The term “foundation problems” is one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares. It conjures up visions of a tilted house, crumbling porch, suspicious floors, and cracked walls. Foundation problems are a turn-off for prospective home buyers. If you plan to sell a house in Dearborn, Michigan with foundation problems, you need to determine whether to sell it as-is or fix it first.
Such problems pose a risk to a property’s appearance, value, and safety. Foundation issues, however, are not the kiss of death for your home’s sale. Although it is one of the most dreaded discoveries, there is a way forward for people who want to sell a house with foundation problems. If you discover that your home has foundation flaws, here are tips on how to sell it.
Be Honest about your Home’s Foundation Flaws
If you choose to list your house in Dearborn, Michigan with foundation issues on the open market, the smartest thing you can do is be honest about the situation. The last thing you want to do is lie to prospective buyers, especially those who want to buy your property at a high price. If you fail to be completely honest, the buyer will feel cheated and end up taking you to court.
If you are working with a real estate agent, authorize him or her to be upfront about the foundation problems and inspection reports. Be honest with all potential buyers. Honesty will help them to make informed decisions, even if it leads to them making lower offers. However, when it comes to a house with foundation issues, lower offers are part of the concession.
Fortunately, any buyer who chooses to purchase such a house takes responsibility for the issues once the deal closes. This undertaking is not a bad tradeoff for the seller. Consider applying for government-backed loans to help you fix the foundation flaws. You could also offer such information to prospective buyers to help them feel you are trying to conduct an honest and fair transaction.
Check for House Signs of Foundation Issues
Even if you do not think your property has foundation issues, you should still check for any signs of a problem before selling it. Looking for specific signs around the property is the easiest way to determine whether it has foundation problems. If there is a problem with your home’s foundation, you will notice some signs in places other than the foundation.
The effects of foundation problems tend to spread across the rest of the house. Therefore, you do not need to be an expert to see such signs. Some of these signs include cracks on stair steps and the sidewalls of a brick home. Also, fault lines spreading up and down the property are a sign. Look for any vertical cracks inside the house.
Check for cracks in the drywall, above door frames, above windows, and on floor tiles. You also need to check for cracks running at an angle, which indicates a shifting foundation. Multiple cracks in floor tiles could be a sign that the floor is sloping. Use a straightedge and level to determine whether the floor is still flat. If you discover that one side of the crack is higher than the other, you could be dealing with a sinking foundation.
Finally, if you notice that windows and doors are suddenly harder to open or close, it could be a sign that your home’s foundation is affecting the walls around the windows and doors. This also applies if you start noticing more daylight streaming in through cracks below or above the doors.
Sometimes, these signs are harmless; however, when too many of them are visible in your home, it is a sign of a problem. Therefore, it is important to point them out to a foundation expert if you cannot diagnose the problem.
Find a Trained Foundation Expert
If you notice a problem with your home’s foundation, you should consider hiring a trained professional to fix the problem. If you have the skills and experience required to make repairs, you can certainly do it yourself. Foundation problems can lead to a wide range of issues. Identifying and fixing all the issues is not an easy task.
Low-quality work will not solve the problem. It can make matters worse by affecting other factors that will worsen the sagging and cracking. It is vital to consult with a foundation expert and have him or her assess your home and its foundation. The expert will help you understand just how serious the problem is and what the cost involved to fix it will run.
Consequently, you will determine whether it is worth fixing the problem before selling your home or if it would be wiser to sell it as-is. Besides, if you are dealing with mortgage lenders and insurance companies, they might require you to provide official documents and reports that explain the problem and whether or not you had it fixed.
Sell Directly to an Investor
Selling a house with foundation problems to an investor is one of the best options available. Frankly, even if you do everything discussed above, you may still find it hard to find buyers on the open market. Foundation issues tend to scare off potential buyers because fixing them seems to be a lot of trouble, even with all the possibilities and documentation laid out.
Selling your home to an investor like Dearborn-Homes LLC is your best bet, even if it has problems with its foundation. The company will purchase your house as-is, saving you from having to deal with the foundation problems. It is quite common for such investors to buy homes with different kinds of issues.
As a home seller, you get to avoid all the headaches and costs associated with this kind of problem. Dearborn-Homes LLC will give you a fair cash offer and take the property off your hands, allowing you to start afresh. You do not need to worry about the things you will need to do to sell your house.