When it’s time to sell your home, roof condition should be a priority.
The roof is the most inspected part of a real estate deal and can also be a deal breaker during a roof inspection if the results are unsatisfactory.
Here are the main challenges, negotiation tactics, and value strategies to use when selling your home.
How South Carolina’s Climate Affects Your Roof
South Carolina has two main influencing factors: coastal salt air and high humidity. Depending on your location, you may face one or both of these conditions.
Common Roofing issues seen during a roof inspection
South Carolina inspectors generally flag these issues:
- Granule loss and UV damage: Intense SC sun makes asphalt shingles brittle. Missing shingles and significant granule loss indicate an aging roof that may soon need replacing.
- Failed plumbing boots: Rubber seals are placed around vent pipes. They can crack or dry-rot, requiring replacement.
- Wind uplift or storm damage: Even if your roof is still waterproof, lifted shingles from hurricane season can disqualify a home from certain insurance policies, delaying the sale.
- Salt air corrosion: Coastal areas in SC can accelerate corrosion of metal flashing and fasteners compared to other regions. This is a sign of potential failure in your roof’s water-tightness.
- Cracked apex shingles: Steep rooflines are common in SC. The apex, which is the very peak of your roof, is prone to cracking because of the sharp edges and heat expansion.
How to Navigate Negotiations
In South Carolina, the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Statement requires a seller to disclose any known roofing issues.
If the roof inspection uncovers new problems, here are your options:
- Roof Repairs: When a buyer’s lender requires a functional roof to approve the loan, fixing the issues is the best approach.
- Closing credits: When the roof is old but still functional, the seller can offer the buyer a credit at closing to go toward a future roof replacement.
- Price Reduction: When the buyer opts to handle the roof replacement themselves, this enables them to select their own materials for the new roof.
A final note: In South Carolina, selling a home with the clause “as-is” does not exempt a seller from disclosing known roofing issues. The statute remains in effect.
Boosting Your Property Value
When selling your home, your roof is seen as something that protects your asking price, not boosts it, but there are strategies you can use to increase your property value.
Transferable Warranties: In SC, a manufacturer’s warranty can be transferred to a new owner. This is a big selling point because it offers the buyer peace of mind.
Architectural Shingles: Upgrading your roof with architectural shingles significantly enhances your home’s curb appeal and is cited by realtors as a major improvement that can boost the selling price.
Improved Ventilation: Living in the South, with its intense heat, puts a lot of strain on your A/C unit. By improving attic ventilation, you can lower cooling costs by 10-15%.
Solar attic fans and ridge vents are key features that attract buyers looking for an energy-efficient home.
Insurance Savings: A new roof with “secondary water resistance” or impact-resistant shingles can reduce insurance premiums if you live in coastal areas of SC.
When it comes to selling, a failed roof inspection isn’t just about a repair; it could mean that the home is uninsurable or un-financeable, so addressing small issues is a cost-effective way to protect your sales price.
Southern National Roofing is here to help you with all of your inspection and repair needs.
