Selling a house with foundation issues: what you need to know
In a house’s structure, the foundation is the base that supports everything else. It's not just a concrete slab or a network of beams; it's the fundamental support system that ensures the structural integrity of your home. When foundation issues happen, they can affect the entire property, potentially causing significant damage and financial costs. It’s important to learn about different types of foundations, what issues can occur, causes, signs, repair methods, and how to navigate the process of selling a house with foundation issues.
Types of foundations most used in Atlanta
In Atlanta, houses typically have one of several types of foundations:
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Slab foundation: A single layer of concrete poured directly on the ground, often used in areas with mild climates. This type of foundation is more popular in newer houses.
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Crawl space foundation: Elevated off the ground, with a space between the ground and the house floor, allowing easy access to plumbing and electrical systems.
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Basement foundation: A deeper foundation that provides additional living or storage space below the main level of the house.
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Pier and beam foundation: Uses piers driven into the ground and beams to support the house, often used in areas with shifting soil. This foundation type is more typically found in older houses.
Each type has its benefits and is chosen based on factors like soil conditions, climate, and homeowner preferences.
Various causes of foundation issues
Many factors can contribute to foundation problems, including:
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Water: Changes to the amount of moisture in the soil from plumbing leaks or inadequate drainage can cause the foundation to move.
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Clay soil: Certain soil types, like clay, expand and contract with changes in moisture levels, putting pressure on the foundation.
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Plumbing leaks: Unseen leaks underneath the foundation can lead to soil erosion and instability.
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Tree roots: Large trees near the house can dry out the soil, causing it to shrink and possibly weaken the foundation.
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Floods/poor drainage: Too much water gathering around the foundation can make the soil weaker and cause it to sink or expand.
Signs of foundation issues
Recognizing the warning signs of foundation problems is important to help homeowners catch it early and be able to take care of the issue as quickly as possible. Here are some things to look out for:
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Visible cracks: Both inside and outside the house, particularly in walls, floors, and ceilings.
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Water getting into the basement: Water getting into basements or crawl spaces can be a sign of foundation cracks or leaks.
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Doors that don’t close right or stick: Doors and windows that can’t close properly or that stick could be because of foundation shifting.
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Warped siding: Exterior siding that’s uneven may suggest underlying foundation issues.
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The marble test: Putting a marble on a hard, flat floor surface and watching its movement can show small shifts in the foundation.
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Foundation settling: The foundation visibly sinks or shifts over time.
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Spaces between the garage door and pavement: Gaps where the garage door meets the surrounding pavement.
These signs can mean there are various types of foundation issues and should be inspected by a professional if you see any of them on your property.
How to fix foundation issues
Foundation issues can be fixed, but they typically require professional expertise. Contacting a structural engineer to do an assessment is a good idea before you call for foundation repair services. When a structural engineer checks for foundation issues, they’ll look for a few important things. First off, they're looking at all the visible signs—like cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and any weird gaps or shifts in the structure that might mean trouble. They're also checking if the foundation has settled, sunk, or shifted, which can show up as floors that aren't level or walls that look a bit off.
Another big thing they're on the lookout for is any signs of water damage or moisture sneaking in because that can seriously weaken the foundation over time. They get into the soil, too, checking what's going on underneath and around the foundation—different types of soil can affect how stable things are. They'll inspect all the heavy-duty stuff too, like load-bearing walls, columns, and beams, to see how they're holding up against the foundation's condition.
Plus, they'll look at the building's history, seeing what repairs have been done before and what the original plans were like. By putting all this together, they figure out exactly what's going on with the foundation and can recommend the best fixes to keep everything safe and solid.
Once you know the extent of the foundation's issues, you can move on to getting quotes from licensed contractors to find out the potential cost of repairs. According to Angi.com, the average cost of foundation repairs in Atlanta is $5,029.
Can you sell a house with foundation problems?
Selling a house with foundation issues may limit your pool of buyers, but it’s still possible. If you’ve decided you want to sell your house, consider the following options:
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Fix the foundation issues: Making the necessary repairs can be expensive, but making the repairs before you list your house on the traditional market can increase its desirability and typically get you a higher selling price.
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Sell it on the traditional market with concessions: If repairing the foundation isn’t possible, you could still list the property on the open market and make concessions to prospective buyers to offset the cost of repairs they will need to make. For example, you could offer money in concessions to go toward the repairs.
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Sell your house "as is" to an off-market home buyer: Another option is to sell your house to a direct home buyer. Many off-market buyers are willing to buy houses “as is” and are familiar with the need to make repairs after they’ve purchased a property. You may not receive the full market value for your house with a direct buyer, but you won’t need to make repairs or do showings like you would on the traditional market.
Sell your house “as is” to We Buy Ugly Houses®.
If you decide that selling your house is the right choice for you, we’re here to help. We Buy Ugly Houses® has purchased over 140,000 houses across the country, and we specialize in buying homes that need a little TLC. You can sell your Atlanta house “as is” to one of our local property buyers in a matter of weeks. We buy houses in almost any condition, so there’s no need to fix your foundation, make updates, or even clean before selling to us.
When you schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, one of our local property specialists will come to visit your house and do a quick walkthrough. We’ll answer any questions you have and sometimes can give you an offer on the same day. We strive to provide great customer service, and we have a 95%* nationwide customer satisfaction rating and excellent seller reviews. Contact us today to learn more about selling your house with foundation issues.
