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Aimee Schmitt, Investor/Realtor

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Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I would advise that the slate be evaluated to see how long it has left.    They can range from 75 - 200 years!  There are gorgeous metal shingles that look like slate which would be a good choice if the shingles do need replacing.

A client of mine had their slate removed and they sold it for artistic purposes which contributed to the price of the new.

Don't let people clamber all over the slate (it is old and fragile!!!)

Nov 11, 2015 01:27 PM
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Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

As most everyone is saying - keep the slate - (unless it is Bangor slate which is not the kind of slate one should preserve!) You need to get someone in to evaluate the slate, but only use a company which specializes in slate roofs. It is very easy to crack a slate shingle if you walk on them w/o knowing what you are doing. 

Nov 11, 2015 09:55 PM
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Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I would keep the slate if I could afford it.

Nov 12, 2015 10:54 AM
Rainmaker
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Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Keep the slate. I try to preserve authenticity of historic homes whenever possible. And find a slate roofing mechanic. The flashing might need work at chimney, so if it's copper flashing, I would repair with copper flashing. Hopefully there are historic restoration contractors in your area. Our county has peopel that work for them that advise people on acceptable replacement materials for historic homes.

Nov 12, 2015 06:49 AM
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Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I love the look of a slate roof, Aimee, but alas, I have no clue as to the cost of these repair and/or maintenance.

Nov 12, 2015 03:49 AM
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Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I have only dealt with slate once when I was working in Ohio, if it has life left it is a keeper as it really does add a lot. Just make sure to hire someone that is familiar working with it.

Nov 12, 2015 03:23 AM
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Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Keep it if possible

Nov 12, 2015 12:45 AM
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William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I think there needs to be a full assessment on the slate and several bids for all ways of fixing and or redoing it.

Nov 11, 2015 11:37 PM
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Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I'd keep the slate.  It lasts pretty much forever - it's the nails that rust, break off and allow the slate to slide to the ground!  Or so I'm told by my favorite roofer.

Nov 11, 2015 11:03 PM
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John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

In our area I don't think I've ever seen a slate roof.  It's all tile or flat in the Southwest.

Nov 11, 2015 10:22 PM
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Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

 Circa 1875.  If that roof was present with the original owners, the party is over.

Go with the metal roof and re-engineered flat roof.

Now, the exception is if the house has a value adding back story that conformance to original appearance would be beneficial. A meaningful back story will offset the cost of the similar replacement roof.

Nov 11, 2015 09:49 PM
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Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I would like to keep it as well but as everyone is saying; evaluate and make the monetary decision for the client.

Nov 11, 2015 09:48 PM
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Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It depends what condition the slate is, if it is in good condition keep it. If it is cracking, falling off then i wou;d replace it. I just had an investor buy a home with slate and replaced it with a metal roof that looks like slate. I should have taken pictures yesterday but will when it is all done. 

Nov 11, 2015 09:29 PM
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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We have owned a home with a slate roof. Slate is expensive and I would not replace it unless it is necessary.

Nov 11, 2015 07:48 PM
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TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Thursday morning Aimee. There is a property for everyone. Depends upon the amount of damage and how much money they want to invest it might be a keeper

Nov 11, 2015 05:08 PM
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Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Aimee Schmitt why fix if it is not broken? (And my gut feeling is, most of us with practical mindset will say the same...)

Nov 11, 2015 02:52 PM
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'd keep it if it has life left it in.  Sad shame it isn't on the back as well.

Nov 11, 2015 02:18 PM
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Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I don't have experience with slate roofs but it sounds like the aesthetic factor makes this one a keeper unless professionals say it has big problems.

Nov 11, 2015 11:34 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Slate roofs have very long lifespans, leave it alone.

Feb 04, 2019 11:39 PM
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Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Have it evaluated as others  have said.

Nov 12, 2015 02:26 AM
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Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

slate is an expensive repair and/or replace.... I'd get some upfront numbers before making a decision...there's an ass for every toilet and someone out there will be drooling for this property....but you, as the listing agent, should know exactly what you're dealing with and how to present it....

Nov 11, 2015 08:26 PM
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Aimee,

If done well, it is a keeper,  I have seen them in Los Angeles, and they are beautiful. A

Nov 11, 2015 01:07 PM