Ahhh, spring. Warmer days, budding trees and ... soggy grass. Just as you would clean the inside of your rental after a pipe burst, it’s important to maintain your property’s exterior after a long winter. Because while spring is the perfect time for your tenants to start enjoying your property’s outdoor spaces again, it’s also the time when people start looking for their next rental.

Here are a few ideas to freshen your rentals' exteriors so your tenants can enjoy the space — and your prospects can be impressed.

Walk the perimeter

Walk the perimeter of your rental to check for any damage or chipping paint on the sides, windowsills and door frames. Check the outside lights, and look for loose wiring or other places where the cold or wet weather may have caused some wear and tear.

Wash the exterior thoroughly

After months of rain, sleet and snow, your property’s exterior most likely needs a little attention. Pressure washing your walls will whip them back into shape in no time.

Work out the best time to do this with your tenants, and give them plenty of advanced notice. Also, consider hiring a professional if you haven’t operated a pressure washer before.

Check the drainage

While you’re working on the exterior of your rental, check the gutters for debris that may have accumulated under all the snow — and wash the exterior of your windows while you’re at it. It’ll save you some time if you’re cleaning between tenants later in the spring.

Additionally, check the lawn for puddles or other signs of poor drainage. Water should flow away from your rental and its foundation. If this isn’t the case, you’ll need to fix the issue.

It can be as easy as readjusting a gutter spout or as intensive as hiring a professional if pavement is involved. Be sure to address water issues quickly, because it could turn into a much bigger — and more expensive — issue in the future.

Spruce up the lawn

If your rental is in the Midwest or on the East Coast, you likely get some serious snowfall. Once it gets warmer and the snow melts for good, it’s common to see hats, gloves and garbage lying about the property. Discard (or wash) any out-of-place items before proceeding with lawn care.

An aesthetically pleasing lawn requires more than just trash removal, though. After snow melts, grass is usually soggy, flat and brown.

First, try raking matted blades to bring them back to life. Then, sprinkle fertilizer for added nutrients. Check your sprinkler system to ensure it’s functioning efficiently so grass remains hydrated and green through July and August.

For even healthier grass, consider calling an aeration service company. Aeration allows water and air to reach the roots of grass faster for a plush-looking lawn.

Bring in some color

While you’re maintaining the lawn, bring some color to your curbside by planting hearty flowers or bulbs for the upcoming season. This will help catch the eyes of prospective renters as they cruise the neighborhood.

While it’s not quite warm enough (in most places) to bring out the flip-flops and lemonade, your rental will be ready and looking its best for prime leasing season!