Should You Sell a House with Foundation Problems?
If you plan to sell your home, you’ve likely had it inspected. If any issues were identified, you’ll need to decide whether to address them or sell the house as is.
Foundation damage is a common issue for homes across the United States. Deciding whether to invest in residential foundation repair before listing your home requires careful consideration.
This page provides the information you need to make the process easier. With experience supporting over 1.5 million homeowners in addressing foundation issues, Groundworks is here to help you, too.
Survey Results: Selling Homes with Foundation Problems
You’re not alone if you’re uncertain about when to walk away from foundation issues. Groundworks surveyed 978 homeowners and asked, “Would you rather sell your home or address foundation issues?” The results revealed that 60% of homeowners would address the foundation issues, 24% would sell their homes, and 16% were undecided.
Next, Groundworks rephrased the question and conducted another survey to gain a more in-depth understanding. This time, we asked, “Do you think you would be better off selling your home as-is?” Surprisingly, the responses shifted, with 39 percent responding “yes,” 40 percent reporting “no,” and 21 percent saying “I’m not sure.” This data is displayed in this second graph.
What Groundworks Survey Data Suggests About Foundation Repair
In both Groundworks surveys, most homeowners suggest they would address residential foundation repair before selling. The data gives us an idea of what homeowners decide to do before selling their homes and a glimpse into why foundation repair might enhance home market value.
Consider this information as you decide when to walk away from foundation issues and when to address them.
Tips for Finding the Right Buyer
If you decide to sell your home without addressing foundation issues, you must identify who your potential buyer might be. Typical buyers for such properties include real estate investors and house flippers who seek lower-priced homes as a repair investment for resell profit.
Another option is to target buyers seeking rehabilitation loans, such as an FHA 203(k). These loans are for properties requiring significant restoration, including residential foundation repair.
However, only some lenders approve home loans for properties with substantial foundation problems, and certain buyers may need help securing financing for such properties.
Do You Have to Disclose Foundation Repair?
Understanding your legal obligations when selling a home with foundation issues is essential. Property owners are legally required to disclose known foundation issues to potential buyers. Transparency is crucial to avoid legal and financial repercussions. Failure to disclose known foundation problems can result in lawsuits, fines, or a failed sale.
To maintain transparency, share the home inspection reports and discuss all findings. This approach builds trust and ensures a smooth transaction.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Avoid concealing foundation issues. Attempting to hide such problems can lead to severe consequences, including legal action and financial loss. Full disclosure is always the best approach when dealing with potential buyers.
We recommend obtaining a professional foundation inspection and sharing the repair estimate with the potential buyer. This proactive approach shows transparency about the home’s condition and a commitment to resolving issues.
Signs of Foundation Damage
If you decide to address foundation issues in your home, you must learn to identify the causes of damage. Proactive measures prevent further deterioration and more extensive repairs and costs. The common signs of foundation damage include:
- Cracks: Foundation cracks, including cracked block foundations, cracked slabs, basement wall cracks, floor cracks, and drywall cracks indicate potential foundation damage. Horizontal cracks typically indicate severe damage, requiring residential foundation repair.
- Doors and Windows: Misaligned, sticking doors and windows may be caused by foundation damage. Uneven foundation settlement causes misaligned frames, making opening and closing doors and windows more challenging.
- Uneven or Sagging Floors: Sloping, uneven floors signal potential foundation damage. You may notice squeaking, spongy, or soft flooring as you walk over these compromised areas.
- Gaps: Foor and wall gaps can indicate foundation settlement.
- Moisture or Mold Growth: Crawl space or basement moisture, mold growth, and efflorescence may be caused by foundation damage. Dampness can seep through foundation cracks, walls, or crawl space dirt floors, leading to damage.
- Water Accumulation: Water pooling around the home’s perimeter can indicate poor or ineffective drainage, leading to soil washout and foundation damage.
If you notice problem signs on your property, contact a foundation repair expert, like Groundworks, to assess the damage and recommend proper residential foundation repair to protect your home’s value.
