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SuzyQ
Mama to 3!?!?!?
Member since 7/06 8069 total posts
Name:
Susan
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WWYD -- home improvement question
Our house is 15 years old. We have lots of projects we'd like to do while we live here and are trying to decide what to do first. The windows are original and we've noticed that they are very drafty. I had seen recently on a show on HGTV that in today's market new windows are something that is definitely worth the investment since we would get a good return when we go to sell. (We plan to live here for at least 5 years. This house could be our forever house, but we do hope to "upgrade" someday, probably in 5-7 years.) The other potential project is a new master bathroom. Our master bath is very large, but most of it is original. The sellers did replace the light fixture and the handles on the cabinet, but the cabinet is small -- no granite, shower is small and kinda icky. I would definitely enjoy a new master bath more, but I thought we'd be better off doing the windows first. My 2 BILs were just here for a visit. They are both real estate "investors" (one owns several rental properties, the other just bought his first "short sale" project that he renovated & is trying to sell.) They both thought we should do the master bath first. We plan to do both projects at some point, just not sure what to do first. Any opinions? TIA
Message edited 1/12/2009 4:45:08 PM.
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Posted 1/12/09 4:43 PM  |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Did you just move in? I would leave the windows for now and do the bathroom. I could live with windows that aren't my favorite for a few years but I definetly couldn't live with a bad bathroom. As a quick fix for now can you touch up the window seals to cut down on the draftiness?
If you just moved in see if you like the room before you replace the windows. You may want to take a window out, make a window larger or smaller depending on your furniture. We were going to replace a window in our kitchen but have since decided to remove it and put a sky light in. The windows will be easier to replace, you could even work on them one at a time instead of doing it as a huge project. Lastly if you were to sell before finishing up the projects people will be more impressed with a new bathroom than new windows.
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| Posted 1/12/09 4:59 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
They always say that kitchen and bathrooms sell houses.  I would go with the bathroom. As long as you know that you will be able to do the windows also (at some point before selling), I would want to enjoy the bathroom right now over the windows. But the windows should be done, because potential buyers in the future look at that as a huge cost out of their pocket or out of the price they are willing to pay for our house in the future. GL!
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| Posted 1/12/09 5:14 PM |
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snowprincess
My happy babies
Member since 3/06 3428 total posts
Name:
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
i would do the windows first - you will get the benefit of lower heating and cooling - plus there usually is a tax credit for bnew windows
additionally, styles change and what is in now may not be as in in 5 years - so i would do the bathroom second
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| Posted 1/12/09 5:33 PM |
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Kidsaplenty
Sister love
Member since 2/06 5971 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
I'd do the windows first to lower your heating/cooling costs.
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| Posted 1/12/09 5:58 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by snowprincess
i would do the windows first - you will get the benefit of lower heating and cooling - plus there usually is a tax credit for bnew windows
additionally, styles change and what is in now may not be as in in 5 years - so i would do the bathroom second
This is exactly what I was thinking. You said you are planning on staying at least 5 years, so a brand-new bathroom now will be at least 5 years old if you sell. Do the windows now, and save all the money on heating and cooling now, and update the bath later on.
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| Posted 1/13/09 7:49 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by snowprincess
i would do the windows first - you will get the benefit of lower heating and cooling - plus there usually is a tax credit for bnew windows
additionally, styles change and what is in now may not be as in in 5 years - so i would do the bathroom second
This is exactly what I was thinking. You said you are planning on staying at least 5 years, so a brand-new bathroom now will be at least 5 years old if you sell. Do the windows now, and save all the money on heating and cooling now, and update the bath later on.
My opinion also...the bath can wait if you aren't going anywhere...the windows can directly affect your bills now and as Snowprincess said, you get a tax credit for new windows.
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| Posted 1/13/09 7:54 AM |
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jerome8283
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/06 633 total posts
Name:
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Your experienced BIL's gave you the correct advise. Do the bath. Windows are a project you typically do in the spring/summer when it's warmer. If you can hold out and the windows are not that bad, take care of the inside projects first.
As one poster said, baths and kitchens sell houses. If you plan to move in 5yrs, the bath would be an excellent investment now.
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| Posted 1/13/09 9:40 AM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by greeneyes361708
I'd do the windows first to lower your heating/cooling costs.
me too. New, energy efficient windows will definitely add to the appraised value also. Definitely worth it.
