When you decide to sell your home, many things are likely to cross your mind, the least of which is your roof. Let’s face it, it’s not like you see it very often. It’s easy for it to slip your mind when you’re ready to sell your home.

Unfortunately, many closings are delayed or canceled due to roofs. But with a little foresight, your roof doesn’t have to stand in the way of you selling your home.

Here are 4 easy tips to help ensure you have a smooth sales and closing process for your home:

1. Review claims

Do you have any outstanding claims? This can sometimes happen after a hail storm. The homeowner calls to report damage, a claim is filed, but the repair or replacement has not yet happened.

Often times, this is because the homeowner only has minor damage and another storm season is just around the corner, so they delay the process of repair or replacement in hopes of avoiding having to go through another claim.

Unfortunately, any open claim can prevent you from selling your home. In addition, if you choose to not do the necessary repairs and do suffer additional damage, your insurance company could refuse future claims or even cancel coverage altogether.

2. Cooperation is good

If you or your real estate agent have decided to have the roof inspected, be sure to have not only the inspector there, but a trusted roofer as well. Contrary to popular belief, this will not cause discrepancies. In fact, it will ensure you’re being taken care of.

Inspectors are tasked with inspecting many things – they are not roof experts. Having a roofer there will help to be sure that damage is correctly identified, and that cost is accurately determined. A trusted roofer will also be able to help determine if any damage identified is insurable damage, or if it is damage that could be covered by your warranty – thereby saving you from unnecessary expenses.

3. Partnerships can benefit you

The real estate agent that you are working with will most likely have a good working relationship with a roofer. Ask your agent about this! Often times, a reputable roofer will have an agreement with agents to offer a free roof inspection. This will let you know in advance any issues you may be facing.

Learning early on that you need repairs or replacement will save you from losing the sale at closing.

4. Use experts

Many home owners trust that inspectors and adjustors know what they’re talking about. When it comes to insurance, they do! But they aren’t experts at every aspect of a home.

Most often, that comes into play regarding the expense to repair or replace your roof. An inspector will not know many of the costs associated with the process. They also recommend a repair, when really you need a replacement – or vice versa. Either way, the cost will be significantly different.

By keeping just these four thing in mind as you prepare to sell your home, you will ensure that your roof is not the cause of any delay in the closing process.