Common Causes of Foundation Issues
Various factors can cause foundation issues, but poor construction practices, soil conditions, and water (or lack thereof) are the primary culprits. Identifying and addressing the underlying causes of foundation damage ensures a long-lasting fix. The most common causes of foundation issues include:
- Dehydrated Soil: Hot weather and thirsty tree roots can cause contraction in some soil types, creating voids and leading to cracks and shifts as the ground beneath the foundation becomes unstable.
- Inadequate Drainage: Saturated soil caused by poor drainage can lead to soil erosion, destabilizing the foundation. Factors such as clogged gutters and downspouts, low areas near the foundation, or improper yard and landscape grading can result in water pooling, further worsening the issue.
- Oversaturated Soil: When soil becomes saturated from heavy rain, sewer breaks, or plumbing leaks, it swells and expands. This expansive soil movement pushes the foundation upward, leading to cracks and other damage.
- Poor Compaction: Improper soil compaction during initial home construction can lead to differential settlement, causing foundation issues.
Residential Foundation Repair
Professionals use various tools and specialized repair methods to stabilize foundations under diverse conditions. The most common residential foundation repair methods include:
Foundation Piers
Foundation piers are often the most effective method for repairing and preventing damage. The three pier types include:
With some slight variations in design, each pier serves the same purpose—stabilizing foundations. Piers are inserted into sturdy bedrock deep below the ground, then attached to the foundation with specially designed anchors. This process redistributes and stabilizes your home’s weight and prevents further damage.
Wall Repair Systems
Potential buyers may ask, “Should I buy a house with bowing basement walls?” The answer depends on whether they plan to renovate the home. Basements with bowing walls and damage typically require specialized repair solutions, including:
These tools stabilize and correct bowing walls and other foundation damage. After installation, the basement foundation remains protected from ground soil movement and damage.
Crawl Space Jacks
Some buyers may wonder, “Should I buy a house with sagging floors?” The answer depends on their intentions for the property. Sagging floors often indicate crawl space foundation damage. Repair involves installing crawl space support jacks and adjustable steel support posts to correct and stabilize the flooring and foundation.
Regardless of the home’s foundation type, Groundworks can help with residential foundation repair solutions tailored to your unique needs and budget.
Benefits of Foundation Repair
Residential foundation repairs offer many benefits, including:
- Enhanced Structural Integrity: Residential foundation repair enhances structural integrity and resiliency against storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural occurrences.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: Sealing foundation cracks and gaps improves efficiency and reduces energy loss, lowering utility bills.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs: Residential foundation repair helps prevent future damage, saving money on recurring maintenance costs.
- Sustained Insurance Coverage: Some insurance companies may require residential foundation repairs to maintain coverage.
- Attractive to Potential Buyers: A well-maintained property and foundation appeals to potential buyers and potentially increases market value.
How Residential Foundation Repair Affects Home Value
When selling a home with unresolved foundation issues, many homeowners reduce the asking price to account for the repair costs the buyer must undertake. Investing in residential foundation repair lets you list your home at a higher price. It also enhances the property’s structural security, making it more appealing to buyers than other homes. Ultimately, foundation repair is an investment in your home’s value and marketability. Foundation repair may not directly increase your home’s value, but it does enhance its appeal and helps sell it closer to its actual market worth.
Contact a foundation repair expert for a free inspection to determine the next steps for your home.
Groundworks Provides Trusted Residential Foundation Repairs
Whether you list your home as-is or make repairs before selling, determining if your home has foundation issues is crucial. Groundworks offers free, comprehensive foundation inspections, helping you understand your home’s condition so you can price it appropriately, regardless of your decision. Our experts assess the area, diagnose problems, and create a tailored repair plan for your needs and budget.
Groundworks provides reliable residential foundation repairs in 33 states, using specialized solutions that homeowners trust. Contact us today to get started.
Foundation Repair FAQs
While some minor issues might be temporarily alleviated with quick fixes, lasting repairs generally require professional assessment and intervention.
Regular maintenance, proper drainage, and monitoring for early signs of trouble can help prevent many common foundation issues.
The duration of foundation repair depends on the extent of the damage and the type of repair needed, but most repairs can be completed within a few days to a couple of weeks.
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