The Window Treatment Mistake That Will Make It Harder To Sell Your Home

As you're getting your home ready to sell, you may think about improving curb appeal or updating your bathrooms long before you consider investing in new window treatments. But according to the Home Staging Institute, staged homes with updates can potentially increase a home's value between six to 10% and help it sell much faster. From Roman shades to plantation shutters, there are many stylish window treatment ideas for your space that are worth considering if you want to get top dollar for your home. According to Ryan Fitzgerald, realtor and owner of Raleigh Realty, leaving up your outdated and dusty window treatments is a mistake that will make it harder to sell your home. 

"I've seen firsthand how window treatments can make a real difference in both the sale price and how fast a home sells," Fitzgerald told House Digest during an exclusive interview. Whether you choose the right or wrong ones, the real estate expert said blinds or curtains can completely change the feel of a room. "It tends to be neglected or old window treatments that can quietly drag a listing down. I've walked around lots of beautiful homes with potential buyers, but have seen their excitement fade when they've noticed that the curtains were sagging and dusty or that the blinds were bent." Fitzgerald added that some styles like metal mini blinds and floral drapes simply aren't popular anymore and can hurt your ability to sell. And older styles or window treatments that are worse for wear can make potential buyers "think that the property isn't cared for and even worse, assume that other parts of the house will also need work."

During his exclusive interview with House Digest, Ryan Fitzgerald said "things like vertical blinds with missing slats or dusty valances can bring the whole space down." The real estate expert explained that potential buyers pick up on these little details. "In my experience, buyers really can notice when a home looks clean and cared for, and modern window treatments are one of the easiest ways to get that message across." Fitzgerald added that energy efficient window treatments are also practical, offering savings benefits in addition to beautifying a room: "This is something that I've seen buyers are paying much more attention to, especially with the rising cost of energy bills."

It can be challenging to sort through all the different window treatment types and determine which one is right for you. According to Fitzgerald, "the good news is that when a homeowner decides to upgrade, it really doesn't have to be a majorly expensive investment to make a noticeable difference." He recommends sticking to classic designs like plantation shutters, roller shades, or Roman blinds in neutral colors. "I've also seen features like cellular shades or motorized blinds becoming popular ... as they combine a little bit of tech appeal with function." The real estate expert told us that sellers can expect a 70 to 75% ROI on new window treatments, depending on the type and materials you select. "I always advise homeowners that window treatments aren't just about the direct ROI," he added. "It's more about making sure that your home looks move-in ready, so it helps drive offers and shortens the time on the market."

"I'd advise anyone who is selling their home to remember that a well-staged home with up-to-date finishes like window treatments usually gets more attention and sells faster and for more money," Ryan Fitzgerald told House Digest during his exclusive interview. He recommended being "smart and selective" if you don't have the time or budget to upgrade every window treatment in your house. "Start with your main living areas as they're the first thing that people see in your real estate photos and open house," he said. "Also, the primary bedroom is super important." Fitzgerald noted that it's important for potential buyers to be able to picture themselves relaxing in your home. To achieve this, he suggested window treatment choices that feel updated, clean, and fresh.

"Another key thing to remember is to address any of your windows that face the street, as they're part of the home's first impression from the curb, even before someone walks inside," Fitzgerald said. Especially if you're on a budget, this is one way the real estate expert recommended updating window treatments to maximize impact. Preparing to sell your house can be extremely stressful, but Fitzgerald said there's no need to tackle everything at once: "Just cleaning up what's already there, or removing heavy drapes, for example, can make your home feel more modern and lighter." He said to remember that you don't need to go super high-end, but that "if anything looks stained, broken, dated or out of place, then it's worth replacing."