Selling A House With A 20-Year-Old Roof

Published on April 3rd, 2023

Selling a house with an older roof can cause some hiccups along the road due to home inspections; the prospective buyer wants and needs your roof's condition and your roof's age. With the current cost of roofing materials and the state of the market, many buyers won't consider purchasing a house that needs roof repairs or a total roof replacement - what are your options then as a seller? Throughout the course of this article, we will discuss five ways that homeowners can successfully sell their house without installing a new roof.

Why Would Buyers Hesitate To Purchase Homes That Need Roof Repairs?

Generally speaking, prospective buyers are looking to purchase a home that is as close to their dream home as possible. After saving up money for the downpayment, monthly mortgage costs, closing costs, moving fees, etc., the last thing new homeowners want to deal with is to install a brand-new roof.

Having a roof with damaged shingles or is in overall poor condition can also cause more home maintenance issues in the near future, like damage to the ceiling and interior walls, and make it hard for the new owner to obtain home insurance depending on the overall condition.

That being said, normal wear and tear on a roof are expected for its age, and buyers understand that. When a roof reaches a point where it is causing structural damage and is no longer in decent shape, you might want to think of an alternative plan.

Selling Through A Real Estate Agent In A Traditional Sale

Most homeowners will want to try and sell their home in a traditional sale through a real estate agent. If you know you have existing roof damage and it can be easily repaired (for example, broken shingles or a few missing shingles), you can connect with a local contractor who can help make minor repairs.

If your home is in need of major repairs, you might want to consider selling your house as is, taking a cash offer or a reduced-price offer from a buyer due to the amount of roof work needed and the overall resale value of your home.

The only person who can make this decision is you but always take into account the advice from your realtor as they know the current housing market and have a good idea if your house will pass a traditional home inspection that a buyer would conduct before reaching the closing table.

We've all heard the radio and TV commercials where a company is advertising that they will buy a home in any condition for cash. Well, it is true; there are companies that will buy your home without a roof inspection or ask you to make repairs to the roof before selling.

 Often, these companies specialize in purchasing homes with bad roofing for more money than an average buyer would be willing to pay since they know how to fix roofs and might employ a roofing contractor on their team; this can make a big difference depending on the condition of your roof as a homeowner.

To find a company like this, you should try to do a quick Google search for companies that specialize in this in your area, or next time you hear that radio advertisement - jot down the number. Check out this link for a company that may be able to purchase your home.

Selling To A Real Estate Investor That Specializes In Homes With Older And Bad Roof Damage

Real estate investors are always on the lookout for homes that need necessary repairs and are willing to make them if they can get your house at a low cost. Typically real estate investors pay cash for a house and will buy a house without roof inspections and other material defects.

These investors are willing to take this risk because they know that once they are done making repairs, they can either sell your house for more money or use your house as an investment and rent it out to tenants. To answer questions you might have about real estate investors, what they do, and how they operate, check out this blog.

Selling Your House Needing Home Improvements Directly To A Private Home Buyer

Selling your house to a private home buyer might be another excellent option for home sellers looking to avoid replacing a roof. Typically to sell your house directly to a private buyer, you can list your house as an FSBO or better known as for sale by owner. You can advertise your home on social media sites, newspapers, and websites designed for these types of sales.

You can stipulate if a buyer can bring in a home inspector to inspect the roof, which ultimately can save money in the long run. Be aware, though, that in most states, you will need to disclose any material defect to your roof before selling, even if you are selling your home as is. This option isn't for most buyers, so you will likely receive a cash offer if you choose to sell your house this way and avoid the cost of replacement or major repairs.

Selling your home at an auction might be another alternative to a traditional sale. Not all homes that go up for auction are in financial distress. As a homeowner, you need to do the following for a successful home auction. 

• Hire a professional auctioneer

• Ask how the auctioneer gets paid

• Choose between an absolute auction or an auction with a reserve.

• Find out how the bidders will be qualified

• Determine how you will accept bids

• Proper Marketing

Make sure this is the right option for you and your house by weighing all the pros and cons of an auction.

Selling your home without a good roof can be done, as shown above. Take a good look at your roof and find out how extensive the repairs are that need to be made, then make a choice on how to proceed that is best your you. For more homeowner tips and tricks, keep following this blog