Broken Window Seals, Part III

Unless I miraculously come across a local vendor that has the technology and expertise to fix a bad window seal without replacing the glass, and the cost of said technology is considerably less than new glass, it would appear that the best option out there for this issue is to indeed replace the glass, or the window.

I just oversaw the replacement of glass in several windows of a Lake Norman home under contract, to satisfy the terms of the repair agreement between the buyer and seller. At an average cost per window panel of $144, Deal’s Auto Glass did the work in a timely and professional manner, and provided a 5 year warranty.  They were the lower of two bids I got for the seller, and they did a good job installing.

After all the research and consternation over this issue, my best suggestion to anyone readying their home for sale is to check your windows ahead of time. It might make more sense to repair them before listing the property. You could wait until you get a contract, and then try to negotiate over the repair request, but you run the risk of the window issue being a dealbreaker you can’t avoid.  Another approach I wouldn’t recommend is to advertise that you have priced the property “accordingly,” insinuating that you won’t be willing to repair the windows. That’s a bad message to send on several levels.

Ulimately, I have come to the conclusion that insulated glass, while a good idea environmentally, is a double pane in the a__ for homeowners trying to sell. But if you own a home, you’re probabaly going  to deal with it sooner or later.