If you are getting ready to sell your home, it’s time to get knowledgeable about the foundation. Some homebuyers hear the words “foundation problems” and run for the hills. However, foundation issues – even severe ones – don’t necessarily mean your home will never sell.
Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we provide high-quality and great value foundation repair and basement waterproofing services to people in the greater Milwaukee region. Read on for our handy tips for addressing foundation issues when planning to sell your home and give us a call to schedule your FREE consultation.
Selling a home with foundation issues? Here are some helpful tips:
- Bring in an expert. When preparing to sell your home, a realtor will likely do a once-over of the structure and property and, if they notice any red flags, recommend you bring in a subject-matter expert to provide advice. You can also do a basic inspection yourself, looking for warning signs that may indicate a larger issue with the foundation. If you notice basement moisture, large cracks in the basement wall, doors and windows that are stuck or do not open and close properly, uneven floors, or signs (or smells) or mold or mildew, call in a foundation repair expert like Zablocki Waterproofing for a comprehensive foundation inspection.
- Be completely transparent. Legally, you must disclose foundation issues to a potential home-buyer and be prepared to put it in writing. Not disclosing foundation issues can set you up for legal problems down the road, so don’t let pride or fear keep you from being honest about the state of your home’s foundation. Foundation issues won’t scare away all buyers, and once both the buyer and seller know what they are dealing with, you can weave the cost of necessary repairs into the home price negotiations.
- Do a cost-benefit analysis. In some cases, it is worth the cost to fix a foundation issue before putting your home on the market, as you may then be able to list it for a higher price. In other cases, you may decide not to make the foundation repair and instead disclose the issue and repair cost estimate to a potential buyer and negotiate from there. A foundation repair expert can help you determine whether it is critical to fix a problem right away or if it is something that can wait for the next owner, and provide a cost estimate you can figure into your overall financial planning.
- For really bad foundations, consider selling “as-is.” If a foundation repair expert tells you your foundation is in need of significant repairs, you may consider selling your home “as is” to a cash investor. In a transaction of this kind, you are still required to disclose the foundation issues, but because the buyer decides whether or not to purchase the house “as-is,” you will avoid the negotiation process. Keep in mind that “as-is” cash sales may mean you get less for your house than you do on the open market but, if you are looking to sell a home quickly and are dealing with significant foundation problems, this may be the right option for you.
- Get the right experts on your team. When planning to sell your home, it’s critically important to surround yourself with people you trust to give you sound advice. This means hiring an expert realtor who will keep you in the loop and subject matter experts you can rely on to give you good information. You don’t need to be an expert on every element of your home and the real estate market to have a favorable outcome, you just need the right people on your team.
Speaking of great teams, Zablocki Waterproofing’s foundation repair experts have been providing quality service to families in Milwaukee and surrounding communities for more than 30 years. For expert foundation inspection, basement repair consultation, foundation repair, and basement waterproofing services, you can trust Zablocki. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation.
