​If you are looking to add value to your home before selling, or just looking for ways to make it more comfortable for your family, the option of replacement windows may have crossed your mind.  Replacement windows can help a lot in a house that needs to improve its energy efficiency.  How much can they help with this?
 
If you have done any research or you have spoken to a salesperson of replacement windows you may have come across many statistics regarding the adding of value to your home or reducing costs by saving energy.  While these facts may come from trustworthy studies and are good to keep in mind, it's important to remember that the matter isn't always that simple.  Vinyl windows are said to recuperate over 70% of the cost of labor and materials while wooden can operate almost 80%. 
 
While pondering the replacement of your windows, your decision on what kind of windows they are will be an important one, the choice is usually among vinyl, wooden, fiberglass or aluminum windows.  Saving on energy bills can be a very attractive concept, but this only works when they are installed correctly and the house around them is in good shape.   Initially, perhaps the windows in your home were installed correctly, but the house may have shifted, the wood in the frame may be rotting and there could be a handful of other potential problems.  For these reasons, it's important to have an experienced installer look at the house and the job before quoting a price. 
 
These are just some factors to consider when thinking about replacing the windows in your home.
 
 
 

​Nowadays there are a variety of ways a person can purchase a new home.  There is something to suit everyone, for example, maybe you would like to fix up an old home or perhaps you are someone who would prefer a move in ready option.  What about when a property is listed “as is”?  What does that mean and is it a wise choice?
 
When a property is listed “as is” it generally means that the seller does not want to go to the bother of fixing it up just to sell.  They might also not want to be held responsible for the condition its in, or problems with it after its sold.  Does that mean it’s a bad choice? No, not necessarily.
 
If this is a property you really like and its at the right price, then there is no reason to think it’s a bad choice.  There are some steps you should take, however, to make sure you are getting a good investment.
 
The first thing to do is have the property inspected by a certified home inspector.  This will allow you to have a better idea of the type of property you are getting.  While it more than likely has obvious, visible issues, its good to know of any that are not immediately visible.  Having a home inspection performed on it could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
 
What about if you live in a location that requires the seller to give a written disclosure on the condition of the property?  Should you still have a home inspection done?  Unfortunately, the disclosure is not always a reliable source as a dishonest person might omit important information.  Again, a home inspection will let you know if the disclosure is reliable which, in turn, will give you an idea of how trustworthy the seller is.
 
Buying a property “as is” can be a good buying option but, care should be taken to find out the properties true condition before making a final decision.