Looking to sell your home for top dollar? You may want to consider replacing your roof before listing your home.
An old or damaged roof can lower your home’s value and discourage buyers who want to avoid immediate repairs. Conversely, a new roof can actually elevate your home's value. For instance, a new metal roof can boost a home’s value by as much as 6%.
In a 2022 survey by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), real estate agents and brokers confirmed that a new roof tops the list of exterior features buyers find most appealing. The survey also indicated that installing a new roof offers a full 100% return on investment.
Image Source: 2022 Remodeling Impact Report
“The age and condition of a roof can greatly impact its value and appeal to potential buyers. A well-maintained roof that is relatively new can be an attractive selling point for a home,” said Mark Buskuhl, Founder and CEO of Ninebird Properties.
Zev Freidus, Founder of ZFC Real Estate, agreed with Buskuhi. “A roof replacement can improve the curb appeal of the house, boost its resale value, increase its energy efficiency, and help sell it faster.”
If you're wondering whether a new roof will enhance your home's value, consider these three factors, supported by insights from top experts in the real estate industry:
- The importance of a roof inspection prior to selling your home.
- How to evaluate the ROI of a new roof.
- The top 3 features modern homebuyers want in a roof.
The Importance of a Roof Inspection Prior to Selling Your Home
Before listing your home for sale, real estate experts recommend a professional roof inspection to identify and address any issues. A roof inspection will also help to establish a trustworthy relationship with potential buyers.
Lance Coffman, Home Inspector at Forever Home Inspection, recommends that homeowners “have a home inspector pre-inspect your roof and all major systems of the home prior to initiating the selling of the house. Pre-inspections are the best way to get ahead of what the homebuyer's inspector will uncover—especially things you aren't aware of.”
Milind Angolkar, Senior Inspector at Structure Tech Home Inspections, agrees. “For most homeowners, the condition of their roof and corresponding attic spaces are out of sight and out of mind. Very few people do annual checks of all the components that make up a roof system. ‘Is it leaking? Nope! Good to go, right?’ Maybe, but knowing the condition of the roof can head off costly surprises when selling a home. When the roof is walked, we're looking for damaged shingles from hail, wind, tree branches, or even pests.”
“Missing or improper flashing can lead to hidden water intrusion, and exhaust ducts disconnected from kitchen and bathroom fans can cause a host of moisture-related problems in cold-climate attics. Almost all of these are minor one-day fixes. Address or disclose any issues ahead of time to avoid the escalated costs associated with last-minute negotiations or hasty repairs, keep you in control of the transaction, and provide you and your buyer with tremendous peace of mind.”
Tony Mariotti, CEO of RubyHome, recommends documenting previous maintenance on the roof to “demonstrate that the homeowner has taken care of the property, which can be a selling point. Having records of regular roof maintenance and repairs can instill confidence in potential buyers.”
Zakhar Ivanisov, Founder and General Manager of Soul & Lane agreed. “Transparency is our best friend here. Supplying a clear-cut inspection report not only lifts the veil on your roof’s condition, but also paves the way for a straightforward, honest relationship with potential buyers. Assuring buyers that their potential new home is structurally secure and free from looming large repairs not only provides them with peace of mind but might just give you a nifty edge in this competitive market. This assurance backed up with solid documentation of maintenance and repair, strengthens both the sale and your seller reputation.”
How to Evaluate the ROI of a New Roof
Industry experts strongly recommend that homeowners evaluate the longevity, durability, and energy efficiency of different roofing materials to help determine the ROI of a new roof.
“The type of material used for the roof can also affect its value. Different materials have varying levels of durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal. Homeowners should consider the pros and cons of each roofing material when deciding on which one to use for their home,” said Buskuhl.
“The age and type of the roof can impact the home's value. A newer roof with a long life expectancy can be a strong selling point. Lastly, energy efficiency plays a role too; an energy-efficient roof can reduce utility costs, which is a desirable feature for many buyers,” said Alex Sherr, Founder of 9Kilo Moving.
Rick Berres, Owner of Honey-Doers, advises homeowners to “carefully examine the return on investment (ROI) on different roofing materials. For example, it may be worth it to install metal roofing prior to selling.”
Why metal roofing?
Metal roofing comes with a long list of homeowner-friendly benefits, including:
- Longevity: Metal roofs have a lifespan that is two to three times longer than traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt, tile, and wood.
- Durability: Metal roofs provide industrial-strength durability and can withstand hurricane-force winds, fire, hail impact, and nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer.
- Energy Efficiency: Metal roofs are well-known as one of the most energy-efficient types of roofing on the market. Considering that four in five buyers say that heating and cooling costs are the most important environmental factors when considering a new home, an energy-efficient roofing material can help justify a higher selling price since some metal roofs can reduce energy costs by as much as 40%.
When assessing the ROI of a new roof, keep in mind that modern buyers value more than just performance. Factors like curb appeal, warranties, and sustainability also play a significant role in attracting high-quality offers.
The Top 3 Features Modern Homebuyers Want in a Roof
Curb Appeal
When it comes to curb appeal, a home either has it or it doesn't. If your home is among the latter, a new roof can effectively elevate the property’s appearance. But it’s important to find a roof that provides an aesthetically pleasing style without compromising on durability.
For instance, clay tile roofs are beautiful, but they are extremely fragile and lack the durability most homeowners expect. Just walking on a clay tile roof can cause tiles to crack or break.
Comprehensive Warranty
A high-performance roof with a comprehensive warranty is a great way to justify a higher price tag for your home, especially in areas where hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, or high winds are common.
High-quality roofing products will often come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty, but remember to read the fine print. Some warranties are prorated or have limitations or restrictions. If you are selling your home in the near future, be sure to look for a warranty that can be transferred to the new owner when the home sells.
Sustainability and Solar Compatibility
Modern homebuyers are increasingly demanding sustainable and environmentally-friendly homes. The 2023 NAR Sustainability Report found that:
- 63% of agents and brokers said mentioning energy-efficient features in their listings was beneficial.
- 48% of agents and brokers said homebuyers cared about sustainability.
- 50% of agents and brokers said they helped a client buy or sell a property with green features during the past 12 months, a notable jump compared to 32% in 2021.
Traditional roofing materials that were once the go-to option are falling out of favor as stronger, longer-lasting, and more environmentally-friendly roofing materials have entered the residential roofing market.
For example, asphalt shingles are petroleum-based and neither sustainable nor widely recycled. In fact, asphalt shingles contribute to 11-13 million tons of landfill waste each year.
Image Source: Dallas News
Additionally, residential solar panel installations are in high demand and growing in popularity year-over-year. If your home doesn’t already have solar, it’s prudent to find a roofing material that is compatible with solar panels.
So, what type of roof checks all of these boxes and can help increase your home’s market value?
It’s tough to beat the durability, longevity, energy efficiency, and elegance of metal roofing.
Enhance Your Home with DECRA Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are also well-known as one of the strongest roofing materials and are engineered to withstand:
But don’t worry, the industrial strength of metal roofing doesn’t have to come with industrial aesthetics.
DECRA Metal Roofing’s line of stone-coated metal roofing products has the design versatility to suit any style.
From classic clay tile roofs to rustic cedar shakes, DECRA stone-coated metal roofing provides the strength and style that today’s homeowners demand–and will pay a premium price for.
Ready to see and feel the DECRA difference? Request a complimentary sample today.
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in February 2021 and has been updated with relevant information.
