I am in the process of preparing my house for sale in Southern California. I was wondering if I should replace my outdated windows, estimated at $10K, will this help get me more bang for my buck or do I leave the windows as is and just decorate it nicely.

Note, I am not using a realtor. I am licensed, but have done a few transactions over 5 years ago.

All depends on how well they go with the home.

A picture would do wonders you know.
If there rotten away change them but if they can last another 10 yrs i'd leave them

we've just put new windows in a hotel here in the uk and they look really bad simply because the hotel is old and the windows are new.

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Thanks, your comment was very helpful.

Unfortunately, I've never purchased a home that had new windows. In fact, we need to put some new windows in our current home that we've been in for 4 years. It would have been nice to have new windows, but we wanted this home and it was during the time of multiple contracts. There was another buyer up against us.

Unless your windows are in really poor shape, I'm not sure you'd get your investment back. It's a nice feature that you would certainly let buyers know about, but will your home sell for more just because of them?

Without seeing your home or knowing your market, it's difficult to give a definite answer. I'd probably try selling the home without new windows & see if you're getting negative feedback because of that.

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I just sold a house that had very old windows (frames were rotting). Buyer insisted that windows be replaced, and after a lot of back and forth, the seller had to pay. So...depending on what shape they are in, I would think about replacing them. If they look bad to you, they will look bad to prospective buyers too.

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Nancy
www.RealEstateinSantaFeNM.com

I think I will wait to see what the buyers are saying before I spend the 10K, because I do not know if I will get my investment back. Anyways, the windows are older, but in fair condition.

Are you in an area where property values are declining due to a shift to a buyer's market? If so, I don't think the 10k investment is worth it at this time. I would suggest you heavily monitor showing feedback, and also have an agent or yourself analyze the features and amenities that a driving the value in the area. No sense it putting in brand new windows if no one pays more for that upgrade in your area. If you have 10k to spend, this analysis would help you invest in a upgrade that would get a positive investment for you.

Then again putting any updating in a declining market it kind of scary. You may lose money regardless.

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Keller Williams Realty
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kapranoony needs to be deleted ....

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yup, done

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I hope you have sold your home. I suggest you do two things. Get an appriaisal and a home inspection. This will give you the current market value and bring to your attention repairs that could be major problems when you get an offer. As a real estate appraiser, if I appraised your home it would not add any extra market value to your home. They would add market appeal if they are energy efficient windows. Unless they really need replacing I am sure you can put $10k to other areas which increase value such as kitchens or baths.