Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
I have a pretty simple one story rambler, rehab and flip, that just got a fresh coat of white paint (siding and trim). I am planning on installing black louvered shutters on the three front windows. I want to paint the front door. I don't necessarily want to paint it red because I feel like that is the color that one might expect to see and it's a bit played out, in my opinion.
Anyone have an ideas that you like you use? I am leaning towards blue myself.
Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2012 · 98 posts · 58 votes
12y
I am 50/50 for Red or Blue. Really I think it comes down to the landscape. Can you add additional landscape elements to compliment your choice color? There should be some resemblance of color leading from the front yard/stoop to the door essentially drawing you into the home.
Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2012 · 98 posts · 58 votes
12y
I am 50/50 for Red or Blue. Really I think it comes down to the landscape. Can you add additional landscape elements to compliment your choice color? There should be some resemblance of color leading from the front yard/stoop to the door essentially drawing you into the home.
Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
12y
Thanks for the recommendations so far. Here are some photos:
New paint w/ new light, mailbox, and numbers. You can also see the boxwood bushes that will be staying. Flowers will be planted in front of them and near the steps when we get closer to the date of listing the home.
New walkway -- it is grey and blue
There will be a new storm/screen door and new hardware going on the front as well.
Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
12y
Sorry - it appears that when I posted the photos via hotel wifi that the pictures did not work. Trying again here:
New paint w/ new light, mailbox, and numbers. You can also see the boxwood bushes that will be staying. Flowers will be planted in front of them and near the steps when we get closer to the date of listing the home.
New walkway -- it is grey and blue
There will be a new storm/screen door and new hardware going on the front as well.
Thanks, and sorry for having to double post. Tagging @Steve Babiak , too, since he reminded me to show the photos.
Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
12y
@Louis Leone -- good call. Black shutters are on my shopping list and I'm hoping to put them on next week.
@Raven Parmer -- I like the robin egg blue idea. Thank you! I think "cute" is a good way to describe what I'm going for. I'm in a neighborhood with nothing but ramblers so I want to stand out.... in a good way.
Everyone else -- all good ideas and good input. Thank you very much.
Investor · Wichita Falls, TX · Member since 2014 · 382 posts · 123 votes
12y
Are you keeping the chain link fence? In my fantasy flipping world (during driving the neighborhood) I don't know how to improve the look of the house without removing it.
Real Estate Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 542 votes
12y
@Mary lou L. I agree, my Stager would faint with that chain link fence unless it's "dog pound";-)
@Doug W. Ok with the picture I see your "rambler" isn't a car. I think it needs a red door to get your attention with some brass (number and door knocker) then I'd nix the bushes and get some plantings.
Lately I'm painting "CornBread", tough yellow to get, Sherwin, Behr and Benjamin can't match it, only C2.
You will find inspiration on the Houzz app. It is easy to use and loaded with interesting designs, products, and color ideas.
Best of luck with whichever color you choose.
Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
12y
The chain link fence is.... interesting. Right now the budget isn't there to replace it. My Realtor is insisting in keeping the property with a fence around the entire perimeter. A lot of the homes in the neighborhood have chain link. I'm not saying that is a reason to keep it but rather pointing out that I'm not an outlier.
@Mary lou L. - we removed most of the bushes but left these boxwoods on purpose. They are in great shape and we will plant some seasonally appropriate flowers to give the space some color.
Investor · Wichita Falls, TX · Member since 2014 · 382 posts · 123 votes
12y
I've been looking at ideas for the chain link. How about painting it black and enclose the metal posts with wood and paint it the same color as the door? Or paint the posts (no wood) black and the fence the color of the door? Or even white?
Involved In Real Estate · Hyattsville , MD · Member since 2011 · 298 posts · 256 votes
12y
@Doug Wright- I get that red might be played out but white, black and red is so classic that people will remember your house.. I had a house that came back on the market and when I called some agents to say its available on the first question I had was - Is it the house with the red door?? Yes yes it is ..
You don't need to be different - You just need to sell it fast.
P.S. All my doors are red or black so I might be a bit biased.
Flipper/Rehabber · Alexandria, VA · Member since 2014 · 461 posts · 262 votes
11y
I forgot about this thread until I was responding to a different one today where someone was asking about paint colors.
I wanted to come back and say thanks to @Raven Parmer for her suggestion of Robin Egg blue. I cannot recall the exact color I went with but it was a Valspar paint from Lowes. I had numerous comments from neighbors and my Realtor about how much they loved the color.
Tujunga, CA · Member since 2015 · 88 posts · 48 votes
11y
I agree, red front doors are played out. Im sick of them! Love the blue, cute idea!
I would also consider painting metal railing on the steps to match the door. If you can DIY it. I've had very good luck painting that type of rail with Alkyde paint and a small roller. Edit, now I see it with the shutters it makes sense black
As for chain link a cheap alternative is to grow jasmin up the sides of it. You can pick up them up for 5 bucks a pop and they grow fast. I've also used cheap bamboo fencing to line chain link, that however gets very expensive very fast!
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
11y
Plum , goes with the black shutter, unusual enough without being off putting, dark enough not to pick up a dirty look. Red is more common and I like it better on tall houses. Robin Blue I think could get dirty looking but maybe that is just me.
For the chain link , a lot of people like fences, keep the kids and dogs in and people out.