Are you asking yourself, “Should I replace my roof before I sell my house?” If so, there’s only one way to know for sure. Before you sell your home, get a professional roof inspection. Sure, everyone knows that buyers always get roof inspections before closing on any deal, but that doesn’t mean sellers shouldn’t also get a detailed report of their home’s roof integrity too.

There are many reasons why you should have a professional roofer perform a thorough inspection of your roof before you list the property. Even if you don’t opt for a roof replacement, you will understand the value of your existing roof and it will provide you with the insight you need during price negotiations. Plus, you can have the roof cleaned and repaired if a full roof replacement isn’t warranted.

Can You Sell A House With A Bad Roof?

If your roof absolutely needs replacing, it’s a good idea for you to take on this responsibility. Can you sell a home with a bad roof? Yes, but it will dramatically limit the buyer pool, for a few different reasons.

Selling A Home That Needs Roof Repair Comes With Huge Roadblocks.

Would you make an offer on a home with a roof that requires significant roofing repair, a comprehensive cleaning or a full replacement? You might float out an offer, but it probably won’t be anywhere near the original asking price.

It’s not just a matter of the selling price though. If your roof needs repairs, you also severely limit the pool of buyers who are even able to secure a loan. For example, someone who intends to purchase a home using a VA-backed loan won’t be able to seal the deal if the roof isn’t functioning properly.

Part of the reason buyers get home inspections before closing is for their own awareness or for price leverage, but many need the inspection to come back good. Many buyers loan approvals rely on the home lacking serious issues. Many buyer’s loans won’t get approved if serious repairs are needed on the home they want to buy.

Plus, a roof that is in poor condition can also lead buyers and their inspectors down a rabbit hole wondering what else might be wrong with the home. Sometimes, realtors won’t even bother showing their clients a home that needs a roof repaired or replaced because the buyer wants a turn-key move in experience.

The Evidence Is Clear: Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House

Though you might detest the idea of shelling out more than $10,000 for a brand new roof, the statistics show you will get plenty of this money back when you sell your home. Remodeling Magazine reports the addition of a new roof boosts the typical home’s resale value by an average of just under $12,000.

All in all, those who install new roofing will recover nearly 63 percent of the total installation cost. This money is recovered by the corresponding rise in home value. These facts show that new roofing and roofing repairs are more important in the context of return on investment than adding a backup power generator or installing a bathroom.

Roofing Repair Serves As An Important Visual Selling Point

Imagine potential buyers rolling up to your home, getting out of their cars and looking at your property. Their eyes move from the front door to the windows and on up to the roof. If your roof is old, outdated, worn or unsightly, it will make a terrible first impression on prospective buyers. You could have the best home interior, and they may not even want to step foot inside because an old roof sends up a psychological red flag.

At the very least, have your roof cleaned and repaired. Stay open to the benefits of a full roof replacement, because it’s a significant selling point for most buyers. This is especially true of architectural-grade asphalt roofs with nuanced color and texture options.

Premium grade asphalt shingles are especially helpful in your quest to boost your home’s marketability as they have warranties lasting upwards of half a century. There are even some types of green roof technologies that have the all-coveted ENERGY STAR rating. Such asphalt roof shingles are engineered to reflect the sun’s blazing hot rays and subsequently decrease cooling costs. These added features are a significant selling point for many buyers and can help your home stand out as a more desirable purchase.

Invest in Roofing Repair to Avoid Drama with the Upcoming Building Inspection

Every house that goes on the market will garner the scrutiny of a professional building appraiser and inspector. Every contemporary home buyer demands such an in-depth analysis of a house before shelling out his hard-earned money for the property.

If your roof is in bad shape, the appraiser and inspectors will take note. They will pass on this information to prospective buyers and the buyers’ lending companies. As a result, some would-be buyers might put the brakes on the offer they have been preparing. Don’t let this nightmare become your reality! Repair or replace your roof before putting it on the market and you will have one less stumbling block in the way of a potential sale.

Should I Replace My Roof Before I Sell My House?

It’s understandable if you don’t want to take our word for it. Your realtor will tell you the same thing. They’ll ask you to have your roof inspected before listing the home. They will also suggest that you make any needed repairs on the home — especially the roof. And yes— if it’s time or almost time to replace your roof, they will tell you it’s a smart choice.

Not only does the data show that you’ll recover most of the investment during the sale, but you may also get a hefty return on your investment if the quality results in multiple bids. But remember, the easiest way to encourage a bidding war on your home is if you open up the buyer pool by fixing your home up enough so that even buyers with strict lender requirements can join in the bidding.

Avoid Selling House With Bad Roof With A Free Roof Inspection

The first step to ensuring your roof is in tip top shape is with a free residential roof inspection  from Elevating Roofing. From there, we will walk you through what needs to be done or provide you the documentation of your roof’s condition.