e say the windows they sell aren't the best. And in there defense, they aren't lying or trying to mislead you, not all of them anyway, that is just what they have been told by the manufacturer's sales reps and who are they to say different.Another point worth mentioning is there are many different brands of windows out there that are made very well. But, it is not just the brand you have to look at. Every manufacturer makes several levels of their product to meet various budgets. So just because a window is a certain brand, that doesn't mean the specific series you're looking at is a great window.There are certain things to look for in a window, including energy efficiency, construction, style and most importantly, warranty. A quality window will rank high in all of these categories, not just one or two. When comparing windows, rank them in each of these main four categories with a score of one to five and see how they total up. Also, if a window doesn't score at least a 3 in each, don't even consider using it.Make sure to look for Energy Star qualified windows as well. Any replacement window that meets their standards should receive a high score in that category. You should also consider a few other things like low maintenance and easy cleaning. These two factors may be the determining factor if several of the ones you're looking at appear equal in terms of the four main considerations described above.Now there is another thing you should really consider, and that is the installation. Most home owners are not capable of installing vinyl replacement windows so a professional will be needed. And I highly recommend choosing one even if you think you are up to the task. A pro and I mean a real professional with good refererent to own arrangements are largely unregulated by government agencies.Rent to Own Homes: An Unregulated IndustryState lawmakers in Minnesota are now working on legislation that would provide regulations for owners and renters entering into a rent to own agreement. But even if this legislation eventually passes, participants in rent to own agreements in most of the rest of the country will still have to navigate the process without the benefit of regulations.Renters, then, who don't want to fall into disputes with their new landlords, need to clarify the exact terms of any rent to own agreement in which they enter.At their most basic, rent to own arrangements are relatively simple. Renters sign a lease, much like an apartment lease, to rent a house for a set period of time, usually a year. After a certain period, it could be as long as three to five years or as soon as the end of the first year-long lease, renters have the option to purchase the home that they had been renting.Along the way, landlords reserve a portion of each month's rent for a possible down payment should the renters decide to purchase the home. The Benefits of Rent to Own HousesThe benefits of this arrangement are obvious: Homeowners earn rental income, and also secure a potential buyer for their residences. Renters learn what it's like to live in a home and gain the time they need to improve their credit scores.The potential pitfalls, though, are serious. The Minnesota Public Radio story, for instance, highlighted the case of a couple who were in a rent to own arrangement. When their house fell into foreclosure, the couple lost all the extra money they had set aside for a possible down payment. The couple also had disputes with their landlord over who was responsible for making major repairs with the house, the landlord or the renters.The key to maki