Should I buy a house with an old roof?

Posted by Roof It Right No Comments on Should I buy a house with an old roof? Uncategorized

Should I buy a house with an old roof?

So many factors go into finding the perfect Florida home. Few things leave buyers more frustrated than finding the perfect house, in the perfect location, only to discover an issue with the roof. There’s a reason for the adage “we have a roof over our heads.” A roofing issue during the buying process is a big deal. Should you repair, replace, or walk away? Should you have the owner complete repairs before close, or should you do the work after taking possession? How much of the cost should the owner incur? What if there are other offers on the home? This blog will discuss these questions, make sure you’re prepared as you enter they buying process, and most importantly make sure you get a fair deal on your new home.  

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN CONSIDERING A HOME WITH AN OLD ROOF:

Step 1: Get a second opinion from a Florida Roofing Contractor

Scheduling an additional inspection with a trusted Florida roofing contractor will get to the bottom of what’s “really” wrong with the roof. A roofing professional goes over the roofing system thru the eyes of a contractor- looking for leaks, wear and tear, debris damage, organic growth, foundation issues, or even problems that may have resulted from prior repairs.   

Step 2: Access the situation

If the home you are considering has roofing issues it doesn’t mean you have to walk away, but it does mean you will need to remain vigilant in order to negotiate the right deal. Negotiating can take time, but is worth it. Your Roofing contractor’s inspection will give you a clear picture of what needs to be repaired or if it’s time for a re-roof. If there are deeper foundational issues have a candid discussion of if it’s best to walk away.

Step 3: Beware of Seller Replacement

The seller may offer to repair or replace the roof according to what is discovered in the inspection. We advise our customers to be cautious of this option. Quite simply, a seller does not have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to maximize profit via the sale of their home. “Cheap” roofs normally aren’t the “best” roofs, and a seller is not looking out for you or your future.    

Step 4: Negotiation

At this point, we start to answer the question: Should I buy a house with an old roof? It boils down to negotiation. Can you negotiate a fair deal with the owner that outweighs the repairs required? How does the deal compare with other properties that are available in the area?  

As we discussed earlier, rather than asking the seller to make the repairs, we advise asking for “credit” towards making repairs after closing. This way you control the contractor, materials, cost, quality etc. Yet in a strong market an owner is not going to feel as much pressure to cover your demands, especially if they have other offers on the property. Consider “50/50” as a common number or starting point for a new roof. This can obviously go up or down depending on your negotiation tactics. Considering the vast range of $ value between a cheap roof and a great roof, even 50% “credit” could be a better than having the seller take action for you. Remember the power of negotiation is the willingness to walk away. If the seller is not willing to make a fair deal let them sell the home to someone else.

We hope this blog gave you some clarity on how to evaluate buying a home with an old or worn roof. If you need any assistance with the process, our professionals at Roof It Right are here to help. Contact us today for Florida’s preeminent roofing experience. Proudly serving Jacksonville, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, and surrounding areas.