Thinking about listing your home soon?
Prior to installing that yard sign, one thing you’ll want to double check is the structural integrity of your home. Structural failures are one of the top causes of failed real estate transactions. They intimidate potential buyers, destroy financing opportunities and reduce your asking price drastically.
The good news?
Warning signs are easy to recognize. Once you know what they are looking for, that is. This guide shows you the specific warning signs to look for – and how to react when you discover them.
Let’s jump in…
Here’s what’s inside:
- Why Load-Bearing Failures Hurt Your Sale
- Top Warning Signs Of Structural Damage
- The Common Culprits Behind These Issues
- Your Options When Selling A Home With Damage
Why Load-Bearing Failures Hurt Your Sale
The backbone of a home is its load-bearing integrity. Foundations. Beams. Supporting walls. Floor joists. If one fails, your entire property does – including the sale.
And buyers know it.
Numbers don’t lie. Nationally speaking, homes with foundation issues sell for 10-15% less on average. That means you could be looking at $60,000 lost on a $400,000 home BEFORE you even start negotiating. Factor in the cost of repairs and you’re looking at an even greater loss.
But here’s the bigger issue…
The vast majority of mortgage lenders will not lend on a home that has obvious structural damage. Even if your buyer loves the house, they could be denied their FHA, VA or conventional loan at closing. The majority of traditional buyers are looking for move-in ready, not fixer projects.
That’s why homeowners choose selling house as-is to a cash buyer. Texas Cash House Buyer doesn’t have to deal with financing or lengthy inspections, so deals don’t fall apart at closing due to structural problems.
But before that decision gets made, the warning signs need to be identified first.
Top Warning Signs Of Structural Damage
Early detection of load-bearing failures can mean the difference between affordable repairs and a deal-breaking nightmare. Here’s what to inspect both indoors and out.
Wall And Ceiling Cracks
Not every crack means trouble. Hairline cracks are usually just normal settling.
But certain cracks are big red flags:
- Horizontal cracks: A sign of serious foundation pressure from soil or water
- Stair-step cracks: Common on brick walls and indicate shifting
- Diagonal cracks: Especially near doorways and windows
- Cracks wider than a quarter inch: Always worth a closer look
A good rule of thumb? If a crack is expanding, water is leaking through it, or you are seeing cracks in multiple walls that run in the same direction – call a structural engineer immediately.
Doors And Windows That Stick
Does your door jam when it rains? Will a window not stay closed?
Maybe it’s not even the door – it could be the frame shifting as the structure beneath it moves. If load-bearing components settle inconsistently, the openings surrounding them distort. This is one of the least noticed signs there is major trouble beneath.
Sloping Or Uneven Floors
Drop a marble at the center of a room. Will it move spontaneously?
That’s a good indication that you have sagging floor joists or the foundation under them. Even a slight tilt can indicate that the support beams below are weakening or suffering from rot. Don’t wait – it will only continue to get worse and becomes more difficult (and costly) to repair the longer you wait.
Gaps Between Walls And Ceilings
If walls are pulling away from ceilings, the building is separating. Gaps may also be present:
- Between the wall and the crown molding
- Around exterior trim
- Between countertops and the wall behind them
Crazing can be inconspicuous but it can reveal a lot about foundation integrity.
Bowing Or Leaning Basement Walls
Walk around basement or crawl space and examine walls. Do they look straight?
Bow walls are failing significantly under tremendous lateral soil or water pressure. If left unchecked, bowing walls can collapse entirely. This is among the most severe load-bearing problems your property can face. And, it nearly always must be repaired by a professional prior to going through a traditional sale.
The Common Culprits Behind These Issues
So what causes load-bearing failures in the first place?
A few of the biggest reasons:
- Soil movement: Clay-heavy soils expand and contract with moisture
- Poor drainage: Water pooling around the foundation
- Tree roots: Large trees planted too close to the home
- Plumbing leaks: Slow leaks that wash out soil under the slab
- Age: Older homes naturally settle over decades
According to the US Census, there are over 6 million homes in America with structural damage. So if your house is experiencing symptoms you definitely are not alone.
The thing is – knowing the cause will help you decide if it’s worth repairing or selling as-is.
Your Options When Selling A Home With Damage
Once load-bearing issues have been spotted, there are two main paths forward.
Option 1: Repair Before Listing
The best case scenario is when you have the time, money, and the repair will cost less than it adds to value. Sometimes a foundation that has been repaired with documented warranties can even strengthen your negotiating position with buyers.
But this route has downsides:
- Repairs can cost $10,000 or more for serious issues
- Construction delays push back the timeline by weeks (or months)
- The issue still needs to be disclosed afterwards
Option 2: Sell As-Is To A Cash Buyer
This is what most sellers end up doing when faced with major damage. Cash buyers and investors are looking for houses that need work. They aren’t going to run because of the structural inspection report.
They also:
- Skip lender requirements completely
- Close in days, not months
- Buy the home in its current state, structural issues and all
Realtors understand that foundation problems can take up to 25% OFF the sale price of a home when selling conventionally. Cash investors factor that in with their initial offer allowing less surprises at closing.
Final Thoughts
Structural failures don’t have to doom a sale. The sooner they’re caught, the more options you have. Do a walkthrough of the house using this handy checklist before you list:
- Look for the right kinds of cracks
- Test doors, windows, and floors
- Check the basement and crawl space walls
- Identify the likely cause
If it’s not too bad you may want to repair. If extensive it’s better to sell to a cash buyer and avoid the headaches, delays, and hassle of negotiating with buyers.
Either way – enter into it with your eyes wide open. Understand what you’re dealing with and you’re halfway to a pleasant and profitable sale.