Rental Property Investor · Appleton, WI · Member since 2018 · 51 posts · 19 votes
Pretty simple questions here...
Should I paint my existing front door? Or would you recommend replacing the entire front door? This is for a duplex that I am house hacking/renovating.
Current front door is a steel 6 panel door with no window. Option to replace it would run me about 300$ to replace with a nice, pre-finished steel door that I think would add a bit to the look of the place.
What have you had the most success with? Is a new door worth the cost? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 99 posts · 56 votes
7y
Hi Jeremy,
You're absolutely right, the right entry door that perfectly complements the architecture can make an HUGE difference and greatly enhance any front facade. It's usually the first and last thing people notice and interact with when visiting or viewing a home.
That said, it's impossible to make any recommendations without a visual. Can you post a pic of the front facade (not just the door)?
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
I always replace metal front doors with a nice fiberglass door with light. Metal doors are cheap and never look good . If you're worried about security and it's not a nice property then I'd keep the metal door.
Rental Property Investor · Appleton, WI · Member since 2018 · 51 posts · 19 votes
7y
Thanks everyone for your input!
@Jeff Berg attaced is a picture of my unit (not the greatest... and I literally just took the photo from google maps for the sake of sending something). Obviously its not a high end unit. I was thinking of buying or painting the front door a dark navy blue. Thoughts?
@Shawn Ward Thanks for the advise. Your place looks great!
Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 99 posts · 56 votes
7y
Jeremy,
You're fine with the existing door(s). If those are the current body colors of the house, I'd go with a rich, warm hue for the entry, like a deep burgundy, and unless it has a decided function, remove the glass "storm" door.
Find a couple of matching, cool-looking mailboxes and position them together centered under the window.
I'd also paint the garage doors a dark gray, about halfway between the siding and roof colors.
Replace the carriage fixtures with something clean-lined and contemporary, and much LARGER.
Then, do some landscaping... start with about 3-5 junipers or anything that grows tightly (almost straight upward) in a column-like form, plant them in a row along the front of the walkway, maybe with some seasonal color at ground level.
Get some decent-sized greenery going under the window on the left (maybe create a planter), and think about a specimen-size tree in the yard that will eventually grow to hide the lack of a window on the left side of the second story gable.
You'll be amazed at the difference these simple, inexpensive improvements will make.
Rental Property Investor · Appleton, WI · Member since 2018 · 51 posts · 19 votes
7y
@Jeff Berg I couldnt agree more and appreciate the help!!!
I was planning to remove the storm doors and the lack of window on the 2nd floor of the left unit drives my OCD up a wall!! haha. I can't wait to show the progress made on the unit.
PS: New windows, including the bay window are being installed tomororw. Its going to make a big difference :)
How much will replacing the door allow you to raise the rent. Obviously nothing.
Paint it, go to a window/door company and buy a used one you like for $20, go to home depo and buy/install a window in the existing door, buy a used one from Habitat and paint it.
There are plenty of options that will look exactly like what you will get with a new door at a fraction of the cost. I would only buy a new door for a rental property if someone stole the old one. $300 may not seem like much but thinking of throwing money away on a door is only the beginning. It's referred to as job creep and will eventually drain your account. Get into the habit of not spending foolishly and it pays dividends.
We tell new investors to live frugally to save to invest. That frugal thinking should extend beyond saving to buy. Investors should be spending frugally when managing their investment as well. Every time you think of upgrading a income property remind yourself it's only a rental...clean and safe.
I usually buy my doors from a window door company that does instillations. There yard usually has 30-40 doors they removed. High end doors with all hardware, metal, wood, steel, with windows, without. All they usually ever need is paint and I pay $20 to the employee BBQ fund.
Rental Property Investor · Appleton, WI · Member since 2018 · 51 posts · 19 votes
7y
@Jeff Berg Yes, The missing window is located in a bedroom of the neighboring unit. I have no Idea why it was not constructed symmetrically back in the day...
I debate whether or not busting a hole in the wall and adding a window would increase the value of the property. I will ask to get a quote from the window guys when they are replacing my units windows next week. I would estimate it will cost upwards of $1k.
Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 99 posts · 56 votes
7y
Jeremy,
Correcting architectural mistakes and creating a more welcoming facade and curb appeal doesn't always have a direct mathmatical equation for ROI. A person's potential home isn't viewed as purely a commodity, it's an emotional reaction, e.g.: Will I like coming home to this place? What will my friends think of it when they pull up? Even an appraiser reacts to negative and positive design.
I'd say go for it, it's not a bad looking place, EXCEPT for that big, blank wall. The window wouldn't need to be the exact symmetrically placed twin of the other... in fact, with the gable below, you could create a simple, contempo window that would make an architectural statement and redefine the entire front facade, for very minimal cost. I don't think you could possibly lose.