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Should I Replace My Windows Before Selling? By Get Clear Windows, Pella Windows & Doors
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ell-maintained homes often sell more quickly — and for a better price — than those left in disrepair, but how much time and effort should you invest? Savvy home sellers may only want to make home improvements that generate the greatest return on investment. Common questions we often hear from homeowners about this include: “Is it worth replacing my home's windows before selling?” and “Do new windows increase home value?” The answers vary depending on your situation and budget. Here are the pros and cons of replacing your windows before you sell your home.
Is it Worth Replacing Windows Before Selling a House? Before you replace all of your windows ahead of a home sale, take a look at the most recent return on investment for this type of project. According to the National Association of Realtors 2020 cost vs. value report, homeowners who replaced their windows with new energy efficient windows saw an average return of over 72% of the project cost upon resale. While this number may seem low, there are other reasons to replace your windows besides an improvement in the home's list or selling price. With so many of us spending more time at home, buyers are increasingly looking for “move-in ready” homes with custom finishes and high-end details.
Do New Windows Help Sell a House? The second crucial question we need to answer is whether replacing windows increases the likelihood of a quick home sale. The answer may be... yes! A 2021 survey by the National Association of Homebuilders found that 83% of home buyers considered ENERGY STAR windows to be essential or desirable. Energy efficiency is an attractive quality because most buyers do not want to purchase an inefficient home that generates excessive monthly energy costs. Many buyers also prefer not to go through the hassle of replacing home windows themselves. Older windows are less efficient and may have further problems that would result in a failed home inspection. Faced with a choice between a home with windows that need to be replaced and a home that costs slightly more but has new, efficient windows, many buyers prefer the turnkey solution.
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Central Keystone Living // SPRING 2022
