Ladies: Are new windows a big factor in deciding which house to purchase?

Question

I live in a cold climate, and My house has the original 1971 windows. They work ok, but they look...old...and they have sliding storm windows, old school

Its aimed at "ladies" because I know women are responsible for 90-95% of the buying decision.

ok, i guess they are just ugly, they have aluminum frames that look like a coke can with no paint. all the new windows are a nice white, almond or chocolate color, and i have these dorky aluminum frames

Answer 1

windows are such a BIG FACTOR in the look of the house
plus its better to replace them,,, selling factor , heat , security, etc. listen to your wife we LADIES know these things

Answer 2

Yes, they can be......it depends on how good a deal I can get on your house.

If I saw your windows as you describe them the first thing I would think is that my winter heating bill is going to be sky high because you have old, inefficient windows that don't insulate well. I would also think that they won't be as efficient in the summer at keeping the cool air in (if you have A/C).

I'm not sure how sliding storm windows work, but if it disables the windows ability to open completely, then I wouldn't like that either.

Then there is the cosmetic issue. If by saying "old" you also mean "ugly" then there is a problem. Nobody wants to look at, or look out of, ugly windows.

Have your real estate agent give you comps in your area in your price range. Do most other houses have these windows? Are you asking the same price they are? If these windows are standard in your price range and in your area, then you probably don't need to change them. If your house is the only one that still has them, then expect to either change them or reduce the asking price of your house. And if you need to sell in a hurry, you might want to change the windows and drop your asking price.

From my very recent house buying experience, I suggest you make any changes BEFORE you put your house on the market because if it doesn't sell the first time around......many sellers aren't going to come back around the second time to look at it again with the new windows.

Good luck to you and I hope I have helped. :-)

Answer 3

First of all, why is this aimed at ladies? What you think that cause we are the ones who should clean them we are the only ones who care what they look like...jk..maybe...

Anyways, it depends if the windows are in good shape and functioning properly. It also then depends on whether they are ugly or an architectural detail that will attract buyers. The windows in most older houses in FL are ugly slats so those would NOT be something you would want to keep. However I live in a house in NC now that has the original windows with the like 8 panes on the bottom and 8 on the top and I love the way they look. I want these kind of windows in my next house. I think they add charm to this place.

You've already said they are ugly and old but they work so now you have to decide if they bring the value of your house down or if they dont matter at all. Is the rest of your house fairly old and ugly as well or updated? You may want to ask a realtor in your area what he thinks you should do as he will know what people are looking for in that particular area as well as the price ranges of those homes. You dont want to waste money on upgrades if you cant get at least the cost back out when you sell it.

Answer 4

From my own experience, I would say at the very least, consider the cost of replacing them if you buy the house. I would not say it's THE deciding factor, but I would say that yes, it's a fairly important thing. Good luck!!