You only get one chance to make a first impression. By the time they knock on your door, buyers have already formed an opinion of your home’s worth. If you want to impress them and give your home value a boost, then start with the front of the house. No matter what your budget or the state of the housing market, upgrading your windows and doors can make a difference.

It Pays to Upgrade

Improving your home’s curb appeal is a smart investment. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), window and door projects mostly pay for themselves: homeowners can expect an 81 to 88 percent return on window upgrades at closing. Increased energy efficiency provides additional monthly savings. Furthermore, JELD-WEN conducted a survey that found replacing the entry and garage doors on a typical 2,500-square-foot home was worth an additional $16,000.

Did you know?

• 90 percent of real estate agents felt a buyer’s first impression of the front entry was important to their ability to sell a home.
• 66 percent have mentioned energy efficient doors and windows in their home listings.
• 82 percent have had buyers decline to look inside a house based on the exterior appearance.
• 65 percent said the number of buyers looking for universal design features has increased in the last few years.
• 56 percent of agents have advised sellers to update windows and doors.
• A home with updated exterior doors was estimated to increase in value by $16,000.

-- Source: JELD-WEN REACT Survey (2008)

Top Ten Tips:

1. Replace Your Windows and Doors

Home buyers today want everything in a home to be energy efficient. Replacing your windows and doors can reduce your energy bills and increase your home’s value. Over time, these improvements can pay for themselves. If you do decide to replace your windows and doors, then give extra attention to the front of the house. Buyers get their first impression when they first drive up. Replacing boring front doors, windows and garage doors with more beautiful design options can increase your home’s curb appeal.

2. Stay True to Style

Upgrades should fit in with a home’s architectural style. For example, contemporary homes call for windows and doors with clean lines and simple profiles, while traditional homes such as Craftsmans or Colonials look best with windows and doors featuring divided lite designs.

3. Dress Up Your Front Door

Custom features are a great way to achieve one-of-a-kind looks that stand out. Adding a doorknocker, speakeasy, decorative glass or metal grilles to your front door can lend it the charm it needs to catch a buyer’s eye. We offer a variety of hardware options, including clavos, straps and hinges to spruce things up. You can transform a basic front door into a grand entrance by adding sidelites, a transom or double doors. Simple things, like replacing an old, worn door mat or adding a decorative plant can also create a more welcoming entrance.

4. Create a View

If you have a beautiful yard or a stunning view, then why hide it? Add a large picture window or sliding patio door to maximize your view and let in more light. It will also make a room look larger, brighter and more open. 75 percent of real estate agents report that the amount of a home’s natural light helps appeal to potential home buyers.

5. Remember the Garage
The most prominent exterior feature in many homes is the garage door, so this upgrade goes a long way toward elevating curb appeal.

6. Dress the Yard
Make sure the house is the first thing potential buyers see, not overgrown hedges or dead grass. Hire a gardener to spruce up the landscaping and add colorful touches like seasonal flowers, decorative rocks or bubbly water fountains. Shaping bushes and curving lawn borders can shake up a tired front yard.

7. Coordinate Color
Color, when done right, sells. Doors and windows give homeowners ideal opportunities to infuse color into their home without having to paint. Our Windows and Exterior Doors come in variety of color and finish options. Choosing the right color for your windows and doors can accent your home’s look without the cost or hassle of repainting the entire house. However, if your house really does need a fresh coat of paint, don’t skip it.

8. Window Treatments

If your curtains or blinds look faded or dated from the inside, then that may undo how beautiful your windows look from the curb. Choose the right curtains, shaded or blinds based on the type of window and the architectural style of your home. With custom wood windows, you may even want to leave them “naked” to expose the natural beauty of the wood.

9. Wash Your Windows

This may seem obvious, but your windows should be crystal clear when you’re getting ready to show your home. A clean house sends a message to buyers that you take good care of the property. Clean windows also mean more sunlight and an unobstructed view of the outdoors. Try our natural, non-toxic window cleaner recipe.

10. Consult an Expert
Architects, builders, designers, landscapers and real estate agents all have experience with making your home look its best. When in doubt, call in a professional to advise you on renovating or staging your home for resale. They can offer you a fresh, outside point of view and a range of options to fit different budgets. Find a Store or Pro near you.

* This article draws on data from the JELD-WEN REACT Survey (2008).