Contact MargaretCrofton Home Buyers See Every Crack
March 9th, 2009 Categories: Real Estate Information
Yes, it’s true… Crofton home buyers DO spot every crack in your drywall or foundation. And they’re worried it could be an indication of something serious.
Just this morning, one of my clients asked me to interpret something in their home inspection report. Yet there’s a reason I recommend the hiring of an expert for inspections: I list and sell real estate, but I’m no expert on structure, wood-destroying insects, electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems, well-water, or any other components of a home.
That doesn’t mean I’m not interested. In fact, I really enjoy reading well-written blogs by home inspectors, such as those by California home inspector Joseph Lang and Tennessee home inspector Michael Thornton.
Local home inspector, Chris Hanson of Amerispec, pointed out a crack in the foundation of an Edgewater home to my clients last week. Maybe that’s why Michael’s post, Which Way Does Your Crack Run…, really caught my attention. Here’s what he had to say on the topic:
A small hairline horizontal or vertical crack (photo on the left) can generally be the result of poor installation or expansion/contracting of siding on the exterior wall. Michael doesn’t seem to be concerned by this type of crack when he spots one during a home inspection.
A diagonal crack and sticky door (photo on the right) can be caused by foundation settlement. He relates this situation to the sagging of body parts as people grow older. In a newer home, he suggests it could be caused by soil not being properly compacted before the foundation is laid.
Michael goes on to provide photos and descriptions of stepped cracks, such as you might see on a brick or block wall, and vertical cracks in poured concrete or masonry walls, so be sure to click through and read his post in its entirety.
Even though a home inspector may look at a crack and say “no problem”, home sellers would be wise to do some pre-sale preparation to avoid this issue altogether. Have a home-inspection before putting your home on the market to confirm any cracks in your walls or foundation are not symptoms of anything serious, and then repair them before the first buyer walks through your door.
If you don’t, buyers WILL see them and be concerned. I’ve seen it happen a hundred+ times.
Even though home inspections are not required in a Crofton home sale transaction, they are highly recommended. You can see from these helpful descriptions and photos of cracks in drywall why REALTORS and consumers have come to rely upon the expertise of local home inspectors. I certainly do when my clients buy real estate in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, Crownsville, Davidsonville, Gambrills, Millersville, or Odenton, whether it is a home or investment property.
Many thanks to Michael Thornton for his permission to use these photos and quote from his post.
REMINDER: Greater Crofton Council meeting tomorrow night, March 10, 7 p.m., Community Center at the Village of Waugh Chapel. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin will be in attendance.
; ?>/images/eho.jpg)
; ?>/images/realtorsolo.jpg)
Michael’s post on foundation settlement was one of the better blog entries I’ve seen on this subject. He correctly pointed out the different causes of cracks, and the ones to be concerned with. I do a lot of work with real estate agents and home inspectors when foundation failure is found, and more then a few times I’ve seen people come close to buying a house that could cost them a lot of money in repairs in the future that they don’t count on. A good home inspection is critical, and then of course if there is any doubt about the foundations, it’s time to call an engineer (like myself of course
).
George