Real Estate Agent · Montgomery, AL · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 14 votes
Hi guys! My boyfriend is looking to sell his house in a couple of months. He have very outdated wooden windows. Would it be worth the investment to install new windows in the entire house? The estimation we got on the cost of the project was $8,000 for vinyl windows. Would it be worth it for the resell value?
Hi guys! My boyfriend is looking to sell his house in a couple of months. He have very outdated wooden windows. Would it be worth the investment to install new windows in the entire house? The estimation we got on the cost of the project was $8,000 for vinyl windows. Would it be worth it for the resell value?
Yea replacing obsolete windows is a pretty good bang for your buck.......Unless work is needed in the kitchen and/or bath. In that case spend it there first.
When flipping or selling a property window replacement is a good investment. If you don’t replace them, it will be a comment on the home inspection. Don’t pay over $300 per double hung window. Windows and installers pricing vary quite a bit.
Real Estate Agent · Montgomery, AL · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 14 votes
6y
@Caleb Heimsoth I will have to ask him the price he was quoted per window. He has a very large window in the front of his house and I believe it was estimated at 1200 just for that one to be replaced and he has another large one in the breakfast nook area as well. I think those drove the price up. But I will double check and see if he was told how much they are charging per window. The estimate was through Home Depot because of the financing options. I’m not sure how their prices compare to other places because this will be our first time fixing a place up to sell.
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
There is a very reasonable priced window manufacturing company in Atlanta that will make custom windows as well as double hung and sliders. The savings might be worth the drive. PM me if you want their number.
Inspector · Freeport, NY · Member since 2013 · 136 posts · 36 votes
6y
How old are the windows? How old is house? Is there other work that a potential buyer will need to do? I don't think you will get your 8K back on windows. Your not going to price the house 8k higher because of windows I don't think. We inspect lots of houses with older windows, and no one ever walked away from a house because of old windows. There are probably other areas to spend that money prior to selling.
San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
If I had to choose between windows and flooring, I go with flooring every time. So, it just depends on everything that might need to be done and what your budget is.
But, I'd go with flooring every time first and foremost. Something hardwood-like, and in a traditional color that won't be outdated any time soon, like natural wood and not the latest gray colors that are already outdated.
I guess think about if you were buying, what you'd be looking for that would matter more to you now, and other things that you would be willing to deal with later.
For so many people who have pets, hardwood flooring matters the most. And even without pets. It's just so much easier to clean, and makes the whole place look so much nicer than funky flooring and nice windows. Guests aren't going to overlook bad flooring and then say, Wow, what nice windows you have.
Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
@Morgan Granger Definitely worth it for a single family house. Assuming the rest of the home is in good shape, it will be the icing on the cake and definitely help selling it.
@James Wise that is smart because they will need to be redone too. Hopefully paint will fix most of outdated look of the kitchen and bathroom.
Don't do a a half bootied job in the kitchens and baths. This is where your buyers fall in love with the house.....Counters, appliances, backsplash, sinks, floor.........This is where you need to spend the money. If you're budget is limited spend all of your money here and do nothing everywhere else.
Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 71 posts · 38 votes
6y
@Morgan Granger
I’ve personally never gotten a dollar extra for putting in windows. It’s not something buyers look at and gleam with envy to have. Kitchens, bathrooms, tile floors, absolutely, but I always pass on windows or HVAC units. Unless they are extremely beat up and you really don’t have the choice of course.
Real Estate Agent · Montgomery, AL · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 14 votes
6y
@Barry Cohen the house is 40 years old and the windows are the originals so they are 40 years old too. They aren’t leaking or anything you can just tell they are very old.
Real Estate Agent · Montgomery, AL · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 14 votes
6y
@Sue K. That’s true. There is some carpet we plan on replacing. Luckily he redid the flooring when he first moved in and it’s held up pretty well. There will be a few areas that need to be replaced.
Real Estate Agent · Montgomery, AL · Member since 2019 · 39 posts · 14 votes
6y
@James Wise the appliances are fairly new but they aren’t stainless steel. Do the countertops needs to be granite or is it okay to go with a less expensive option? The comps in our area are less than 200k if that makes a difference on how much money we should put into updates.
@James Wise the appliances are fairly new but they aren’t stainless steel. Do the countertops needs to be granite or is it okay to go with a less expensive option? The comps in our area are less than 200k if that makes a difference on how much money we should put into updates.
I'd go granite, quartz or something like that along with stainless steel.
Rental Property Investor · Dayton, OH · Member since 2015 · 312 posts · 273 votes
6y
In my view, Home Depot is very expensive for installed products. If you need them to finance don’t do windows as you don’t have the money for it. Just get them super squeaky clean and it won’t blow the sale. Spend your time on curb appeal and cleanliness.
What's the house selling for? Higher the sale price the more I'd be inclined to say do it. If it's a low priced property then I'd be less inclined.
Also, big difference between OLD wood windows and single pane aluminum windows. The wood ones can be bad, especially if they're in rough shape. If they don't easily open, close, and stay open an FHA buyer may have to require the seller to repair the windows before the loan is approved. Ask me how I know :( LOL
Last bit is- it's not just about returning the value of the project, but also affect on actually getting the house sold vs. not (or how quickly the house sells). If your seller wants to get buyers sooner and have fewer headaches through the escrow period, new windows may offer value to them other than just monetary return.
@James Wise the appliances are fairly new but they aren’t stainless steel. Do the countertops needs to be granite or is it okay to go with a less expensive option? The comps in our area are less than 200k if that makes a difference on how much money we should put into updates.
My daughter bought several houses over the years in the SF Bay Area that were older without new windows and it was no big deal. I suppose if the property is somewhere where it snows, it would be a bigger deal. I used to live in WA and I would have been looking at windows and doors, etc., anything that could mean higher heating costs in winter. I suppose the same could be said for really hot climates.
As to appliances or really even the windows, etc., have you asked a real estate agent? They should know what the market demands. If you're trying to sell by owner, why not just put it up for sale as-is and just see what happens?