Special offer

A Head-Banging Experience - Up on the Roof

By
Home Stager with EXIT STAGE RIGHT

A Head-Banging Experience - Up on the Roof

Home Staging North VancouverWe bought our home 10 years ago, and had a home inspection done at the time.  Our home inspector advised us that we'd need to replace the roof in about 5 years.  Fast forward to present.  Every year we'd have the roof inspected, and each time, the roofer would say we were good for one more year.  Well, I'd finally had enough.  Everyone needs a good, solid roof over their heads, and I was tired of worrying about possible leaks etc.  It was time.  I bit the bullet, and hired Absolute Roofing to replace our tired roof. 

Actually, I've never really liked our roof.  It was light grey, flat, and didn't seem to go with our turn of the century home.  I chose a black tile that looks like shingles, but is really made of Fiberglass Laminated Shingles: To quote Absolute Roofing's website:  "These shingles have a base core of fiberglass mat. This is then coated with asphalt and then granules. The fiberglass core has superior strength and does not absorb any moisture. Thus, there is no curling effect".  They also look really amazing.

As a Home Stager, I also know the importance of resale.  If I put the house on the market in a year or two, I know that it was worth investing in a new roof.  Home buyers tend to overestimate the cost of repairs.  It is more economical for me to replace the roof before selling, rather than leaving this job for a future owner.  Also, my house looks so much better now - it looks better maintained and cared for.  The saggy, baggy elephant has had a facelift!

 THIS IS A BEFORE PHOTO - NOTICE THE FLAT, BLAH ROOF. 

I think the black roof now ties in with my black front door and makes a much better first impression.  If you're putting your house on the market, I would definitely advice doing major repairs.  It will pay off in the long run.

Home Staging North Vancouver

ROOF ALMOST COMPLETED - OK, I KNOW, NOW I NEED TO PAINT THE HOUSE!

Home Staging North Vancouver

HERE'S A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ROOFING TILES.  NOTICE THE RAISED SHINGLE LOOK

Home Staging North Vancouver

THIS IS THE BACK OF THE HOUSE, ALMOST COMPLETE.  THE NEW GUTTERS ARE ALSO GOING TO BE INSTALLED.

Comments (20)

Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Sally - I know what you mean  We had our cedar shingle roof removed and replaced by a heavy 50 year asphalt composition shingle roof that looks a bit like shake.  It was something that had been nagging at us for some time, and it was such a relief to get it done.  It didn't leak, but it was just old. 

While we were at it we beefed up our attic insulation, added reflective sheathing, and installed a solar tube skylight n one bathroom.  What a difference!  But during the construction there was a lot of loud banging, and our cats were very upset and glad when it was over!

May 19, 2011 01:31 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sally, you are giving great example to the sellers how to handle repairs. It is always cost less to make repairs yourself than make this price reduction during sale negotiation. Plus today's buyers don't like to take over those projects. I also like the idea of making upgrades a year or two before you put your house on the market SO YOU CAN ENJOY them.

May 19, 2011 03:16 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Sally - Excellent information and tips about replacing the old roof. Thank you for the detailed quality blog.

May 19, 2011 04:26 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Sally...wise move to replace your roof before it leaks...water can do a lot of damage quickly. Yes home buyers always over estimate repair and updating costs.

Like your new Roof!!

May 19, 2011 05:18 PM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Sally, great new products out there now! We've put a new roof on our house a few years ago and now with our new garage that was built. Weather and ice shield to prevent ice dams and these fibreglass shingles, technology is making keeping your home in shape easier! Nice place!

May 19, 2011 05:53 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Susan - Looks like you'll have peace of mind for the next 50 years!  Oh, I know, the poor kitties.  My cat just slinked away into a corner, and the dog kept trying to escape - it really was a zoo!

Anna - You're so right.  Buyers can feel overwhelmed by house repairs, and often want to pass to the next house that is more move-in ready.

John - Thanks for your kind words.

Fred - Luckily, no racoons were displaced in the process!  Oh, I'm glad you like the new roof - it's a relief to finally get it dealt with.

Peg - I was amazed at the selection of materials the roofing guy showed me.  Pretty impressive.  Ice dams?!!!  Oh my!

May 19, 2011 07:08 PM
Christine Pappas - REALTOR®
eXp Realty - Willoughby, OH
When You’re Ready To Move, I’m Ready To Help

Looks great!  I love the character of your home - very inviting.

May 20, 2011 02:05 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Valerie - Hey, I'd rather spend the money on fun stuff like new furniture and accessories, but sometimes you just have to be practical.  My front door was already black, but the black door really looks good now that the roof is black also.  Red could be another option...  hmmm...

Christine - The home was built in 1919, which is really, really old for the west coast.  The walls are absolutely solid and soundproof, unlike a lot of newer homes.  I love the creaks and groans of the old house.

May 20, 2011 02:35 AM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Sally, ice dams are when snow freezes on the roof edge letting water seep back up under the edge of the shinlges letting water leak into the house. Mostly caused from poor insulation, but I'm sure Russel Ray, James Quarello, or Chahhlie Buell could give you a better explanation. The weather and ice shield (water proof membrane) protects what's under the shingles from damage and water leaking into the house.

May 20, 2011 02:37 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Peg - Interesting info re ice dams - thanks for the great link.  Insulation and ventilation seem to be key factors in eliminating the problem.  The guys did check the insulation, and said it was good, but there was no ventilation, so they added ventilation.  They went into great explanation on how it all works, and I was able to listen for the first 5 minutes, but then I will admit to tuning out!

May 20, 2011 02:49 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Sally,

Quite often people will neglect the roof, but often it is one of the most dominant characteristics of the house.

Brian

May 20, 2011 02:52 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Brian - So true.  The roof really does take up a lot of visual space on a house.  I'm amazed at how much better the house looks with the new roof.  The old gal looks 50 years younger now!

May 20, 2011 03:01 AM
Alicia Barrington
THE ORIGINAL HOUSTON HOME STAGING - Katy, TX
Houston Home Staging Presents Alicia Barrington

Well, Johaness Brahams said it best:

"Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen" - how lovely is thy dwelling place......

May 20, 2011 11:15 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Danke schon, Thomas, Du bist sehr nett!  Auf wiedersehen, darling!

May 21, 2011 04:24 AM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Hi Sally - we're due to have our roof done this year too!  It'll be charcoal grey...then the new gutters, new paint, new foundation plantings...it just doesn't stop!  But hey, I get to keep my black front door too!

May 21, 2011 06:49 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Julie - I never knew I could get so excited and thrilled about a new roof, but I have to say, the place looks so much better cared for, thanks to that roof.  Much more stylish looking now, too.  Definitely money well spent.  Oh, glad to hear you can keep your black front door - don't you just love them? 

May 21, 2011 06:53 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

HI sweetie, love the character of the home and the roof too.  GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!

May 22, 2011 02:39 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Sally Great information and I love your home, here in East Tennessee after the recent storms just about everyone that I know has roof damage and some are having to wait til November to get them repaired. Just hoping that the storms stay away for awhile, even though we had several in the area last night

May 27, 2011 12:16 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Cathy Lee - Actually, I love my house - it's old and rickety, but it's home.  GO CANUCKS, GO!!!!

Mary Lou - Oh, how devastating.  Those storms must be terrifying to live through.  I'm very sorry to hear about all the damage down there.  The risk of water damage while waiting for their roofs to be repaired must be very high.  Hunker down and stay safe!

May 27, 2011 03:42 AM