Landscaping Ideas to Increase Rental Property Appeal
When it comes to attracting and keeping great tenants, the outside of your property is just as important as the inside. Landscaping plays a huge role in creating a welcoming first impression and showing that the property is well cared for. A well-maintained yard can boost curb appeal, increase property value, and may even reduce vacancy rates. Today, we’ll discuss different landscaping ideas to increase property appeal, and some landscaping mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Why Does Landscaping Matter for Rental Properties?
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about property maintenance, landscaping is a crucial aspect of owning and maintaining rental properties. After all, the first thing a prospective tenant sees when they visit your property is the exterior–and we all know that first impressions mean a lot.
Aside from just the aesthetics of a property, well-maintained landscaping contributes to property value and reduces vacancy rates. Our
Austin’s real estate market has gone through many changes over the past few years, going from a hot seller’s market to one that’s increasingly favorable for buyers. As prices cool and inventory grows, both investors and homebuyers are finding new opportunities. From downtown condos to suburban family homes, Austin offers something for everyone–especially those looking for long-term growth and stability. Today, we’re reviewing Austin’s housing market, how to distinguish a buyer’s vs. seller’s market, and some of the best places in Austin to invest. Austin’s Current Housing Market Overview Austin’s housing market is becoming more buyer-friendly, with more homes available and prices coming down from their recent highs. Buyers now have more choices, and homes are sitting on the market longer, giving people more time to make decisions and negotiate. Prices have dropped since the peak of the market, making it easier for families to afford a home and investors to expand their portfolios. Along with that, new construction is also helping by adding more options to the market, sometime...
Rent collection is one of the most essential parts of managing a rental property, but it’s also one of the easiest things to fall behind on. As we all know, life gets busy, and sometimes tenants simply forget when rent is due. This is why sending quick, polite rent reminders can go a long way in keeping your income flowing and your tenants on track. Today, we’ll review how and when to send rent reminders, along with tips for ensuring timely payments. Why Rent Reminders Are So Important Let’s face it–life can get busy, and even the most responsible tenants can let a due date slip their mind. However, late rent payments can be detrimental to a rental property management company. Most landlords or property managers can agree – they’ll do what it takes to ensure payments are made on time. One of the most effective ways to avoid late rent payments is to send rent reminders. If you send rent reminders each month before rent is...
Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone here at BMG Austin we want to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving! Holiday Season Closings With the holiday season on the horizon there will be closures each month for the rest of the year in an effort to give everyone here with their families and friends we will be closed on the following dates. Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone here at BMG Austin we want to wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving! Holiday Season Closings With the holiday season on the horizon there will be closures each month for the rest of the year in an effort to give everyone here with their families and friends we will be closed on the following dates. We will resume normal business hours on the next business day following the listed holidays. Employee Spotlight: Maureen Benavides, Director of Operations at BMG Austin Some of you have had the opportunity to work with Maureen in various ways, so we wanted to share a recent post about her! Cold Weather Tips In our recent blog post for tenants, we included info and reminders ...
Tenant screening is one of the most crucial steps in protecting your rental investment and ensuring you find reliable, long-term tenants. While traditional screening methods work, they can be time-consuming and inconsistent. That’s where AI tenant screening comes in. It automates the process to deliver faster results, helping landlords make quicker moves. However, like any tool, it comes with benefits and risks that are important for landlords and property owners to be aware of. What Is AI Tenant Screening? Tenant screening is a crucial part of the rental process for property management in Austin. This process involves reviewing the information of all rental applicants to determine whether they meet the requirements for your rental property. AI tenant screening refers to the use of artificial intelligence to automate the process of identifying and vetting potential tenants. Screening is an integral part of the rental process, but it requires time to ...
Every landlord wants to protect their investment and ensure their communities are safe. However, it’s equally important to follow Fair Housing Laws — especially when considering applicants with criminal records. That said, landlords must take a careful approach in this situation to avoid discrimination while still protecting their property. Today, we’ll discuss what the law says, how to screen fairly, and the guidelines you must follow at both the federal and local levels. Can You Refuse to Rent to Someone With a Criminal Record? No, you typically cannot deny rental applicants with criminal records as the sole reason for rejecting their application. As an Austin property manager or landlord, it’s essential to know who you’re renting to–which means you’ll likely do a background check. A background check can reveal a lot about a person, but the issue is how you ...
Bathrooms sell rentals — and the right updates can boost perceived value, justify higher rent, and shorten days on the market. So, why not do everything you can to have a successful rental property? In today’s article, we discuss why bathroom grades matter for rental ROI, some of the best bathroom renovations, and what upgrades not to overspend on. Why Bathroom Upgrades Matter for Rental ROI Periodic upgrades are essential for every rental property, and some rooms may require more attention than others. Our Texas property management team can tell you, bathrooms sell rental properties. That said, it’s essential to pay attention to when yours needs updating. After all, upgrades (especially in areas like bathrooms) help justify higher rent and reduce the number of days your rental is sitting on the market. ...
Daylight Savings Time Ends! If you are in a US state that observes daylight savings time, don’t forget that on Sunday, November 2nd, the clocks will “fall back” by one hour. At 2am the clocks will change back to 1am, and although these days most clocks adjust automatically, there may still be some that need to be updated manually. Holiday Season Closings With the holiday season...
Real Estate Market Update Austin has been named one of the strongest buyer’s markets by Redfin. Other data sources show that the downward trend for sales continues along with the traditional seasonality that is expected at this time of year. The Austin rental market is still considered one of the most expensive in the metro area according to Zumper. We have mentioned in previous posts that the leasing market is very competitive now, so reductions in rent and offering incentives are extremely important to find tenants. As you likely know, it’s better to have a home rented for less than desired as opposed to sitting vacant and earning nothing at all. Daylight Savings Time Ends! If you are in a US st...
Is Austin's Housing Market a Buyer's Market?
How to Send Reminders to Tenants That Don't Feel Pushy
Stone Oak Resident Update | December 2025
Stone Oak Client Update | December 2025
AI Tenant Screening: Safer or Riskier for Landlords?
How to Handle Rental Applicants With Criminal Records
Best Bathroom Renovations for Rental ROI
Stone Oak Resident Update | November 2025
Stone Oak Client Update | November 2025
