Home value. Whether you are participating in the current market, or merely watching with curiosity, there is no doubt that home value is a very popular topic right now. Over the course of one year, the real estate market has broken many records, including the highest median sale price.
Whether you are buying, selling, or making improvements to stay put long term, it may be a good idea to consider investing in hurricane windows and doors. To find out more about impact windows and doors in terms of home value, I talked with Joseph McFarlane of Reform Realty South Florida Homes & Luxury Estates. As a seasoned South Florida Real Estate Broker Owner, he has a lot of experience on both sides of a home sale and how hurricane protection may factor into a deal.
I began by asking Joseph if home buyers are concerned about hurricane protection when searching for a home, and he answered, “Generally speaking, home buyers are concerned because we are in Hurricane Country.” Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, in an area known as Hurricane Alley, Florida is particularly vulnerable to tropical cyclone activity. Our total hurricane season is 6 months long, spanning half of the year. “So, it 100% makes sense to have impact windows or some kind of protection.”
When it comes to deciding which type of hurricane protection is best for your home and family, you may want to consider things other than impact protection. “The concern is not just damage from the storm, but a major concern is enduring the mad dash to prep for a storm and the time lost for when the storm misses or subsides.” This is where the difference between an active and a passive system for hurricane protection matters. Active systems (like accordion shutters, regular metal shutters, and plywood) require anywhere from an hour to 1-2 days to properly deploy. Impact windows and doors are always ready to protect, so long as they are closed and locked.
While some may call them ‘hurricane windows’, hurricane protection is not the only benefit of these products. Impact windows and doors also offer intruder protection, energy efficiency, and noise reduction. When asked how valuable these additional benefits are, Joseph said, “Very valuable. These are important extras that you get 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, around the clock. We only get hurricanes 3 months of the year, or some years none at all. What about the other times? Intruder protection is my personal favorite, as a husband and father of 2 little girls.”
I asked Joseph, because of these reasons, do impact windows and doors increase a home’s overall value? While he did not have exact return on investment (ROI) values, he said “Generally speaking, impact windows on a property appreciate the value since we are smack in the middle of hurricane country.” Getting the highest ROI out of a hurricane impact window and door investment depends on a few factors, and Joseph points out that timelines can be important. “If you are a homeowner or investor and plan to have the property for longer than 5 years, 10 years, I would tell you to get them because then the investment will get you a much higher ROI.”
If you are planning on selling your home soon, Joseph says that it may not be the right time for the investment. “If selling a house, the ROI may not be there, even in the current aggressive sales market. However, for those purchasing a home, I highly recommend it for the benefits we discussed earlier.” He reiterates that time frames are very important in this regard. “If the intention is to stay 5-10 years or more, the likelihood of getting your ROI on the new home increases because you will be there longer.”
In this historic real estate market, some home sellers may not only be concerned with home value. Another consideration could be how quickly your home may be able to sell. When asked if homes with impact products sell quicker, Joseph responded “Absolutely. If you are a Floridian, you know the value of not having to struggle with shutters. If you are moving to Florida, as a newly transplanted person, you should know these upgrades are very desirable and extremely helpful.” He went on to elaborate, “For example, if you arrive at a showing, and house A has accordion shutters, but house B has PGT impact windows, house B will stand out. People will know there is $25k in window upgrades in that house.”
The last piece of advice Joseph gave is relevant to anyone considering upgrading to impact windows and doors. “Not all window contractors are created equal. There are many that promise the world, and set expectations high, and then underdeliver in service and install and things like that. Be very wary of this. As a realtor, I regularly hear from homeowners with botched window installations. So, if you are considering windows, it’s important to not go with a company just because they are the cheapest.”
If you are interested in upgrading to hurricane impact windows and doors, request a free consultation and estimate by filling out our form or calling 561-623-8446.
