If you are preparing to sell your home or just looking to increase its overall value, you may want to take a good look at your foundation. While foundation repair is not a fun, easy, or – unfortunately – cheap upgrade to make, it can add tremendous value to your home.
Foundation issues like cracking, buckled walls, upheaval or sinking reduce the value of a home by an estimated 10 to 15 percent. For most homes in the Milwaukee area, that equates to tens of thousands of dollars. That’s why foundation repair services are always worth the cost.
But how exactly does the state of your home’s foundation affect its overall value? Read on.
Repair costs. Depending on the severity of the issue, foundation repair can run anywhere from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars. It doesn’t matter whether you or the buyer pays the bill, you as the seller will be the one missing out – you will either have to pay for the fix or reduce the sale price of the home. Foundation issues are a major turn-off for potential buyers, so getting ahead of even a minor fix can have major benefits for you as a seller.
Curb appeal. The first thing a potential buyer will see is the exterior of your home. Major foundation issues can affect the balance and symmetry of your home, making it look shoddy and even unsafe. Sagging, cracks, crumbling foundations, and visible repairs can spook a potential buyer, turning them off your home from the get-go.
The extent to which curb appeal will affect the sale price of your home depends largely on the market. During a buyer’s market, you may find that foundation issues negatively affect how quickly you can sell your home. In a seller’s market, the effects may not be such a big deal. Either way, investing in foundation repair will increase your home’s value and attractiveness to potential buyers.
Ripple effect issues. The state of the foundation has consequences for nearly every other part of your home. A sagging or upheaved foundation can cause cracks in walls and ceilings and doors and windows that don’t shut properly or stick shut. A cracked or buckled foundation can (and likely will) let water into your basement or crawl space, which can lead to mold and mildew growth. Some people may even experience serious health issues due to mold and mildew. Act now to prevent higher costs and more extensive repairs down the road.
Act now to prevent future issues
It’s simple: issues with your home’s foundation will not get better over time, so it is crucial to get them fixed – not only to improve the value of your home but to protect the health and safety of your family and anyone who lives in your home in the future.
Luckily, there are things you can do now to prevent worse damage (and higher repair costs) in the future. Here are our tips:
- Watch for water. Even a little condensation on basement appliances, dripping, or pooling indicates that water has a way to get into your basement. Call Zablocki Waterproofing as soon as you notice moisture in your basement.
- Adjust your landscape. Be sure not to plant trees or large shrubs too close to your home’s foundation; their roots can cause cracking and allow moisture into your basement. Keeping a several-foot distance between your home’s foundation and the landscape can also help prevent pests in the home.
- Call in the experts. Clients in Milwaukee and surrounding communities trust Zablocki Waterproofing with their most pressing foundation repair issues. We are proud to provide expert foundation repair services for local clients at a great value. Give us a call today to get started.
