Is It Worth Replacing Windows Before Selling a House
When selling a home, you want to present the property in as close to mint condition as you can so that you can appeal to buyers– and hopefully get a higher price! For this reason, it can be worthwhile to replace any older or faulty windows in your home. This not only raises your home value but can help the property appeal more to buyers who may have been on the fence otherwise about your home.
Why Replace Windows Before Selling a House?
It is certainly worth replacing your windows before you sell your home if you have the budget for it. With windows that are old or damaged, your home becomes less energy efficient, and heat can escape easily, for example. These older windows may also do poorly in a home inspection and could even cause you to receive a citation.
Buyers will see the lack of energy efficiency and recognize that it will cost even more money to run the home than necessary, with higher heat bills if windows are not airtight, for instance. Buyers will also not be pleased if they will have to spend more money after the purchase of the home to then get the windows up to code. However, if you were to replace the windows and even make a choice that will save buyers additional money down the road, you may find buyers more interested in your property.
You could save buyers additional money with the choice of windows that you make. For example, there are new options that are specifically designed with energy efficiency in mind. These assist in keeping gas and electric bills low, which not only saves your buyers money every month but helps save the earth, too!
Benefits of Replacing Windows
There are additional benefits to replacing your windows, besides increasing energy efficiency and home value– though these two are the most common benefits! Some of these are functional benefits, while others are more so aesthetic benefits.
Updated Appearance
When you install new windows, you can also choose windows that are a cosmetic or aesthetic improvement to the home, thus increasing your curb appeal. Curb appeal is very important for first impressions, which can have a huge effect on buyers. Some of the ways you can accent new windows are by replacing, repairing, or repainting the trim. Different styles of windows also come in and out of fashion, so you could choose a more modern window option or something more timeless to replace your old, dated windows.
Turnkey Advantage
Most homebuyers do not want to put in a lot of work when they buy a new home. Rather, they are looking for a home that is move-in ready. Purchasing a turnkey home is often less stressful for buyers, without the looming need for necessary repairs, and it is also better for buyers from a cost perspective. A move-in ready home helps to minimize the financial complication of doing extensive improvements right after purchasing the property. It can be a bit costly to replace windows, so eliminating this cost and making the home more move-in ready can be a great draw for potential buyers. With most buyers, the amount of renovation work involved for them down the road is directly related to the price they are willing to pay for the property.
Soundproofing
Besides increasing energy efficiency, the implementation of new windows can also help with soundproofing. Depending on the type of windows that you choose when shopping for replacements, these may be able to help you block out noise from outside, as well as keep noise inside the house from carrying outdoors. Special windows designed specifically for soundproofing can be helpful for those with properties that are located on a busy main road, near a train station, or by the airport. This can also appeal to buyers who may be concerned about the close location of a home to loud areas such as these. If you would like to select some of the window options that help to soundproof your home, look for options like laminated glass, double-pane, or triple-pane windows.
When to Replace Windows
There are a few different factors that can help you to determine whether or not it is necessary for you to replace your windows. It is a smart move to replace your windows if you foresee that they will present an issue during the sales process, either by decreasing your listing price or by raising concerns during a buyer’s professional home inspection.
If windows are older or dated, this may be a deterrent for homebuyers who are either looking for a turnkey or energy-efficient home. If your windows are damaged or inoperable, this is a sign that they should be replaced prior to putting your property on the market. Any sort of broken glass or broken latches or springs warrants replacement windows. Inefficient or drafty windows can also make it necessary to install new windows. These could be inefficient because they do not block UV rays as well as newer windows can, and because they are not energy efficient as well. These let heat through more easily in the hotter months, and let cold air and drafts into the home more easily in the colder seasons.
Alternatives to Replacing Windows Before Selling
In some cases, you may not need to replace all of the windows in your house. There are also some alternative options that you could take so that you can still update the windows in your home while sticking to a tighter budget. You can choose to only replace a few of the windows to be more cost-effective. If this is how you want to move forward, you should focus on the oldest or most damaged of the windows in your home. Those that are eyesores or the least energy-efficient should be the first to get replaced.
You can also use other methods to increase the efficiency of your existing windows, rather than replacing them. One way you can do this is by adding weatherstripping or caulking to the windows. By replacing any existing caulking, you can help to minimize drafts and air leaks– which are often checked for during a home inspection. Caulking and weatherstripping naturally deteriorate over time. Another way to improve the efficiency of your windows is to implement solar film. You can apply this solar film to older windows to assist them in blocking UV rays.
What If I Don’t Replace My Windows?
Of course, while it is wise to replace your windows if they are old and damaged, it is not expressly required that you do so before putting your house up for sale. If you do not replace the windows in the house, you should expect a few different outcomes. If a buyer is concerned about the state of the windows, but still interested in purchasing the property, they may bring up the windows during negotiations.
One of the things a buyer might request is that the buyer requests a repair before closing the sale. Of the two typical requests that may come up in this situation, replacing or repairing the windows prior to closing is more cost-effective for the seller. This is because they have control over how and what types of windows are installed. In other cases, a buyer may request a credit for window replacements that would usually be included as part of the sale. This can be more expensive because the buyer is the one choosing the windows. They may choose a premium window option and are less likely to spend the extra time to shop around for a deal as you, the seller, would.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a home with bad windows?
You can still sell your home without replacing bad windows. However, it is wise to replace the windows before putting your home on the market to increase home value. Homes with bad or outdated windows will still sell in the housing market, but buyers will likely try to negotiate the sale in order to have the buyer cover the cost of window repair or replacement.
Does replacing windows add value to your house?
Replacing old or bad windows does add value to your home, so it is a good idea to replace windows before you sell your home. While new windows are not always very noticeable to the naked eye, their increased energy efficiency can add great value to your property, and buyers will recognize this as well.
Should you replace windows before moving?
While you do not have to replace windows before you move or sell your property, it will help to raise the value of the home and also sell it sooner. Homes that are in great shape naturally sell more than those that need more work, and the need for replacement windows could turn a buyer off, or could also extend the time spent in negotiations before a sale goes through.
