When selling your house, a home inspection would divulge some issues with your home — minor or major. While the minor issues can be readily fixed or even DIY-d, certain major issues call for more concern.
If a home inspection reveals an issue with your foundation, this is a major concern. Since the house sits on the foundation, it’s imperative that this structure be as solid as can be. So, if you’re looking to sell, how do you sell a home with foundation issues?
Signs That Your House May Have Foundation Issues
There are various telltale signs of issues with your foundation that you can notice if you’re observant enough. Here are some of the more obvious ones.
Interior Wall Cracks
It’s easier to notice these because they happen in the same place where you spend most of your time — indoors.
Drywall isn’t necessarily the strongest material there is, so, chances are that it could be affected by other factors such as humidity and plumbing leaks, amongst others. So, having cracks in your wall may not necessarily be a cause for alarm.
However, if the walls begin to sag, bow, or crumble, then it could be indicative of issues from below. Other signs of foundational problems you can spot indoors include:
- Peeling wallpaper
- Cracks running along the ceiling or floor
- Diagonal cracks
Exterior Wall Cracks
Hairline cracks in exterior walls are not strange occurrences and may not necessarily imply any major foundation problems. However, if there are large cracks, or the cracks are in a zigzag pattern, there could be a major problem at hand.
To confirm your suspicions, you would have to pay close attention. Horizontal cracks are a cause for worry while vertical cracks may pop up simply as a result of settling in.
If any of the following is happening, get an expert in right away to examine your foundation:
- If the crack exceeds one-quarter inch in width
- If there is any displacement or bowing of foundational blocks
- If the crack keeps growing at a rapid rate
Mildew Smell
While mildew or mold smell would always be a source of concern, it doesn’t always indicate a faulty foundation. If the smell is coming from your crawl space or basement, it could be a result of small cracks in the foundation that are allowing moisture to sip through. So, you want to get a professional on board to inspect right away.
Cabinets/Counters Separating from Walls
With a good foundation, your floors and walls would remain level. A faulty foundation can cause otherwise. This slight change may not be detectable by the eye, however, a close look at countertops and cabinets would tell all.
If these furniture are beginning to slope or separate from the wall even though they were once solidly fixed, it could be an indication of foundation issues.
Cracked or Warped Siding
In addition to pests and moisture, foundation issues can cause siding problems. If you notice any new space between the siding and door or window frames, exterior wall cracks, or gaps between planks, this may be indicative of foundation issues.
Can I Still Sell My Home With Foundation Issues?
Yes, you can sell your home even if it has foundation issues. There are two approaches you can take:
- Fix the Foundation Issues Before Selling
- Sell As-Is
Fix the Foundation Issues Before Selling
Foundation issues are fixable. You first have to consider how much damage has been caused. For instance, your foundation may have experienced shrinkage if you notice L-shaped cracks at the point where your foundation begins to follow a slanting slope. Horizontal cracks exceeding a quarter inch or masonry joining cracks may imply serious issues.
A structural engineer is the professional you call in to assess and provide an estimate for repairs. Handling the repairs can help you proceed with your home sale confidently. However, you should note that the cost of repairs can be pretty steep — thousands of dollars. Inspecting the foundation would set you back anywhere from $300 to $600.
The cost of foundation repairs ranges from between $2,250 to $8,600. Fixing minor cracks may cost only around $500. If the repairs are major — involving hydraulic pliers — it may set you back about $10,000 or more. In addition to the price, there’s a lot of stress involved and it is a pretty time-consuming process.
So, if you’re looking for a quick sale because you want to relocate or just get the house off your hands, this can effectively mess up your entire timeline.
Sell As-Is
Paying for foundation repairs would have to be done out of pocket, and even after that, there would be the customary wait and negotiation process before getting the house sold. This is of course, if you choose to go the traditional sales route.
When you sell as-is, on the other hand, you don’t have to fix your foundation or make any other repairs for that matter. This is an especially excellent solution if you’re trying to speed up your house sale either because you’re relocating or you inherited a house you want to get off your hands. Working with a professional home buyer sees you sell and close in as little as seven days.
Who’s going to buy? We can help out with that! We buy houses that need serious repairs or are in various other conditions. At dsouzahomebuyers, we can provide you with a cash offer for your house in no time!
You don’t have to deal with any of this hassle. No need for repairs or renovations!
Fill out this form to get the process started, and we could be closing in as few as 7 days! Remember, no fees, no commissions, no closing costs!
If you have any other questions, definitely call us at (925) 503 8193.
Final Thoughts
Selling a house with major structural problems can be a hassle, especially since in most cases, you would have to fix it before selling. If you have the funds and time, you could choose to explore that. However, the easier way out while getting the cash value for your home lies in selling as-is.
