comes to enhancing community curb appeal.
3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Community amenities such as clubhouses, community centers, and playgrounds are usually repainted every 5 to 10 years. However, if your structures are looking worse for wear and you’re starting to see paint peeling off the walls, it might be time for a repainting project.
The façade is the first thing that homeowners see, so adding a fresh coat of paint can make the association’s shared spaces look brighter and refreshed. You can also enhance curb appeal by repainting the roof shingles shutters, downspouts, and other exterior elements.
4. Cosmetic Upgrades
Cosmetic upgrades are a fantastic way to improve community curb appeal without having to dip too much into your HOA reserve funds. You can add simple touches such as brass house numbers, front door décor, permanent planters, and solar street lights. Cosmetic upgrades can give older buildings a more modern appearance. You’ll also be able to show homeowners that the board is able to maintain structures properly over time.
5. Keep Your Website Updated
Though not exactly found on a curb, your website is part of the overall appeal of your association. It is also one of the most neglected aspects of many communities. Keeping your website updated is one of the best things you can do to attract new residents, as well as make paying dues and other activities easier for those living on the property.
The HOA should not only strive to make the website user-friendly, but also make it look fresh and modern. Social media accounts and promotional materials should also receive the same tweaks or updates.
Have a Plan to Maintain Curb Appeal in Your HOA
Community curb appeal isn’t solely the responsibility of the HOA board. Homeowners are expected to maintain their properties, as well. Ideally, homeowners and board members should work together to enhance the curb appeal of the entire community. Here are some suggestions for maintaining curb appeal in your HOA:
6. Hold Contests
One fun way to get homeowners excited about community curb appeal is to hold contests for the best-kept homes or most beautiful yards. These contests can be as often as you would like. Depending on the size of your community, you can implement a monthly or bi-monthly contest.
Each time, a winner will be awarded. You can hand out a cash prize or discount or make a special sign that the winner can display in front of their house. It can also be as simple as being recognized in the newsletter.
Acknowledging the winners and providing positive reinforcement will encourage homeowners to continually participate in your contests. The HOA can also have other contests that will help enhance community curb appeal.
7. Use Talent from Within
Many times, HOAs make the mistake of overlooking talent that is located within their own communities. One community can have artists, landscapers, and gardeners hiding in plain sight. As part of the board, you should get to know the people who live in your community. This is the best way to identify their skills and talents. Homeowners who take pride in their community will be more than happy to volunteer their talents to keep the property looking great.
8. Form an Architectural Review Committee
Homeowners should always have the opportunity to become involved in community members. If you have passionate and skilled residents who want to help with community curb appeal, you can form an architectural review committee. This helps lessen the burden on the board members. At the same time, you’re able to increase homeowner engagement.
Committee members can help monitor communal areas and identify which areas might need maintenance or repair. They can also help the board by ensuring that landscaping rules and regulations are being followed by the rest of the community.
9. Work with Third-Party Service Providers
Your community should also have good working relationships with third-party vendors and service providers. Architects, contractors, landscapers, security — these are the people who work hard to make your community a beautiful and safe place to live in. It’s also important to do extensive research when choosing companies to work with. You should choose those who can provide all the services you need.
If you are faced with several community curb appeal projects but have a limited budget, an HOA management company can also be very useful. A HOA manager can help you determine high impact/traffic areas that should be prioritized. You can also learn strategies, such as breaking down projects into smaller sections, which gives you more allowance when it comes to costs.
The Benefits of Community Curb Appeal
Enhancing community curb appeal is one of the best things you can do for your association. Your current residents will be proud to live in a community that is beautiful and inviting. Not only that, but it’ll also be easy to find new residents who are excited to be welcomed into such a well-managed community. As long as you consider these nine tips, you’ll have an easy time boosting your community’s overall look and appeal.
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