So you’re thinking of selling your house soon. As you make plans to list your property, you start evaluating which updates and repairs might help attract buyers and sell faster. Your windows are pretty old and drafty – should replacing them be on your to-do list? Or would your time and money be better spent on other projects?
Deciding whether or not to invest in new windows before listing can be a tough call. Let’s break down the key factors to weigh as you determine if replacement makes sense for your home and budget. Grab a warm drink and get cozy as we walk through this step-by-step together!
The Potential Benefits of Replacing Windows
Will spending $10,000, $15,000 or even $20,000 on new windows pay off when you sell? Or will you wind up sinking money into an upgrade that buyers don’t value as highly as you expected? Before deciding, let’s look at some of the possible perks:
Improved Curb Appeal
First impressions matter tremendously when selling a home. As potential buyers pull up to the curb and view your house for the first time, an updated, welcoming exterior can help you make an outstanding first impression. Those old, worn and drafty windows might shriek “outdated interior!” to visitors. By replacing them with stylish new windows, you present a fresh facade that whispers “move-right-in ready.”
Curb appeal sets the stage for your entire showing. Putting your home’s best face forward with simple upgrades like new exterior paint or landscaping also matters. But worn and dated windows can really detract from initial aesthetics.
Increased Home Value
Here’s an eye-opening statistic for you: According to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs Value Report,” replacing all windows at once delivers an average 73% return on investment. That means for every $1,000 you spend on new windows, you can expect to boost your sale price by around $730. Not too shabby!
In real numbers, homeowners spend about $16,800 on vinyl replacements and recoup nearly $12,300 at resale. If you opt for pricier wood windows at around $20,500 installed, you typically gain back $14,500. Keep in mind that with all home upgrades, your exact ROI depends on local market conditions. But no matter where you live, new windows can help yield top dollar offers.
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Today’s buyers value energy savings more than ever. If your current windows leak air, lack insulation or fail to block UV rays, replacing them before listing checks the “energy efficient home” box that 89% of buyers are looking for. This feature might even be a tipping point that makes buyers fall in love with your house over others!
Don’t underestimate just how much of an impact those drafty old windows can have on utility costs, especially during extreme weather. By having them swapped out for ENERGY STAR-rated models, buyers can save $27-$100 per year on bills compared to double pane clear glass alone. In a cold northern climate, savings jump to $126-$465 versus single pane.
Noise Reduction
Do nearby street noise or a neighbor’s barking dog drive you bonkers? Do passing trains rattle your window panes every time they roll through town? If annoying sounds regularly disturb the peace at home, just imagine how frustrated potential buyers might feel during showings!
Installing soundproof windows reduces bothersome noise, making your space more relaxing. Options like double pane, triple pane, vinyl and laminated glass help muffle outside ruckus. Ensuring your home offers a quiet sanctuary might make the difference for a buyer wavering between properties. After all, not everyone envisions adding soundproofing post-purchase despite annoyance over noise.
The Drawbacks of Replacing Windows
By now, your mind might be made up that installing new windows is a smart pre-listing move. Before you call for estimates though, let’s address a few of the downsides:
High Upfront Costs
Here comes the cold hard truth: Replacing windows ain’t cheap! Are you sitting down? The average per window cost runs $600-$900 installed. Ouch! Some homeowners shell out upwards of $20,000 to complete full replacements.
If you’re on a tight budget, sky-high upfront costs may be prohibitive. Many sellers must finance upgrades via home equity loans or personal loans which equals more monthly debt. If money is already tight heading into a move, evaluate whether replacement makes sense or if you can price your home accordingly “as is.”
Time and Effort
Simply deciding to replace windows sets off a lengthy to-do list. You must research contractors, solicit multiple estimates for competitively priced bids, coordinate your schedule with the project lead, take time off work for the install and oversee progress. This process takes weeks or even months from start to finish.
During this drawn out timeframe, you also need to continue paying your mortgage and for upkeep of a home no longer meeting your needs. If replacing windows delays listing by a couple months, added carrying costs add up quickly. Don’t underestimate the headache factor either – construction projects tend to provide their fair share of stress!
