Back HomeIs Getting a Roof Inspection Worth It?
5 Reasons to Get the Roof Checked Before Selling Your Home
Real estate buyers and sellers already understand the importance of getting a home inspection before closing. However, a typical home inspection does not include a thorough check of one of the most important parts of a home – the roof.
Here are a few reasons sellers should not overlook getting a roof inspection before putting their house on the market.
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Establish trustworthiness and increase the property’s value
- Any missing or loose roof materials
- Overall condition of the roof materials
- Caps, ridges, and drip edges
- Quality of gutters, drains, and downspouts
- Mounting of any HVAC units
- Condition of vents, chimneys, pipes, and valleys
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Avoid costly surprises
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Retain negotiating power
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Prevent delays at closing
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Sell a house quickly at the best price and terms possible
General home inspectors are not roof experts and are not required to step onto the roof to inspect it. Because of this, general home inspectors only get a cursory glimpse of the roof from the ground, so some issues might not be seen at all.
A certified roofing inspector thoroughly evaluates the property’s roofing system, from its exterior to its interior. A roof inspector looks for the following:
In the best case scenario, the roof passes muster and a list price comparable to other homes for sale in the neighborhood can be established. In a worst case scenario, the seller will have to fix the roof or adjust the list price to compensate for issues. Note that a seller who decides against repairing the roof is still obligated to disclose its material defects.
While repairing or replacing the roof takes considerable time and money, there are pay-offs. First, the seller establishes their trustworthiness in the eyes of the buyer. Second, the seller increases the value of their home in Texas to up to $24,000.
Roofs can be a cause of stress for house owners planning to sell their property. Since general home inspection doesn’t include a comprehensive check of the roof, unexpected issues can pop up at the worst possible time.
Even if no issues are detected, it’s still a good idea to have a licensed roofer inspect it and do preventative maintenance. Sellers can avoid the costly surprises caused by late detection of roof issues, and potential buyers can feel more secure in making an offer knowing that the house is in good condition.
If roof damages are spotted after a home inspection, buyers can use this as an opportunity to negotiate a lower price or demand repairs that are larger in scope than the current damages. This can be avoided if a roof inspection and the necessary repairs are completed before listing the house.
In case the property owner does not have enough money to pay for the repair, they can opt to sell their house as is and set the asking price at lower than similar homes for sale in the neighborhood.
If a roofing issue is discovered during home inspection, it will be a race against time for the seller. The inspection contingency period is fairly short and an additional specialty inspection such as roof checkups and repairs will delay the transaction.
If the seller fails to fulfill the demands outlined in the contingency within the specified timeframe, the buyer can use this chance to ask for a lower sale price or worse, cancel the contract altogether.
Sellers ruled the real estate market from 2020 onwards. Now that the market is balanced, sellers need to be more mindful of the needs of potential buyers. This includes having a well-maintained home, which includes the roofing system. On top of that, sellers need an experienced real estate agent to help them sell their property at the best possible price.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty is a full-service real estate brokerage firm specializing in Texas real estate listings. Sellers are guaranteed to receive the most helpful up-to-date information and professional services to ensure that real estate transactions proceed without a hitch.
For more tips for selling a house in southeast central Texas or to schedule a consultation, call Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty at 979.694.8844 or send an email today.
