Your Front Door can Bring the Buyer!

When putting your home on the market, it's critical to attract buyers, so that they want to come see the inside of your home.  Having a "car stopping" front door is a big step toward making that happen.  

Johnnie Chuoke, the Happy Handyman, owns a hardware store in San Antonio, and wrote an article in a local paper last week that tells you how to transform your front door yourself.  "People will just drive off if the front of the home doen't just grab them.  And the front door can be the most exciting way to make an impression of new buyers." 

First you need to prepare the door by removing the old paint or varnish.  He suggests Soy Gel, a safe remover that is 100% biodegradable.  It's made of 100% soy beans, grown in America.  Apply it to a small area of the door and see how long it takes to remove the paint; then you know how long it will take to do the whole door.  When it's ready to be removed, just use a plastic scraper to scoop off the paint or varnish.  After you have removed the gel, take off the residue with water and a rag or scrub pad.  Let the surface dry.  Now, you think he's going to tell you to sand the door, but with this product, it's not necessary!

The paint he recommends is a Coronado Paint product called Rust Scat Enamel, and it comes in semi-gloss or a high gloss.  It's an oil base paint that is a great primer in itself, so you are priming in your final color and then apply a finish coat.  One quart should do it!  You should use a synthetic bristle brush for the painting. 

He says this kind of paint is good for metal doors and even concrete floors.  His products are available at www.acmelumber.com.

Get that front door ready for the market, and don't forget to make sure the surrounding area looks great, too.  You know that while agents are opening the door, the buyers are standing on the porch looking at every detail of the entry! 

Do you have a picture of your unique front door that you would like to share?