To roof or not to roof...

**beetfarm615** · 02-02-2009, 06:05 PM

Our 18 year old house has an 18 year old roof that is showing its age. No leaks though. We plan to sell this spring. Should we replace the roof or sell it as is? It seems that most of the competition in the area has newer roofs. Thanks for any help

**Jenie0109** · 02-02-2009, 06:44 PM

Well, given the fact that competition has new roofing, is enough reason to replace the roof. It's better to take care of it now than deal with buyer complaints later.

**oneofthecrowd** · 02-02-2009, 09:24 PM

A roof is a big expense. I would think it would depend on different things: Is it a flat roof; severely angled; a lot of gables; material content; protected from strong winds by trees; location in a very cold climate or high wind area; Of course you would increase your selling price with a new one but then again something else may get damaged from repairing it, too. I would try and sell it as it is and let the new buyers decide, that is, if indeed there are no leaks, rotten facial boards or rusty gutters. You could get some free estimates first, not so much as to get a new roof but to gain more information about what kind of shape your roof is really in. Your home not having a new roof among others which do may help your home sell faster cause some folks would buy a "not so nice home in a good neighborhood" than just one of the nicer looking homes. Remember, it's presently a buyer's market.

**donrock** · 02-02-2009, 10:03 PM

Keep in mind if you sell "as is" the new buyer will probably make a lower offer at least twice what a new roof would cost you. The added time it might take to sell will also be a factor to consider. All in all I would say reroof if you can afford it. I think the advertising value of a new roof will offset a lot of the cost.
Good luck.
donrock

**jamesww** · 02-02-2009, 11:06 PM

First of all you will not get the cost of replacing the roof back on your home sale. This is just how it goes. Whether or not you should replace the roof is going to depend on how bad it looks since you noted no problems with it. As long as a buyer is not going to look at it and immediately think it is bad and it will pass a home inspection without getting flagged then you should not replace it. If it looks really bad or there is a high probability it would get flagged during a home inspection then you should replace it before you put it on the market or you will take it in the shorts. The only houses that are selling right now are those that are in tip top shape.

**Greg** · 02-03-2009, 08:03 AM

Like James says, if it does not look bad don't worry about it. You will not get your money back in the sale.

**Billionaire Agent** · 02-03-2009, 01:22 PM

You could always pray for a hail storm and have insurance cover it.
It's a good idea to see if maybe there WAS a hail storm in your area. You might have gotten hit and not even know it!

**RC21** · 02-10-2009, 12:32 AM

How bad does it look? Is it peeling or curling at the edges? Are there holes from animals, or water spots on your ceiling?
I wouldn't say it's essential to do the roof before you sell it. Talk to a Realtor in your area-- they should be able to give you a better opinion of what's selling and what's not in your area and if this is really necessary at all.