It seems this year that winter has decided to transition directly into early summer with just a passing interest in the cool days of spring. At least that's the case in Texas, where the weather can fluctuate from cloudy 60-degree weather one day to running into the mid-90's on the next. For property managers, that can put a potential hamper on their spring cleaning plans, when communities begin to spruce up their properties in anticipation of the higher-yield summer season. There are, however some initial steps that can be taken to take as much advantage of a shorter spring season as possible.

Depending on how bad the winter months were in terms of weather damage, making cosmetic improvements to your community may be of high priority. Repairing turf damage and improving curb appeal may be obvious, but using native area plants for landscaping can help reduce water usage. According to the Department of Energy, understanding your property's microclimate can also help transform your landscaping strategy into something that not only looks pretty, but is also cost and resource efficient as well.

Another important aspect of spring cleaning may involve maintaining your property's electrical systems, particularly the air conditioning. Taking into account last summer's record heat wave and rolling brownouts, multifamily companies have a larger incentive to go green by making their electrical systems more efficient. While the cost associated with upgrading may make some property owners blanch, the return on investment becomes apparent when the electricity bill arrives.