What DFW Realtors Should Know About Roof Age and Seller Disclosures
Brandon Fletcher
S&B Roofing & Exteriors
Roof Disclosures: Protecting Your Clients and Your Business
In Texas, the Seller's Disclosure Notice asks specific questions about the roof. How your sellers answer — and how you advise them — matters enormously.
What Texas Law Requires
The Texas Property Code §5.008 requires sellers to disclose known material defects. For roofing, the disclosure form asks:
Key phrase: "known material defects." Sellers must disclose what they know. They're not required to hire an inspector, but they can't conceal known problems.
Common Disclosure Pitfalls
Pitfall 1: "I didn't know"
If a seller claims ignorance about a roof leak but there's evidence of patched ceilings or water stains, that claim won't hold up. Coach your sellers to disclose honestly.
Pitfall 2: Vague roof age
"I think it's about 15 years old" isn't helpful. If the seller doesn't know the exact age, a professional can estimate it based on material condition, style, and permits on file.
Pitfall 3: Omitting insurance claims
If the seller filed a roof insurance claim, that's discoverable through CLUE reports. Buyers may find out anyway — it's better to disclose proactively.
Pitfall 4: Cosmetic repairs hiding real problems
A seller who paints over water stains without fixing the underlying leak is creating liability for themselves — and potentially for their agent.
How Roof Age Affects Financing
Lenders and insurance companies care about roof age:
If your listing has an aging roof, address it proactively rather than having it become a deal issue.
Best Practices for Listing Agents
Best Practices for Buyer's Agents
Want to be the most informed agent in the room? Let us help you understand the roofs on your listings. Free inspections for agent-referred properties.
