You’ve heard it a thousand times, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Initail impressions begin to register in potential buyers long before they even set foot in your home. As any home seller should be well aware curb appeal is a huge factor in home sales and the front porch/door area needs to feel extremely welcoming to visitors, it should exude a sense of arrival and welcome. If someone feels welcome before they walk in the door, you have their attention and are that much closer to a sale. Prior to listing your home for sale, consider these front entry staging steps to prepare for that great first impression:
FRONT DOOR
It’s super simple and inexpensive to give your front door’s exterior a fresh coat of paint or stain to brighten it, to update the color, and to create an attractive focal point when your prospective buyers are standing in front of it waiting for their agent to open the lockbox. It is well supported that a fresh new coat of paint, especially in certain desirable colors (black, slate blue, olive green or surprising pops of color like reds, teals, yellows, bright blue) can add up to an additional $5,000+ in your sales value.
The front door is the first architectural feature that most buyers notice about your home so even if your front door really needs replacing it will certainly be worth the higher expense of investing in a new front door—either wood (most desirable in certain styles of homes like craftsman), steel or fiberglass. The average cost to replace a front door is approximately $500-$1,500, but again if you can realize an additional $5,000 for example on your sales price and sell your home sooner—this investment is well worth it.
HARDWARE
Make sure that all of your front exterior hardware—door handles, locks, door knockers, entry and carriage lights are all matching and polished to look new. Your address numbers if secured to your home can be traditional in a matching hardware finish such as brushed, black, brass, bronze or they can be upgraded to a contemporary and coordinated solar backlit plaque. Wayfair.com sells a number of options that balance contemporary and traditional styles and come in many popular finishes. Also, don’t overlook your doorbell—make sure it looks new, that it works and has not been disabled.
PORCH SEATING
Even if all that you have is a modest landing, put a small bench against the house which you can decorate with pops of color via outdoor pillows. If you are lucky enough to have a large porch (more than 80% of home buyers want a front porch! Source: The National Association of Home Builders), arrange one or more groups of wroght iron, wicker or Adirondack-style chairs and small tables. Again add a splash of seasonal color with a few outdoor pillows or by painting a bench a table an accent, provided it fits the house’s style and color scheme.
DECKING/PORCH SURFACE
Perk up the underfoot area on the porch or landing by scrubbing brick, cement or stone surfaces and giving wood a fresh coat of paint or sealant. Always keep a yard blower at the ready to clear dust, leaves and cobwebs away.
DECLUTTER
Trim plants around the front door, throw out anything that blocks the windows, and keep holiday decorations understated. Keep personal items like dog leashes and toys, boots and gardening equipment stashed away in a closet or the garage, where they are out of immediate sight.
LIGHTING
Upgraded exterior and yard accent lighting topped NAHB’s list of desired exterior features with 87% of home buyers prioritizing exterior lighting—surprisingly higher than any other exterior feature. Lighting your home’s front entrance is vital year-round, but especially in the fall and winter when the days grow shorter and potential buyers may visit or drive by at dusk or after dark. Replace outdated fixtures and use warm, white bulbs bright enough to illuminate the house numbers after dark (generally at least 60 watts). If your front entrance has landscaping or planter features that could be highlighted best with accent lighting, this is a great idea as well.
WINDOWS
Clean all the windows in your home inside and out before putting it on the market, and give extra care to those near your front door. Also make sure to dress them from the inside with neatly hung, recently cleaned drapes or well maintained blinds or shutters. The average cost to have your windows professionally cleaned is approximately $10-$15 per window and doing this pays huge dividends in the sale of a home. Also check to make sure screens for windows are in good shape, repair ($35-$50ish per) or replace ($100-300ish per) damaged window screens—this is not something you will want to show up on your picky buyer’s repair request notice. Also make sure that the window cleaners have addressed the window tracks as well as that the window casings have been wiped clean.
FOLIAGE
Flank the front door with a pair of oversized planters filled with greenery like ferns. Or place medium-sized pots of seasonal flowers like impatiens, begonias or pansies for spring—mums or marigolds for fall on the front steps. Keep your plants and flower well maintained while your home is on the market, it’s amazing what a turn-off displaying dead or dying potted plants can be to discerning buyers, it hints at a lack of care that can shroud the rest of your home’s positive features.
WELCOME MAT
Dress up your front entrance with a new mat. Opt for neutral colors and understated designs (lattice rubber, coir and sea grass mats are good choices), and avoid personalized touches like monograms and whimsical sayings. A big “WELCOME” or “HELLO” can be a fun touch though. Proportionally speaking mats should be at least as wide as the doorframe. It might be a good investment to have a fresh mat available to swap out mid-selling cycle though— on second thought—if you execute well on the above steps your home many not be on the market long enough to swap mats!❤️
