Roof repair for a first time home buyer

Roof repair for a first time home buyer

Member since 2022 · 21 posts · 17 votes

Hello,

Recently bough a property and finished most of the renovation on December 2024 and I was able to rent the second unit on January 2025. But I ran out money with renovations and still need to replace the roof as a part of the renovations. I'm considering a city program that offers low interest rates, but unsure if someone have any experience with them, the company is Sustainable Neighborhoods. 

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Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
1y

Did a quick search and seems like a solid program. I would still save and try to not use it if you can. If you do, focus on knocking it out as soon as possible. In the future I would have a nest egg set aside for stuff like this so you aren't scrambling and overleveraging. You don't want to get in the slippery slope of financing repairs. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · Medford, OR · Member since 2017 · 94 posts · 115 votes
    1y

    Hi. I don't have experience with such programs. I'm sorry I can't be helpful with that. Just a few questions about your roof... is replacing the roof at this time an absolute must and an immediate need? Are you holding this property for the long term?  Maybe get a few opinions from roofing contractors on how much more life your current roof has and if there is a relatively inexpensive patch job that can be done to take care of any areas of concern while you save up. 

    • Member since 2022 · 21 posts · 17 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Christine Mulkins:

      Hi. I don't have experience with such programs. I'm sorry I can't be helpful with that. Just a few questions about your roof... is replacing the roof at this time an absolute must and an immediate need? Are you holding this property for the long term?  Maybe get a few opinions from roofing contractors on how much more life your current roof has and if there is a relatively inexpensive patch job that can be done to take care of any areas of concern while you save up. 


      Hi Christine, well the roof is not leaking lol (Thank God) but I do see a couple of patches on it, so that means the previous owner already covered up some leaks. Can it wait, probably yes. How long? Last time I checked with a contractor, he mentioned that it would probably last one more year and that was 5 months ago. I'll probably wait a few more months to save up and see what options I have. 

      Regarding your second question, my plan is to eventually purchase a second property and keep this one for the long term, so I really want take care of this property.

      Thank you

  • Rental Property Investor · Medford, OR · Member since 2017 · 94 posts · 115 votes
    1y

    Sounds like a great plan! Wishing you all the best! 

  • Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    Did a quick search and seems like a solid program. I would still save and try to not use it if you can. If you do, focus on knocking it out as soon as possible. In the future I would have a nest egg set aside for stuff like this so you aren't scrambling and overleveraging. You don't want to get in the slippery slope of financing repairs. 

  • Member since 2022 · 21 posts · 17 votes
    1y

    Great point Caleb, definitely something to take under consideration in any future investments. Thank you!

  • Realtor · NJ · Member since 2023 · 215 posts · 99 votes
    1y

    If they are saying it could last only 1 more year, I am assuming it's in terrible shape. A big storm could ruin everything. Once it starts leaking, you are looking at a lot more rehab costs (roof + interior damages). You don't want it to ruin all the work you had already done to the house. If it was me, I would try to find financing or even 0% credit cards to get it replaced asap. 

  • Member since 2022 · 21 posts · 17 votes
    9mo

    Thank you JooYung, and everyone who was able to share some ideas. I had someone replaced the roof back in September and I was able negotiate half of the amount at 0% interest. 

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