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Roof Replacement

Should You Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House?

February 17th, 2023 | 5 min. read

Should You Replace Your Roof Before Selling Your House?

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You have to do a lot to get your home ready to sell, both internally and externally. This includes fixing things around your property and making it look nice to attract potential buyers. 

There are some obvious things you’ll touch up, like landscaping, dings in walls, a fresh coat of paint, and others. But what about your roof?

A question I’m frequently asked by homeowners putting their home on the market is, “Should I replace my roof before selling?” Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. 

For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand when and why they should replace their roof. Because of this, I want to help you determine if you should replace your roof before selling your house.

In this article, I’ll first answer the main question. After that, I’ll give you the 3 benefits of replacing your roof before selling your home. 

Should you replace your roof before selling your house?

The truth is, it depends if you should replace your roof before selling your house. It honestly comes down to your circumstances and the condition of your roof. 

If your current roof is older and has active leaks, it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace it. This ensures your roof doesn't negatively impact your chances of selling your home. 

Even if a potential buyer is interested in a home with a roof that has a problem, the sale might depend on the roof being replaced before closing. They could also go the other route by offering less because they’ll have to replace the roof themselves. 

So, a roof replacement is probably in your best interest if you have a damaged roof or it’s near the end of its lifespan. On the other hand, there’s no need for a replacement if your roof is in good shape. 

Depending on your roofing material, it might not even be close to needing a replacement anyway. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to determine if you want to replace your roof before selling your house. 

But I recommend a replacement if the roof negatively impacts your home’s chances of selling.

3 benefits of replacing your roof before selling your house

Now you have an idea if you should replace your roof before selling your house. While getting a roof replacement before putting your home on the market may seem like a burden, it does come with benefits. 

Let’s get to the 3 benefits of replacing your roof before selling your house. 

A new roof increases your home’s value 

The biggest benefit to replacing your roof before selling your house is that it increases your home’s value. A new roof is proven to increase your home's sale price. 

How much it increases depends on your roofing material and the housing market. But no matter what, a new roof will add a nice boost to your resale value (possibly up to $30,000). 

I understand investing in a new roof is hard when you don't get the benefits. However, getting a roof replacement before selling your home can actually yield a 60% return on investment.

So, not only do you increase your home’s value, but you’ll also get most of that initial investment back. 

Your house becomes more attractive to potential buyers

The financial side of getting a roof replacement before selling your house is a huge benefit. But a new roof also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. 

In terms of actual looks, a roof replacement increases your home's curb appeal. Your roof makes up a big portion of your home, so replacing it transforms the entire appearance while providing a fresh new look. BeforeandAfter

(Left: before roof replacement; Right: after roof replacement)

Depending on the roofing material and any upgrades, this could be a huge boost. No matter what, a new roof makes your home stand out from the rest in your neighborhood.

This not only catches the eye of people walking by, but it also catches the eyes and makes it more appealing to potential buyers. 

Potential buyers get peace of mind about buying your home

Boosting your home’s curb appeal with a new roof is a great way to make it more attractive to potential buyers. But another way a roof replacement makes your home more appealing to buyers is with peace of mind. 

The last thing a homebuyer wants is to worry about fixing a problem after spending a significant amount of money on a house. With a new roof, potential buyers know they won't have to worry about roof repairs or a replacement anytime soon. 

The peace of mind they get from knowing this makes your home even more appealing. This is especially for homeowners who aren’t looking for their forever home.

How much will a roof replacement cost?

Now you know the 3 benefits of replacing your roof before selling your house. Remember, it’s up to you to determine whether or not to get a roof replacement before putting it on the market.

If you have an older roof, the benefits greatly outweigh the initial cost of the roof replacement. However, I understand the hesitation about buying a new roof, especially for financial reasons. 

But do you actually know how much a roof replacement will cost you? If you don’t, you’re not alone. 

The roofing industry avoids questions about pricing because of the sticker shock it causes. However, it’s important to know the budget you’ll need for a roof replacement whether you're selling your house or not. 

That’s why I wrote another article that breaks down how much a roof replacement could cost and the price per square foot of the most popular roofing materials. 

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has replaced thousands of roofs in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. We take pride in doing things the right way and back up our work with a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. 

Check out How Much a New Roof Costs in 2023 to learn the budget you’ll need for a roof replacement.

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