URGENT Help Needed: 15 Year Roof Question

[Samantha M.]

Just finished looking at a house today. Need to make an offer sometime tomorrow afternoon. The house has a 15 year roof (the "flat" looking shingle tabs) and the roof is now 19 years old, so over its life expectancy. So common sense would say, its time to replace; however, given its age its in great condition. Granules are still there, no wind damage or anything of that nature.

If you were me, based on information I have given you, would you project a re-shingle into the project or would you push it down the road a bit? My exit strategy for this property is a rental.

Trying to see if i can shave some money of my estimated repairs in the short term to get a better offer in.

[Rob K.]

I once purchased a ten year old house with a gable roof and no valleys. It was a foreclosure and covered in snow. I figured it's only ten years old, what could be wrong with it? $2,400 later, I had a new roof. I've seen roofs that were 30 years old and still ok.

There's a lot more to a roof than age. Venting is very important. Anytime I get a new roof, I have my roofer add more vents. They say one vent for every 150 sq ft. I prefer more than that. If you look at a lot or foofs, they're not properly vented.

Once your guy checks it out, you will have a better idea of what's there.