SELLING YOUR KANSAS CITY HOUSE WITH FOUNDATION ISSUES

One of the scariest homeowner repairs to face is that of foundation issues. The foundation is what holds everything together, the support, and the base!

A common misconception about “foundation problems”

One of the most common misconceptions about foundation cracks and problems is that people think that the problem is in fact the “foundation” itself.  But, in most cases, the problem is due to settling. Or, more simply, your soil! With changes in weather and other elements, soil expands and retracts and ultimately shifts underneath the structure of your home. Some of these shifts are normal, anticipated, and aren’t a cause for concern at all. But, while a little bit of expansion and foundation shifts can be expected, there can still be consequences to your home. Now that you know that cracks in concrete and block foundations are normal, the trick is determining which are harmless and which are serious.

Hints that you may have a settling and foundation issue:

• Alignment that is off in your windows/doors

• Windows become difficult to shut or have cracks in the glass, and the doors stick or jam shut

• Sloping of your floors or staircases

• Drywall cracks and gaps between the wall and ceiling

• Large gaps outside in the concrete around the house

• Cracks beginning to show in vinyl and ceramic tile

• Wood planks in your flooring are becoming ajar

• Water in the basement or crawl spaces of your house

Your options in selling a home with foundation problems:

1. Fix the issues and then sell the home –

First things first if you know you have a potential issue at hand – hire a structural engineer (not a home inspector) to come and take a look at the property if you’re considering fixing the issue before selling. Receiving an educated assessment from a foundation expert is very important in this case because it is sometimes very hard to see foundation issues until things are torn up. This will give you an idea of actual cost for repairs. The assessment will run you between $300-800. If your foundation requires extensive repair costs can quickly escalate to $20,000-$40,000 depending on the size of your home and scope of work. If you can afford to put in the work, buyers may be less weary to place an offer on your home because they know that all of the heavy lifting and tough renovations have already taken place.

2. Try to sell the home with its foundation issues –

If you know that your property needs extensive repairs, buyers who are looking for an investment property may see this as an opportunity to provide value. Many other buyers, on the other hand, will see the words “foundation repairs” and automatically think “money pit.” . If a buyer isn’t afraid of renovations, that doesn’t mean that their lender is okay with it. With many stricter traditional lenders, like VA and HUD, their programs require that the home is structurally sound. Many buyers will be denied financing from lenders, or be subject to higher interest rates or unfavorable loan parameters, which will likely steer them away from your home and in another direction. So, if you decide to sell the home as it is, understand that many typical or traditional buyers will not have an easy time qualifying to buy it.

3. Selling Your House Direct to a Buyer Who Likes Repairs

By selling direct to a cash buyer like KC Property Guys, you can avoid all of the hassle and commitment in fixing your scary foundation problem. We gladly take on your problems with no questions asked, because we know how to address them. With a full in-house construction company, we have the network and resources to handle these issues with ease. So, if you’d like to sell your house as it is without worrying about the repairs – we can absolutely help you. No lending nightmares here. We can close when you want, as soon as you’d like. Contact KC Property Guys today if you need a fast turnaround on your Kansas City area home. We’ll take care of everything!