Software
Houzz Logo Print
michal_ricca

HELP! Need Exterior Refresh

5 years ago

New Beach House. How do we update this awful exterior and make it attractive to renters?

Comments (18)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I would paint the entirety of the body one color. I would paint it a bright grey/blue color with white trim. Then add in wood accents with the entry door. I would also cover the water meter with a planter with a privacy vine wall, providing camouflage and foliage.






    Michal Ricca thanked User
  • 5 years ago

    Who do see as your renters? Families who will rent for a week? The "Jersey Shore" crowd. i.e. groups that rent for the season and who primarily come down on the weekend but may take a week's vacation? I think that will make a difference.

  • 5 years ago

    Paint it one color. Match The window Sizes if possible redo the driveway. Pull out he front door and create a little porch there. What’s the back of the house?

  • 5 years ago

    “Front” facing the ocean

  • 5 years ago

    Hoping repeat families. 6 bedroom though.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    May be some overhang/pergola for sitting area?

  • 5 years ago

    Definitely needs something coming off the exterior. It’s very flat

  • 5 years ago

    To me, your target market definitely makes a difference. Families tend to want a little more charm. How far you go will depend upon what your competition has. Where is the house?

    I'd definitely paint the house all one color, maybe white or another light color. I'd paint the street facing door something bright. Maybe some large pots next to the door with something colorful but low maintenance plants.

    Is the front really on the ocean? I'd focus on making that area something special to attract families. It seems very "public" so maybe a decorative fence, to create some privacy, eating space, an umbrella.

    For the Jersey Shore crowd all you probably need in an inflatable pool and/or a ping pong table to play drinking games.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    It just needs some character. I would paint it a nice nautical blue, white trim and an inviting sunshine yellow front door. I'm curious about that item next to the sign in front. Is that a pipe that goes into the house? I'm a vacation rental property manager (16 yrs., including Brigantine, NJ) and I don't think your home has rental appeal right now. First, I hang clothes out to dry and have no dryer, but vacationers aren't used to that. Remove the drying contraption and install a good W/D set. The place is hemmed in by all the asphalt! I see some of it leads to another building. Is that a separate property or just storage associated with the house? Can any of the asphalt be removed or replaced/covered with pea gravel, crushed shells or other material that is more "beachy?" All of the patio/walk material around the house is far from adequate, interesting or inviting. Again, replace with more appealing and beach-appropriate materials. Change the storm doors for solid pane ones. On the side facing the ocean, find a way to open a door onto a new balcony/deck that will also provide cover for the lower area. Not knowing the interior layout, I'm guessing, but the three windows could be changed to a triple French door, slider or retracting/stacking glass panels (your budget may be a concern here.) In front where people park just put a pergola all across. I suggest you watch the Netflix series titled "Stay Here." It is chock full of ideas, DIY and marketing tips that will help you if this is your first rental venture.

    Pergola to emphasize your entry

    Retreat · More Info

    Deck idea for ocean side.

    Beach Cottage Renovation · More Info


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    are there any similar homes in that neighborhood that have done something more attractive? let's see pictures of what they did.

    main thing is paint, some character, and some type of landscaping, even if they're in large pots. (hiding the gas meter w/something, google it, would be nice.)

    Right now the home looks like a corner market!

  • 5 years ago

    Try showing a photo from overhead, like from Google Streetview, to give a sense of where the house, the lot, and the beach are. Where do guests park?

  • 5 years ago

    @reff31 Just curious, have you ever been to the Jersey Shore?

  • 5 years ago

    @tozmo1

    Yup. I've live here. In a quintessential beach town with LOTS of summer rentals, 4 blocks to the ocean. We walk past rentals just about every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Before that I was a seasonal renter.


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    an awning over the door, picket fence and/or tall plant boxes could dress up the front, just be sure you still can access the gas meter. I can't tell from the photos if any of this is allowable though. (is that a sidewalk?)

    for the back-- what about a big 2nd level deck? the views will be better, and people can hang out underneath when they need shade or to get out of the rain. or if it's kind of low slung, it could be a good place to store beach equipment.

    for the backyard, consider a big gas fire pit. if you can rip up the concrete, replace it with stones or something nice.

    how do you feel about a hot tub? I have to admit that when I search for vacation homes, the ones w/o hot tubs are the first ones eliminated. they're a pain to maintain though.

    an outdoor shower is really nice too, or at least a decent foot rinse station.

  • 5 years ago

    What code restrictions do you have? Some ideas for the back, add a balcony if possible.


    Newport Beach Ocean Front · More Info


    Spirit of Venice · More Info


    Definitely change the color but you could go bold.


    Island Studio House · More Info


    Hire a mural painter and do something really fun


    Murals on Stucco Walls · More Info


    Custom Cactus Wall Mural on Back Wall · More Info


    Exterior Poppy Mural · More Info


    The Score - Grand Rapids, MI · More Info

    Are there any historical references in the town you could amplify?





  • 5 years ago

    @reff31 My Jersey Shore reference is Ocean City. Not the same rental market you are talking about.

  • 5 years ago

    @tozmo1 Yes, a very different market. Within just a few miles you can rent anything from a $70k/month house across the street from the beach to something almost exactly like the original house rented on MTV's Jersey Shore, a house with lots of small bedrooms and the above mentioned pool and pingpong table. The original has become a tourist trap and rents for $2000/night now.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If you don't want to paint it all one color, adding a design feature around the main entry door(s -- street and beach, would be worth considering.

    Consider adding color and/or a brick or a stone design to the floor of the raised stoop and, code permitting, add an awning over that same area.

    Whatever that "wire" dropping off the roof on the right side might be ... get rid of it -- raise it and/or alter it's position so it doesn't appear to be something dropped/damaged.

    Do create a portable screen that can be secured yet easily removed from around the gas meter and, perhaps, a screen for around a trash can beside that as well.

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70298444160472114/

    https://www.pinterest.com/NMcguill/gas-meter-cover/

    A box planter with trellis between door and meter would at least be the minimum you need. You don't want to see either the meter or a trash can as you are walking in and out the door but both need to remain readily accessible.

Sponsored
CHC & Family Developments
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars6 Reviews
Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio