Making offer - how much to account for roof

[Stephanie Dupuis]

I'm submitting an offer on a duplex. The roof will need replacement in the next couple years.

Do you any of you reduce the selling price to account for this? By how much? I was thinking of deducting half the cost of a new roof or more because the current roof will need new flashing around the chimney immediately (immediate expense) and then I'll only get may 1-2 years from the current roof.

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback.

Steph

[Aaron Mazzrillo]

Have a roofer give you and estimate for a new roof. Then find out what the life span of that new roof will be. Next, ask him to give you remaining life on the existing roof. Divide the cost by the number of years the new roof will last. You now have a yearly depreciation value. Multiply that by the number of years left on existing roof. Subtract the existing roof life cost from the new roof cost. See if you can get the seller to pay the difference.

Sounds like a good strategy and a fair deal. Use that word too. 'Fair' goes a long way with sellers. But as @Al Williamson stated, a duplex is sold like a single family house and you pretty much get what you pay for with the exception of the items you ask and receive credit for on the home inspection.