There are seemingly countless factors that affect the price of a home. Neighborhood safety, Proximity to schools and work, and the design of the home's interior are among the factors familiar to most prospective buyers. There are, however, several other factors that may greatly affect the value you get in a new home. Because the roof is one of the most crucial areas of the home for safety, energy efficiency, and curb appeal, it's easy to see why the roof's condition can impact the home's value to a staggering degree. As you are shown prospective homes, be on the look out for the following signs of roof neglect. Spotting these signs will help you avoid moving into an unsafe home, or will at least help you in negotiating a lower price.

Telling the difference between disrepair and proper aging.

A well aged, well maintained roof with asphalt, or composite, shingles should fit snugly to the decking of the roof and to each neighboring shingle. There shouldn't be any gaps, bumps, ridges, or upturned corners in the shingles. If the house is located in a place with snowy, icy winters, look for bubbles, blisters, or gaps in the shingles near the eaves of the roof. This tells you the roof isn't properly shielded against ice, and will almost certainly mean the house has had severe leaks. Hot weather produces similar bubbles and blisters, which means that the shingles are inadequate for the climate, that can shorten the life of the roof immensely.

Spot the ceiling spots.

Leaks leave spots on the ceiling wherever they show up. A small amount of spots in one area is forgivable as long as the problem has been fixed. The appearance of several spots in several places, however, most certainly means the roof is due for replacement.

Beware of skylights, chimneys and cupolas.

In general, the more complex a roof is, the more problems its likely to have. Even a well designed, well built, and well maintained house is not exempt from this principle. Even if the house looks perfect, you would do well to thoroughly question the house's current owner for any leaks that may have happened around the seams or flashing of those roof features.

In addition to having excellent proximity to services, a safe environment, and plentiful space for your family, you want your new home to last for many years without any unpleasant and expensive surprises. You want to be sure you get what you pay for. By looking for the ominous signs of disrepair in prospective homes, you'll be saving yourself and your family much trouble and cost down the road. Contact a roofing contractor for more information.