When you’re buying a house, you’re most likely overwhelmed with information overload on details of the listing price, layout plan, financing, and cosmetic upgrades. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of buying a new house, but it’s important to ask questions about important details that could cost a lot of time and money down the road. Getting the complete story on the windows in your potential new house before finalizing your contract can save a lot of hassle. Before you sign on that dotted line, here are some important questions to ask regarding the windows in your new home.

Are All The Windows The Same Age?

You might think that every window in the house is the same age, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes homeowners will choose to replace several windows at a time as they can afford them. Other times, one window in particular will fail or become damaged, and it’s only necessary to replace that particular window.

Are Any of the Windows Painted Shut?

If you’re dealing with wood, you don’t want the surprise of being unable to open your windows until inspection or when you move into your house. If you notice that the windows look freshly painted, check for yourself if they’re painted shut, or ask your realtor to find out for you.

Do All Of The Windows Have Screens?

All things considered, window screens are cheap enough to replace. However, it can be a big inconvenience to open your windows for fresh air, only to discover that bugs are flying in because you’re missing screens. If you know they’re missing in advance, you can pick a few up ahead of time to be prepared.

Are The Windows Still Under Warranty?

Window warranties can last anywhere from 5 to 20 years. It’s important to find out if the windows in your new home are still covered, so you can receive support if anything goes wrong.

Is The Warranty Transferrable?

Surprisingly, not all window warranties are transferrable to new owners. In addition, some transferrable warranties have a one-time use limit; for example, let’s say the original family sold the house to family #2, and your now family is now the third owner. The warranty may not be able to be transferred to you, since it’s already been transferred to family #2. Be sure that you find out the specifics of the warranty and if you’re in fact covered under the plan.

Where Did The Windows Come From?

It’s smart to find out whether your potential new windows were purchased from a reputable window company or a big box store. Quality is in question depending on where your windows originated. Knowing the source of your windows will help you determine their life span, and approximately how many more years you have until you’ll need to replace them.

While buying a house is certainly a whirlwind, being informed of the condition of your windows is beneficial to you as a new homeowner. Windows are an investment, and they can easily affect the price of your new home. Depending on the condition of the windows, you may have some bargaining leverage for a better home value.