Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Buying a preowned home with an old roof
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Old 06-14-2021, 08:35 PM
Inspector Mark Inspector Mark is offline
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I have been a home inspector for 27 years. This question comes up almost daily. There is nothing wrong with buying a house that will soon need a new roof but your offer should reflect that.

I always explain to people the the cost of the house is not the price you are paying. The true cost is the total of the offer price, cost of needed improvements (roof, AC, Furnace, etc), and the cost of desired improvements (paint, carpet, new kitchen, etc).

If you add all of that up and you feel like you got a fair deal, then you found the right house. If you add them up and find you could not resell the house for that price, then start negotiating the sales price down or keep looking.

I know the housing prices are through the roof right now but that does not mean you should take a bath. Rent for a year and you will look like a genius!