Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. When you put your home up for sale, buyers are going to want to ensure that the roof is built to last. Whether you are an investor in real estate, or you want to start to flip homes, here are five signs you need a new roof.
Roof’s Age
When deciding if you need a new roof, the first step is to look at the age. Most roofs have a lifespan of about twenty years. This applies to a traditional three-tab shingle design while industrial shingles have a longer life expectancy. This twenty-year number is based on ideal conditions. If the home is located in areas of extreme sun or storms, it most likely will need to be replaced sooner.
If you are looking to sell your home, a new roof should be considered if it is older than fifteen years. It is easy to recoup the money invested in a new roof during the sale because it is one less thing that the new homeowner needs to fix. Many times, this is a selling feature over the other homes being considered.
The Roof’s Style
Everything in real estate is subject to the trending design. This is also valid when it comes to the world of remodeling and construction as well. Yes, it’s true that a roof won’t catch your eye like the landscaping, but it still affects the home’s curb appeal.
If you have a well-maintained and attractive roof, people will take notice. This is especially true if the roofs of other houses in the neighborhood are not as well-cared for as yours.
Three-tab shingles are the most popular and budget-friendly option in the roofing industry. Before you go and replace your roof, take a look at the other homes around you. If they use architectural shingles in your neighborhood, using the traditional three-tab shingle design for your new roof could lower the value of your home.
Weather Damage
No matter how sturdy your roof is, dangerous weather can still bring destruction and chaos. Houses that lie within storm-filled regions often see unplanned damages. This is true especially dealing with high winds and hail.
It’s easy to have an inspection done on the roof to see if there is any sustained damage from weather. This includes crooked shingles or curling edges. When shingles curl, it indicates heavy winds have either reached the membrane below the roof or there are cracked shingles. If you have crooked shingles, it is most likely due to a loosened or damaged part of the roof.
Sometimes, you only need to replace some of the shingles to repair the damage. Other times, a new roof is a necessity.
Water Damage
If you notice leaking from the inside, the roof damage has already been done and you need repair. Most people assume that it’s easy to find the leak, but that isn’t always the case. The easiest way to find the problem is to have the entire roof taken off for a professional inspection.
Obviously, a leaky roof is a big turn-off to someone purchasing the property. Thankfully, it is often cheaper to invest in new roof than to take your losses during a sale.
Roof is Worn
Even if your roof is less than fifteen years old, you might still need a replacement. This is most likely caused by premature aging that occurs for numerous reasons. First, the weather is an issue as discussed previously. It could also be due to excessive moisture that sat on the roof.
For those homeowners that use their flat roof like a deck, this leads to premature aging as well. Anytime the shingles look faded, old or appear to be brittle; you are missing out on their protective qualities. Inspect your roof for bald patches or any other signs of wear. You’ll also want to be aware of tree branches or other foliage that sits on the roof. If your home sits in the shade in a wet climate, you are prone to moss growth on your roof as well.
The general rule of thumb is that if your roof is looking worn out or old, it is time to replace it. Your roof is just as critical as the foundation of your home, and both need to be cared for to sell for top dollar. Bob Villa has a great slideshow illustrating what to look for. While roofing might not be exciting, it pays to have the right roof on your home before inspection.
Don’t Want to Deal with a New Roof?
If you are thinking of selling your home, but installing a new roof and making other repairs to your home seems overwhelming, we can help! When we make a cash offer on your home, we handle all of the repairs for you. There’s nothing that you need to do in order to improve the quality of your home.
We will base our cash offer on your home based on fair market values minus the cost of repairs. That means, you have less stress and work to deal with. You simply walk away with your house sold and money in your pocket. To get started with your cash offer, simply go through our three step process on our site. We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams.
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