How to Sell a House With Foundation Issues

You can negate the foundation repair cost if you sell your home as-is.
  • By My Tennessee Home Solution
  • 15 Aug, 2023

Selling a house fast with foundation issues presents unique obstacles for homeowners. Potential buyers may be wary of investing in a property with underlying structural problems. Concerns about the cost and feasibility of major repairs, as well as the potential impact on the property’s value, might scare buyers away. As a result, selling a house with foundation issues in the traditional real estate market can be time-consuming and uncertain.

My Tennessee Home Solution is a trusted home-buying company that specializes in purchasing properties in their current condition, including houses in need of foundation repairs. We understand the challenges homeowners face when selling a house with structural issues, and we’re here to simplify the process for you. As an as-is home buyer, we take homes in any condition, allowing you to sell your house quickly and hassle-free for cash. Let us guide you through the process of selling your house with foundation problems and offer you a fair cash price for your home, without the need for foundation repairs.

What Causes Foundation Issues? 

There are a number of circumstances that can impact your home’s foundations, including poor soil quality, inadequate drainage, faulty construction, and natural disasters. While regular maintenance and professional inspections help preserve the stability and integrity of a home’s foundation before damage occurs, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to discover damage after the fact. Here are some tell-tale signs you may potentially face – or already have – foundation issues.

Poor Soil Quality

Different types of soil have varying load-bearing capacities and behaviors when exposed to moisture. Soil with poor load-bearing capacity, such as expansive clay soils, can cause the foundation to settle unevenly, leading to cracks and other damage.

Poor Drainage

When water accumulates near the foundation due to poor grading or improper drainage systems, it can saturate the soil, causing it to expand and contract excessively. On the other hand, prolonged dry periods can cause the soil to shrink.

Faulty Construction

Faulty construction can lead to weak foundation footings or inadequate reinforcement, making the foundation susceptible to settling and cracking. Additionally, improper concrete pouring and curing practices can result in a weaker foundation that is more prone to damage over time.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes, can cause significant damage to a home’s foundation. While homes are built to withstand weather occurrences, extreme or prolonged exposure can subject the foundation to intense forces beyond its design capacity, leading to cracks, shifting, or even partial collapse.

Assessing the Foundation Issues

Before embarking on the selling process, it is necessary to identify potential signs of foundation problems in your home. Look out for visible signs of foundation issues such as: 

  • Cracks in walls and ceilings
  • Flooring issues like doors and windows that don’t close smoothly
  • Uneven and sloping floors
  • Gaps between walls and the floor or ceiling
  • Plumbing problems like leaks or slow drainage
  • Mildew smells in your home
  • Sinking ground around your home

Not all foundation issues are equal in their impact on a property. Some problems may be minor and easily fixable, while others might require more extensive foundation repairs. Consider engaging a professional foundation repair company or structural engineer to do a foundation inspection and provide a detailed report outlining the recommended repairs and associated costs.

With this information, you can choose whether it’s worth paying for repairs or selling and moving onto a safer home. If you’re short on time or don’t have the available funds to repair your home, get in touch with My Tennessee Home Solution to learn how we can help. Our experts specialize in buying homes as-is for cash in a fast, streamlined process so you can move forward with peace of mind. 

What Are The Risks of Foundation Issues in a Home?

The foundation serves as the crucial base that supports the entire structure, and any compromise to its integrity can lead to a range of problems that impact the safety, value, and livability of the property.

Structural Damage

One of the most significant risks of foundation issues is the potential for structural damage to the home. As the foundation shifts and settles unevenly, it can cause the building to develop cracks. Uneven settling can also lead to doors and windows that no longer close properly in mild cases, and potential collapse in extreme cases.

Plumbing Problems

As the foundation moves, it can cause stress on water supply lines and drainage pipes running through the concrete slab or foundation walls. This stress may lead to leaks, burst pipes, or blockages, resulting in costly water damage and a decrease in water pressure.

Water Damage

The presence of foundation cracks creates pathways for water to infiltrate the basement or crawl space, resulting in dampness and promoting mold growth. Poor drainage caused by foundation problems can result in water pooling around the foundation, increasing the risk of water infiltration and potential flooding during heavy rain.

