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Old 04-03-2009, 06:03 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,565 times
Reputation: 10

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My wife and I signed the sales contract of a foreclosed house. The house was built in 2004 and is located in DFW (76131). The inspector told us there are brick cracks (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in width, diagonal) at the corner (next to gargage door) and the house has foundation (slab) settlement (about 1/2 inch). There is no visible crack or sign of leakage inside the house. The inspector suggested that two or three piers be installed for the long run.

Is it a big issue? Is this house worth buying? Since we have to make our decision (cancel or bargin) by next Monday, would anyone please give us some suggetions?

Thanks.
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Old 04-03-2009, 08:41 PM
 
Location: Inthewoods
113 posts, read 394,123 times
Reputation: 53
Get a pro to look at it. cross your T dot your I and see where it leads you.
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Old 04-03-2009, 09:31 PM
 
Location: DFW
41,010 posts, read 49,543,437 times
Reputation: 55172
Default I am not a foundation engineer but ...

To be 100% sure you need a good foundation engineer to come in and do an evaluation and engineers report. It may run you $400 but it sounds like you need it for peace of mind and money well spent so you are not buying a major problem.

The level of many foundations can vary over the slab and are not poured perfectly level. A 1/2 inch drop should be within tolerence. If the house is a foreclosure it may not have had a proper watering program on the yard & foundation. Needing a few piers is no big deal but I would make sure that is all.

Hopefully you have a good real estate agent who can guide you and recommend a good foundation engineer.

Who was the builder of this home ? Personally, There are several builders that I would avoid their homes at all cost.
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Old 04-03-2009, 10:31 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,565 times
Reputation: 10
Where can I find the builder information? Can you share the list of builders that you would avoid their homes at all cost? Thanks.
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Old 04-03-2009, 10:52 PM
 
Location: DFW
41,010 posts, read 49,543,437 times
Reputation: 55172
Go to the county tax appraisal district website and plug in the address. It shows the property history of who the owners have been. Should have a builders name there.
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Old 04-04-2009, 07:45 AM
 
Location: Kaufman County, Texas
11,915 posts, read 27,089,897 times
Reputation: 10703
DEFINITELY get a structural/foundation engineer to look at the house! It is worth losing your earnest money to avoid buying a house with foundation problems!

This is a very common occurrence with foreclosed homes, so be very careful in the future...
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Old 04-06-2009, 08:02 PM
 
5 posts, read 11,565 times
Reputation: 10
The builder was D.R. Horton. Anyway, we have terminated the contract. Thank you for your suggestions, folks.
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Old 04-08-2009, 03:26 PM
 
Location: Denton TX
68 posts, read 234,504 times
Reputation: 28
It's good to go with your gut feeling. There are too many foreclosures out there w/o foundation issues!!!
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Old 04-09-2009, 06:55 AM
 
37,426 posts, read 60,240,863 times
Reputation: 25511
get a realtor who knows the area and something about foreclosure market--they are out there
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