When it comes to looking for that dream home, prospective buyers are pulling out all the stops, questioning any and everything. And the roof is no exception.
While a ground-level inspection won’t divulge much, sellers should arm their agent with any and all pertinent information regarding the roof. This means knowing the age of the roof, the year it was replaced (if applicable), and any leaks or other problems that have popped up through the years. While all of this will come out during the inspection, it’s best to be honest from the get-go.
If the roof is old—or potential problems are on the horizon—as the seller, you may want to consider replacing the roof before the sale. In fact, some in the industry feel this is a smart idea because it eases the mind of potential buyers, however, whether or not the investment is returned is up for debate. If there’s potential to receive multiple offers on your home, a new roof can be a great incentive for potential buyers. However, if the market is slow, a new roof won’t do much when it comes to getting your price.
If the roof is simply in need of minor repairs, there’s no need to replace the entire thing. In this scenario, the best thing to do is call in a roof expert and see what they think before putting the house on the market. If the roof seems to be draining properly and there are no clear signs of wear and tear, it’s probably best not to do anything.
Another reason to forego replacing the roof? Some buyers actually prefer to take care of the job themselves after they move in with a company they hand-pick. If you had a roof inspection completed prior to the sale of your home, share the pricing information with the buyer to show them what the projected cost would be.
It’s also important to keep in mind that it may be difficult for a potential buyer to get a mortgage if the roof is in bad shape because a leaky roof can cause major problems to the house itself. This might make it necessary to do something.
As the seller, if you decide to replace the roof on your own, be sure to get quotes from at least three roofers. And check out their references both online and by phone. You’ll also want to ensure that the project fits your timetable. The last thing you want is to have to hold off on a listing because your roof replacement is delayed.
To learn more about potential roof issues—and what can be done to repair them when preparing your home for sale—contact our office today.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.
Debbie Woolard Group
(757) 288-0194
www.DebbieWoolard.com
Excellent Service – Excellent Results
Buyers Agent/Sellers Agent
Our focus is helping people find and exchange dream homes. We are seeking buyers and sellers that desire concierge level service including great communication, extraordinary representation and a continuing relationship for years to come.
You and your referrals will be provided with a great team of professionals to help with each step of the process. We are committed and passionate about negotiating the best possible terms and serving our clients at the highest level. Our goal is to create memorable real estate experiences where our clients become raving fans.
Our clients benefit by having a Certified Negotiation Expert on their side. This provides them with better results, a smoother process and greater satisfaction.
Whether a person is looking to buy or sell a starter home or a multi-million dollar estate, Debbie Woolard produces great results for her clients. She gives clients what they expect and deserve, an experienced realtor skilled in marketing and negotiations.
With Debbie Woolard, you will receive personal service as well as exceptional professionalism. She is well qualified for her work with her strong background of sales and marketing. Having been born here and continuously living in the area, she is familiar with the entire Hampton Roads region.
She has earned the professional designations of Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified Residential Specialist, and e-Pro. In addition she is also a Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource with extensive training in short sales and foreclosures. This uniquely positions her to help those in danger of losing their home to foreclosure. It has also proven to be beneficial to the buyers that are seeking to purchase a short sale or foreclosure.
She is well qualified to help professionals, business owners, military personnel and other clients with their real estate needs. She has been selected to work with both the Military Team and Relocation Team. She is consistently producing outstanding results in real estate.
Her first year in real estate she was awarded Listing Rookie of the Year as well as Sales Rookie of the Year. Her sales and loyal following of satisfied clients have grown each year she has been in business. She is in the top 1% of the agents in the area based on sales volume. Her practice continues to flourish thanks to clients recommending her to friends, family members and business associates.
Her clients state that her actions and attitude are best described with the word “integrity”.
Realtors with the Debbie Woolard Group service Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News & Portsmouth with specialist in seller representation, buyer representation, military relocation, first time home buyers, short sales and real estate investment.