Impact on Home Value

Contract a structural engineer to determine if there is indeed a foundation problem.

Foundation problems can impact a home’s value. However, the extent of the impact varies depending on the severity of the issues alongside the local real estate market conditions. Generally, homes with significant foundation damage may be valued lower than comparable properties without such problems. 

If you’re facing foundation issues in your home and are concerned about the risks they pose, consider using a trusted cash buyer like My Tennessee Home Solution. Selling your house as-is to a cash buyer can provide you with a quick and hassle-free solution to address these risks effectively. By selling to us, you can avoid the uncertainty and delays of the traditional real estate market, while receiving a fair cash offer for your home, regardless of its condition. 

What Options Do I Have?

Making Repairs

To address foundation issues, begin by hiring a professional specialist to make an inspection report and assess the severity of the problem. Obtain repair estimates from reputable companies to gauge financial feasibility.

A foundation repair can take several weeks to complete, during which your property may not be market-ready. The process can cause disruption and inconvenience to your daily home life and is in most cases weather dependent. 

If the repairs are aligned with your budgetary constraints and timeline, proceed with the repairs, ensuring expert work for stability. Also, consider the return on investment (ROI) of repairing the foundation versus selling the house as-is. If the cost of repairs outweighs the potential increase in property value, selling the house in its current condition may be a more financially viable option.

Selling on the Market As Is

When selling a house with foundation issues, it’s crucial to be realistic about its impact on price and be transparent about the problems in your listing. Providing inspection reports and relevant documentation ensures transparency with potential buyers.

Highlighting other selling points, such as the property’s location and unique features, can help offset concerns about the foundation. However, keep in mind that the sale might take longer on the market due to the reduced pool of interested buyers, and those that are interested generally won’t be prepared to purchase a home with foundation issues at market value. To add to this, traditional market sales will likely incur additional real estate agent fees and commissions.

Selling As Is To a Cash Buyer

If it’s all sounding like a bit much by now, selling to a cash buyer like My Tennessee Home Solution can help you avoid paying for costly repairs needed for traditional market sales. Instead, buyers receive a fair and fast cash offer based on their home’s current condition, including foundation issues. 

This streamlined process simplifies the selling experience for those on a limited time frame or tight budget by eliminating the need for inspections, renovations, and lengthy negotiations. Moreover, cash buyers can swiftly complete the transaction within days or weeks, ensuring a fast and hassle-free sale.

How to Sell a House With Foundation Issues As Is

If you want to know how to sell a house with foundation issues the easy and stress-free way, selling to a cash home buyer like My Tennessee Home Solution is among the simplest and most stress-free options you could choose. Here’s how it works:

Get in Touch 

Reach out to My Tennessee Home Solution to initiate the process. Together, we’ll discuss your goals, and your property in its current condition, including any foundation issues. Then we’ll hash out a plan to get going.

Site Visit 

Our team will schedule a convenient time to visit your property for a thorough assessment. This visit helps us understand the home’s true potential, considering the foundation issues and other factors.

Get a Fair Offer in Writing 

Based on the site visit and evaluation, we provide you with a fair cash offer for your house, considering its as-is condition, including the foundation problems.

Pick the Closing Date and Get Cash in Hand 

If you accept the offer, you get to pick a closing date that works best for you. On the chosen day, we close the deal, and My Tennessee Home Solution provides you with the cash, ensuring a successful ending for our clients.

Conclusion

Consider partnering with MTHS to sell your home as-is without the need for foundation repair.

Selling a house with foundation issues can be challenging, but it’s not an impossible task. By understanding the impact on your property’s value, considering the cost and time of repairs, and considering all of the options available to you, you can increase your chances of a successful sale.

Ultimately, the decision for a foundation repair and selling on the open market or selling as-is to a reputable cash buyer depends on your unique circumstances. Consider your financial situation, time constraints, and willingness to navigate the selling process to make the right choice for you and your family.

If you’re ready to sell your house easily and quickly, contact My Tennessee Home Solution today. Our dedicated team is here to assist you and provide a fair cash offer for your home, regardless of its condition. Take the first step towards a stress-free sale by getting in touch!