Should You Replace the Windows in Your Vacation Rental Home?

Owning a rental home in a vacation hotspot can be a great way to generate a steady income stream without investing a tremendous amount of labor. However, that doesn’t mean there will be no on-going investments required. Generally, as a landlord, you’ll be responsible for maintaining your rental property in a habitable condition, and the requirements for doing so vary by state. If your rental property has a broken window or one that won’t open to allow occupants to escape in the event of a fire, you may be required to replace it—and certainly you should even if replacement isn’t mandated.

Apart from that, though, is it a good idea to invest in replacement windows for a vacation rental home? The obvious downside is the cost, but it’s important to also consider the advantages of replacing windows in your vacation rental home. Here are only a few:

Boost in Curb Appeal

Vacationers usually have many choices when it comes to selecting a home away from home after a long day of sightseeing, hiking, biking, fishing, or lounging at the beach. If the deteriorating windows of your rental property detract from its appearance, you may have trouble attracting renters or you may have to lower your lease fees to keep your rental home occupied. In this case, it’s smart to replace the windows with new ones that are engineered for weather resistance in the climate where your investment is located.

Enhanced Security

If your rental home is located in an area that’s popular with tourists for only a few months out of the year, you should consider replacing your ordinary windows with impact-resistant ones that can help deter break-in attempts whenever you and your guests are away. And even if the property is rented year-round, your tenants will appreciate the enhanced protection they’ll enjoy for both themselves and their belongings.

Energy Savings

If your rental home has outdated, energy-inefficient windows, you may be spending a fortune on cooling and heating costs. Your tenants are on vacation, so naturally they want to be comfortable in their lodgings, and they won’t think twice about lowering the thermostat or cranking up the heat if your drafty windows are undermining your property’s climate control. In this case, energy-efficient replacement windows may pay for themselves within only a few years.

If you own a vacation rental home in the southern U.S. and you’re contemplating a window replacement project there, make sure you consider the factory-direct, competitively priced replacement windows available from NewSouth Window Solutions. Contact us today if you’d like more information.