How a Small Change to the Front Door Can Net a Shocking ROI
When listing your home, every home-selling tip is a balancing act. Where do you invest money? Where do you hold off? What’s going to cost the least amount but yield the biggest return? Well, how does spending $200 and getting $6,500 back sound?
Pretty good, right? This easy, simple trick with your front door could do just that.
Front Door Revamp Dos and Don’ts
Giving your front door a simple makeover can have a huge impact on a buyer’s offer.
“A front door is often the first thing that captures a buyer’s eye, and first impressions matter when buyers need to make swift decisions in today’s fast-moving market,” said Amanda Pendleton, a Zillow home trends expert, in this article.
A recent Zillow study found these key takeaways about door makeovers:
- Black was the clear financial winner. Painting a door black came back with the highest return. For the minimal investment, buyers were willing to pay an average of $6,449 more for this high-contrast look.
- Slate blue came in second. Slate blue, or a chalky gray and light blue blend, was slated to fetch an extra $1,537.
- Olive green was the third-place color. Another bold but neutral color, olive green was estimated to bring in offers $969 higher.
- Black was lucrative…but polarizing. While black topped the offer increase list (by a large margin), it did produce strong feelings in buyers. Some deemed it “imposing” or a look that “doesn’t give positive vibes at all.”
- Pale pink and cement gray were clear losers. Prospective buyers labeled pale pink “kind of shabby looking.” This unfavorable impression netted an average loss of $6,516. Cement gray came in dead last with the lowest overall score.
People looking at your freshly painted front door.
What Other Design Choices Increase Home Value?
OK. Front door. Done.
Still have a few extra funds left for other home improvement projects? Here are some areas that consistently yield a favorable return on investment:
- Landscaping. When potential buyers come to see the house in person, the front yard is the first thing they’ll see. Your landscaping has a huge impact on the home’s curb appeal, and that can have a huge impact on how people view the home overall. (Get some additional tips on how to improve your home’s curb appeal.)
- Garage door replacement. Just like a front door contributes to that crucial first impression, so too do garage doors. Replacing shabby, broken, or unsightly garage doors with new, functional ones can be a huge net positive for your bank account.
- Updated kitchen appliances. Nobody likes the idea of changing out a disgusting stove or a flaky fridge. This is a bigger initial investment, but revitalizing your kitchen with new appliances can remove one big objection for lots of potential buyers.
- Paint. If you need to quickly and cheaply breathe new life into a room, give it a fresh coat of paint. If you do the work yourself, this is a tiny investment that can make a significant impact. If you’re selling, skew toward neutrals (whites, creams, grays). These make spaces look fresh, clean, and large.
Why These Home-Selling Tips Matter Right Now
The housing market is starting to shift. Interest rates are higher. Inflation is on the rise. Mortgage applications are down. It all adds up to fewer interested buyers. Fewer qualified buyers. Fewer bidding wars.
In this landscape, home sellers can’t always sell a home “as is” and expect to still get top dollar. Instead, sellers are once again looking to get the most out of their homes through strategic, budget-friendly updates and renovations.
If funds are incredibly tight, just invest in glamming up that front door with a coat of black or slate blue paint. You’ll be happy you did when the offers come in.
Want More Information and Home-Selling Tips?
If you’re looking to sell your home in DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia, don’t hesitate to reach out or give us a call at (571) 992-0700.
We’re Ray Gernhart and Associates, premier DC real estate agents, and we’re here to show you real estate as it should be!
