[Drhoda]

Just bought this rental and want to spruce up the outside with minimum cost and also low maintenance, as tenants rarely take care of landscaping.

Any ideas for best color for awnings and some low maintenance landscaping?

I'm also looking for porch railing ideas....and some sort of barrier on each side of the driveway to the basement. It is currently a fall hazard that I need to remedy without a lot of cost or it looking tooo tacky.

Thanks!

 

[Drhoda]

One more side pic

 

[joecaption]

The longest lasting no maintaince railings would be to use anidized aluminum set in core drilled holes and set with epoxy.
A simple vinyl picket fence along the drive.
Make sure to set it high enough that a weed wacker will not have to hit it.
As far as landscaping I'd forget about it until you want to sell it.
I know my rentals all have trees and hedges and no one ever cut them or rakes the leaves. You'll be lucky if you find a good enough tenet to even mow the lawn.

One thing I can see that may be an issue is that garage door. Looks like a DIY built door.

 

[Drhoda]

Yeah it is actually not even a garage. It is only 5 foot. Place to put a lawnmower and such. I may even lock it to keep the temants out as there is a shed out back as well.

I know what you mean about tenants taking care of the landscaping and yard. I was at least thinking about some hedges that don't require a lot of trimming

 

[joecaption]

I would get some gutters up on that side that needs a railing.
Right now you have water falling on the stoop, steps, driveway.
If you go back and add your location to your profile someone may suggest what type shrub to but in.

 

[Drhoda]

I would get some gutters up on that side that needs a railing.
Right now you have water falling on the stoop, steps, driveway.
If you go back and add your location to your profile someone may suggest what type shrub to but in.

Isn't the main reason for gutters to get water away from the house? I thought about installing some but the yard slopes quite dramatically so the water effectively drains toward the road.

 

[mt999999]

First off, I'd say loose the two shutters on the front. Awnings fazed out shutters, so they are purely decorational now. However, they just don't work when they don't appear operational at all... too short to cover windows and awnings in the way. For the awnings, I'd say to paint the classic, with every other slat painted black. The garage door kills the appearance too. For the landscaping, I'd say a few simple, low maintence evergreen shrubs, similar to this boxwood (However, it is currently sold out. Should be back in the spring.) Plant a few spaced infront of the porch on either side of the steps. Odd numbers like three on each side usually are the most appealing. http://parkseed.com/buxus-sempervirens-vardar-valley/p/48606/

Also, freshen up the steps with a new coat of durable, oil-based paint.

 

[Canarywood1]

Get rid of the siding on the doors so the surface is flat,paint it white and add black decorative carriage house hardware to the doors,ebay or Amazon has the hardware at a reasonable price.

 

[cleveman]

I think it is this house which people have in mind when they talk about making abortion illegal.