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, here’s what you need to know.
Common types of foundations in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, homes are usually built on one of a few types of foundations:
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Slab foundation: A flat layer of concrete poured right onto the ground. This type is common in recent construction.
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Crawl space foundation: Raised off the ground, allowing easy access to pipes and wiring.
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Basement foundation: Offers extra living or storage space below the house.
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Pier and beam foundation: Uses beams and supporting piers to hold the house up, often found in older homes.
Each foundation type has its pros and cons, depending on the local soil, weather, and building style.
What causes foundation problems?
There are several reasons why you might end up with foundation damage in Milwaukee:
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Water accumulation: Too much or too little moisture around the foundation 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 problems 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 property 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 structure 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 inspect your home.
How to fix your foundation issues
Fixing a foundation isn’t usually a DIY project. It’s smart to call in a structural engineer to assess the situation. They’ll look for cracks, water damage, and shifting in your home’s structure. They’ll also inspect the soil and load-bearing elements of the house.
After the assessment, you can get repair estimates from contractors. According to Angi.com, the average cost of foundation repairs in Milwaukee is around $5,000—but more severe problems can cost significantly more, especially in older homes.
Can you sell a house with foundation problems?
Selling a house with foundation issues is possible—you just need to know your options:
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Fix the foundation before you sell: This can help you get a better price but may be costly upfront.
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Sell it "as is" with concessions: List it on the open market and offer the buyer credits or discounts to account for the repairs.
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Sell your house "as is" to a direct buyer: This is where a company like We Buy Ugly Houses® comes in. When you sell to a direct property buyer like us, you won’t have to worry about fixing anything before selling.
If you’re selling a home with structural concerns without making repairs, understand that you might not get top dollar—but you can save time, effort, and avoid the stress of managing the fixes yourself.
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 homes 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, 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 house 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, contact We Buy Ugly Houses® in Milwaukee today. We can help you move forward quickly and easily.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
