New windows or leave as is to sell?

alex_163163

Looking to canvas some opinions regarding a difference of opinion between my mum and I.
unfortunately it looks like my gran will be entering a care home soon, and she may need to sell her home to fund it.

Our difference of opinion comes from the state of the property when it is sold.
the property needs complete renovation. It’s a 1960s build, with aluminium windows and doors, 30 year old kitchen and bathroom (with a separate toilet). There been joist damage in the past so I’d reckon that needs more widespread exploration. Anaglypta wallpaper all over the walls and ceilings. 

We (mum & I) aren’t really in the position to renovate it ourselves before sale. However my mum thinks that we should replace the windows at the front and side of the house to improve the ‘kerb appeal’. But please note that she wouldn’t touch the patio or conservatory windows and doors (as we think someone would knock the conservatory down and make it a proper extension like next door have done)
I think that is a complete waste of time and money. Just price it accordingly and sell it as is. Someone will be completely renovating / redeveloping the property and they will want to put their stamp over the whole thing. 

So people of this forum - whose ‘side’ would you fall on? Or is there a 3rd view point we are both overlooking? 

But we do want to get as much as we can so that we can make sure gran’s care is funded for as long as possible. 

Reddleman79

Leave it as is. Near me a house was bought for the full market value, yet has still been completely gutted and remodelled.

apw81

Leave them. You’re right. Since the inside needs a complete overhaul whoever buys it will be budgeting for a complete renovation. They could even replace any new windows, if they don’t match what they want (you put in white, they want grey, for eg.). Waste of resources, on top of time and money.

elsien

You won’t get back the money that you spend in a pound for pound increase in the house price. On that basis, it’s not in your Nan’s best interests to use her assets in that way.

rach_k

I would leave it too.  If people are put off by the windows, they will definitely be put off by the rest of the work needing doing so you may as well weed them out before they get through the door.  If somebody is prepared to do the rest of it, windows won't put them off and they may well be happy to get to choose for themselves.  I am very fussy about windows so I have been put off houses that have new-ish windows I hated because it would be too wasteful to replace them straight away, whereas I would have been happy to pay a bit less and get the work done myself.

If you want a bit of a compromise with your mum, you could agree to put it on the market as is for now, then if the agent tells you people are being put off (only!) by the windows, you could reassess in a few months.

ThisIsWeird

Concur with above. 

The chosen style of window can make a huge difference to the overall look, and potential buyers - knowing full well that much of the house will need updating, and being prepared & budgeting for this - could be cheesed off if they feel that these 'unwanted' new windows are adding to the purchase price, only for them to have to replace them again.

Dustyevsky

Is Mum expecting to recoup at least part of the cost? If so, she doesn't get what doer-uppers are about, or what people who buy them normally expect. A keen price is of much more value.

Flugelhorn

I agree with others to sell as it is. I am pretty sure an agent would say the same 

gwynlas

How does she know what type of windows will appeal to buyer? There are many different styles and colours available now so it would be as pointless as wallpapering or buying a new carpet. If the house requires updating iincluding some windows there will be no difference in price if all windows need replacing and being a larger job be more attractive to double glazing companies. The house can have kerb appeal by looking cared for with grass and hedges cut existing windows cleaned, professional deep cleaning inside etc, all of which will be cheaper than replacing a few windows

propertyrental

another vot for leave it as is. It's a doer upper. Someone will budget to do it up.

Pricing it right is far more important.

hazyjo

Many are now adding black, grey, green or other coloured windows. Definitely leave! They may even want to move windows if refurbing.