/ By Chase Gohl / Home Values/ • / 0 Comments

How Foundation Problems Can Impact Buying or Selling a Home

Are you putting your property in the Dallas-Ft Worth area up for sale? Perhaps you’re a homebuyer and searching for property in the region. In Texas, there is usually a quick closing period of 30 days. A lot has to be squeezed into that short window of time to ensure a smooth closing. This includes inspections of the house’s plumbing, electrical system, and foundation. Foundation problems in DFW are quite commonplace, and existing issues need to be resolved before the closing period.

Foundation Problems for the Seller

Begin with a DIY inspection for signs of damage. Examine your home for the following:

  • Cracks in the walls, ceilings, and house exterior
  • Opening and shutting problems with any of the doors or windows
  • Uneven flooring
  • Soil pulling away from the foundation

If any of the above is present, then you will need to schedule a professional foundation evaluation. If problems are present and require remediation, you can arrange for repairs before selling the home or put the property on the market as is. If you opt for the latter, you will need to make note of the foundation problems in a disclosure form. Keep in mind, you will likely also have to sell at a lower price. If foundation problems are only discovered during the closing process, the buyer may back out, or you will have to enter into last-minute fixing negotiations to decide you will pay to restore the foundation.

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Contact Align Foundation Repair and schedule your evaluation today.

Your real estate agent can consult you on this manner and advise whether it’s more cost-effective to repair the foundation on your own dime or sell the property as is.

Foundation Problems for the Buyer

As the buyer, insist on seeing documents verifying the foundation was inspected by a qualified technician. If no inspection has been done, see if you can agree to an inspection with the seller, perhaps agreeing to split the cost. Align Foundation Repair provides a free and zero-obligation foundation repair estimate.

There is a prevailing belief that buyers should avoid homes with existing foundation issues. However, this is not necessarily the case. Due to an existing problem, you might be able to negotiate a lower price and use some of the saved money to cover the cost of the foundation repair.

214-463-2974
Contact Align Foundation Repair to get repairs on your new home.

Even if existing issues are present, you can still consider the property if it otherwise ticks all the boxes. You may also agree to buy the home at the seller’s asking price on the stipulation that the latter agrees to pay for the foundation repair before the closing date.

Additionally, some buyers will agree to fix the foundation because they already plan to do significant reconstruction or remodeling on the house.

We Work with Sellers, Buyers, and Realtors

Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or real estate agent, call Align Foundation Repair for a no-cost home foundation inspection or for DFW foundation repair services.

/ By Chase Gohl / Foundation Maintenance/ / 0 Comments

How to Inspect Your Foundation During COVID-19

Even if many Americans are staying home due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they can still remain proactive and perform a DFW home foundation checkup. This is actually easier than it sounds. Below, we explain how it’s done.

1. Inspect the Home Exterior

Perform a 360-degree walkaround of your house. Look closely for cracks in the concrete. Make a note of any cracks greater than a fourth of an inch. Also, examine the brick veneer for cracks and separations.

2. Inspect the Home Interior

Foundation damage doesn’t just affect the home exterior; damage will be visible in the interior as well. Perform a close visual inspection of the walls and ceiling, especially at the intersections where they come together. Are there cracks, bulges, or separation at these intersections? Do the same for the intersections where the floor and walls meet. If the damage is severe in this area, you will notice the floor is not perfectly level. You will feel slightly uneven or off-balance when you stand completely straight even if the sloping is relatively minor.

214-463-2974
Seeing signs of trouble in your foundation? Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

3. Examine the Windows and Doors

Fully open and shut every window and door; this includes glass sliding doors and closet doors. Do any of them have trouble completely closing or opening? Do the windows or doors partially jam or require more muscle than normal to get it to move? If these problems are present and everything appears fine with the hinges and latches, then the problem may stem from the frame shifting due to movements in the foundation.

4. Examine the Pipes

One may think a leaky pipe is a separate and unrelated issue; this could very well be. However, a burst pipe may also be due to foundation movement. A plumber can examine the source and determine whether a leak is an isolated problem or tied to a bigger problem (i.e., a shifting foundation).

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Don’t let leaky pipes go. Contact Align Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

Now Is a Time for a Professional Inspection

The state has designated foundation services as an essential business. As such, Align Foundation Repair remains open while strict quarantine measures are in place. If a self-foundation inspection in the DFW area yields problems, then the next step is to give us a call. Your health is our priority, and we strictly enforce all safety measures during a residential inspection. This includes disinfecting all equipment and keeping a respectable distance from our customers. While we may not be able to greet you with a handshake, we will certainly welcome you with a smile!