FEATURE
Protect Community Roots & Make Property Values Grow By Amanda Gray
T
he Coachel la Valley is prime real estate for potential buyers, but if a community’s curbside appearance isn’t under control boards could be missing out on attracting quality owners. A beautifully manicured HOA tends to be more appealing to homeowners and with proper enforcement of community guidelines, boards can maintain and boost property values. A community’s most valuable asset is common area landscape; it is the key to driving property values. How does your community measure up? Make sure to observe these landscaping best practices when evaluating your community’s curb appeal: ENTRANCES & FOCAL POINTS Entrances and focal point areas establish first impressions, but is the community leaving positive and lasting ones? Make sure these areas are: • Clean and free of debris • Fresh with seasonal color and varying textures • Clearly signed and properly lit • Appealing to the eye. Consider things from a driver’s perspective, how do things appear? Remember you only get one chance at a first impression. COMMON AREAS - Common areas are crucial to establishing the quality of life intended for owners and tend to be the biggest draw for prospective residents. These areas should be anything but common; they should be a bright spot in the community. Ask yourself these questions when sizing up the community: • Are there inviting places for people to congregate? • Are the common areas clean, attractive, and appealing?
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Quorum July, 2019
• Are pathways and trail areas free of debris and weeds? • Are the common area trash bins and doggie stations regularly maintained? TURF CARE- Seasonal maintenance of your community turf is critical to achieving that healthy, green look all year round. Here are some basic practices to follow: • Soil test to reveal any nutrient deficiencies • Regularly dethatch and overseed your turf to achieve ideal growth during hot and cool seasons • Evaluate irrigation systems for costly flaws and maximum coverage • Utilize results from the soil test to implement a fertility and aeration program to develop healthy and dense turf COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES - Don’t overlook the importance of keeping community boundaries clean and well-maintained. Shortcuts in areas that can’t be seen often introduce the following risks: • Overgrown and neglected areas result in a build-up of plant material weakening infrastructure such as walls or fencing • Excessive growth areas are a draw for pests and vermin, masks an array of irrigation issues, and provides great cover for the homeless and potential for crime to occur. ARBOR CARE - Trees are a community’s number one landscape asset. While they are hearty, they also need to be carefully watched and assessed to ensure they stay rooted in your community for years to come.
