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Should You Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House?

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So, you are putting your home on the market. This is an exciting time! However, there is one question that springs to mind quite often when it comes to putting a house up for sale: Is there anything that needs to be done with your current roof? Should you perform small repairs, replace it completely, or attempt selling the house as-is?

Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House

The simple answer is… it depends. There is no clear-cut directive that is correct in every possible situation, but there are relevant factors that put your roof, home, and its prospective sale into consideration. In this article, one of the leading roofing contractors in Minnesota breaks them down for you to help you get the most out of your decision.

How Do You Decide?

You need to make an overall assessment of your home, the real estate market, and nearby sales activity in order to figure out where you stand. Appliances, electrical, and plumbing systems should also be taken into account before listing your home for sale. Call a local service provider and let them conduct a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of your residential property so you can get a clear picture of what might be an issue for potential buyers and — if there is financing involved — lenders. If the inspection reveals there are potential problems with the roofing system, from minor to severe, then it is time to ask yourself a few more follow-up questions.

What’s the Damage?

If the inspector determines that there are issues with the roof that need to be addressed, bring in a certified roofer to tell you how much a roof repair or a full-on replacement will cost. Costs usually vary by service provider, so it is a smart move to consult at least two to three roofing contractors to get a reasonable range of estimates. Hearing recommendations from experts and knowing the requisite expenses will allow you to make a practical resolution — and whether or not you can afford to take action. 

On the other hand, if you choose not to take measures and it factors into a potential buyer’s negotiation over the final price, knowing the repair or replacement cost will tell you how much is appropriate to recalibrate the sales price by.

Roof Repair vs. Roof Replacement

If your roof requires professional attention, then you can either repair or replace it. A quick roof repair service may be a viable option for you, but it all depends on the current status of your system. Be on the lookout for the following:

  • Curling, buckling, or missing shingles.
  • Shingle granules collecting in the gutters and downspouts.
  • Exposed nails or fasteners.
  • Torn, dislodged, or missing flashing.
  • Condition of the vents, skylights, chimneys.
  • Leaks in the attic.
  • Old age of the roof.

If your roof is not outdated, seems to be in fine condition, and has a localized problem spot, a professional repair may do the trick. If the expected useful life of your roofing structure poses an issue, then a roofing specialist may perform a maintenance service and certify your roof for an additional three to five years. In the end, the only way to discern the best course of action is to have a certified roof inspector come and take a look at your system.

What Are the Advantages of Roof Replacement?

When making the decision to perform roof replacement, you need to take the age of the roofing system, roofing materials used, and quality of the installation into account. If your asphalt shingle roof is approaching the end of its life, around its second decade, then you should go ahead and have it replaced before severe problems occur. 

Common exciting benefits that a new roof can offer include:

  • Improved energy efficiency, more comfortable living environment, and superior protection from extreme elements, like sharp-hitting hailstones, heavy snow, and torrential downpours.
  • Up-to-date components and innovative sealing technology that keeps the structure durable and intact for many years to come.
  • Excellent warranty coverage on products and labor.
  • Better architectural appearance and increased curb appeal.

A brand new roof can also increase the resale value of your home. You may not see a 100 percent return on your investment, granted, but very few home improvements actually do offer a full recoup on expenses spent when it comes to putting a home up for sale. Between two-thirds and three-fourths of your total roof replacement cost, depending on the particular housing market, is the more realistic expectation.

How to Find a Reliable Roofer

Since replacing your roof is a notable investment, it is important to choose the right roofing contractor to carry out the task. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Ask how long the roofing contractors have been in the business. You need someone who is experienced and has sufficient experience. Fly-by-night roofers are notorious for disappearing to avoid paying damages, so make sure to avoid them.
  • Double check the contractor’s licence and insurance coverage.
  • Get financing agreements in writing.
  • Get at least three estimates.
  • Ask if the contractor will handle the tear-off. The last thing you want to do is slap new shingles over your existing roof. 

What Might Motivate You to Sell Your Home As-Is?

Simply, if you cannot afford the extensive repairs or complete tear-off or do not want to take on a time-consuming, laborious task. Keep in mind, however, that if you opt to sell your house as-is, it can impact the final sales price. If this is the case, then insight into the current condition of the market and how your property compares to latter-day sales close by will come in useful.

If you happen to sell in a competitive market, then potential buyers may be more willing to overlook small-scale concerns with the roof, like a torn-up metal flashing or curling shingles here and there, to secure the offer and it will not dramatically affect the final sales price, allowing you to avoid roof replacement, which can be costly and tedious.

On a similar note, selling as-is and pricing your house lower to compensate can entice numerous buyers in a bidding process. Since residential buyers in a bidding contest are more likely to conduct an inspection before making an offer or set aside inspection entirely, that minimizes the chance of the buyer renegotiating the final amount down the line. So, if your property is at the mid-to-low price range compared to other nearby homes on the market, you may not have to think about repairs at all.

Will Selling Your Home As-Is Factor Into Loan Approval?

If you are considering selling your home as-is, be sure it will not become a hindrance to a successful sale, especially if the first-time buyer is financing the purchase through a mortgage lender. Minor maintenance does not factor in most of the time, but when the roofing system is nearing the end of its lifespan or in dire need of significant repairs, a lender will typically make the repairs a condition of loan approval. When this pans out, the expense commonly falls to the seller, the original homeowner, and the essential repairs are required to precede the close. While determined buyers have been recognized to meet halfway on maintenance costs, it is better not to blindly rely on it.

Contact Us for All Your Residential Roofing Needs

You can count on Neumann Construction Inc. for high-quality residential roofing solutions, such as roof repair, roof replacement, and gutter installation. Our certified team is committed to providing industry-leading products and outstanding customer service to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of each and every client. Call us at (218) 217-4892 or fill out our contact form to request a free, no-obligation quote. We are serving in Brainerd, MN and other surrounding areas.