Key Takeaways
- If the house you are selling has roofing issues, you may lose buyer confidence and experience failed inspections or lower offers.
- Common roofing problems include leaks, structural issues, poor ventilation, outdated materials, drainage malfunctions, discoloration from fungi or moss growth, damaged flashing, and faulty repairs.
- Addressing roofing concerns before listing your property can help prevent purchasing delays and preserve your home’s market value.
- Scheduling a professional inspection from a reliable roofing specialist can help uncover hidden issues and provide transparency to your prospective buyers.
Selling Your Home (and Roof)
When it comes to selling your home, roofing issues can hinder both first impressions and final negotiations. Even if your roof looks acceptable at first glance, most buyers have an inspector survey the property to report any issues or recommendations before closing on a house. Over 19% of home inspections reveal roofing issues, ranging from cracked shingles and discoloration to leaks and worn-out, sagging materials.
By not addressing structural concerns, drainage problems, and other roofing issues before listing your property, you may fail inspections and lower buyer confidence, resulting in lower offers, purchasing delays, or lost deals. To avoid this, property owners should proactively schedule roof inspections from trustworthy roofing professionals. Doing so can promote early detection, allowing you to repair or replace components before prospective buyers notice roofing issues and rethink their purchase.
The guide below covers the most common roof-related reasons for delays during home sales, along with tips for promptly and effectively addressing these problems.
Impact of Roofing Issues on Home Sales
Prior to closing a sale, home inspectors usually assess the condition of roofs thoroughly to give buyers a transparent look into their health and repairs or replacements that may be on the horizon. An inspector will point out any roofing issues, including structural or weatherproofing concerns, that may become financial liabilities or prevent a buyer from securing a mortgage due to the home likely being considered high-risk by lenders.
In turn, poor inspection results can cause buyers to lose confidence and potentially back out of their proposed deal, forcing many sellers to complete last-minute repairs or negotiate lower prices. Although it will cost money upfront, scheduling important roof maintenance services or getting a roof certification that officially states the roof’s condition, life expectancy, and financial value can ultimately save sellers money in the long run. Ensuring your roof is in good condition before listing the property can preserve the home’s market value and mitigate the need for expedited repairs at the eleventh hour.
Common Reasons For Delays
The following roofing issues are commonly experienced and can hold up or derail a home sale.
Leaky Roofs
An inspector will likely declare water stains, musty odors, and mold growth as signs of leaks. Since leaks can suggest serious problems like underlying insulation or structural damage, lenders and appraisers often hesitate to help with properties with significant water intrusion, making it harder for buyers to get the financial assistance they need to acquire the home. So, if sellers do not repair leaky roofs, interested parties may delay their purchase, negotiate a lower price, or back out of home sales altogether.
Missing or Damaged Shingles
Visible damage to your roof’s asphalt shingles or tiles caused by weather, age, or poor workmanship can negatively affect resale value. For starters, it can hinder curb appeal and make the house look less desirable. Additionally, gaps in shingles or similar roofing materials can allow for water intrusion, increasing the risk of interior damage for the new homeowner. To keep your home protected, beautiful, and easy to sell, you should fix missing or damaged shingles as soon as possible.
Sagging or Structurally Weak Roofs
Since they can present serious safety hazards and structural complications, inspectors will raise concerns if roofing materials are sagging. Excessive weight, poor framing, or time-fueled deterioration are the most common reasons for structurally compromised roofing components. This can ultimately demand expensive repairs or replacements, potentially causing buyers to rethink their purchasing decision.
Poor Roof Ventilation
Having sufficient ventilation throughout your roof and attic is essential for managing heat and moisture levels in the upper portions of your home. Unfortunately, trapped heat can increase energy costs by making your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system work harder to regulate temperatures in the home. Plus, it can fuel mold growth and shorten the roof’s lifespan. Therefore, if inspectors note poor ventilation as a concern during their walkthrough, home sales may be delayed or cancelled until the issue is addressed by installing attic fans or getting other roof ventilation services.
Old or Worn-Out Roofing Materials
Oftentimes, aging roofs may not meet current standards for insurance or financing. Therefore, some examples of indicators that your roof is past its lifespan include:
- Brittle shingles
- Granule loss
- Faded colors
- Unusual soft spots in roofing materials
- Exposed or rusted nails
- Light showing through the attic
To solve the issues above, you may need to replace outdated roofs completely. Doing so can increase buyer interest and justify higher pricing for your home, making it a wise investment that can expedite home sales.
