In some respects, it is, but the chances are you won’t see a return on your investment. Let’s see whether or not this upgrade is worth the extra costs.
Benefits of new windows go to the new homeowner.
First of all, when you upgrade your windows before selling, all of the benefits will go to the new homeowner. You won’t live there to enjoy the fresh, beautiful windows.
Will you replace a garden window with a new picture window that gives your home a modern look and opens up the view? They’ll enjoy it.
Are you lowering your energy bills with double-pane argon-filled windows? The new homeowners will enjoy those lower bills and their carbon footprint may be lowered by around 12%.
The point is, when you do various upgrades right before selling, you’re not going to enjoy any of the benefits. Sure, you might make your home more desirable or increase the value, but seller beware, you might fall in love with the new windows.
When you absolutely need to replace the windows before selling a house.
Of course, there are times when you absolutely need to replace a window or two. Suppose they can’t be closed anymore, for instance. This is a safety issue, and you’ll have to replace them before selling your house if you want a quick sale.
It is rare that the windows need to be replaced, though. Usually, it just comes down to aesthetics. Is there dirt or mold, or scratches? Can you feel a draft? Is the glass foggy or damaged in some other way?
These are instances in which you might need to replace them even to sell the house. This is essential home maintenance, and even with old windows, you may still need to fix these problems at the very least.
Times you might consider replacing them.
So you might not need to replace any windows, but when is it a good time to replace them even if it’s not completely necessary?
Replacing all windows throughout a home could be a selling point. They’re an expensive upgrade. Depending on the size of the house, they can range anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000 to replace every window with upgraded windows.
Could you tack that price tag onto the value of your home? Probably not entirely, but new windows could be a highlight for buyers to consider.
When a potential buyer is browsing several homes they’re interested in, your home might stand out with high-quality windows. This makes your home more desirable. When it’s more desirable, you have the potential to generate more offers. More offers mean higher bids.
So could you get a return on your investment? Possibly, but there’s no guarantee.
Minor updates to do before selling.
Maybe purchasing windows is out of the equation. They might be too expensive, or you don’t feel they’ll do much in terms of selling your home. That’s perfectly understandable.
There are, however, other things you can do to dress up our windows to make your home show better.
Firstly, clean your windows. Clean them very well. Ensure there is no dirt or streaks on the glass and clean out the sill track. This will make your windows look good and function great.
There’s nothing worse than walking into a home you’re considering purchasing, and the windows are covered in dirt and grime. This is a quick and easy upgrade that can make a huge difference. It makes even more of a difference if you have a nice view.
Another quick and inexpensive upgrade is window treatments. Throw up some elegant drapes or curtains to make a room look and feel amazing. Will the treatments convey with the sale? No, not all of them (blinds do most of the time). But when the home is shown to potential buyers, it will look better.
Replacing all of the windows might not be in the cards, but these minor upgrades can make a significant impact on the sale of your home.
Final thoughts on whether or not windows are worth replacing before selling a house.
Whether you decide to replace all of the windows in your home is up to you. It’s a significant purchase, and you might not see every dollar you spent come back in the sale. However, don’t neglect the other benefits, such as desirability.
Even if you decide against replacing your windows, at the very least, do a few minor updates around your windows to make them look better for the showing.
Of course, you may end up replacing your windows and decide against selling your house because you fall back in love with it.