One of the most important structures of your home that you'll want to make sure is in good shape is your roof. After all, any potential buyers will likely demand a home inspection before closing, which will include a thorough inspection of the roof itself. You can get ahead of the game by being on the lookout for telltale signs that your roof needs replaced or repaired before you sell.

The Roof Deck is Sagging

Take a step outside and look at the home from the front yard. Specifically, look at the roof line; does it appear completely level? If a homeowner sees any spots that appear to be sagging or sloping oddly, this could be a sign of a moisture problem. If the homeowner can't tell from the outside whether or not the roof deck is completely intact, they should take a look inside the home's attic. If they notice any sagging beams, this is likely due to a moisture issue that will need to be addressed before the home is sold. Depending on the scope and severity of the problem, the homeowner may be able to avoid complete replacement and have the issue repaired instead.

The Roof is Old

Most asphalt shingle roofs are designed to last around 20–25 years with proper care and maintenance. Therefore, if the homeowner knows their roof is older than that (or if they have no idea how old the roof is), now would be a good time to at least schedule an inspection. This way, the homeowner will have a better idea of the shape the roof is in and whether they need any repairs (or total replacement) before selling.

There are Missing Shingles

If the homeowner can see shingles are missing by glancing at the roof, this is definitely something that will need to be addressed before they sell. Missing shingles make the home more prone to leaks and water damage, which can get expensive quickly. Most buyers will be able to see this from the curb, and even if they miss it, an inspection will notify them that this could be a potential hangup for their purchase. Rather than missing out on a potential sale, most sellers opt to deal with this issue beforehand.

Staining on Walls or Ceilings

If a homeowner notices any strange discoloration or staining on the home's walls or ceiling, it could be water damage caused by roofing leaks. Try gently poking at the discoloration in the drywall with a screwdriver; does it seem spongy or soggy? If so, this probably calls for a roof repair. In some cases, however, the water leak could be coming from a plumbing pipe, so take time to troubleshoot or call a handyman to help the homeowner locate the source of the water.

Your Energy Bills Are Increasing

Finally, if the home's heating and cooling costs have seemed to significantly increase for no clear reason, it's wise to have a roof inspector take a look at the roof and inside the attic to be sure this isn't caused by a roofing or ventilation problem.

Replacing or repairing the roof before selling a home will help homeowners get the best possible sale price, as buyers are more likely to put full-price offers on a home that's completely move-in ready. And while homeowners always have the option of listing your home "as-is" with roof problems, the homeowner should be aware that this may make their Mufreesboro home harder to sell. By having a reputable roofing company assess the roof before selling, homeowners can ultimately make a well-informed decision regarding the types of repairs they will tackle before listing the home.