Replace roof now or after first of year?

[Savan Thongvanh]

I'm about to close on my first house and the roof needs work.  Assuming the roof is passable until spring, I'm wondering if i'm better off waiting until the new year to do the roof to maximize the deduction.  This year I'll only have a couple months rent on it  ~$2500.  Or does it not really matter because the roof job needs to be depreciated anyway.

Thanks in advance!