You haven’t had any major leaks when in rains and you don’t notice any cold drafts at night. The roof on your Sacramento home is probably fine, right? Well… maybe. Your roof may be on it’s last legs before you realize it. And if it’s found in an inspection while you’re trying to sell, the deal could go south. If you’re not asking “Should I replace my roof before selling?” — you should be.
Yes, replacing your roof is expensive. I can cost thousands of dollars, and your insurance may not cover all of it (or any of it, depending on your plan and when the roof was last replaced). But if you get a roof inspection and problems are detected, it’s a worthy expense. Let’s talk about how much it costs to replace a roof, if you’ll get ROI, and the types of replacement and repair that are available in Sacramento.
How much does it cost to replace a roof?
The average cost to replace a roof nationally is over $22,000. But of course this depends on where you live, the size of your roof, and the materials that you choose. According to HomeAdvisor, if your home is 1,500 square feet, the cost to replace your entire roof is likely to cap out at $8,000 on the high end. Asphalt shingles are more affordable than wood or metal singles, on average. The highest cost of all is assigned to slate shingles. No matter your situation, you should get a few bids to make sure you don’t pay too much.
Will you get your money back when you sell?
Replacing a roof takes a burden off of potential buyers. They can move in with confidence that they don’t have to tackle the project themselves for at least a decade (hopefully a few). This is to say you may get more competitive offers when you want to sell. But let’s dive into the numbers. Will you recover enough in increased home value to justify putting on a new roof before you sell? That depends on who you ask. Some studies suggest you’ll only get 68% of your money back, while the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report argues that you’ll earn back 109% of your costs. It probably depends on how coveted your home is overall and how well other homes are maintained in the area. Bear in mind that no matter what, 32% of real estate agents say a new roof has helped them close a deal. So it could be a literal deal breaker not to do a replacement.
What are the risks of not replacing a roof?
Still wondering “Should I replace my roof before selling?” Consider the risks of not doing it. First, you could end up with a leak while you’re still living there that causes drywall damage, ceiling collapse, or other serious problems. You’ll have to fix all that before listing for market value. Then, there is the risk of turning off potential buyers. Some people don’t want to walk into a major project. Finally, not replacing the roof could mean that while your house is able to sell, it takes longer to do so and increases your carrying costs.
What should I do if I can’t afford to replace a terrible roof?
If you want to replace your roof but can’t swing it, consider selling to an investor or all-cash buyer. At California Family Homebuyers, we’re willing to purchase homes with roof issues. We even let you choose the closing date and that may be as soon as 7 days! Give us a call today if you have a bad roof and let’s see if we can help you sell without paying a commission or having to deal with a lengthy escrow.