Why Foundation Inspections Matter In Real Estate Transactions
The home feels cozy, and one can envision all their belongings perfectly laid out in all the spaces.
So your heart is set on an absolute beauty of a house. The looks, location, space, everything is exactly right. However, despite the house’s perfection, there is a deep-in-the-gut feeling that something’s not quite right.
It’s only natural to feel this way.
After all, the house should be perfectly safe, and the only way to ascertain this is through a proper foundation inspection. While foundation damage is not a safety hazard immediately, it will deteriorate to that level over the years and pose some imminent problems, too.
The most common is fungal growth, which can jeopardize the residents’ health and safety.
There are some steps to take before making the purchase.
Be on the lookout
The home feels cozy, and one can envision all their belongings perfectly laid out in all the spaces. However, during the final house tour, be vigilant, as some signs of foundation damage are pretty obvious, and it will be better to discover them before signing the paperwork.
Scanning the scene for any cracks and other problems. Common foundation issues include:
Brick or foundation cracks
Cracks in drywall, ceiling, and floors
Gaps around windows or doors
Sagging floors
Bowed walls
Moisture in the basement or crawlspace
Mold
Stair-step cracks in interior or exterior walls
Stuck windows and doors
Water damage
Leaning chimneys
These are all telltale signs of foundation damage. Of course, you can’t check it as thoroughly as an expert would, but it still pays to be attentive.
Hire a professional foundation inspector
An expert will better assess the house’s safety and whether it is worth its purchase price. Foundation inspections usually cover both the exterior and the interior of the said property.
Any foundation damage and assorted troubles will be all laid out if they exist. These inspections will not only give a better picture of the problem scenario but also allow the purchaser to assess their position in the deal better.
What to do next
The outcomes of the inspection may or may not be positive. For instance, the inspector might reveal that the house has had past foundation repairs, which is a good thing, but if the seller did not disclose this detail already, then there are reasons to be concerned.
Otherwise, it’s all good
However, if the damage is there, untouched, then what is the next step?
There are several options:
Walk away from the deal.
Have the seller agree to make the repairs.
Agree to a reduced sale price to allow for the cost of repairs after purchase.
If the property is being sold the way it is, ask the foundation inspector to sort the repair jobs in terms of priority and then proceed accordingly.
Bottom line
Remember that even a new house may have some issues. A reputable foundation inspector is bound to reveal a problem, so don’t go running off when they are presented. Moreover, while the seller may agree to have some problems fixed, it’s unreasonable to expect them to cover everything.
While a home inspection may cost a little bit right now, in the long run, it will be worth it. So consider having your next dream house thoroughly inspected before deciding to buy it.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
