https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 06:36:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184250 Wed, 20 May 2015 09:43:19 +0000 PawPrints 2184250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's a sellers market you can leave them as is, but I agree with pp it sounds like a hassle for buyers. I'd also add that modern windows are hugely important for energy efficiency. Old windows leak heat in the winter and cool air in the summer like crazy. Old windows would be a major drawback to me as a buyer for that reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184176 Wed, 20 May 2015 08:33:29 +0000 avivoca 2184176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Windows wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me unless they were cracked/broken and the seller wanted a top price for the home. Our home has its original wood windows and yes, it's a bit drafty sometimes, but nothing a curtain can't take care of. As a buyer, it's not something I considered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184141 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:57:52 +0000 Greentea 2184141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I agree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184139 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:51:33 +0000 BandDmommy 2184139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave it as is. Windows would not be a deal breaker for me. New roof, kitchen or bathrooms would be though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184134 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:47:35 +0000 mediagirl 2184134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I want something fixed as a buyer and I really like the house, I will ask for it in my offer. It may be some buyers don't care about brand new windows. I would leave them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184130 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:44:15 +0000 kristinleigh 2184130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I agree with this. We bought our house with original windows and we had a good amount deducted off the sale of the house... just this past year (4 years into owning our home) we replaced all the windows and it was about $1200 a window. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184080 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:08:07 +0000 Alivoo01 2184080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Agreed.</p> <p>I'd leave it as is. You might find a buyer who is equally in love with the nostalgia of the original windows. Or they may want an allowance to replace them later on, but usually an allowance is cheaper than actually replacing them.</p> <p>However, the windows are fully functional so it's not a make or break it for the house to sell, in my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184078 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:07:41 +0000 looch 2184078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a buyer, I don't really understand what the solution is that you've got on the table...you have to hang something up outside in the winter and take them down in the summer?</p> <p>New windows would cost about $1500 per piece including install where I live. I'd be most likely deducting that from my offer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184071 Wed, 20 May 2015 07:04:11 +0000 Mamaof2 2184071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't touch them - let a few buyers come thru and take a look and see what the feedback is - then decide! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184068 Wed, 20 May 2015 06:57:01 +0000 Greentea 2184068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let me be honest- that window situation does NOT sound ideal. I would not want to deal with that as a buyer. I like easy and efficient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184059 Wed, 20 May 2015 06:46:10 +0000 shellio 2184059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks to everyone. Really appreciate all the feedback. Before posting this I had resigned myself to replacing them - so great to hear you all saying to leave them! We have decided to leave them. If I remember I will update here with any feedback we hear during showings/inspection/closing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184009 Wed, 20 May 2015 02:28:12 +0000 Ree723 2184009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd leave it as is! Having recently bought in a seller's market, I can say with certainty that something relatively minor, like replacing the windows, would not deter me from a house I otherwise loved. It's not as though you have totally inefficient windows that absolutely need to be replaced urgently, therefore, it really comes down to personal preference. In a seller's market, I think it's going to take an awful lot more than that to make a nice house undesirable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184007 Wed, 20 May 2015 01:59:31 +0000 blackbird 2184007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Windows would definitely not be a dealbreaker to me. You never know what an individual buyer is going to ask or want, so I wouldn't install new windows preemptively. You'll find out during negotiations if it's an issues </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2184002 Wed, 20 May 2015 01:25:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2184002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can try to pull the page the realtor gave us but windows was pretty low on the return value for investments. I would consider getting a second opinion before dumping the money in to sell </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183979 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:33:57 +0000 HLK208 2183979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shellio: then definitely don't put the money into the windows! Your house sounds lovely. If a buyer has a problem with the windows, they will probably try to negotiate after an inspection or ask for closing costs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183973 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:23:02 +0000 coopsmama 2183973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely wouldn't put that chunk of change into the house when you're trying to sell. I agree with others to put on the market and see what happens. You will get feedback from your showings and if the windows seem like an issue you could replace them later. However, it sounds like your home is in good condition otherwise, so I don't predict it will be a problem. </p> <p>We just sold an older home 6 months ago and didn't make any significant changes beforehand - just some paint. I'm glad we didn't bother! