Home buying is an overwhelming adult task. For those of you who’ve done it—cheers to you! For those of you about to do it, take a deep breath. I’m going to help you take a very important step, ok?
Yes, there are numerous things you need to consider very thoughtfully before you buy; namely:
- Square footage: obviously, you and your family want to have enough room for yourselves and your belongings. Mostly, space is about lifestyle—what space do you require to be most comfortable?
- True value of the home: an accurate estimate is essential. You need to know that what you are about to pay for is worth it!
- Location: how close to your job, church, family, and friends is the potential home? Too far away and you could find yourself spending more than you want to spend on regular travel.
- Roof condition: this is a big-ticket item if it is in ill shape.
- Foundation condition: this can make or break a home deal. Further, foundation issues are usually the most expensive repair a homeowner can be forced to make, should the occasion arise.
- HVAC system: mainly, does it work and how old is it? Preparing for potential costs in the near future is important.
- Kitchen and bathrooms: the two rooms are the most used in the home. So, do they need renovating?
- Windows: this is another big-ticket item if they are in bad shape. Here’s where I can be of the most help!
While most of the items on this list will be thoroughly checked by a home inspector (yes, you do need to hire one—no matter what anyone tells you), the home’s windows are easily overlooked during the buying process. Why? For starters, not all issues are visible, nor are they all obvious to a prospective buyer making a walk-through of a potential new home option. Since I am on staff here at The Screen Shop and have extensive experience with windows—both good and bad—let me give you a few questions you need to ask the current owners/realtor:
- What window manufacturer(s) are represented in the home?
- Which installation company installed these windows?
- When were they installed?
- What kind of warranties are on these windows and do they transfer to new buyers?
- What kind of glass do they have (single-, double-, or triple-panes)?
- Is there any glazing or tint?
- What material are the frames?
These questions will help to give you the full picture of what kind of windows in Sunnyvale, CA you could be inheriting with your purchase (or avoiding!). And, this information could give you leverage for price negotiations!
If you’ve recently purchased a home in Sunnyvale, CA or the surrounding area and discovered the windows are sub-par, don’t worry. Give our team here at The Screen Shop a call. We would be happy to help you fix that!
The Screen Shop | 601 Hamline St.| San Jose, CA 95110 | 408.295.7384 | contactus@thescreenshop.com