Roofs are one of the first things you see when you look at a house. A sloppy roof can make a wrong first impression on anyone. If you plan on selling the house, you better get that roof fixed. Otherwise, you will end up with a meager resale value. To avoid this, pay extra attention to your home’s roof. 

What to Look For in a Roof While Buying a Home 

While buying a house, you’d be considering several things. Put residential roofing on that list too. Here are some things to look for in a roof when buying a house. 

Age

Age is the foremost thing to consider. If the roof looks visibly old and in need of some severe patching up, then it could be trouble. Once you buy the house, you must invest significant money in roof repairs. Is it worth it? You can negotiate a lower buying price if you know you’d be cashing out on the house down the line. Check if there is any mold growth on the roof. If the roof is over 10-15 years old, you should pay less for the house, as you would have to repair or replace the roof at some point. Ask the seller about the approximate age of the roof. 

Roof’s ventilation 

Don’t be deceived by the looks of the roof. Investigate the roof and see if a proper and well-maintained roof ventilation mechanism is in place. If the roof has proper ventilation, your house will receive adequate air and sunlight. It can keep your attic cool and dry. If not, you would have to put up with a damp, chilly, or sauna-like attic, depending upon the season. Moreover, you’d also struggle with high utility bills and mold growth. 

Leaks in the roof 

A leaky roof is bad news. It can become a catalyst for several other issues, including water damage inside the house and mold and moss growth. What could be worse is dealing with this issue right after you buy a new place. You could put your home’s floors, walls, furniture, and entire structure at risk if you’re not careful. The best thing to do is to call a professional and ask them to repair any leaks they detect. Chimneys, valleys on the roofs, and rooftop creases should be inspected. They are hotspots for leaks, so ensure that all the cracks, leaks, and breaks are covered before you move in. 
 

Mold growth 

Mold is a problem in itself and a cause of several other issues. Mold gets room to thrive in an environment with poor ventilation and uncontrolled leakage. The climatic condition of your city also plays a role in the rate of mold growth. While considering buying a house, you must inspect the whole home for mold growth. You can consult a professional and get timely help if you detect any. If you want to do the inspection yourself, use an infrared camera if you have some experience with it. Otherwise, roofing experts will always help you out. 

Once you have inspected the roof (yourself or through a professional), make a report on the same. You can use the particulars of the report to negotiate the buying price of the house and convince the seller to lower it, depending upon how much work the house needs before it is deemed liveable by you and your family. The more repairs the roof needs, the less you’d have to pay the seller. 

To get the price right, consider hiring a roofing professional.