It can be tough to decide whether you should replace your roof before selling your home. A new roof just might get your home sold faster—or it could be a big expenditure that doesn’t boost your home value or reduce the time it takes for your home to sell. Here are the things you need to consider to decide whether a roof replacement before you sell is in your best interests.
What Did the Home Inspector Say?
At some point you will have a home inspector take a look at your roof. If they find serious damage, leaks, or improperly installed roofing materials, they will reduce the value of your home. Plus, you’ll need to pass that information on to your potential buyers.
A damaged roof will scare away most homebuyers, because they won’t want to deal with the hassle of a replacement. They may not even have the cash to do major repairs after purchasing a home, especially if they are first time homeowners.
Therefore, if your roof has significant damage, or is nearing the 15-20 year mark, it’s best to get your roof replaced before your sell.
Are You Having Trouble Selling?
If your roof is in good shape, it might still scare off some home buyers. Ugly or mismatched roofs that don’t work with the look of your home can really impact your curb appeal. Further, curb appeal is one of the most important factors to a homeowner. Some people won’t even step inside a home that doesn’t look great from the outside.
If you’re having trouble getting people in the door at your open house, talk to your real estate agent. They can let you know if it’s your roof driving people away, or some other element of the home’s curb appeal.
A New Roof is a Great Selling Tool
A roof has more to offer your potential home buyers than just protection from the elements. A new roof can appeal to environmentally conscious home buyers, those who are worried about maintenance costs, or those who like the look of a premium roof. Appealing to these home buyers can help you get a higher price for your home. Consider the following roofs:
- Metal roofs: Metal roofs last decades longer than most asphalt shingles. For home buyers, that means they may never have to maintain or replace the roof on their new home. For that reason, a metal roof is a powerful selling tool.
- Premium asphalt shingles: Kelly Roofing installs Certainteed’s Lifetime Presidential Shake luxury shingles. These beautiful shingle can make an excellent impression on a homebuyer, and help attract homeowners looking for luxury home features.
- New insulation: While not a new roof, updating the insulation beneath your roof can make your home much more attractive. New insulation can reduce utility costs, and make your home more environmentally friendly.
Which one of these new roof materials is best for your roof? It depends on what buyers in your neighborhood are looking for. We suggest you talk to an experienced real estate agent to discover which roof will appeal to your buyers. With their expert guidance, a new roof can both boost your home value and help it sell faster.