First impressions, as they say, are everything. And one of the most important components of your home's first impression is the front door.
It may seem a small part of your home's overall appeal, but the front door makes an emotional connection with prospective buyers, which means—logical or not—that it can impact your home's desirability along with the price someone is willing to pay for it.
A recent research report from Zillow supports the front-door theory, especially when it comes to color. According to the study, homes with a slate blue or black front door appeal to more of today's buyers and could sell for a higher price. Conversely, pale pink and cement gray front doors could negatively impact a home's value.
This new, front door paint-color analysis is based on a Zillow study of recent and prospective homebuyers who were randomly assigned images of front doors painted one of 11 colors. The home's interior was the same for all study participants. Each color received a score based on buyers' perception of the home, likelihood of buying the home and the price they would be willing to pay for the home. National price premiums were calculated using the typical U.S. home value of $334,141.
Homes with a front door painted slate blue received the top overall score with buyers. Most recent and prospective buyers who liked the home with a door painted this color, would likely purchase the home and, on average, would be willing to offer an estimated $1,537 more.
A black front door was associated with the highest offer price, with buyers saying they would be willing to pay, on average, $6,449 more for a home with this high-contrast front door. However, black was also more polarizing than other front door colors, with some buyers finding it too intimidating or imposing. Olive green is another good option, with recent and prospective buyers saying they would be willing to pay an estimated $969 more for a home with this front door color.
Conversely, certain front-door colors were particularly off-putting to recent and prospective buyers. Some study participants, for example, had a negative reaction to homes with a pale pink front door, and would be willing to pay, on average, $6,516 less than expected. Cement gray front doors received the lowest overall score.
While a home's ultimate sale price is determined by a myriad of factors, this research shows it pays to be strategic when sprucing up a home for sale. By selecting the right front door paint color, sellers can appeal to more buyers and potentially boost their bottom line.
That said, buyers should be aware of how cosmetic factors like front-door paint colors can skew their perception and valuation of a home. Be sure to know what your priorities are when looking for a home and remember that paint colors can be changed to your liking once you move in.
