Did you hear the joke about the roof? Aww, nevermind....It's over your head! Yes, the reason we like houses and shelters in general is the roof, or that thing Dad was always reminding us of providing to us when we seemed ungrateful.
Series Part 9: The ROOF
In Colorado roofs have a tough life. Think about it for a minute. In the summer we have really hot temperatures, dryness, and hail. Sometimes all on the same day. In the winter we can get ice storms and snow storms, bitter cold temperatures. Having a professional inspector or roofing company to check out your roof before you decide to sell your house is a smart decision. Roofs can cost thousands of dollars if you need to repair or place on a new roof. By doing the work in advance, you are saving yourself from losing a buyer to negotations after a house inspection. What's more, you can advertise that you've kept the house well-maintained, by keeping up with your roof it is an immediate example of how you've done that.
It seems basic, but when my friend Theresa went to buy her first house in Oklahoma City, the inspection came back that the house had shake shingles under the layer of composite shingles. Her home owners insurance wouldn't cover the shake shingles, no company would in fact, not even his current insurance company. The owner of the house had been grandfathered into that policy, but they would not allow new owners to have the same coverage. Had he taken the time to get an inspection before hand, he might have avoided these issues earlier. An agreement was made, but for everyone's sanity, it's better to know these things about your house before you try to sell.
In addition to the roof, have the gutters and spouts checked over too. Replace damaged gutters and spouts to avoid leaks, and add to the curb appeal, especially if they are older and showing age. These steps sound simple but overall work together to give your home the best "overall impression" possible in a market where your house can be competing against a lot of other homes for sale.
About the Author: Kelly Young, GRI
- Author's website: www.sellmyhomeincoloradosprings.com
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Kelly is an Associate Broker with Red Rock Realty. She has over 12 years experience in Real Estate in the Colorado Springs and Front Range region of Colorado. She represents buyers and sellers of real estate buying homes, land for sale, mountain getaways. Specific areas include: Black Forest, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Divide, Falcon, Downtown, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Westside, Woodmen Hills and Woodland Park. You can reach her at 719-226-0126 or by clicking "email the author" above.
