When it comes to your home, the foundation is a big deal. It’s what holds everything up and keeps your house standing strong. When problems start at the foundation, they can ripple through the whole structure—bringing costly repairs with them. If you’re thinking about selling a house with foundation issues in Jacksonville, here’s what you need to know.
Common types of foundations in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, homes are usually built on one of a few types of foundations:
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Slab foundation: A flat layer of concrete poured directly onto the ground. This type is common in newer homes in Jacksonville, especially in areas where the water table is high.
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Crawl space foundation: Raised off the ground with a shallow space underneath. This design helps with ventilation and access to plumbing but can be vulnerable to moisture issues.
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Pier and beam foundation: Uses beams supported by piers to elevate the home. These are often found in older houses and can be easier to repair than slabs.
Each foundation type has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on the local soil, weather, and building style.
What causes foundation problems?
There are a lot of reasons why you might end up with foundation damage in Jacksonville:
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Water accumulation: Too much or too little moisture around the property can cause the soil to expand or shrink.
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Clay soil: Clay expands when wet and shrinks when dry, which puts pressure on your foundation.
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Plumbing leaks: Hidden plumbing leaks can cause cracks that eventually lead to a serious leak in your foundation.
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Tree roots: Big trees can suck the moisture out of the soil and make it unstable.
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Floods or poor drainage: Water pooling around your house can lead to damage to the foundation.
Signs you may have foundation issues
Spotting foundation problems early can save you a lot of money. Here are some red flags to watch for:
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Foundation cracks: Cracks in walls, floors, or ceilings.
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Water in the basement: Signs of moisture can mean leaks.
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Sticking doors and windows: If they’re suddenly hard to open, it could be a sign your home is settling.
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Warped siding: If the outside of your home looks uneven, it could be a sign of structural problems.
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Sagging floor: A noticeable dip or slope in your floors could point to structural instability}. Try the marble test—if it rolls on its own, your floors might not be level.
If you see any of these signs, it's a good idea to have a professional check it out.
How to fix your foundation issues
Fixing a foundation isn’t usually a DIY project. It’s smart to call in a structural engineer first to assess the situation. They’ll inspect for cracks, water damage, shifting, and examine the soil conditions and load-bearing parts around your home.
Once they finish, you’ll get a report outlining how serious the issue is and what kind of foundation repairs you might need.
After the inspection, get quotes from licensed contractors. According to Angi.com, the average cost of foundation repairs in Jacksonville is around $5,000, but more complex damage can cost significantly more.
Can you sell a house with foundation problems?
Selling a house with foundation issues is possible—you just need to know your options. You could:
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Fix the foundation before you sell: This can make your home easier to sell and attract higher offers, but it can be costly and time-consuming.
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Sell it "as is" with concessions: List your home on the market and offer credits or discounts to help buyers cover repair costs.
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Sell your house "as is" to a direct buyer: This is where We Buy Ugly Houses® comes in. When you sell to a direct home buyer like us, you don’t need to make repairs or worry about buyer inspections.
If you’re planning on selling a house with foundation issues without making repairs, just know that you might not get top dollar—but you’ll save time, effort, and a lot of stress.
Sell your house “as is” with We Buy Ugly Houses®
If fixing your foundation sounds like more hassle than it’s worth, We Buy Ugly Houses® can help. We specialize in buying houses that need repairs—including ones with foundation problems.
With our 3-step home-buying process, we can take you from offer to closing quickly, sometimes in as little as 3 weeks. When you sell to us, you don’t have to make repairs, clean up, or deal with open houses and real estate listings. We pay typical closing costs and don’t charge commissions or hidden fees.†
One of our local property specialists will visit your home for a free, no-pressure consultation. Sometimes, we can even make you an offer on the spot. We’ve bought over 150,000 houses, and we’re proud to have a 95%* customer satisfaction rating nationwide.
If you’re ready to sell your house with foundation issues, contact We Buy Ugly Houses® in Jacksonville today. We can help you move forward quickly and easily.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
