Speak to the broker, how about getting the owner to add the costs to replace the roof (are they sheets) to the purchase price.
Then you cough up the cash and replace the roof prior to settlement.
When doing this, you put a caveat over the property for the costs to replace the roof, which will secure you incase you replace the roof then for some reason the settlement doesnt take place.
So both you and the owner take some risk.
When the house settles, the owner simply pays you back the cost of the roof from the settlem,ent proceeds.
Due to you having a caveat or maybe an irrevocable authority, you will be paid back at settlement.
Get approval from ST george that they will lend against the new higher price of say $10k more if the roof is fixed.
This is one way to tackle the issue but havent thouight about it for long.
