Sellers...Don't be a Door Knob Dummy!

The door is one of the last things they see before a buyer will enter the house, the last spot to make a good first impression. It makes it so nice to approach a well taken care of front door with shinny knobs, handles and kick plate. A good looking front door can win major points when selling a home.

Kristal, I had a situation like this just last week... and in a million dollar house no less!  The lock on the front door was very difficult to open and close.  On the way in, after getting the key out of the lockbox it took me about 2 minutes to jiggle the lock open which gave the buyers a chance to see how there were many weeds and overgrown landscaping in the front yard and moss in the cracks of the brick-paved front porch -- not to mention the huge wasp hovering around us.  On the way out, the buyers had to wait for me about 3 minutes until I was finally able to get the door locked.

I've always viewed the door as symbolic to how the whole house will look. Typically I start "sizing" up a project the moment I walk up to the door. They tell so much. Your right the seller does this too, in their conscious. or subconscious minds.

For *sure* :) I've waited for REPs to open the door before being let in to do virtual tours... and it's never occurred to me to say something to the REP about it. *adds to tour tips* :)

Dawn Shaffer

Most sellers never use their front door as they go in through the garage. Definitely up to the listing Realfor to point this out and make sure the locks work smoothly. I keep a can of WD40 in my car for just such occassions. If it's another Realtors listing I will  still take a minute and fix it for them.

Thank you for saying this!  Earlier this year, I had to call a listing agent from a home because we could not get the key out of the lock.  Wasted my time and made a bad impression on the potential buyers.

Just an F.Y.I. -- I read an article that stated Tri-Flow is a better alternative to WD40.  You can find it in bicycle shops or online (just enter "Tri-Flow" in the product search window and hit enter).

It's all about first impressions.  The approach to the house will set the tone - fresh flowers, a new matt, clean visible house number - and please get rid of the spider webs!  Great post!

When I am listing a home, I take the seller out front and walk them in the front door and tell them to look at the house with an objective eye.  If there is a problem, it's discussed then.  No bad doors at a Lipnitz listing.  Maybe a few dirty floors... wink wink

Good strategy Sara...the objective eye. The front door is a sub category to a broader topic of curb view. Would that seller want to purchase another property which has the same malfunctions as their own home? Hmmmm interesting thought to ponder.