One item that many potential homebuyers look at when purchasing a home is the roof. We have been conditioned to purchase homes that have a solid roof and do not have any roof damage. However, there are some pros, as well as cons, when purchasing a house that needs a roof repair. Stay tuned to learn more.
When looking at potential homes, one should not be scared away by a roof that has damage. By looking at the whole picture, you might end up getting a deal if you can swing a roof replacement or repair after you buy the home.
First off, you should assess the damage to the roof. How bad is it, really? Does it look like only a few of the shingles are loose? Or has a recent high wind storm done an excessive amount of damage to the roof? Really understand all damage that has been incurred by the roof damage. There may be more there than what you can see now, such as ceiling damage, insulation issues, or even drywall repair.
Another thing you will need to consider is if you are getting an FHA loan. If you plan on obtaining this type of loan, you must know that in order for it to follow through, the house must be livable and insurable before you can reside in the home. To have insurance placed on the home, you will need to have a 4-point inspection done. This will look at not only electrical, HVAC,and plumbing but also your roofing. This will require the roof to have at least a 3-year lifespan in order to qualify for insurance. If you are going to be using an FHA loan, it may be a lot of trouble trying to buy a house that has roof damage.
If you found a house you love but the roof is old, then you may want to consider taking the plunge. But only after you find out what the life expectancy of roofing materials is. By computing this, as well as the weather and other factors, into the equation, you will be able to determine if you feel you should purchase a home that needs a roof repair or replacement.
Know that asphalt shingles will last approximately 20 years while fiber cement shingle roofs should be good for 25 years before being replaced. Wood shake roofs generallylast 30 years, while slate, tile, or copper roofs last 50 years or more. It is a good idea to inspect the roof and see how long of a lifespan it has left. In the case of slate roofs, if it is 20 years old, you can still expect to get another 30 years out of them if they are installed properly.
Only you can make the decision if you wish to go through with purchasing a home that has roof damage. If you do decide to plunge into homeownership with a roof that will need replacing, be sure to contact a professional, such as Done Rite Roofing Inc in Palm Harbor, FL. They will be able to assist you in not only repairing or replacing the roofing but also help you pick the type of roof for your style and the area in which you live.