Should You Get Solar Before or After Selling Your Home?

You are thinking about selling your home. You are also thinking about solar. The question is timing.

The answer depends on whether you keep the system or transfer it to the buyer. Each path has different financial outcomes.

Keeping solar and selling without it

If you install solar now and keep it when you sell, you capture the full benefit of the system for as long as you own the home. You get the 30% federal tax credit. You lower your electricity bills immediately.

If you plan to stay in your home for 3 to 5 years, this is usually the better financial move. You recoup a meaningful portion of the investment through savings and tax credits.

Selling with solar attached

Homes with solar sell faster and at a premium. Studies show solar-equipped homes sell for 3-4% more than comparable homes without solar.

If your system is owned outright, the buyer inherits the savings. This makes your home more attractive. You can use the SolrScan report as part of your listing to prove the roof qualifies.

If your system is under a loan or lease, the buyer must assume the contract. This can complicate the sale. Some buyers walk away from assuming solar debt.

The fastest path to an answer

Before you decide, you need to know if your roof qualifies for solar. A $19 SolrScan report tells you in seconds.

Get your solar roof analysis at solrscan.com

Know your roof qualifies. Then decide whether to install before or after selling.