When it comes to making a property as appealing as possible, most owners tend to concentrate on the interiors. Although a well-appointed lobby and clean, bright offices are certainly crucial when trying to attract tenants, they are not the whole story. Far too many buildings have vacancies not because of what is inside, but because of what is on the outside.
Businesses want to project a professional image to customers, and that’s a lot harder to do if the facilities they inhabit don’t give the same impression. One or two commercial flagpoles with your company name and logo would look professional when customers arrive at your building; you can even add custom flagpoles to enhance your landscape.
If you own a commercial building, it’s important to know what may be damaging the outward appearance of the property because it could be costing you money.
Problem 1: Pests
Cleaning up after insects, birds and rodents is critical to make sure your space is safe and attractive. These critters can build homes, leave droppings and nibble on the walls, creating an ugly — and potentially hazardous — mess.
Discouraging these unsightly and unsanitary intruders involves checking for signs of nesting animals, eliminating food sources such as open garbage cans and ensuring that all areas are well-lit. Anything that could make your space more inviting to vermin should be addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could be opening your valuable real estate to freeloading pests.
Problem 2: Weather Damage
There is very little you can do to control the weather, but you can control what it does to a property. Wind, rain and snow could lead to loose siding, broken windows and water stains that tend to give the exterior a dingy, worn-out look.
One step you can take is to prepare for storm season by trimming trees that are close to the building, applying protective paints and waterproofing wherever possible. If a serious weather event strikes, make sure to inspect the structure for signs of damage as soon as it is safe to do so.
Problem 3: Litter
Even if you are fastidious about picking up trash around your site, it can still be blown by the wind. No matter where it comes from, finding candy wrappers, soda cans and snack bags lying around or stuck in the bushes can send a bad message to visitors. This includes potential tenants or those in the process of renewing their leases.
Solving this problem requires a proactive approach. You could hire a maintenance company to patrol the parking lots and common areas, or you could ask staff members to devote time to tidying the space. It’s also important to place enough waste receptacles in high-traffic areas to encourage people to be responsible with their garbage.
No matter how modern and attractive your office or other commercial space is on the inside, the outside may be scaring off potential occupants. Even if it’s not entirely fair, people tend to judge a book by its cover when it comes to real estate. You do not want a bad first impression to hurt your chances of maintaining a profitable portfolio, which is why it is so crucial to pay attention to curb appeal. The accompanying resource sums up many of the common problems to watch for and what you can do about them. Take this advice to heart, and you could be in a much better position for success.
