Foundation Surprises When Buying a Home
Buying a home is a large financial commitment that can come with a lot of risks. There are things that can be done to mitigate the risks involved in purchasing a home. You don’t want foundations surprises when buying a home. When a problem is left undisclosed, costs of repair after purchasing the home can really add up.
You do not have to rely completely on others; take some control into your own hands and help yourself out when it comes to looking into the foundation of a potential purchase. Instead of dealing with foundation repairs down the line, try these three things when buying a home to mitigate any future problems.
Go With the Inspector
We want to trust that all home inspectors have our best interests at heart. However, there are many things that an inspector may miss. Go to the house under contract with the inspector and have them walk you through what they are doing and what they see. While there are some things an inspector cannot see, by having them explain things to you, you will be better informed. This will help you to know they were thorough, and make sure they completed everything they promised.
Don’t Be Afraid to Search
When you’re checking out the house with the inspector, come prepared to search for potential problems. In a previous post, we talked about different indicators of foundation failure. Take your time to search behind bushes, around furniture in basements, and other possibly hidden places to look for these tell tale signs of foundation problems. This includes looking for exterior wall cracks, bowing, sticking doors and windows, and wall or ceiling cracks.
Ask for Structural History Paperwork
If you suspect that there have been foundation or drainage problems in the past, don’t be afraid to ask for paperwork. With previous problems, a contractor or engineer will have visited the property and left documentation. Documentation that as a potential buyer, you should be able to see.
You don’t want foundations surprises when buying a home. If you do find problems with your new or current home’s foundation, contact a MAGNUM® Piering team member.
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https://magnumpiering.com/2018/07/20/things-consider-building-hill/