by Ami Feller and Julia Aldrich
When you put your home on the market, the last thing you want is a few thousand dollars nicked off the listing price. There are many reasons why a seller might not sell the house for what it’s worth, one of which is because of an unkept roof.
When people show up to the house for a viewing, the first thing they see is the exterior of the house, which includes the roof. And nobody in their right mind is going to want to pay full price for a home that looks old and disheveled in any way. Before you list your home for sale, be sure to make these repairs to your roof:
Fix any leaks
Water damage isn’t something to mess with, and a roof with leaks leaves your home more susceptible to water entering the home and wreaking havoc. When most people shop for a home, they or their real estate agent will hire an inspector to go through the home to check for damage and safety issues.
If you don’t tend to leaks, then a buyer might not want the property for the original price or might not want it at all. Before you list your home, make sure that all leaks are sealed. A few shingles and some sealant can go a long way. Note, exposed sealant will break down under UV light after 3-5 years, so it is not a permanent solution. It is better to fix leaks with shingles and flashing as needed and protect the sealant from the sun when possible.
Reroof over asphalt
Some people think that putting on a second layer of shingles over the top of an existing labor saves time and money, but we strongly recommend against this – in fact, many reputable roofing contractors will refuse to do this. Truth be told, it only saves about $10/square in South Central Texas – which is about $350 on an average house. Also, doing so negates the manufacturer warranty; the roof itself will wear faster, and you will only get about 50% of the lifespan out of the shingle. In the long run, reroofing over an existing roof actually ends up costing the homeowner more.
Mend the gutters
Without gutters, thousands of basements would flood after a major rainfall! Gutters line the edges of roofs, catch water, and transport it away from the home’s foundation. If the gutter is broken or clogged with debris, then it’s not going to be able to do its job.
Most roofing contractors offer discounted prices for fixing gutters, including ourselves if you’re in the New Braunfels area! Make sure to make this easy repair long before you put your home on the market.
Consider replacing it
Unfortunately, some inspectors may require that you replace the roof of the property before you sign it off. With that in mind, if a total replacement is in order, it’s much more cost effective to replace it before you list the home for sale. That way, you can use the brand new roof as leverage when you determine the listing price.
If you’re planning to sell your home, even if it’s not for another few years, be sure to patch up or replace your roof as soon as possible and look into more Realtor tips for sellers so that you can sell your home as fast as possible. Additionally, be sure to hire a top realtor in Austin, TX and the surrounding areas before you put your home up for sale.
In need of a roofing contractor in New Braunfels or the surrounding areas? Give Roofer Chicks® a call! We can assure you an amazing job that will equal a high return on investment!