Are you interested in selling your home in the near future? There are a few upgrades homeowners need to consider before they list their home. With the right upgrades, you can easily list your home for a higher price. While many people focus on upgrading the kitchen and bathroom, one area that you need to remember is the roof. Adding a new roof is a great way to boost the overall appeal and value of your home. Here are some ways to inspect your roof to determine if you need to repair or replace it before listing your house for sale.
Check the Attic
It is a wise decision to check on your roof in the spring and fall. Depending on when you want to sell your home, inspect the attic about two months before listing the home for sale. This will give you plenty of time to have the roof replaced if necessary. When inspecting the attic, look for any signs of leaks or water running down the support beams or rafters. Also look for any signs that the roof is sagging or dark spots in the attic. If you notice any light shining through the attic, it is a sign that you need to replace the roof. While you are in the attic, examine the insulation level. It is a good idea to add a new layer of insulation if it’s currently low.
Inspecting the Roof
A number of people will reduce their offer if the inspection indicates that the roof is in need of repair or replacement. If you want to keep negotiations short and predictable, the best thing you can do is work on the roof before you list it for sale. Have it inspected by a roofing company, as they will tell you if there are issues that need to be taken care of. As a homeowner, you can do an exterior check by looking for missing shingles, damaged flashing, curling, rotting, algae growth, buckling or blistering. If you notice any of these issues, you need to have the roof fixed. Also scan around the chimney, vents and other pipes to determine if you have any missing or loose materials. The majority of roof leaks occur near areas where objects (like chimneys) penetrate the roof. Check the gutters to make sure they are secured tightly to the home. If the gutters have shingle granules in them, your roofing shingles may be wearing out. The drainage system needs to work effectively, allowing water to move freely off the roof and away from the home. If there are any leaks in the gutters or downspouts, repair them with roofing cement to seal the cracks.
Solutions
If your roof has water damage, you do not always need to replace it to sell it. Most roofs can be repaired easily if they are 20 years or younger. It helps to hire a qualified roofing company to inspect your roof to determine the amount of repair work needed for your roof pass inspection and sell for a higher value. You can also have a home inspection report completed before listing it. In fact, some Realtors make it a priority with their sellers to help eliminate or reduce surprises once negotiations begin.