The outside of your home is the first thing people see. Your roof, then, is part of a vital first impression for potential homebuyers. Savvy shoppers will be sure to investigate the condition of the roof before they make a purchase. Even if the roof’s condition is lower on the list of the homebuyer’s priorities, cracked shingles or obvious damage could put a potential buyer off. If damage to the roof is severe, it can prevent banks from approving the buyer’s mortgage—it’s just not worth the risk. Whether you decide to get roof replacement in Portland, OR, before you sell depends a lot on the condition of your roof.
Depending on the current state of your roof, you may want to consider replacing or repairing your roof before you list your home for sale. Here are a few things you should consider:
A New Roof May Increase the Number of Offers on Your Home
The more offers your home receives, the more likely you are to sell your home for (or possibly well above) its listed price. You’ll also be able to choose among more buyers, making it easier to find a buyer whose timeline and financing fit your needs.
According to Zillow, most buyers are looking for a home that’s move-in ready. A home that needs a lot of maintenance isn’t likely to receive as many offers as something that will require a lot of work by the buyers before they can even move in. Additionally, a new roof will make a buyer feel secure that they won’t need to make that investment themselves for at least 20 years. That can add a huge incentive for buyers to make an offer right away.
New roofs also increase your curb appeal and can really make your home stand out in a crowded market. First impressions make a big difference when it comes to increasing the number of offers your home receives.
There May Be More Benefits to a Roof Replacement in Portland, OR, Than You Think!
New roofs can cost a lot, and when you’re moving out, it may be difficult to assess the benefits of adding a new roof to a home you’re planning to sell. There are, however, a couple of questions you should ask yourself. The first is whether you’re in a rush to sell your home. If you’d prefer to sell your home quickly, a new roof may save you a lot of time in the closing process. If your roof is in poor repair, homebuyers are likely to want to negotiate the sale price to include the cost of a new roof. This type of negotiation can lengthen the closing process considerably.
You should also be honest with yourself about the state of your roof. If it’s truly in poor repair, you are far more likely to sell your house quickly and at a higher price by replacing the roof yourself than if you push that burden onto the buyer. According to this 2019 report, in Oregon, sellers recouped almost 80 percent of the cost of a roof replacement in the sale price of their home. If you know your roof is in bad shape, you may end up saving a lot of time and money by replacing it before you list your home for sale.
Be Honest with Yourself: You May Have More Options Than You Think
The most common roof problems flagged by realtors are buckling shingles, exposed nails, torn flashing (the metal that connects your roof to the chimney and/or the side of the house), cracked shingles, a sagging roof, leaks, and grit in the gutters or downspout. Even if your roof is in good repair, its age will come into play once you list your home. The majority of homes in the Pacific Northwest are shingled with asphalt tiles. These tiles last about 20 years. Because of this, buyers will almost certainly ask about the age of the roof.
If any of these red flags are evident on your home, or if you’re nearing the end of your 20-year window for a new roof, it may be time to consult a professional. Realtors report that those things can significantly lower the home’s curb appeal, lengthen the selling process, and make it more difficult to sell the home for the full asking price. The good news is that you may not need an entirely new roof to address some of these issues.
Consider asking a professional (like the folks at Interstate Roofing) to take a look at your roof. An expert may determine that making minor repairs such as replacing broken shingles or updating the flashing can resolve any issues you have without having to replace your roof. If you don’t find any of these flagged issues on your home, congratulations! You could still consider a roof cleaning to spruce up your home, but you’re probably in good shape. Either way, be honest with yourself about the state of your roof.
You Might Need a Second (Or Third) Opinion
Whether or not you decide to replace your roof before you sell your home will depend almost entirely on the current condition of your roof and what you’d like to get out of the sale of your home. Whatever you decide, it might make sense to get the opinion of your real estate agent, a home inspector, and perhaps a roofing professional. There are also convenient calculators online that can help you identify the return on investment that sellers receive for certain home repairs.
The more work you do up front, the more likely you are to have a smooth and hopefully profitable sale. If you do decide to update or replace your roof or you have any questions about replacements or repairs, please feel free to contact the professionals at Interstate Roofing. We can give you a free estimate of any repairs or help assess the full cost of a roof replacement in Portland, OR.