Dirty Windows? House Hunters May Shy Away

Home buyers look for turnkey properties, and small flaws like dirty windows can turn them off. Agent Leonore Spinelli of Century 21 Alliance in Moorestown, Pa., says buyers will tour homes for about 10 to 20 minutes. “They are looking at the space and flow of the home,” she explains. “If the house is well-kept overall, they may not notice that windows that have not been cleaned recently. [But] cobwebs, bugs in windows, and dirty screens may be indications that the home has not been cared for in other areas. These are peeves of mine when showing a home.” According to Marilou Buffum of BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors in Chestnut Hill, homes on the market in the fall especially need clean windows, as the colors of the leaves shine through and emphasize the dirt. Cleaning specialists recommend that windows be washed at least twice per year, and the frames and bottom ledge must be cleaned as well. Moreover, agents say it is important that if sellers cannot afford to replace old windows, such as double-hung models, they must at least work properly. | Read More