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183969 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:09:39 +0000 PurplePeony 2183969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have original windows in our 1951 house and I love the wavy glass -- it wasn't a make-or-break feature but I find it charming so it was a nice bonus. We have put in some interior storm windows in the bedrooms and it's very comfortable now. Also, most houses I've seen in the neighborhood with replacement windows haven't stayed true to the architectural style of the home, and IMO they look awful. I think that, with original windows in good shape, it takes 20+ years to get a real return on your investment through energy savings (or something crazy like that, I remember being shocked). So I think you're good as it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183964 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:05:10 +0000 youboots 2183964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your relator does not understand period correctness in a home. Your improvement sounds outstanding, I think installing modern windows would devalue the home. Unless a buyer was just looking for a house and does not understand it I can not imagine they would consider it a benefit. </p> <p>Some of the 'remodeling' done on my 1910 home is a crime and I'm slowing fixing it to be more period correct. I'm sure you will find a buyer that will appreciate your home- windows and all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183962 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:03:23 +0000 shellio 2183962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: There are no other major projects. The kitchen is new as of less than 5 years ago and the former owners did a beautiful job with soapstone countertops and custom cabinets. We updated the basement. The upper level is brand new about 5 years ago as well, with a huge master suite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183960 Tue, 19 May 2015 23:00:40 +0000 HLK208 2183960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were a buyer, it would depend on the condition of the home. Is there any more work to do? If I really loved the house, I wouldn't mind fixing the windows myself but I wouldn't be able to handle project on top of project if it's an already pricey house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183958 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:52:44 +0000 shellio 2183958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a great point - since its a seller's market and houses are going quickly with very little inventory, if they don't want to put in an offer, someone else will. </p> <p>@Truth Bombs: you're so right - why spend it just to get it back, and spend our time dealing with the contractor when the new buyers can deal with that.</p> <p>Thanks for the feedback guys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183941 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:14:45 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2183941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd list it and make sure the updates to your windows are mentioned in the listing. If you don't get any offers in a decent amount of time then I'd consider getting new ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183938 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:10:42 +0000 photojane 2183938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted other because as a seller I wouldn't want to spend the money, but as a buyer, I'd want new windows. We are house hunting right now, and we're looking at older homes, so newer windows and roof are two of our major sticking points. Old windows are just so inefficient. If it's a seller's market, and you're not in a hurry, I'd test out the market with the old windows. If you don't get any bites, then consider upgrading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183937 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:08:42 +0000 Truth Bombs 2183937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What's the point of spending the money just to get it back? I would just price the home accordingly and not deal with the headache or the upfront out of pocket costs. My brother bought a 100 year old house last summer and they bought knowing they would need to replace all the windows... It didn't deter them from purchasing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183933 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:05:45 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2183933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let the new people waste their money if they want to replace beautiful classic windows. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183932 Tue, 19 May 2015 22:04:46 +0000 mrscobee 2183932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, in a seller's market, I would not replace the windows. You actually would probably not get a full return on them... Things like new windows and HVAC generally cause homes to sell more quickly but not for a much higher price, and sounds like your home will already sell quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/preparing-home-for-sale-what-would-you-look-for-please-help#post-2183929 Tue, 19 May 2015 21:59:38 +0000 shellio 2183929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So we are getting ready to put our house on the market in the next 4-8 weeks. Our realtor walked through with us the other day to give us ideas on what we can be working on to maximize our sale value. The home is 90 years old and has the original windows. 4 months ago, we decided to tackle the windows, didn't know we'd be selling soon. We did consider replacing them but DH did some research and it sounded like a lot of people who buy older homes like this would like original finishes, so we decided to go with an alternate solution offered by our contractor - he built custom window panes and screens for all of our windows that hang on the outside. So during the winter you hang up the glass pane, and in the spring you can switch to the screens. He also fixed all the windows so they open and stay open, and close and lock. </p> <p>So, now the realtor really thinks we should replace them all with new windows. He feels that buyers will really expect everything to be updated and new. This is the only real update he suggested - we don't even need to paint anything. For context, our home is moderately priced for the area, but prices in the area have skyrocketed recently so it will still cost buyers a large chunk of change. Homes are selling very very quickly right now so people will be making decisions on the spot. I can understand wanting things to be up to date at this price point. However, the biggest problem we have is that it feels like SO much waste to just junk the new panes/screens and replace the windows. The windows cost $1500 and I think I remember the contractor pricing out new windows at several thousand. The realtor thinks we would get full return on our money by replacing them. </p> <p>So - what would you be looking for? Would you mind having old but functional windows, with screens and panes for energy efficiency? Or would you pass this house by for something more fully updated? </p>