Getting Your Roof Ready To Sell

It has been a seller’s market in real estate for several years. However, both rental and sales prices are starting to decline. While it is not entirely a buyer’s market, it does mean that you need to be more competitive if you want to sell your home quickly.

Why is it so important to sell your home quickly? Carrying costs. Depending on whether you have a mortgage, carrying costs can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars a month. They include mortgages, taxes, utilities, and upkeep. Even a few months of carrying costs can pay for some of the improvements you need to make to sell your home quickly for your asking price. Updating your roof is one of those improvements.

The first thing you need to do is evaluate the condition of your roof. How old is your roof? Has it been through any bad storms? Have you ever had any leaks? Is it younger or older than the roofs on other houses in your neighborhood? Do you have any mold in your attic?

Assessing your roof is vital because you do not always need to replace your roof. A roof with quality materials and construction should last for decades. However, if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you have had several leaks, or most people in your neighborhood have replaced their roofs, you may need to get a new one to improve your chances of selling quickly.

Suppose your roof is in good shape, but you have previously had leaks or a moisture issue. In that case, it is essential to remediate that problem. Make sure that you remove all mold or mildew from the leaks. Repair any leaks, not just on the roof but the watermarks on the ceiling. Fix any type of water damage. While that might not be a direct roof repair, they are signs that can scare potential buyers and make them think that the roof is at risk.

You also want to spend some time on maintenance. Does your roof have leaves, pine needles, bird feces, or other residue covering the surface? Then clean it off. Even well-maintained roofs look old and dingy when covered in a mess. You also want to clean out the gutters and repair any gutters that are coming loose from the roof.

If your roof is in bad shape, it can do more than impact your sales price. Some banks will refuse to lend money to purchase a house with a bad roof. So, keep that in mind when deciding whether to put a new roof on your home before placing it for sale.

If you want to have a professional come out and inspect your roof to see what your best options are, call us at (855) BY-CARLS and we can send one of our professional roofing consultants to look at it for free!