Preparing to Buy or Sell a Home – Don’t Overlook the Windows

Size and placement of windows affects the character and curb appeal of the home from the outside, and light, views, energy efficiency, air flow, noise and egress from the inside. Done right, windows can make your home everything you would want it to be. Windows that are inadequate can be a headache and an expensive fix.

When examining windows, look at the frames and how they are built into the wall. Understand the materials used and how the window functions. Windows should open and close easily and completely, and have the ability to be secured with a lock. Signs of moisture around the window should be addressed, to ensure that there are no leaks.

Examine the type of material in the window frame. All-vinyl windows generally cannot be painted, and other, older wood framed windows might have so much paint on them that they are difficult to open. While you are looking at the window frames, notice how the windows open, and whether the glass is single, double, or even triple-paned. Depending on your climate, double or triple-glazed windows can make a huge difference on your heating and cooling bill. Gas-filled windows use argon, krypton or other inert gases to fill the areas between the panes, further enhancing the insulating factor. Excellent windows also help to deaden noise from the outside, which can be helpful in urban environments.

Don't forget to examine the state of any screens. Windows that open in climates that are prone to bugs should have tightly fitting screens that are not full of holes. Doors that open to decks might have screens, and some may be fitted with glass to convert to storm doors in the cold and rainy seasons.

Additionally, windows should match the style of the home. Older homes with fine detailing throughout should have windows that make sense with the other materials and stylistic features in the home. Research window styles and look at comparable homes in your area to see what other homeowners have done. Outfitting a home with the wrong windows can be as big a mistake as hiring a poor installer.

Viewing the home from both the inside and out, at various times of the day, and noticing the windows close-up and from afar, their views to the inside and outside, will enable you do understand the home in a new way—shedding light on the home itself.

Preparing to Sell Your Home in the Fall

When showing a home in the fall and winter months, pay attention to how warm you feel in the home, how the spaces are heated, how to control the heat and moisture, the presence of natural light, and how warm they are to the eye. When showing a home during these months, you will want to ensure that the warming aspects of the home stand out.

Understanding the heating system of a home is key information for many buyers. Information to have available for potential buyers include:

• Type of heating system(s) in all areas of the home.
• How the heat works and best practices for using the system(s), including the presence of a programmable thermostat.
• Source of energy, and operational costs.
• Age of the system and maintenance history, if available.

Heating a space is only part of the warming equation. Appropriate insulation and attention to places where heat may escape are key points to consider. Insulation in walls and attics should be clean and dry, free from signs of animal infestation. Windows in cooler climates might be double or triple-glazed, and doors and windows should close tightly and no drafts should be present around them. Caulk and seal around window frames, if needed, and pay attention to areas that seem particularly prone to cooling down quickly.

Some rooms in the home will naturally be warmer than others. When showing a home, be present to this fact and decide if you will “close off spaces” by shutting doors to conserve heat in some living areas, or if you will seek to warm cooler spaces by keeping doors open.

Insulating hot-water heaters could be a plus if they are located in a cooler location such as a basement or garage and ensuring that water pipes are insulated is also useful to homeowners in frigid areas. 

Attention to these details shows that the home is well-cared for and ready for anything.