While settling is a natural process that occurs as the soil beneath a house adjusts to its weight, foundation issues stem from more serious structural problems. Common causes of foundation issues include soil movement, poor construction practices and plumbing leaks.
Vertical cracks are often less concerning and may result from normal settling. Horizontal or diagonal cracks, especially those wider than 1/8 inch, may indicate more serious problems. Multiple cracks or those that form a pattern (like stair-step cracks in brick walls) often signal foundation issues.
Unrepaired issues can slash 10–15% off your home's value. Professional repairs restore confidence, protect your asking price, and can even increase value. Buyers respond positively when they see clear proof that the home is stable and safe.
Yes, you can sell a home with foundation cracks, but you'll need to meet disclosure requirements. It's necessary to inform potential buyers about the issue. However, keep in mind that foundation problems might raise concerns for buyers. They might request a price reduction or ask you to fix the issues before purchase.
Your home's foundation is protected under your policy's dwelling coverage, but only for certain perils/events. Most policies cover damage due to sudden and unexpected events like severe windstorms or fire, but won't cover damage that falls under the umbrella of routine home maintenance.
Cold weather slows soil movement, making winter one of the best foundation inspection and repair times. Unlike spring and summer, when moisture and temperature changes cause shifting, winter's stability allows professionals to assess damage and implement long-lasting solutions accurately.
For minor foundation issues, homeowners may live in their house for years without major concerns. However, ignoring severe problems can eventually lead to unsafe living conditions.
What Not to Fix When Selling a House: A Comprehensive Guide
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.
What Decreases Property Values the Most?
Most buyers pay between 2% and 5% of their home's purchase price in closing costs. For a $300,000 home, that means anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000. While this is a good rule of thumb, the exact figure depends on specifics like loan type, lender fees, and regional taxes.
Foundation cracks can be a severe problem leading to further damage if left untreated. These cracks can also allow water and pests to enter your home. Our team can repair any cracks in your foundation and ensure your structure is secure.
They will walk around the edge of your home with their eyes to the ground for any drainage concerns or visible cracks or damage. On the inside of the home, they will inspect floors, walls, windows, and doorways, as hints of foundation damage can be found in any of these.
If a project doesn't help a buyer get a mortgage or significantly boost your home's curb appeal, it's usually a better financial move to leave it for the next owner. Prioritize the repairs that keep the deal alive and skip the ones that will just drain your wallet.
The 10 Most Expensive Home Repairs
One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is overpricing their home. While it's tempting to aim high, pricing a property above market value can lead to: Longer time on the market. Reduced buyer interest.
Simple home upgrades or small changes, such as a fresh coat of paint, replacing light fixtures and ceiling fans, or swapping hardware, can improve a home's aesthetic and resale value.
There are many issues that can be red flags on a home inspection, but the most serious include structural or foundation problems, major water damage or an active leak, or problematic electrical wiring. All of these can be very costly to repair and can create safety or health hazards.
On average, interior painting can yield up to a 107% ROI, while exterior painting can increase a home's value by 2–5%. Homes with freshly painted interiors and exteriors also tend to sell faster because they photograph better, feel well maintained, and give buyers confidence.
4 Things You Must Leave Behind When Selling Your Home
There are several real estate terms for “old,” but typically any house built over 50 years ago can be labeled as “old.” A house over 100 years old may also be called “historic,” or “antique.” Whether a house was built in the 1930s or 1970s, old is old, and there are several factors that differentiate an old house from ...
Here are some qualities to keep an eye out for: misaligned doors, cracks in the walls, sloping in the floor, and the windows are hard to open or has cracked glass. If you notice a lot of these qualities during a house tour, have an inspector take a look at the foundation before committing to the home.
The average lifespan of a house is between 70-100 years. Unfortunately, there are many different factors that can lower this. This includes a poor choice of building and construction materials, the quality of any construction work carried out, and homeowner maintenance.