Do new double pane windows increase value?

[BRCJR]

"Rural market" many times window replacements without other upgrades are seen. May be due to low income energy (weatherproofing) programs offered by local agencies.

Not uncommon around here. Different market different trends.

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

When we sold our 2nd house the buyer paid full list price because he liked the fact that we had replaced the windows and he had worked in a Pella factory while in college. Only Pella window was a bay window with the rest being Andersen. Around here houses can usually expect to sell for more, though not likely the cost amount. Had a large, older house in a good part of town a few years ago where the buyers had someone measuring all the windows while we were there. They didin't like the Andersen windows (newer) and were going to replace them at $50K+. Some folks have more money than sense IMHO.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

IN MY MARKET...the first thing flippers do when renovatating a house is to replace the windows. New vinyl dual pane windows on a typical house will cost around $4,000 ~ $5,000 and generally will increase the value of the property. The adjustment can be extracted from market data. It is a strong selling point...IN MY MARKET, especially if the house had older metal single pane windows. Energy efficient items are big out here in the west.

 

[Stone]

I am not saying it doesn't happen, I just don't feel it happens often enough to establish a market trend that can be cited. And far too many such upgrades are like Alisa Anne's "Kitchen cabinets, counters and tile is next...."

You don't live somewhere that sees really low temperatures. When you are heating the inside of your house to a temp. that is 70+ degrees greater than the outdoor temp. windows make a pretty big difference. In cold areas, it is not uncommon to run across folks replacing their windows after purchase. Kind of like moving in and upgrading the furnace. Heat saving things are frequently done by themselves, since they aren't necessarily cosmetic.

Now, the problem (and this goes along with what you stated) is that while this may be a stand-alone project, how often do homes sell where it is the only thing done since the last sale? Not too often. So, it is hard to figure out exactly what price the market places on this upgrade.

Interestingly, when we bought our current house, it hadn't really been upgraded beyond a better tub-surround and windows. While we didn't place an amount on either, they definitely contributed to the attractiveness of the property since we came from an old house that let the wind whip through.

So, around here, they certainly happen as stand-alone projects. But, 2-3 years down the road, the owners likely will do something else. In a roundabout way, I agree and disagree...:new_smile-l:

 

[Mr Rex]

Of course they add value. They would only add the total cost of the new windows if the house had no windows before installation. Also don't forget that the cost of installation of replacement windows is removal of the old window. Having installed them in several houses, the removal of the old window takes longer than the installation of the replacement windows. Obviously the cost of removal of the old windows would not add value to the subject.

 

[Alisa]

I notice from appraising the same homes 2 and 3 times for refi's that
in some cases it's the refi money that pays for the upgrades. I can
tell what's been done after the last inspection.

In my case, we aren't willing to refi and prefer to pay cash up front so
we save and do... It just takes me longer now...

I have 800 sq. ft. of 20" travertine tile in my garage if anyone isn't
doing anything next month

 

[JTip]

It would be logical to update the exterior in one swoop: siding, windows, roof. But my home, which has 33 windows, would require a substancial investment to replace them. Our bedroom has 4 fresh windows while the rest of the home will have to live with shrink wrap in the winter until I find an extra $10,000.
Would it increase the value of my home? Maybe 50cent on a dollar, if that, IN MY MARKET.

 

[Mr Rex]

You guys are getting raped on installation costs based on your price quotes.

 

[JTip]

About $300 each. Various sizes from your typical to 6' double hung. Old 1900 farm house. Decided to invest in an outdoor wood furnace this year instead of new windows. You see the local ads "any size window for $199 installed" but are fair quailty, flimsey vinyl windows.

 

[Mr Rex]

Like I said, you are getting raped on the install. Go to Home Depot or Lowes and price the windows. Lowes carries Pella in stock. sounds like the typical "Sears" pricing, window cost X2. Shouldn't cost more than 2 men 1 hour each, 1 carpenter and 1 grunt and that doesn't add up to the same cost as the window.