Should You Sell a House with Foundation Problems?
If you’re looking to sell your home, you’ve likely had an inspection. If any problems were found, you have a decision to make—fix the issue or sell the home as is.
Foundation damage is a common problem homes around the country face. Deciding whether to invest in foundation repair before listing a home deserves some consideration.
Although we can’t make that decision for you, Groundworks wants to provide as much information as we can to make it easier. We have helped over 1.5 million homeowners with foundation issues.
Survey on Selling Homes Needing Foundation Repair
First of all, you’re not alone in wondering if you should sell or fix a home with foundation issues. In a recent survey, we asked 978 homeowners “Would you rather sell your home or fix any foundation issues?”
As you can see in the graph below, 60 percent said they would fix the foundation issues. Meanwhile, 24 percent said they would sell their homes. 16 percent simply weren’t sure.
To get an even better picture, we rephrased the question and conducted another survey. This time, we asked, “Do you think you would be better off selling your home as-is?”
Surprisingly, the responses shifted with 39 percent saying “yes,” 40 percent saying “no,” and 21 percent saying “I’m not sure.” You can see this data in another graph below.
What the Survey Data Suggests About Foundation Repair
In both of our surveys, the majority of homeowners suggest they would rather fix problems in their home before selling it. This gives us an idea of what homeowners decide to do before selling their homes.
Additionally, this gives us a glimpse into why foundation repair might a home more valuable on the market. Consider thinking about this data as you figure out whether to fix your home or not before listing it.
Tips for Finding the Right Buyer
If you decide to sell your home without repairing foundation issues, you need to know how to find the right buyer. Typically, buyers interested in homes with foundation issues include real estate investors and house flippers. These buyers look for properties they can purchase at a lower price, invest in repairs, and then resell for a profit.
Another option is to target buyers interested in obtaining a rehabilitation loan, such as an FHA 203(k). These loans are specifically designed for homes that need significant repairs, including foundation work.
Disclosure Requirements
When selling a home with foundation issues, it’s important to understand your legal obligations. You are legally required to disclose any 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 all inspection reports with potential buyers and discuss the findings openly. This approach builds trust and ensures a smoother transaction.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Avoid common mistakes like trying to cover up foundation issues instead of addressing them properly. Attempting to hide such problems can lead to severe consequences, including legal actions and financial losses. Full disclosure is always the best approach when dealing with potential buyers.
We recommend getting a professional inspection and sharing the repair estimates with buyers. This proactive step shows that you are upfront about the home’s condition and committed to resolving any issues.
Types of Foundation Damage
If you do decide to address foundation issues in your home, it’s important to know how to identify them. Foundation damage can be a major concern for homeowners, but identifying the problem early can prevent it from becoming more severe. Here are some common signs of foundation damage in a home, along with the corresponding images below:
- Cracks: Cracks running along the foundation itself, the walls in your home, or the floors in your home all indicate foundation damage. Horizontal cracks, usually indicate the most significant damage.
- Doors and Windows: If your doors and windows are getting stuck when you try to move them, it could be due to foundation damage. Uneven settling can cause misaligned frames, making them harder to open and close.
- Uneven or Sagging Floors: If your floors are sloping or uneven, it could be a sign of foundation damage. You may also notice that floors squeak more than usual or feel soft underfoot.
- Gaps: Gaps between the floors and walls indicate that your foundation has shifted. You may also notice that your ceilings appear to sag and crack.
- Moisture or Mold: If you notice moisture or mold in the basement or crawl space, it could be due to foundation damage. Dampness can seep through cracks in the foundation or walls, leading to mold growth.
- Standing Water: Standing water around the home’s perimeter can be a sign of poor drainage or foundation damage. It can lead to soil erosion and further destabilization of the foundation.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to consult with a foundation repair specialist, like those at Groundworks, to assess the damage and recommend the appropriate course of action to prevent further damage and protect the value of your home.
Common Causes of Foundation Issues
Foundation issues can be caused by various factors, but soil and water (or the lack of) are the primary culprits. Poor construction may also be a contributing factor.
To ensure a long-lasting solution to foundation problems, it’s crucial to identify and address the root cause. Here are the most common causes of foundation issues:
- Dry, Shrinking Soil: Soil can dry up and shrink due to hot weather or thirsty tree roots sucking moisture out of the soil. This can cause the foundation to shift, resulting in cracks and other issues.
- Inadequate Drainage: Soggy soil can be caused by poor drainage, leading to erosion that destabilizes the foundation. Clogged gutters and downspouts, low areas near the foundation, or land sloping towards the house can create pooling, exacerbating the problem.
- Oversaturated Soil: When soil becomes saturated due to heavy rain, sewer breaks, or plumbing leaks, it swells and expands. This can push the foundation upward, leading to erosion and cracks.
- Poor Construction: If the soil wasn’t correctly prepared and compacted during construction or your home is built on multiple soil types, it can lead to differential settlement, causing foundation issues.
Repairing Foundation Damage
Dealing with foundation damage is easy with today’s modern solutions. Various tools exist to repair and stabilize your foundation in different circumstances.
Foundation Piers
Foundation piers are some of the most effective ways to repair and prevent foundation damage. Piers come in three different varieties:
With some slight variations in design, each pier serves the same purpose—stabilizing your foundation. Piers are inserted into sturdy bedrock deep below the ground and then attached to the foundation with specially designed anchors. This process redistributes the weight of your home and prevents foundation damage from arising in the future.
Wall Repair Systems
Basements require special solutions when foundation damage occurs. For homes with basements, common foundation solutions include:
These tools are installed onto your basement walls to prevent structural issues like bowing walls or basement wall cracks. Once installed, your basement will stay protected from soil movement.
Crawl Space Jacks
If your home has a crawl space and you notice damage such as a sagging floor, it’s due to foundation issues.
To stabilize your crawl space, we install crawl space jacks, and adjustable steel support posts that can fit in nearly any crawl space.
No matter what type of foundation you have, Groundworks can assist you in finding the best solution to fit your home’s unique needs.
Benefits of Foundation Repair
1. Sets the Stage for Future Renovations and Upgrades
2. Enhanced Curb Appeal
3. Faster Speed of Home Sale
How Foundation Repair Affects the Value of Your Home
It’s important to remember that foundation repair does not directly increase the value of your home. However, it does restore the value of your home, allowing you to sell it closer to its actual worth.
When trying to sell a home with unresolved foundation issues, the asking price needs to be lowered to account for the cost of repairs that a potential buyer would need to undertake themselves. This often results in a lower selling price for the property.
By investing in foundation repair, you can sell your home at a higher price. Additionally, foundation repair can make your home more secure, making it more appealing to potential buyers than other homes on the market. Ultimately, foundation repair is an investment in the value and marketability of your home.
Let Groundworks Help
Whether you’re listing your home as-is or fixing it up before selling, you need to know if your home has foundation issues. That way, you can sell it at the appropriate price no matter your decision.
Groundworks offers a free, comprehensive inspection to assess the condition of your foundation. Our experienced professionals will thoroughly evaluate your home, identify any issues, and provide you with a detailed report along with the best solutions to address your specific needs.
Groundworks serves local communities in 33 states, so check here to see if a local location serves your home.
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.