Inadequate or Faulty Repairs
It is important to have repairs completed by an experienced professional because quick fixes or do-it-yourself (DIY) patches can serve as red flags for buyers and inspectors alike. Historically, home sellers have quickly and haphazardly repaired roofs to conceal larger issues and take advantage of buyers, causing the lack of professional repair documentation to raise concerns and hinder purchasing deals.
Gutter and Drainage Problems
Since drainage systems are easily visible to people touring your property, the quality of gutters and downspouts is an easy visual cue for most buyers. Clogged or broken gutters can cause water damage to the foundation or fascia underneath, potentially leading to a myriad of problems that the buyer would be taking on after closing the sale. Thankfully, sellers can improve the overall impression of their home and prevent purchasing delays with simple cleaning or repairs of gutters and downspouts.
Discoloration, Mold, or Moss Growth
Inspectors may note any stains or moss that may signal moisture retention. Wet, shaded environments can create the perfect breeding grounds for mold growth, which can trigger health concerns and buyer hesitation. For most property owners, routine cleaning is enough to improve their roof’s appearance and their home’s overall marketability.
Chimney and Skylight Flashing Issues
Old or poorly installed flashing commonly becomes a leak source in homes. Therefore, inspectors regularly check the flashing around the chimney and skylights for proper sealing. To increase your chances of passing an inspection, you should proactively repair flashing ahead of time to reduce the risk of water damage.
To ensure you don’t encounter the delay-causing problems above, you should look out for signs you need a roof inspection and schedule regular maintenance services throughout your roof’s life. In turn, you can limit the repairs needed before putting your house on the market.
How to Address Roofing Issues Before Selling
Thankfully, homeowners can avoid last-minute, deal-killing surprises by implementing the following strategies.
Scheduling a Professional Roof Inspection
During a roof inspection, a reliable specialist will be able to easily identify minor issues and help you address them in a timely and affordable way before they become more significant problems that demand extensive repair.
After a thorough inspection, trusted roofing professionals like Roof Life of Oregon can also help you determine if your roof is sale-ready or requires more work and communicate that to buyers by offering a 5-year certification for its materials and quality. Schedule a roof certification that can be used to get professional affirmation and build the buyer’s confidence.
Repair vs. Replace: Making the Right Decision
Sometimes, minor repairs are enough. For instance, small issues like damaged shingles or flashing can often be repaired if there isn’t extensive damage underneath. However, some older roofs demand a full replacement to ensure longevity.
Some examples of common roofing problems and whether they typically call for repair or full replacement are included in the following table:
| Issues that may be solved with a repair | Issues that may need to be fixed with a replacement |
| A few missing or damaged shingles | The roof is over 20 to 25 years old |
| Minor flashing issues near vents, chimneys, or skylights | Extensive shingle curling or cracking |
| Tiny leaks or small-scale water damage | Multiple leaks throughout the roof |
| Limited moss or algae growth | Severe mold or rot in underlying materials |
| Blocked or misaligned gutters | Structurally compromised roof supports |
| Minor damage from a recent storm | Long-term damage from persistent ventilation issues |
| Isolated lifted shingles or nail protrusions | Roofing materials are outdated or no longer insurable |
| Light wear on skylight sealants | Your roof has failed several past inspections |
Providing Documentation to Buyers
Some important records that you can present to buyers to build trust and show responsible homeownership include:
- Roofing warranties
- Certifications
- Repair receipts
- Maintenance history
By offering this level of transparency, you can foster buyer confidence.
Working with a Real Estate Agent
As housing market experts, real estate agents can offer unique insight into how to get the most return from selling your house. They can help in many other ways, including educating homeowners on how much value roof work will add to their property. They can also facilitate negotiation for buyer credits or repairs, helping smooth the deal.
Take a Proactive Approach with Roof Life
Since common roofing issues like leaks, moss growth, and worn-out materials can reduce curb appeal and present financial liabilities that scare away some buyers, having your roof properly tended to and certified before putting it on the market is essential. Working with an experienced, dependable roofing company near you is a great way to maximize your home’s value and facilitate sales.
Roof Life of Oregon can ensure roofing issues don’t derail home sales in Tigard, Sherwood, Tualatin, and other areas around Portland, Oregon. Our professional roof maintenance company offers comprehensive inspections and maintenance services to make it easier for homeowners to identify issues early and fix them to avoid sale delays and improve their home’s value. This level of care is vital, regardless of whether you plan to sell your home soon or just want to protect your investment.
Contact Roof Life of Oregon to schedule an inspection and get expert recommendations on improving your roof’s condition before you list your home.