The mention of foundation issues usually has the power to make potential buyers of residential properties scampering for cover. These sorts of problems are known to pose a great risk when it comes to your house’s safety, value, and even attractiveness. However, foundation problems don’t necessarily have to be a deal-breaker to obtain a splendid ROI on your investment. To begin with, it is always important to fully understand what the issues really are. Typically, the average homeowner would be hard-pressed to effectively diagnose either foundation or structural challenges on their own. Still, you can be able to identify conspicuous signs which can warrant a much more minute examination by a professional.
For instance, you may walk around your property while on the lookout for cracks, crumbling concrete, bowing walls, separated siding or even cracking in the paint on your home. Also, you can look out for cracking on tiles, flooring, dampness, musty odors, or sloped floors. Should you be able to pinpoint any of these issues that are linked to a structurally unsound foundation, you can then consult a foundation repair Kansas City contractor to furnish you with the answers you need. Generally speaking, a thorough foundation inspection may last for no more than 2 hours. It is always prudent to get the opinions of no less than 3 contractors as foundation repair is not a DIY process.
On the other hand, it is essential to efficiently figure out just how much foundation repair work costs. Ideally, the exact pricing tends to be determined by the exact kind of problem and, of course, its severity. According to information from HomeAdvisor, the national average for foundation repair currently stands at $4,033. For general cracking on the foundation slab caused by your property settling over time, the necessary repairs might cost you the upwards of $10,000. Nevertheless, most home inspectors have it that when the crack is no more than ½ “, it is very unlikely to be a serious concern. A foundation may get a crack on its slab, suffer erosion by water, the wooden parts get devoured by insects of even have bowed walls with the passage of time.
Cracking on the slab might be conveniently resolved with caulk or even mortar, repairs that you can perform by yourself. On the flipside, repairs for bowing foundation walls may cost you up to $7,000 due to the necessity of installing a system to hold them up. Alternatively, the costs for water issues can vary depending on the particular problem. For example, issues with faulty downspouts could cost you no more than $100. Conversely, installing a complete drainage system may cost you up to $10,000 depending on the size of your basement. While waterproofing it will cost you just as much.
So, when it comes to the question of if you can sell your home with foundation issues? Well, it normally depends on a number of factors.
Some experts say it is always wise to first address the foundation problems which will enable you to obtain a significantly higher price. On the other hand, there are others who assert it isn’t necessary to repair the issues before you list your property on the housing market unless it costs you a reasonable fee. In this light, it can be advisable to conduct your own inspection and negotiate the final price that will reflect on what you are aware of the problem. Yet, there are both several pros and cons of resolving the foundation issues first.
In the first place, by fixing them first, potential buyers will not be too scared. At the same time, if you don’t disclose the issues upfront, you might in the end being slapped with a pesky lawsuit. Additionally, your insurance may foot the repair bills which makes it a more pocket-friendly solution. Nevertheless, executing the necessary repairs prior to selling may end up forcing you to foot thousands of dollars that you could avoid if you opted to place your home on the market as it is.
Another option laid out for you could be selling your property to a cash investor on an “as is” basis. In this given scenario, you will still need to disclose your house’s foundation challenges, though you will be able to circumvent the repair costs. This option might be practical if the repair fees run to thousands of dollars. However, the deal will usually be much lower than what you could expect from the open market. Investors who purchase residential properties in dismal state are often stingy with their offers. These investors are only looking to buy your home for cash in order to patch it up and sell it for the market value.
Yet, the current direct by market is substantially more competitive than it previously was. This means the growing demand for a stress-free transaction has led to the emergence of new players including OneDoor, Zillow, OfferPad to mention but a few. Ergo, should you wish to take this route, you will have many prospective buyers to pick from. Nevertheless, some investors will not offer reasonable prices if your house isn’t in relatively good shape. Therefore, dependent on the severity of your property’s foundation problems, your options can prove to be limited. On the flipside, there are numerous buyers that will consider a property with foundation problems.
Still, in most cases than not, the deal won’t be very attractive. Some buyers will decide to resolve the issues by themselves prior to effecting the purchase. Others will demand a depreciated price which can reflect on the foundation problems at hand. Lastly, others will make a stipulation they can only purchase your home once you fix the issues by yourself. Should you consider selling your residential property on the housing market, and you are well conversant with its foundation issues, here are some tips to guide you.
First of all, get your foundation inspected by an experienced and reputable contractor. If he says there are problems, you will then have to enlist the services of a structural engineer. It is important to note foundation issues aren’t things you would ordinarily be able to determine on your own since even a ½ “ crack might, in the long run, prove to be a far more serious issue. The next step will be to disclose the foundation problems to prospective buyers in writing. Should you omit to do so, the buyer may, later on, claim you sold a property that had serious issues which you were aware of, but never disclosed.
Therefore, it is always prudent to let all potential buyers know of the issues and ensure they acknowledge them in writing. You should also share the inspection reports with potential buyers to make sure they are fully aware of what they are getting into. This way, you can take away the unknown from the eventual buyer and ensure you are transparent with them. All in all, always bear in mind foundation challenges will definitely influence the selling price of your home. Buyers will wish to buy it for less money if they are forced to make the necessary repairs. On the other hand, you will obtain a splendid price when you fix the foundation issues before placing it on the market.
