Should I Replace My Roof Before I Sell?

The housing market in Gainesville, Florida, has been red hot for the last several years—this is an advantage for people looking to sell. Are you planning to list your house on the market soon and wondering if you should replace your roof before selling? If so, we’ve highlighted what to consider when evaluating the impact of roof replacement on home saleability and price. We also address local buyer expectations and current market conditions. Read on to discover what you should know before you put your house on the market!

 

How Do I Know if I Should Replace My Roof Before Selling?

The answer to this question depends on numerous factors. Sometimes, a roof replacement prior to listing your home for sale makes sense. However, it may not be the wisest financial decision in all cases. When deciding if you should replace your roof before listing, the following variables should be considered:

  1. The current Gainesville housing market
  2. The unique Florida homeowner’s insurance dilemma
  3. Local buyer expectations
  4. The effects of the current roof condition on market value
  5. Benefits of repair versus replacement

1. The Current Gainesville Housing Market

Over the last few years, the Gainesville market has experienced low home inventory combined with high demand. This has led to higher median listing prices. As of 2024, the median home price is $354,800, and the amount of active listings is up over 60% from 2023. Although there’s higher inventory than in 2023, the market is still hot in 2024 because of continued demand.

Since the market fluctuates year after year, it’s important to check the temperature of the market close to when you’re considering selling. The best way to approach this is to work with a realtor. If the market is warm, a roof replacement might have less of an impact on your home’s value than it would if the market was cold.

In cold markets, homeowners often consider replacing their roofs to attract more potential buyers and drive up the value of their homes.

 

An image of a home

2. The Unique Florida Homeowner’s Insurance Dilemma

Another factor to account for is the unique Florida homeowner’s insurance market. Florida is infamous for its insurance woes. Frequent hurricanes, unscrupulous contractors, and mismanaged insurance carriers have led to high homeowner’s premiums.

As a result, insurers have tightened up on the insurability of homes. One significant factor that insurance carriers consider when insuring a home is the age of its roof, regardless of its condition. For example, depending on the carrier, some homes might be considered “uninsurable” if their roof is over 12 years of age. For homes that are considered insurable, roof age significantly impacts the monthly premium.

If you suspect that your roof age might hinder the saleability of your home for any of those reasons, it may be worth considering a roof replacement.

3. Local Buyer Expectations

Local buyer expectations vary over time and according to the market. In Gainesville, homeowners expect home prices that are commensurate with the neighborhood and other factors like:

Keep in mind that first-time homebuyers are likely to have much different expectations than buyers who have already purchased multiple homes in their lifetime.

If your home is in a sought-after neighborhood where homes rarely come up for sale, the condition of your roof is less likely to impact your home’s market value versus homes in less desirable neighborhoods. If you’re working with a realtor to list your home, they should have a great pulse on the market and the overall sentiment among homebuyers in Gainesville.

4. The Effects of the Current Roof Condition on Market Value

Although the age of a roof and its condition often go hand-in-hand, there’s some variability around this depending on how well you maintain your roof and individual weather events. For example, your roof might be 15 years old, but if it’s well-maintained and free of damage and dings, the age likely won’t matter to prospective buyers. Keep in mind, the age might still be a significant factor for its insurability according to insurance carriers.

 

An image of roof damage. A shingle pealing away.

 

If you suspect you have some minor roof damage, it’s important that you have it addressed before listing.

5. Benefits of Repair vs. Replacement

Considering the previous point, your roof may not benefit from a replacement but may instead need some minor repairs. How do you know if you would benefit more from a repair versus a replacement?

Roof Repair

If you’re concerned that your minor roof damage may not pass a roof inspection once your home’s under contract, you may benefit more from a repair if your roof damage is confined to:

These issues are often easily remedied through quick solutions.

Missing Shingles

Missing shingles often occur due to strong wind events. A storm can bring powerful enough winds to lift or remove a shingle or two. If this has happened to your roof, the individual shingle(s) can be replaced without replacing all of the shingles.

This might not be an option if your roof is old enough that you can’t match the new shingle color with the old one. Also, if you are able to match the color, sometimes the wear and tear on the old roof will still make the new shingles stand out.

Small Water Leaks

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a leaky roof. Sometimes, it’s caused by improper flashing, a loose or missing shingle, or even a puncture wound from a falling tree limb. Depending on the scenario, a small repair—like a patch or a new shingle—might be sufficient. A leak could also require much more extensive repair or replacement. However, a professional roof inspection will allow you to make the best decision.

Faulty Gutters

Faulty gutters are another easy fix. Sometimes gutters are clogged with leaves, have cracks, or have poor downspouts. In this case, you can simply repair the existing gutters or replace them with new ones. This does not require the installation of a new roof system.

Discoloration

Roof discoloration isn’t always a sign that your roof needs replaced. Due to our thick tree canopy in Gainesville, it’s common for roofs to experience staining. The staining is usually in the form of algae or tree debris. You can use low-pressure water and mild chemicals to clean the roof yourself or hire a professional pressure washing company. If you have asphalt shingles, you want to avoid using high-pressure water because it will remove the granules—compromising your roof’s water-proofing and integrity.

Inadequate Flashing

Roof flashing is used to channel water away from critical areas of a roof. These areas generally include skylights, chimneys, vents, and areas where the roof plane meets a vertical surface. Sometimes, flashing is improperly installed and causes problems. Even properly-installed flashing experiences normal wear and tear leading to issues. Like shingle replacement, flashing replacement has to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Inadequate flashing doesn’t always require an entire roof re-installation.

Roof Replacement

If you’re unable to match missing shingles, replace a small area of flashing, remove stains, or if a roof leak is extensive, you probably want to consider replacing the roof. Mismatched shingles or discolored roofing could dissuade potential buyers or drive down your home’s market value. This should also be weighed with respect to the other factors previously mentioned, such as your home’s location, market expectations, etc.

Lastly, return on investment (ROI) is key with a roof replacement. For example, if your replacement will cost $15,000 and the new roof will only add $10,000 to your market value, it’s not worthwhile. Working with a professional roofer and a realtor before listing your home will help you make the best decision.

Schedule a Free Roof Inspection with McFall to Boost Your Home’s Market Value

Scheduling a roof inspection with a professional roofer is important if you’re considering replacing your roof before selling your home. The McFall Roofing team will perform a free roof inspection to help you determine whether you should repair or replace your roof. Work with us to boost your home’s market value!