Congratulations – you’re thinking about buying a new home, maybe even your first home! Becoming a homeowner is an exciting endeavor that comes with a lot of possibilities, as well as responsibilities. Maybe you’re looking to purchase a newly built home, or maybe you’re considering a fixer-upper.
No matter what type of home you’re looking at, IBEX Roof has all your roofing needs in mind. Because the truth is, roofs are often overlooked during the home buying process. That’s why, when it comes to your roof, we’ve come up with the Homeowner’s Guide to Roofing! Here’s what to consider when buying, owning, and selling your home.
Both the states of Oregon and Washington do not require homeowners to get a home inspection before buying a home. However, most homeowners consider getting an inspection a wise investment, especially when you’re thinking of investing in a new house! Home inspections usually look at the home’s electrical, foundation, plumbing, and more. You could also hire a roofing contractor to come and just do a roof inspection.
Getting an inspection can be helpful because it will let you know, as a new homeowner, what to expect out of your potential home. Finding any type of damage doesn’t mean you can’t purchase the house, but it could definitely affect the value of your home, as well as your decision to buy it. And if you do decide to buy, you’ll know what types of repair you’ll need to make before or after moving in.
It’s not always possible to get the roofing history of a home from the owner. But if you are able, find out when the last roof replacement was. If it was recent, find out whether or not the warranty gets passed down to you or if you need to pay a transfer fee. You can even ask the current homeowners how they’ve maintained their roof and for the contact information of their roofer.
he average can last over 25 years if you properly maintain it. This usually means trimming back overhanging trees and blowing away debris, like pine needles and leaves, when it starts to pile on your roof.
Not everyone thinks about gutters when they think about their roof, but gutters are, in fact, a part of the roof system! If your gutters are sagging, splitting, or overflowing during the rain, you should consider replacing them. And just like maintaining your roof, you should also maintain your gutters by keeping them clear of debris so water can easily flow through.
Another huge part of maintaining your roof is by making sure you take care of small repairs as soon as you notice them. Otherwise, they can turn into much more serious issues that are more costly to deal with. Missing shingles, granule loss, sagging, rust, and cracks are all signs of some type of damage on your roof. Making these repairs as soon as possible will not only help your roof last longer, but it will also save you a lot of money in the long run.
Stepping onto your roof without the proper safety gear is very dangerous, and we don’t recommend it. Not to mention, you may not know exactly what to look out for if you’ve never done roof work before! Consider getting a yearly roof inspection by a local roofing contractor. Our professionals at IBEX Roof are trained to safely go on top of your roof and see if there are any damages that need to be fixed. If so, we’ll give you the best options on how to move forward. If not, we’ll let you know that you’re good to go!
Like any insurance policy, it’s important to evaluate your homeowner’s insurance coverage. Understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t so you can be prepared for the future.
If you know you’ll be selling your home in the next few years and your roof is on the older side, you may want to consider getting a replacement. It may even be in your best interest to get a roof replacement right away if its in noticeably bad condition.
An experienced realtor should know the best way to present your home, including your roof. Ask them what they think about your roof. Should you get your roof cleaned? Does it look like it’s in bad shape? Your realtor can give you the pros and cons of getting roof work done. Or, at the very least, tell you what to expect when selling your roof as-is.
Consider getting an inspection by your local roofing company and asking them for an inspection certificate. Having an inspection certificate, especially for a roof that’s under 15 years old, can give potential buyers confidence in the quality of your roof.
Selling a home is all about presentation; the outside of your home, including the roof, is the first thing potential buyers will see! Be proactive by giving your home an exterior cleanup before putting your home on the market. A professional roofer can get rid of the debris in the crevices of your roof, clear away your gutters, and, if needed, treat your roof for moss or algae. Every detail counts; by presenting a clean roof, potential buyers will know that you took great care of your house.