Whatever the mood of the property market, one rule holds good – you never get a second chance to make a great first impression.

As demand from buyers weakens, how the outside of your home looks will become increasingly important if you’re trying to sell, and key to maximising this ‘kerb appeal’ is a smart front door, spruced-up and newly painted.

Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors last week revealed demand for homes has fallen to a low not seen since November 2023. Surveyors believe changes to stamp duty coming on April 1 and geopolitical and economic uncertainty are leading to the slowdown.

If you are selling your home this spring, property experts stress the importance of the front door in sparking interest.

Mark Breffit, of estate agency Hamptons, says: ‘A front door is like a first date – it sets the tone for everything that follows, creating an instant emotional response. A well-maintained, stylish front door can elevate a property’s kerb appeal and set the right expectation for what’s inside. I’ve seen countless viewings where something as simple as peeling paint or a loose handle has put off buyers.’

The trades platform Checkatrade says replacing a front door has an average cost £1,100-£1,400 for a composite door, but that upgrades such as these have the potential to add up to 10 per cent to the value of your home. The best outcome would mean an extra £29,860 added to the selling price of the average house, which is worth £298,602 according to Halifax.

That figure will depend on location: in a very smart area, where every property is buffed up, there may be less to gain. Breffit says that in central London, a particularly stunning door could increase the asking price by about £5,000. And Henry Griffin, of Winkworth in Farnham, Surrey, estimates the boost is worth about £8,000.

Ollie Marshall, of Prime Purchase, a buying agency that locates homes for clients, says that if the outside of a property is delightful, prospective buyers may be more forgiving about any shortcomings inside.

And since most property searches now begin online, it’s dangerous to ignore dilapidation. He adds: ‘If the photo of the facade is disappointing, buyers will swipe to the next property.’

The cheapest option is a litre of paint and a new paintbrush, which will set you back about £50, providing the largest potential payback from any Easter DIY project. If you want to invest in a new front door, expect to pay between £850-£4,500 including installation. While solid wood doors start at prices about 50 per cent higher than uPVC, it is a natural insulator so will absorb and retain heat which may help keep heating bills down. However, wood doors need repainting every five years to avoid rotting or warping.

If you like the look but want it for less, then go for a door with wood veneer such as Norfolk External Oak Front Door from directdoors.com, on sale at £445.

DO YOUR PREP

Use proper exterior paint – interior paint does not stand up to the weather. Wait until it is warm to paint a uPVC door to ensure it dries properly. Gloss paint adds glamour but the satiny sheen of semi-gloss hides defects.

The subtle finish of matt paint works well in a rural setting.

If your door has been battered by wind and rain, with split panels or rusted hinges, consider a replacement. According to Checkatrade, this will set you back from £350 for a basic PVC model to £5,000 for a custom-made door.

There may be a return on more than aesthetics. Your property will be more energy efficient ahead of the increase in fuel bills in April.

COLOUR ADDS VALUE

It may pay to be bold in your selection, but only if your interior decor style is also adventurous.

Interior designer Julia Kendell of Kendell & Co says: ‘Steer clear of colours that clash with your home’s overall aesthetic. The door should enhance your property’s style, not detract from it.’

Top colour options include black, but if this is too formal go for the eye-catching pinks and yellows popular in the expensive streets of London’s Notting Hill. Dulux’s True Joy is an uplifting yellow that is likely to capture the hearts of house-hunters. For the heritage vibe, consider the sombre green of the front door of the Bridgerton family’s townhouse in the Netflix drama – Dark Brunswick Green from Little Greene is pretty close.

Green is striking on stone properties, while rich reds and deep blues bring some dash to a red-brick property. Some estate agents say a door in town should be painted grey, such as Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. In the country, white and cream are appropriate, such as Dulux’s Celtic Cream.

For a house by the sea, duck egg blue or light green is a selling point: Mylands Boathouse should draw a buyer even on a cloudy day.

Kendell says the next big trend could be mocha, as brown sweeps into fashion.

GO UPMARKET FOR £35

Enhance your new door – plants on either side of it add Belgravia style to any house. Bay or olive trees look good – an olive tree in a pot costs just £34.99 at B&Q.

Window boxes amplify the allure of a snazzy front door; consider flowers that pick up the paint colour – waitrosegarden.com has plenty of choices from £24.99.