5 Tips for Real Estate Professionals When Assessing a Home’s Foundation

Foundations are an important and large portion of the value of any home. Foundation damage often reduces the market value of a home starting at 10-15%, and that number can grow substantially with the level of damage. Even minor foundation damage is usually more than enough to cause home purchases or sales to fall through. That’s why it’s essential to know how to assess a home’s foundation before diving into the real estate market with any property. Here are 5 tips for real estate agents to inspect and catch foundation issues early.

1. Know the age of the home

The truth is that older homes are far more likely than newer homes to have foundation issues. This is usually because they have weathered more than newer homes in their lifetime. Likely they’ve been exposed to more water damage, shifting soil, or maybe even earthquakes. Often older homes were built when building codes were less strict, or foundation technology was not as advanced. The older the home, the more likely you’ll want to get a professional inspection to ensure foundations do not need repairs.

2. Walk the interior and exterior of the structure

Walking the perimeter and interior of the structure can sometimes be enough to catch major or obvious foundation issues. Check for cracks in the walls, sagging floors, stuck doors, and windows, or other early warning signs of potential foundation failure. If you spot any, make sure to get a professional foundation inspection which can tell you for sure if you’ve got major repair requirements.

3. Check for water issues

Signs of water damage can be an early indicator of foundation issues. Water can indicate shifting soil, mold, potential for cracks in the concrete slab or stem walls, and a number of other issues. If there’s standing water or water damage it usually indicates a persistent issue, which is a red flag that you should always check for more serious issues.

4. Inspect crawlspaces thoroughly

If the home has a crawlspace, it’s essential to inspect the interior and any piers or supports underneath the home. Many foundation repair companies will not take the time to actually go down into the crawlspace. This is a RED FLAG! Any professional inspector will go and check each support and the whole crawlspace for issues.

5. Get a professional inspection

If you notice any issues while following the above tips, it’s always best to get a professional foundation inspection. Sure Safe’s foundation engineers will always thoroughly check the entire foundation and walk you through everything they find. You can read our reviews on Angie’s list to see, we’ll always tell you when you don’t need any repairs.

If you do end up needing repairs Sure Safe will help you make a certified engineer repair plan submitted to the city, and get the repairs done faster and more effectively with our patented VR-1 system today. Not only will foundation repairs make it possible to sell or purchase a home, but the repairs usually increase the value of the home. Contact us today for any foundation inspection or repair needs!