You usually want to keep three factors in mind when preparing your property for renters: curb appeal, functionality, and cost. When selecting a fence for your rental home, keep these factors at the forefront of the decision-making process, and read on for some more tips.

You probably have an ideal tenant in mind, such as a young couple or a young family. Use information about this target demographic to help narrow your fence selections. For example, if you're marketing your home to families with school-aged children, you need to make sure the fence is durable.

The Atlanta metropolitan area offers children the luxury of playing outside all through the year, and it is fair to assume that a great deal of this playtime will be spent in the backyard of the home. High-energy play sessions could send the children, and even balls or other toys, slamming into the fence. Wood is a highly durable option that can withstand the impact of this type of activity while remaining intact.

Are you planning to allow pets at your property? If the answer is yes, then potential renters will appreciate a fenced yard that keeps their dog secure and safe. If pets are your main concern, then you should probably stay away from a chain-link fence. Chain-link is versatile and affordable, but it's easy for a larger dog to climb up a chain link fence and ultimately escape the yard.

Also, the wide-open design of chain-link may be problematic for an overly excited or aggressive dog. Remember that any noise complaints about the tenants’ pet will come to you, not the tenants. A vinyl fence or wood fence is better for pets since both vinyl and wood are virtually climb-proof and restrict the dog's view outside the fence, which can minimize excessive barking.

Just how committed are you to maintenance? The property, including the fence, needs to look acceptable while a tenant is living there as well as after they've moved out and you're looking for a new tenant.

Given the elevated humidity levels in Georgia, this climate can create challenges for some fencing structures, namely metal selections like chain-link or wrought-iron. If you want to install these types of selections, be prepared to re-apply a protective sealant and re-paint the sealing from time to time.

If you have multiple rental properties or don't have much time to commit to maintenance, a vinyl fence might be a better solution. Vinyl can easily withstand the constant exposure to the extra moisture in the air and doesn't require any maintenance aside from damage repair.

If your rental property is located within a subdivision or other homeowners association governed community, don't forget to consult these boards when considering fence installation. These organizations will typically have strict rules about the height, design, and sometimes even the material of the fences allowed in the community.

Rather than have the fence constructed only to discover that it is out of regulation, get this information from the HOA before you start the project. Even if you don't live in one of these communities, there are still regulations. For instance, residential fences may not exceed eight feet in Fulton County. If you hire an experienced local fence contractor, they should be able to help you understand the local regulations.

Depending on your needs and goals, there is a lot to consider when choosing a fence for your rental property. So don’t forget to rely on professional help. Whether it's your rental property or your own home, contact West Georgia Fence for all of your fencing needs.