13 Benefits of Replacing Your Roof Before Selling

People buy homes to literally keep a roof over their heads and make it possible to remain safe and warm in just about all kinds of weather. According to the National Association of Home Builders, new residential roofing should last between 20 and 50 years, depending on the type of roof and the materials used to build it. This Old House says replacing an existing roof generally costs between $8,500 and $14,300, which certainly is a significant amount of money to invest prior to selling your home. If you are selling a home and are thinking of replacing the roof, here are 13 benefits of doing so.

1. Ensure the Roof Is Flawless

A roof has to be in good shape for a home to have any real value. After all, a home without a good roof is pretty much a waste of money. Depending on the type of roofing material used, a new residential rooftop could go up relatively quickly and produce a perfectly flawless roof that has decades of service life in it. A prospective home buyer who sees a new roof knows that one of the most important components of any home is in flawlessly good condition.

Having flawless residential roofing over a home tells potential buyers the structure is solid and they should have no costly issues related to the roof. Some simple maintenance should help it to last for as long as possible. And if you decide to keep the home for any reason, then you know the roof will not be an issue, either.

2. Give the Roof a Longer Service Life

If you are unsure of how the existing roof went up on your home, odds are it is nearing the end of its expected service life. An asphalt shingle roof generally only lasts for about 20 or 30 years before it needs a full replacement. Other types might last longer, but virtually all types of residential roofing have a maximum life expectancy of 50 years.

You might extend the service life of an existing roof with some maintenance and minor repairs, but those are temporary solutions that only delay the inevitable need to replace an entire rooftop. The shingles or other roofing materials and the plywood that typically is located beneath the covering eventually need a complete replacement for the roof to have any significant service life for the new owners. Once you complete the replacement, then the roof should not be a concern for a home’s current or future owners.

3. Current Designs Modernize Your Rooftop

A new roof is an opportunity to improve upon the old one. The older home and its rooftop are, the more dated the design and technology that went into it. Current designs can help basic asphalt rooftops and other types to last longer than their predecessors. A new design could improve upon the old one and make the roof work better for the climate in which it is located.

For example, a new roof might have a design that better prevents ice accumulation during cold winter months for homes that are located in cold climates. Homes located in areas that see a lot of hot summertime weather likewise can have roofs that are designed for better ventilation and natural cooling. When replacing residential roofing, it is possible to modernize the design and make the roof better, more effective, and protect the home while providing greater comfort.

4. Use the Latest Materials

Residential roofing technology continually improves with better designs and materials that are developed. Commonly used roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, tiles, or metal, become lighter, more durable, and more viable for rooftops that handle a variety of weather conditions. Using the latest materials can make a home’s interior more comfortable by creating an effective thermal layer against the outdoor elements while increasing protection for the rooftop and home.

5. Obtain a Higher Selling Price

Installing a new roof might make it possible to recoup just about all of the investment that you put into it. When buyers know the roof is in perfect condition and it should last for decades with only minor maintenance done, they will likely accept a higher asking price on your home. A newly installed roof with asphalt shingles generally provides a return on investment equal to about 62 percent.

Depending on how much you invested in the new roof, you might get a 100 percent return on your investment with a higher selling price. A relatively affordable residential roofing replacement might enable you to ask for between $5,000 or maybe even $10,000 more and get it. The costlier the roof, the less likely you will see a potentially full return, but you are likely to get most of your investment back.

6. Easier to Negotiate a Quick Sale

A pristine rooftop makes a home more viable for a quick sale. The new roof is one of the first things a potential buyer will notice, and it should set the tone for the sale. No homebuyer sees a dilapidated roof and gets excited about the rest of the home. A new rooftop, though, likely will have the opposite effect and encourage the potential buyer to become more excited about the prospect of owning your home.

An excited buyer is one who is motivated to complete the purchase, so the negotiations could go much faster than they would if you were to stick with the old rooftop. A quick sale reduces the amount of time your home is on the market. It also eliminates the need to lower your asking price to attract potential buyers. You can move on with your life and buy or rent a new home if you haven’t already.

7. New Rooftops Prevent Structural Damage

When rooftops develop dry rot, have loose or missing shingles, and eaves that have cracked wood and peeling paint, the resulting damage could affect the interior of homes. Water can accumulate inside and degrade walls, ceilings, and framing. The moisture might cause wood to rot and weaken the internal structure. Pests might enter the home and cause damage, including to electrical wiring.

