If you are shopping for a new home this year, here are some things you should find out about the roof of your dream home before you drop that offer.

HOW OLD IS THE ROOF?

You must ask this question even when looking at a home you are considering buying. The homeowners/sellers of a new home like to tell you when there is a new roof on the house, but they frequently won’t mention anything about the roof unless it is new. Anytime a large project like a new roof is done to the home, there are receipts; it’s important to get proof the roof has been fully replaced or repaired. Make sure that their paperwork matches up with what they are saying. 

WHAT QUALITY/TYPE IS THE ROOF?

Be sure to ask what the quality of your roof is. Make sure good quality roofing materials were used when it was last redone. Also, it’s important to note that not all roofs are created equal for the places that they are. For example, here in Arizona, tile roofs are popular because they last a really long time, but asphalt shingle roofs are used too. Understanding the difference in the longevity of these two types of roofs in Arizona is important. It may not be something you need to deal with immediately, but just understand that you will probably need work done on a shingle roof way sooner than a tile roof. 

HOW WORN IS THE ROOF?

Most of the time, a home inspection is done on your home before you buy it unless you opt-out… P.S. Never opt out of a home inspection. Also, did you know that you can choose your home inspector? Most of the time, the homeowners hire the inspector, or one of the realtors will set it up, but you can always get a second opinion. Not all home inspectors are created equal, and not all spend enough time inspecting the roof. The roof is a very important part of your home and not something that should be looked over quickly. If you happen to see ware and tear on the edges of the roof, or perhaps some minor things are mentioned in an inspector’s report, it is ok to ask for a roof-only inspection. Knowing how worn the roof is is key to deciding to buy a home. A roof can be a very large expense, and even if it warns, knowing this information can help you avoid costly surprises down the road.