Do You Get a Good Look at the Windows?

You will be suprised at how many people will shop for a rental and not bother to look at the windows or even bother to open them. They assume that they work. However, what I have found in my personal experience looking at both houses and apartments, some have either one or two windows(in one case all windows) painted shut, broken, or very difficult to open and close. In a couple of situations, management had no plans on fixing them.

At first this doesn't seem like a big deal, I mean if you have central AC and heating you wouldn't care, right? But what if the heating and cooling systems are working well for some rooms, but not for others or worse it completely shuts down? You will want to open your window especially in the bathroom, phew! Now you are stuck in a hot, stuffy place--think a hotel room with the air conditioner turned off all day, bad, very bad!


Then you have those gorgeous odd-shaped windows that really add some personality to a room. However, you might learn that you will be paying a little more for electricity when the sunlight beams through them and keeps some of your rooms hot. They are often challenging to find treatments for if you desire a little more privacy, a cooler room and on a budget. Odd-shaped window curtains have to be customized. These windows can also be annoying when you or your family want to sleep in on weekends.

So take the time to check out those windows in that potential new place between all those compliments you give your leasing agent, "Wow, great place...I could put my desk here...love the windows!" That is until you realize those odd-shaped windows don't serve any real purpose, some windows don't open, and you may be responsible for the extra expenses to care for them.

Nicholl McGuire