New residential roofing will prevent leaks, keep pests outside, and protect the home against the elements. A new roof installation also gives you the opportunity to inspect the wiring and the internal structure and fix any problems that you might find. Newer insulation can go in after the new roof goes up. Newer insulation can make the home safer and warmer for its residents and future buyers.

8. Stop Mold and Mildew Growth

A leaking rooftop is very bad for a home’s interior and could create significant health problems for its residents. A leaking roof enables water to accumulate inside attics, walls, and other areas where it is not readily accessible. That moisture promotes the growth of mold, mildew, and fungi that can cause respiratory issues and other health problems for people and pets. A new rooftop can stop leaks and enable interior repairs that remove mold, mildew, and fungi. The home becomes safer and warmer for its inhabitants, which makes it easier for you to sell on the market.

9. Improved Curb Appeal

A sharp roof line with a clean top really helps to make a home look good on the outside. Few things are more dissuading for potential buyers than a sagging roof with missing or stained shingles or other materials. A roof in a state of disrepair suggests other structural problems inside the home, and that will discourage buyers. Curb appeal is very important. A new roof could improve your home’s curb appeal.

A new rooftop makes a home look sharp, stable, and safe. A roof is one of the first things a prospective buyer will see, and it can give a very powerful first impression on the rest of the property. Virtually all homebuyers place significant importance on the roof and its condition. If your home’s rooftop is in poor shape, you will not get as much for your home. It also is more likely to stay on the market much longer than it might with new residential roofing.

10. Peace of Mind for the Buyer

While a new roof looks good and adds to a home’s curb appeal, it also adds to the peace of mind of the eventual buyer. The peace of mind comes from knowing that simple and basic maintenance can help the new roof to last for several decades. When a new homeowner maintains the gutters, removes peeling paint and replaces it with a new coat, and generally maintains the rooftop, it is almost certain to last for a relatively long time.

When a homebuyer can count on the roof last for a long time, the only threats to it are extreme weather events, a falling tree, or similar threats of extensive damage. For those, insurance protection always is available on homeowner’s policies. A sturdy new roof also helps a prospective homebuyer to know there will be no significant investment in a new roof anytime soon, which helps to encourage a higher selling price on the home.

11. Roof Will Pass Inspection

A smart homebuyer will pay to inspect a home before deciding whether or not to make an offer to buy it. A roof is one of the many items that will undergo an inspection, and you do not want surprises to trigger a negative inspection report. If your rooftop is old and starting to decay, there is a greater potential for a negative inspection report. Even if your rooftop appears to be in good condition, it might have soft plywood or other materials you can’t see slowly deteriorating.

Taking a proactive approach by installing a new roof will help to make sure your home can pass an inspection and encourage more people to be motivated to buy it. You likely will get most of the money back on the selling price while helping to ensure it passes a structural inspection. Passed inspections add up to higher selling prices and, hopefully, faster sales of homes, including yours.

12. FHA More Likely to Approve a Buyer Mortgage

A new roof will make it easier for a potential buyer to obtain financing to purchase your home. Mortgage lenders require inspections of homes prior to approving financing for it. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is one of the primary sources of mortgages for first-time homebuyers. The FHA requires a roof inspection along with others to determine a property’s viability for a mortgage sale. When the roof and the rest of the home pass inspection, the FHA and most mortgage lenders are more likely to approve financing for the sale.

13. Prevent Potential Lawsuit Post Sale

When you sell your home, the sales agreement is a contract that requires full disclosure of any known issues with that property. If the new homeowner discovers a problem with the roof, that homeowner might file a lawsuit seeking restitution for fixing the issue or maybe even cancel the sale. Preventing potential lawsuits after the fact is one of the reasons for undertaking a home inspection prior to the sale.

A nominal investment in new residential roofing helps to negate the potential for a lawsuit arising from an unknown condition with the roof. The homebuyer might claim you either knew or should have known about a defective condition that arose after the purchase was made. Experienced residential roofing experts can help you to avoid roof-related problems before, during, or after a home sale.

Contact Style Roofing Inc. today! Whether you call us, visit our website, or simply stop by our storefront, you can count on us to schedule the residential roofing services you need. Whether you need a roof inspection or want to replace your home’s old roof, we can inspect your roof and give you an accurate estimate on removing the existing roofing materials and replacing them while installing a new roof. We have a variety of roofing materials and designs that can work on your home and improve the roof prior to listing your home for sale.