How to Get Your Front Door Ready for Showings

What should you fix at your front door before selling your home?

Start with the basics.

Make sure the key and lock work easily, the porch is clean, the light works, and any security screen door opens without a struggle.

It may seem like a small part of selling your home, but buyers often spend more time standing at your front door than you think.

While their agent is getting the key out of the lockbox and opening the door, buyers are looking around.

And they’re already forming an opinion about the house.

Your Front Door Is Part of the First Impression

Most sellers think a buyer’s first impression happens at the curb.

That’s part of it.

But the front door is where buyers actually stop and start paying attention to the details.

Maybe the agent is trying to open the lockbox.

Maybe the key sticks.

Maybe there’s a second lock on the security door.

During that time, the buyer is standing there looking at the door, porch, light fixture, doormat, paint, and everything around them.

In the Inland Empire and High Desert, they may also be standing there in 90- or 100-degree weather.

You want that part of the showing to feel easy.

What Buyers Notice at the Front Door

Buyers notice more than you may think.

They may see:

• Peeling or faded paint

• Cobwebs

• Dust and dirt

• Dead bugs inside the porch light

• A worn-out doormat

• A loose door handle

• A doorbell that doesn’t work

• Dead plants

• Packages or clutter near the door

None of these things alone will usually stop someone from buying your house.

But several little things together can make buyers wonder how well the rest of the home has been maintained.

Check the Front Door

The sun can be hard on front doors in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Doors that get a lot of afternoon sun can fade, crack, or start peeling faster than you realize.

Take a good look at your door during the day.

If the paint or finish looks worn, a fresh coat of paint or stain can make a big difference without costing a lot.

You don’t need to choose a dramatic new color.

Clean and fresh is usually enough.

And if you live in an HOA, check the rules before changing the exterior color.

Test the Lockbox Key

This is one of the easiest things to overlook.

Don’t just test your normal house key.

Test the actual key that will be inside the lockbox.

Can you unlock the door easily?

Or do you have to jiggle the key, pull on the door, or turn it a certain way?

Remember, the buyer’s agent has never opened your door before.

If the lock is difficult, the showing can start with frustration.

If needed, have a new key made, tighten the hardware, or have the lock serviced.

If you use a smart lock, change the batteries before your home goes on the market.

Check Your Security Screen Door

Security screen doors are common throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert.

You don’t need to remove yours before selling.

Just make sure it doesn’t make showings harder.

Check that:

• The key works

• The correct key is available

• The door opens easily

• The screen is clean

• The frame isn’t covered in dust or cobwebs

If the security door hides your front door, you may also want it open for listing photos.

Talk with your agent and photographer about what looks best.

Clean the Porch Light

A lot of buyers tour homes after work.

During fall and winter, that can mean they arrive after dark.

Make sure the porch light works and gives off enough light for the agent to see the lock and lockbox.

Also clean the fixture.

Dust, cobwebs, and bugs inside a light fixture are easy to miss when you see them every day.

Buyers standing underneath it may notice right away.

And check your doorbell while you’re at it.

Sweep Before Showings

In Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and other High Desert areas, wind and dust can make a clean porch dirty again pretty quickly.

Try to sweep the entry before showings when possible.

You don’t need a fancy porch.

You just want it to feel clean and welcoming.

Remove extra shoes, packages, tools, toys, or anything else sitting near the door.

A simple clean doormat is usually enough.

Keep Plants Simple

Plants can make an entry look great.

Dead plants do the opposite.

If you’re already moved out or can’t regularly water your plants, it may be better to remove them.

Two healthy plants look much better than six struggling ones.

Make Sure Buyers Can Find Your House

Your house numbers should be easy to see from the street.

Buyers and agents shouldn’t have to drive back and forth trying to figure out which house they’re showing.

Check your house numbers during the day and at night.

If they’re faded, blocked by landscaping, or hard to see, fix that before the home goes active.

Think About Lockbox Placement

Where the lockbox is placed also matters.

If the buyer’s agent has to walk around the side of the house or search for it, the buyers may be left standing at the front door waiting.

Put the lockbox somewhere easy for agents to find and use.

If you’re in a gated neighborhood, make sure the showing instructions explain how to get through the gate too.

The goal is simple: make it easy for buyers to get inside your home.

What About Doorbell Cameras?

Many homes now have Ring cameras and other video doorbells.

Those cameras may record both video and audio.

California has stricter rules when it comes to recording private or confidential conversations.

Because buyers may talk openly with their agent while standing at your front door, I recommend being careful with audio recording during showings.

One simple option is to turn off the audio recording while your home is listed.

If you want to keep audio recording turned on, talk with your real estate agent about disclosure and speak with an attorney if you have specific legal questions.

There’s also another reason I don’t recommend listening to buyer conversations.

Buyers may make comments about your house that you don’t agree with.

Hearing those comments can make a seller emotional, and that usually doesn’t help when it comes time to negotiate.

This is general information and is not legal advice.

You Probably Don’t Need a New Front Door

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars replacing a front door just because you’re selling.

If the door works, closes properly, and is in decent condition, cleaning it or adding fresh paint may be all it needs.

Replace it if it’s damaged, badly warped, or no longer works properly.

The same goes for the hardware.

You don’t need expensive new handles just for the sake of updating them.

Clean and working matters more than expensive.

And remember, a beautiful front door won’t make up for a home that is overpriced.

The goal is to create a good first impression, not overspend before you sell.

Do a Walk-Up Test Before You List

Before your home goes on the market, pretend you’re the buyer.

Park at the curb.

Walk toward the house.

Look at the landscaping and house numbers.

Walk up to the front door.

Use the lockbox key.

Open the security door if you have one.

Then stand on the porch for about a minute and look around.

What do you notice?

That’s probably what buyers will notice too.

Those are the things I would fix first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I paint my front door before selling?

If the door is faded, peeling, chipped, or looking tired, fresh paint can be an inexpensive way to improve the entry.

You usually don’t need to change the color completely.

And if you’re in an HOA, check the rules before painting.

Does a security screen door hurt a home sale?

Not necessarily.

Security doors are common throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert.

The important thing is making sure the door is clean, the lock works, and the buyer’s agent knows how to open it.

Can I record buyers with my doorbell camera in California?

California has laws regarding the recording of confidential conversations, so audio recording can create additional concerns.

A simple option is to turn off audio recording during showings.

If you have questions about your specific camera setup or California recording laws, talk with an attorney.

Thinking About Selling in the Inland Empire or High Desert?

Buyers notice the little things.

Sometimes those small details start before they even walk through the front door.

If you’re thinking about selling and want a second set of eyes on your home before it hits the market, call or text me.

Amanda Zito, REALTOR®
Real Brokerage
CA DRE #01740063 | TX TREC #840088
949-484-9486 | SoldByZito.com