Maximizing Curb Appeal for Builders: Roofing

Is maximizing curb appeal one of your top priorities as a builder? If not, maybe it should be.

No doubt beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And what makes one homebuyer swoon will make another cringe. Nevertheless, maximizing curb appeal is well worth the effort.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 63 percent of homeowners will drop by a home after viewing it online. And the first thing they’ll see? The home’s exterior.

Since that first look from the curbside is often enough to win over a buyer, this is a series on how to make that first look count.

Today, we’re starting with roofing.

Roofing

Few elements of curb appeal are as important or underestimated as the roof. The eye might gravitate toward the front door, garage, or windows, but it’s the roof that unifies a home’s design and brings it together.

After all, a roof often accounts for 50-60 percent of what’s visible from the street.

But here’s the thing.

When a roof is done well, it often goes unnoticed, yet it makes the overall look from the curb feel harmonious. But when the roof is done poorly, it leaves viewers with a growing sense of unease for the home, though they might not be able put a finger on it.

So what should builders focus on with roofing?

Start by finding the right balance between material cost, protection and aesthetics when choosing roofing material.

And how do you do that?

Know your neighborhood, your climate, and the price you intend to sell the home at.

For example, you’d want to be more price conscious with an entry level home, aim for durability in severe-weather states, or install premium material to stand out with that million-dollar custom home.

But the truth is, when choosing roofing, unless you’re installing premium material to make a splash, it’s probably wise not to go overboard on costs.

Instead, focus on value in terms of the quality of the material and the additional support offered by the roofing manufacturer. For example, does the manufacturer have a certified contractor network? What is the roof’s warranty? Is there additional training? These are the types of questions builders need to ask themselves.

As for a roof’s aesthetics, optimize for pitch and color, which will go a long way toward improving the home’s curb appeal.

Being strategic about your roof will allow you to apply the money you save to more obvious upgrades on your home’s exterior.

Looking for the right roofing material?

We recommend our HomeSphere partners: Boral Roofing and GAF Roofing.

Both brands offer quality roofing material that will complement the aesthetics of any home you build at any price point you target.