Here’s What You Should Know When Buying a House That Needs a New Roof

The home-buying process can be exciting and frightening all at the same time. After all, while the prospect of finding the place you’ll call home for years or decades is certainly thrilling, it can often feel like a new home is full of potential mysteries and unwanted surprises. In some cases, you may find yourself faced with the prospect of buying a house that needs a new roof, adding a layer of risk.

At Skyline Contracting, our company frequently works with realtors, home buyers, and home sellers, all at varying times throughout the home-buying process. Replacing a roof can add a layer of complexity to completing a home sale, but as long as all parties are working together, it doesn’t have to be a major headache.

Here’s what you should know if you’re potentially buying a house that needs a new roof.

Should I Buy a Home That Needs a New Roof?

The first question to answer on this topic is also the most difficult: Should you buy a home that needs a new roof in the first place?

From the perspective of a roofer, we can tell you there isn’t anything inherently wrong with a home that needs a new roof. Roof replacements are a normal part of homeownership, and sometimes it just so happens that the end of a roof’s lifespan coincides with selling the home.

Outside of the roofing perspective, however, we can only recommend that you consider all factors at play. For instance, was the seller upfront about the roof needing to be replaced? They’ll likely work with you to negotiate the final cost if it wasn’t factored in already.

If it seemed like they tried to hide the condition of the roof, however, it may not be a good idea to proceed. It may be that the current homeowner has tried to paper over other flaws in the home you may not know about.

Lastly, consider your financial situation. If the roof replacement is already discounted from the final cost, you’ll need to budget for it separately. Is there room for you to replace the roof immediately or within the next year? If not, you may need to move on.

As roofers, we can’t provide financial advice to our customers, and we would certainly recommend you speak with an advisor and your homeowners insurance provider about the situation.

Insurance May Provide Leeway

Speaking of insurance*, buyers may be wondering if they’ll be able to get a mortgage on a home in need of a new roof at all. Will insurance even provide coverage?

Unfortunately, this is also a question that should be answered by speaking with your insurance provider. That said, many providers will offer some leeway. While policies vary from carrier to carrier, some homeowners insurance providers will give you up to 30 days after completing the home sale to replace the roof. Others, however, will not be so accommodating—and you’ll want to know what your insurance says before completing the sale.

How Do I Avoid Buying a House That Needs a New Roof?

Buying a house that needs a new roof can be an uncomfortable situation. Can you avoid it entirely?

The answer, of course, is yes. While a home inspection is often needed to complete a home sale, a roof inspection generally isn’t required. This is how roofing issues can sometimes go unnoticed.

But it isn’t a bad idea for buyers to request a roof inspection, particularly if the home is older or the seller can’t provide a clear timeline on when the roof was last replaced. At the very least, this will provide peace of mind.

Completing a Roof Replacement During the Home Sale: What to Know

If you still intend on buying a house that needs a new roof, there are a few factors to consider to make the process easier. Here are some of our top tips for doing so:

• Negotiate with the seller. Determine whether they will complete the roof replacement or if the cost will be factored into the final price.
  To help negotiate, get an estimate for the cost of a new roof beforehand. We recommend Roofle, a tool we use to help our customers get a general idea of the cost of a roof replacement.
• Complete the replacement before moving in, if possible. Roofing can be messy and disruptive, which means replacing your roof during the home-buying process can actually be quite convenient.
• Work with a roofer who has experience working around home sales. Home sales can move quickly, with roof replacements becoming necessary on short notice. At Skyline Contracting, our team has helped dozens of home buyers complete roof replacements before or during the home-buying process, ensuring the house is truly ready to serve as a home.

Schedule a Roof Inspection Before You Buy

As you navigate the home-buying process, it’s best to get all the information you can before buying. A roof inspection can provide peace of mind and clarity on the condition of your potential new home’s roof, helping you ensure you get a fair deal.
If you’re navigating the buying process, Skyline Contracting can provide your professional inspection and roof replacement to ensure your home is ready to protect your family for years to come. Get started today by reaching out to our team!

* NOTE: Skyline Contracting and its authorized representatives are NOT acting as Public Insurance Adjusters and will not negotiate with insurance on the Customer’s behalf.