Open the door to higher home values

Homeowners looking for a remodeling project that provides a good return on investment may want to put the kitchen and bathroom on hold and instead take a hard look at their front door. A study by NFO WorldGroup for Therma-Tru Doors reports that consumers’ perceived values of homes jumped as much as 6% when viewing houses with more-elaborate front doors. Homeowners looked at images of three houses that had either a standard six-panel door or a door with decorative glass, sidelights, and transoms. Other than the entryways, the homes were identical. For one dwelling, study participants estimated the home’s value at $403,470 with a standard door and $428,310 with a door system that cost about $4,000. (Installation of the door might cost $300-$400.)

A follow-up study with a more moderately priced home yielded a similar result. Consumers judged a home to be worth $189,300 with a standard door and $197,020 with an entryway priced at about $1,400.

Though perceived value measured in the study may not translate dollar for dollar to actual value in a sale, it certainly gives homeowners something to consider.

Photo © PhotoDisc.

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