How Does Your Roof Affect Your Property’s Resale Value?

Your choice of a roof will undeniably affect the resale value of your house. Some homeowners might take their roof for granted, especially if they’ve never had to arrange repairs. To an extent, it’s a part of the property that can be ignored as long as it’s working.

It’s a bit different when you’re considering moving into a new home. After all, home buyers should consider anything that could happen to the house in the future and how each element of the house will stand up as a long-term investment.

Also, they’re in the market for a dream home they’d be proud to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on. If they find something as seemingly elementary as the roof being unsightly, it could put them off matching the asking price – or maybe stop them making an offer altogether.

How do roofs affect resale value?

To break this rule down to its core, it’s merely a case of supply and demand.  

If the demand is high for a particular type of roof, then it’s likely to affect a home’s resale value positively.

Studies have suggested that metal roofs can boost a home’s resale value by up to 6% compared with asphalt shingles. This is because demand for metal roofs is higher. Metal roofs are more expensive, insulate the home better and less susceptible to damage. A metal roof is a smart investment for the potential buyer, so they’re willing to pay more for a house that has one.

It works both ways though. Flat roofs, which are more susceptible to experiencing problems and needing repairs, could lower a home’s resale value, as could thatched roofs with often require quite exquisite maintenance, and usually result in higher home insurance premiums for their owners.

The fact that a roof is new might be enough to boost the resale value of a home. After all, new roofs are less likely to be in need of repair in the near future.

Still, if you are in the process of getting a roof replacement and your insurer is paying for it, it’s probably worth researching what type of roofs are most in demand from homeowners.

Horn Brothers are experts in roof repair and roof replacement.  Contact us today for more information and to receive a free consultation.