Focusing on the Wrong Improvements
What other updates could $15,000-$20,000 cover if you allocated funds elsewhere? A kitchen remodel, bathroom refresh, new floormg…the list goes on! Certain other renovations provide much more value. If your current windows function reasonably well, directing dollars toward projects providing a bigger bang for your buck might be strategically smarter.
It’s also possible other areas of your home need more immediate help to satisfy buyers. A hot, new kitchen never compensates for a decrepit roof in need of replacement. Be sure to weigh putting money into window over other more pressing repairs. Don’t fix what isn’t broken yet at the expense of problem areas.
Key Considerations Before Deciding
We’ve covered both advantages and drawbacks of new windows to give you a balanced perspective so far. To wrap up, let’s talk specifics about when replacement makes the most sense before selling your house. Three key areas factor heavily into whether moving forward is advisable:
Condition of Existing Windows
If your windows are broken, cracked, damaged or completely inoperable, replacement should be a top priority. Defective windows undoubtedly fail a professional inspection. Rather than negotiating credits, concessions or frightfully expensive replacements in a time crunch, get them swapped out upfront on your own terms.
Additionally, if poor insulation results in unbearable temperature fluctuations indoors or moisture damage, new energy efficient alternatives help remedy issues. However, if current windows still mostly function despite some quirks, assess other needs first before sinking major money here. Broken windows demand action though without question.
Overall Home Condition and Needed Repairs
Take an honest look at your home’s current state. Cosmetic upgrades mean little if the roof leaks badly after every storm or iOS the furnace kicking the bucket. Does the siding look original to 1978 or could electrical and outlets use modernizing? If time, money and effort gets poured into new windows yet buyers spot multiple major issues or defects during showings, your gleaming new focal points get overshadowed quickly.
Structure and mechanics should take priority over surface-level improvements always. Work through necessary repairs methodically based on their severity, starting with safety concerns and problems affecting livability. Only once you reach items simply affecting appearance on your list should window replacement even enter debate. Measure incremental value against cost too; curb appeal matters more on a newer home in good shape already. But for outdated properties, those energy efficient windows could help push offers higher by meeting buyer expectations.
Current Housing Market Conditions
Finally, local inventory directly correlates to how much prep work you actually need for maximum sale prices. In a buyer’s market flooded with options offering updated features and move-in readiness, standing out from the crowd with wow factor becomes vital. New windows, especially energy efficient models could be the deciding variable motivating buyers to pick your property first.
But in many areas right now, record low supply persists. Bidding wars often erupt upon listing because prospective buyers lack choices meeting their criteria. When demand exceeds housing availability, buyers compromise more readily on condition in order to secure a home. They expect to handle repairs and upgrades themselves down the road. If you reside in a seller’s market, fewer prelisting investments prove necessary currently to yield top dollar offers. Leverage scarcity to your advantage – why spend extra if you don’t need to? But invest appropriately to highlight merits if buyers hold negotiating power.
Conclusion and Final Recommendations
Alright, we’ve covered a ton of ground here! Let’s summarize key lessons real quick. Before deciding whether or not to replace windows on a home you’ll soon sell, consider:
- Potential visual appeal and energy efficiency merits
- Noise reduction and home value bumps
- Cost, hassle and delays
- Current window functionality
- Priority repairs needed elsewhere
- Your local market’s buyer/seller leverage
Still on the fence about whether to move forward or not? As a final recommendation, obtain professional evaluations of your home’s current shape and projected costs for replacement windows. Likewise, connect with a trusted real estate salesperson to discuss pros, cons and projected boosts to your eventual sale price.
Armed with data-driven insights personalized to your scenario, deciding whether gaining new windows makes sense becomes infinitely easier! Use the same method to assess any other gray area repairs too. Data minimizes guesswork so you can invest wisely.
Best wishes for a speedy, profitable and low-stress home sale when the time comes! Hope weighing the major pros and cons here helps determine your ideal prelisting plan.