Look To The Roof To See The True Value of the Home
Buying a home should be an objective decision, to wit, is it a good investment. We all know there is an emotional element that can take over. This is okay so long as you pay attention to the fundamentals such as the condition of the roof.
Given the rather high location of the roof, how can you possibly inspect it on your own? Well, first get general information. Then do a walk around the home to look for some specific signs of problems. If you are serious about the home, you will also want a professional inspection done.
The first thing to do is to take a look around you. What are the conditions? Is the roof really good for those conditions? If you are looking at a home in San Diego, a wood shingle roof is a poor choice because of the risk of fires in the area.
Perhaps we should take a step back first. To really grasp the roofing issues, you need to know some things about roofs. There are many types of roofs, but a few are more common than most and likely to be the ones you run into.
The wood shingle roof is the most basic of roofs on the market. Depending on the climatic conditions, it will last between fifteen and thirty years. The cost of replacement depends on the size of the roof. An average home will run in the $9,000 range.
One step up is the metal roof. What could be better, eh? Well, metal roofs do last thirty plus years, but maintenance can be a bear. You can expect to spend $12,000 or more to replace one depending on square footage and such.
The most popular roof these days tends to be the tile version. It can last 50 years or more so long as you replace broken tiles. It costs between thirteen and seventeen grand to replace, but is fire resistant and water does not decay it.
Once you start taking a look at the roof from ground level, the first things to look for are broken pieces. These can include tiles, shingles and flashing. A home for sale should not have them. If they appear, the owner has not cared for the home adequately.
Here is another secret tip. When looking at a wood shake roof, focus on the ends of the shingles. Do they turn up? If so, it means the roof is old and starting to fail. Why? The wood is warping. This is a critical failure that can lead to very costly repairs.
Flashing is the metal that sits in corners and transitions on the roofing. If it is rusted, it means water is getting down into the roof. This is a very bad sign. It can be repaired, but get a written estimate from a certified roofer and then ask the seller for a credit.
Now we head into the attic. Walk the length of the attic and look for stains on the boards of the underside of the roof. If you see them, there is a leak that needs to be repaired. Again, get a roofer out to inspect it.
Buying a home can be an exciting time. Checking out a roof is not. Still, taking a close look at the roof can prevent situations where you later regret getting caught up in the curb appeal of a home and buying a lemon that needs an expensive roof repair.