Love the Sarasota Home? Check the Roof First.

By Kim Donahue | Medway Realty

The kitchen is beautiful. The backyard has room for your dogs. You can already picture your furniture in the living room.

But before you start planning your move, there’s another conversation we need to have:

What will it take to insure this home?

When buying in Sarasota, a home’s condition deserves attention beyond how it looks. The roof, electrical system, plumbing, and air conditioning can all become part of the insurance evaluation.

Addressing those questions early gives you more time to investigate, compare options, and make an informed decision.

A renovated kitchen doesn’t tell the whole story

Fresh paint and updated countertops are easy to appreciate. The condition of the systems behind the walls—and the roof overhead—can be harder to judge.

Florida’s Department of Financial Services explains that insurers may consider the age and condition of a home’s roof, plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and cooling systems when evaluating coverage. Requirements vary among insurers.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid an older home. It means we should look beyond the finishes and gather the information needed to evaluate it.

Ask about the roof before making assumptions

“Newer roof” sounds reassuring, but it deserves a follow-up question.

Was the entire roof replaced, or were repairs completed? When was the work done? Are permits, invoices, warranties, or inspection reports available?

Useful questions include:

• What documentation supports the roof’s reported age?

• Have there been leaks, storm damage, or repairs?

• Are there open permits or unfinished work to investigate?

• Does a qualified inspector recommend a roofing specialist’s evaluation?

• What information does your insurance agent need to assess coverage?

Roof age alone does not tell you its condition or guarantee an insurance outcome. Get property-specific guidance rather than relying on a listing description.

Understand which inspection answers which question

Buyers can hear several inspection terms during a purchase. Ask your inspector and insurance agent which services you need and what each covers.

Florida’s Department of Financial Services notes that an insurer may require a four-point inspection for an older home. A wind mitigation inspection serves a different purpose: documenting features relevant to windstorm premium credits. Neither guarantees coverage or a particular premium.

Before booking, confirm whether the inspector offers the reports your insurance professional requests.

Start the insurance conversation early

Once you’re seriously considering a property, contact a licensed insurance professional.

Provide the address and available property information. As inspection reports become available, ask whether they change the quote, eligibility, or required repairs.

Ask for clear answers to these questions:

• Is this a preliminary quote, or have the required documents been reviewed?

• Are repairs or additional inspections required?

• What deductibles and exclusions should I understand?

• How is the roof covered?

• What must happen before coverage can take effect?

• Should I obtain a separate flood insurance quote?

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs its own discussion.

Share the insurance information with your lender, too, so the lender can confirm that the proposed coverage meets its requirements.

A repair credit may not solve an insurance problem

Imagine an inspection identifies a roof concern. The seller offers a closing-cost credit, and you plan to handle the work after moving in.

Before accepting that solution, ask your insurance professional and lender whether the transaction can proceed with the roof in its current condition.

Money toward a future repair and approval to close are two different questions.

If work must be completed first, the next step is to determine whether the seller will agree, who will perform it, what documentation is required, and whether the timeline is realistic.

Depending on the findings, possible negotiations might include seller-completed repairs, a price adjustment, or an allowable credit. Any solution needs to fit the contract, financing, and insurance requirements.

Keep your decision deadlines in view

Schedule inspections promptly and allow time for specialist evaluations and insurance review.

Your options depend on your specific contract and its deadlines. Don’t assume an unresolved insurance question automatically extends your inspection period or gives you a cancellation right.

If more time is needed, address it before the applicable deadline and obtain any agreed extension in writing.

Buy with a clearer picture

A home does not need to be perfect to be the right purchase. You do need to understand its condition, the expenses you may face, and whether a workable insurance plan is available.

My role is to help you ask questions early, coordinate with qualified professionals, and negotiate based on what we learn.

Thinking about buying in Sarasota? Let’s look beyond the beautiful photos and help you make a confident decision.

Call or text 941-724-2587 or email Kim@KimDonahue.com.

Kim Donahue | Medway Realty
Your Realtor with a Heart to Serve.
www.sarasotadreamlifestyle.com

Insurance eligibility and coverage depend on the property, insurer, and policy. Consult licensed insurance professionals and qualified inspectors about your specific purchase.