A staggering 78% of homeowners say they are worried about foundation damage to their house, and for good reason. Foundation issues can be costly, leading to structural damage and repairs that can cost thousands of dollars.
While you can sell a house with foundation issues, it often means lowering the sale price, making concessions to the buyer or tackling necessary repairs before listing. Additionally, lenders may not approve financing for homes with foundation issues.
If you are selling a home with known foundation issues, you should disclose them to the buyer, especially if they aren’t easily noticed. Fla. Stat. § 475.278(2d) specifies that sellers must disclose “all known facts that materially affect the value of the residential real property and are not readily observable to the buyer.”
In this article, we walk you through how to identify signs of a foundation problem and weigh your options when selling a home with foundation issues. And if you want to sell your home fast, we can help! Florida Cash Home Buyers purchases homes fast for cash, even with foundation damage. Contact us today for a no pressure cash offer.
How to Identify Signs of a Foundation Problem
You can catch several signs of foundation problems, both inside and outside of the house. This can be structural problems as obvious as a sagging chimney or as subtle as uneven floors. If you notice one of the following signs, it may be time to get a foundation inspection.
Internal Signs of Foundation Damage
- Cracked drywall
- Nails popping out of the drywall
- Cracks in the floor
- One side of the house feels lower than the other
- Counters, cabinets and other structures separate from the wall
- Sagging floors
External Signs of Foundation Damage
- Gaps between windows and the walls
- Leaning chimney
- Cracks in exterior walls
- Hairline cracks on foundation walls
- Warped siding
- Cracks in concrete or walkway up to house
Determining the Severity and Cost of Repair
Before you decide if you need to make major repairs to sell your home, you will need to properly assess the severity of the foundation issues you face. This will help you decide what kind of impact the repairs will have on your home’s value.
When determining the severity and cost of repair, you should consider the costs of a structural engineer, the costs of repairing the issue, and the impact on your home’s value to make an informed decision on whether you repair the foundation.
1. Assess the Damage with a Structural Engineer
A professional inspection with a structural engineer could cost $553 on average, ranging anywhere from $344 to $775. When choosing an engineer, make sure they have a Professional Engineering (PE) license.
During the inspection, the structural engineer will perform a preliminary assessment, which is usually just a visual examination. Next, they perform an in-depth inspection with a series of tests. Finally, they will write up an inspection report that will tell you the condition of the foundation, issues that the inspector found and recommendations for fixing those issues.
After you’ve got a foundation inspection report, you should have a good idea of the extent of the damage and what repairs need to be completed to make the house sound and free of structural issues.
2. Discuss Repair Costs with a Contractor
When it comes to fixing your home’s foundation, you will need to talk to contractors who are licensed, insured and specialize in foundation repair. It’s best to talk to multiple contractors not only to find the best price but also to understand how each contractor will approach the foundation repair.
Remember you want these repairs to last, so look for contractors that use high-quality materials and repair methods. You should ensure the materials they use are ICC-ES-certified, which means they’ve been tested and approved by the International Code Council. The ICC certification means you’ll pass building code inspections, giving you extra peace of mind.
You should beware of contractors that create a scope of work more extensive than what’s outlined in the structural engineer’s report, as they’re likely trying to get more money out of you than necessary.
Common foundation repairs can have a wide range of costs, depending on the extent of the issue:
- Foundation cracks: $250 to $800
- Poor soil drainage: $800 to $15,000
- Foundation reinforcement: $1,000 to $5,000
- Foundation leaks: $2,000 to $7,000
- Bowing walls: $4,000 to $12,000
- Home settling: $5,000 to $25,000
And remember that in addition to the foundation repair costs, you may need to pay for repairs to landscaping or other areas that were damaged during the foundation repair. Understanding the true cost of repairs will help you decide if you want to fix the issues or sell as-is.
3. Determine if You Want to Fix the Foundation or Sell As-Is
After reviewing the report and consulting a contractor, you should have a clear understanding of the repair costs and timeline for fixing the foundation issues. With this information, you can decide whether to sell the home as-is or make repairs before selling. Keep in mind that selling as-is may appeal more to investors or cash buyers, as traditional buyers may have difficulty securing financing.
There are tradeoffs to both options. Selling as-is is the faster option, and you won’t have to worry about repairs. However, you’ll receive a lower price. Repairing the damage and selling traditionally may lead to a higher offer, but you have to front the repair costs, so it may not be worth it. Make sure you review your options carefully and choose what’s best for you and your financial situation.
Options for Selling Your Home with Foundation Issues
You have three selling options: the traditional route with repairs, offering credits or selling as-is.
Sell to Florida Cash Home Buyers
Selling to a cash home buyer, like Florida Cash Home Buyers, is a good solution if you want a quick sale. Remember, you can sell as-is, which means fast closing and no hidden fees. You also won’t have to worry about the hassles of repairing or giving credit to a potential buyer.
We are transparent about how we calculate our offers, taking into account the cost of repairs and the after repair value. And we pride ourselves on providing honest advice to home sellers. Contact us today to find out if a cash home sale may suit your needs.
Make Repairs and Sell with a Realtor
If you want to get the best offer for your home, you might need to go through the traditional selling process using a real estate agent. To give yourself the best chance of closing the sale, you will need to make repairs and front those costs yourself.
Florida law requires that you disclose any damage to the home, so you will need to save all professional reports, receipts and before/after photos. This route may give you a higher bid, but the process will take longer. Plus, you’re required to pay 5% to 6% in fees and commissions to your real estate agent.
Offer the Buyer Credit to Repair the Foundation
If you don’t want to make repairs, you still may be able to go the traditional route and sell as-is or offer prospective buyers a credit to fix the issue themselves. However, many lenders, including the FHA, may not approve a loan for a house with foundation issues. They might also require that you make repairs before they approve a loan for the house.
If you decide to give a credit, it should reflect the estimated cost of foundation repairs. While you still have to pay, you will avoid the time it takes to hire someone to make the repairs. Buyers may request an inspection to verify the extent of the damage, and they could negotiate the credit based on findings, which may impact the final sale price.
Sell Your House to Florida Cash Home Buyers
Whether you decide to make the repairs, selling a house with foundation issues can be challenging. However, Florida Cash Home Buyers can help you sell your house fast with a cash offer for a fair price. Contact Florida Cash Home Buyers today to get an offer on your home and get your money fast.