The Importance of Curb Appeal

Terry Gore
8/7/2026

There is the old saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Most opinions are made within three seconds of initial sighting. Upon arrival at a vacation rental property, guests subconsciously judge the care level, advertising accuracy, value, and more. Once made, changing these judgments are difficult, if not impossible. This is why curb appeal is important.

Negativity seeks confirmation and validation. Once the guest has a negative impression, they search out additional flaws, starting the guest relations “death spiral.” Finding a flaw encourages one to continue looking for further problems. Cleaning, decoration, and other attributes that would have been acceptable now get grouped together, giving the perception of a horrible vacation experience. Guests begin talking and feeding off each other’s frustration, further compounding the situation.

Landscaping

The main offender in this geographic area is landscaping. The expectation is a great grass lawn, which can be played in by children. There was a trend in the Outer Banks of North Carolina to have “zero-scaping” or “natural landscaping.”  Property owners thought this would be a cost-effective and low-hassle way to show the area’s natural beauty. While this may have been the case at one time, the reality now is that guests perceive this practice as neither functional nor aesthetically appealing. Even at a property with minimal landscaping, such as a condominium complex, curb appeal is important. Do your properties have appropriate landscaping? Are there out-of-date curb appeal trends in your area?

Trash

Trash in the yard is the next offender. Often properties do not have the appropriate number of trash bins for their size. The recommended rule of thumb is one exterior trash bin per two bedrooms. When this guideline is not met, trash overflows from the disposal bins, scattering across the yard. Having smaller receptacles that contain trash around the pool and on decks prevents the spread of the material to other areas of the property (and neighbors’ yards). Do not forget to empty the receptacles into the bins every turnover. Are your exteriors free of debris? Who is responsible for checking and correcting? Are there correct quantities and locations of trash receptacles both inside and outside?

Exterior Paint

Chipped and faded paint creates a feeling of disappointment. Coastal and desert area properties are sandblasted constantly. In the mountains, there is snowfall and wind. These elements impact the quality of the exterior paint, reducing visual charm. Inadequate or infrequent painting implies a low care level. Exterior paint should be touched up annually, and full repaints should be every three to five years. Who is responsible for monitoring the condition of the exterior? Are we collaborating with our owners so they know the expectations?

Dissatisfaction and disappointment occur with a lack of curb appeal. Most guests feel anxious just before they arrive at a vacation rental property. When the first glances meet or exceed expectations, there is a general feeling of relief. This allows excitement and happiness to start building in the void where angst was before. As additional features of the property continue to meet and exceed expectations, these positive sentiments grow. None of this can happen without a positive first impression on arrival.