When I am driving around I can't help but notice fabulous front doors that give a home personality. In the small town where I live one of my favorite front doors has an American flag painted on it showing the national pride of the owners inside the charming white village colonial. Another of my favorite front doors is a beautiful Robin's egg blue that jazzes up a plain white cape with black shutters.
While I admit you don't have to make such a bold statement to make a first impression I realized today after looking at about fifteen houses with a buyer that you can tell a lot about what is inside of the house from the front door. It would be a good idea for sellers to pay attention to their front doors and make buyers want to go inside.
After all, the front door is the first way of welcoming guests and inviting them into your home. I was surprised at some of the front doors we saw today and what was behind them. One was dingy and dirty. I was not shocked to find that the inside was the same. Another was pretty scratched up from a very large, scary dog that happened to be home, along with the owner, for this showing. The dog also had scratched the floors and everything else in the home. It's no surprise that the home was on the market for $80,000 less than the assessed price and still was not appealing to the buyer.
Those who study Feng Shui recommend painting a door in fire colors such as red, purple, and pink. I read that a red door symbolizes the mouth of the home and the color invites good luck and happiness. While I am not sure that a door must be red I do agree that an eye-catching color and a fresh coat of paint is a great idea.
It is not just the paint or color I notice about the door. It is also the walkway leading up to the door, what is planted around the door and the other small details that matter such as the knocker, the locks, the handles and the screens or storm doors.
I love seeing pretty planters filled with pansies or seasonal flowers outside a door. You can also use topiaries to add some color and make an entrance to a home feel richer. It is also be smart to think about the lighting outside the door. Burned out bulbs or lamp posts that are on the ground are a definite turnoff. Pretty lanterns make a home look appealing. In fact some realtors photograph homes at night if the lighting is especially beautiful.
The bottom line is if you have paid attention to your front door, chances are you have put some thought into making your home a welcome place for buyers and guests. And in this market, that could be the difference between selling your home in three days versus one hundred and fifty days.
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