Selling a home can be a stressful experience. Apparently, the only event more emotionally taxing than buying or selling a home is getting a divorce!
There are ways, though, to make the process less stressful. Sellers can invest in home improvements that make their home more attractive and profitable. Of these, replacing old, worn-out windows is one of the best investments a homeowner can make.
However, you might be on the fence about replacing the windows in your home first. After all, it’s a significant investment, and you’re probably wondering whether it will pay off.
The short answer to that question is yes. It’s definitely worth it to replace older windows. We are showing you five ways window replacements can increase home value.
1. Replacement Windows Let in More Natural Light
When a potential buyer walks into your home, one of the first things they’ll notice is how bright or dark the rooms are. Darkened rooms can be depressing, but rooms with lots of natural light make the home brighter and more pleasant to be in.
In fact, some buyers will want to visit your home at different times during the day. That way, they’ll be able to accurately assess how much light is actually coming in.
Replacing your old windows before selling your home can help you make sure your rooms are filled with the natural light buyers are looking for.
After all, you want a potential buyer to feel inspired, not depressed, when they walk into your home!
2. Make a Home More Energy Efficient
With new high-quality windows, you’re not only letting in more natural light. You’re also preventing heat from escaping in the winter and coming into the house in the summer.
It’s estimated that heat gain and loss through old windows is responsible for 25% to 30% of home heating and cooling use. Installing new, energy-efficient windows will cut down on these costs for potential homeowners.
That’s a big selling point for a cost-conscious home-buyer. After all, it might cost them thousands of dollars to replace the windows. Or, they can expect to spend 7 to 15 percent more on their energy bills.
Those kinds of numbers are not appealing to potential home buyers.
3. Brand-New Windows Are Aesthetically Pleasing and Easy to Maintain
There’s no getting around it. New windows look better and can add curb appeal to your home. This is especially true if your old windows are warped or damaged in any way. Buyers may also be hesitant if the windows don’t open or close properly, or if they stick when sliding.
Replacing your old, worn-out wood windows with new vinyl ones can make a big difference. What’s more, premium vinyl windows will look newer for longer without the hassle of cleaning and maintenance that wooden ones require.
Indeed, high-quality vinyl windows are easy to open and close, and they are also easy to clean. A gentle dish detergent and some warm water should do the trick. This process contrasts with the hard work wooden windows need to continue to look good.
Premium vinyl windows are not only a low-maintenance option that will entice buyers. They will also make your whole house look brighter, bringing a significant aesthetic improvement to your home.
Aesthetic improvements like this one may not in and of itself add monetary value directly to your sale price. But, if a buyer has to choose between your home with its brand-new windows and a house down the street with old wooden ones, they’re going to go with your house.
Most buyers will appreciate the upgrade and be happy they don’t have to deal with it themselves after the sale.
4. With New Windows, You Can Increase Your Asking Price
In the sections above, we saw how new windows let in more natural light, improve energy efficiency, and create a better aesthetic. For all these reasons, replacing your old windows before you move allows you to increase your asking price.
This makes them one of the best investments you can make in your home before selling it. For example, if you invest $10,000 in new windows, you can reasonably bump up your asking price by $8,500. That’s an 85% return on investment (ROI).
It’s not 100%, but it’s pretty close. Also, it’s one of the features home buyers are looking for, as we’ll see in the next section.
5. New Windows Will Help You Get Higher Bids
If buyers notice that your windows are old or haven’t been properly maintained, they are likely to offer a lower bid. That’s because they’re calculating in their minds how much they’ll have to spend to replace the windows themselves.
Or, they’re imagining how much more they’ll have to pay in heating and cooling bills. Either way, they’re going to try to offer a lower price to make up for future costs.
On the other hand, when you install new windows yourself, you get to set and maintain a bidding price you think is appropriate. You’ve installed nice, new windows, and there shouldn’t be any qualms about energy efficiency or maintenance issues. This one improvement could prevent buyers from trying to suggest lowball offers.
Wrapping Up How To Increase Home Value With New Windows
As you can see, replacing your old windows with new ones is a wise investment. They let in more natural light, increase energy efficiency, make your home look newer and brighter, and increase home value.
What’s more, you’re much more likely to sell your home at your asking price and avoid lowball bidding offers. As seen above, replacing old windows is one of the best investments you can make before selling your home.
If you enjoyed this article, why not check out others on our blog? You’ll find information on other changes you can make to boost your home’s value, as well as how to prepare for window replacements.
And when you’re ready to install new windows, feel free to contact us! We’d love to help you make your home as beautiful as possible.