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| Posted 1/13/09 9:49 AM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
Name:
They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by Gertyrae
Posted by GoldenRod
Posted by snowprincess
i would do the windows first - you will get the benefit of lower heating and cooling - plus there usually is a tax credit for bnew windows
additionally, styles change and what is in now may not be as in in 5 years - so i would do the bathroom second
This is exactly what I was thinking. You said you are planning on staying at least 5 years, so a brand-new bathroom now will be at least 5 years old if you sell. Do the windows now, and save all the money on heating and cooling now, and update the bath later on.
My opinion also...the bath can wait if you aren't going anywhere...the windows can directly affect your bills now and as Snowprincess said, you get a tax credit for new windows.
These are exactly my thoughts, too. Windows now -- you'll save on heating / cooling bills and good windows won't be out of style in 5 years. Do the bathroom later on. It'll be even newer when you sell.
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| Posted 1/13/09 10:34 AM |
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SuzyQ
Mama to 3!?!?!?
Member since 7/06 8069 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by jerome8283
Your experienced BIL's gave you the correct advise. Do the bath. Windows are a project you typically do in the spring/summer when it's warmer. If you can hold out and the windows are not that bad, take care of the inside projects first.
As one poster said, baths and kitchens sell houses. If you plan to move in 5yrs, the bath would be an excellent investment now.
I guess I should have mentioned this next project, whether it's the windows or the bath, won't be started until spring/summer. I would never do windows in our freezing cold winter. brrrrr!!!!
Thank you all. I was leaning towards to the windows first for all of the reasons listes above, although I had no idea about the tax credit. I wonder if that's the case everywhere (I live in Illinois, so is that a NY thing?)
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:08 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by snowprincess
i would do the windows first - you will get the benefit of lower heating and cooling - plus there usually is a tax credit for bnew windows
additionally, styles change and what is in now may not be as in in 5 years - so i would do the bathroom second
I agree - the bathroom is 100% cosmetic -
Do the windows now, aside from the fuel/tax benefits - as a buyer, I'd MUCH rather get to renovate a bathroom to my own tastes than to 'have to' put in new windows -
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:15 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by SuzyQ
although I had no idea about the tax credit. I wonder if that's the case everywhere (I live in Illinois, so is that a NY thing?)
I would find out from your tax person (if you have one) or contact your local Town or Village and see if they know. I think it's a government thing, so that people save engery. So contacting your local engery company would be the best bet. GL!
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:19 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
I found this link for you
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:21 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Also, it's possible your windows aren't up to code. When we had our windows replaced, I found out that our old windows were actually fire hazards, and not up to current building code. They need to be big enough (at least in the bedrooms) for a fireman to enter or exit the window.
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:37 PM |
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SuzyQ
Mama to 3!?!?!?
Member since 7/06 8069 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Thank you so much!! This is so helpful.
And, Shawn, I do think they're all up to code. The home inspector said that they were actually very good windows. I know some of them may just need some caulking around the wood trim outside to help with the draft problem.
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:55 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Just like the previous poster said, kitchens and bathrooms sell houses.
Even if there are articles that say you get more value back with window installations, most buyers will remember a house with a nice kitchen/bathroom over nice windows.
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:57 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
I think they gave you good advice- it you were going to sell now
a new master bath is a wow
but in 5 years- could look dated
I would do the windows now- and the bathroom next
Windows aren't a wow- but a big project that last a long time- just choose a quallity product
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| Posted 1/13/09 12:57 PM |
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Kim7706
LIF Adult
Member since 3/07 1233 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by greeneyes361708
I'd do the windows first to lower your heating/cooling costs.
ITA
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| Posted 1/13/09 1:58 PM |
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jerome8283
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/06 633 total posts
Name:
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Re: WWYD -- home improvement question
Posted by SuzyQ
Posted by jerome8283
Your experienced BIL's gave you the correct advise. Do the bath. Windows are a project you typically do in the spring/summer when it's warmer. If you can hold out and the windows are not that bad, take care of the inside projects first.
As one poster said, baths and kitchens sell houses. If you plan to move in 5yrs, the bath would be an excellent investment now.
I guess I should have mentioned this next project, whether it's the windows or the bath, won't be started until spring/summer. I would never do windows in our freezing cold winter. brrrrr!!!!
Thank you all. I was leaning towards to the windows first for all of the reasons listes above, although I had no idea about the tax credit. I wonder if that's the case everywhere (I live in Illinois, so is that a NY thing?)
oh ok. I change my vote. Windows!
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| Posted 1/13/09 7:17 PM |
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