You’ve prepped your home to sell – the walls are freshly painted, the landscaping is on point, and you’ve even staged the living room with just the right touch. But before the listing goes live, there’s one hidden issue that could kill your deal before it ever reaches closing: foundation problems.
At Stapleton Foundation Systems, we’ve helped homeowners across Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, and beyond navigate unexpected foundation issues – many of which came to light only during a buyer’s inspection. Cracks in the walls, sagging floors, or moisture in the crawl space often fly under the radar until they show up on a report. And when they do, they can scare off buyers or force a steep price reduction.
Here’s the reality: most buyers will not proceed with a home that has structural problems, and their inspectors are trained to find them.
One seller in Bonaire, for example, lost a deal when bowing basement walls were discovered. We stabilized the wall and corrected the drainage, and the house sold for $15,000 below asking.
Foundation concerns don’t just scare buyers – they also raise red flags with lenders.
Diagonal cracks in walls or ceilings
Sloping or bouncy floors
Moisture in the crawl space or basement
Mold growth or musty odors
Gaps in brickwork, siding, or window trim
Think of it this way: fixing a foundation issue now will likely cost less than the discount a buyer will demand later. Here’s a breakdown:
| Issue | Average Repair (Before Listing) | Typical Buyer Deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Crawl space moisture/mold | $3,500 – $7,500 | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| Sagging floors | $2,000 – $6,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Foundation cracks/bowing wall | $3,000 – $9,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 |
At Stapleton Foundation Systems, we specialize in fast, professional foundation evaluations tailored for sellers and real estate agents. We provide:
Free pre-listing inspections
Clear, fast repair quotes
Documented repairs to boost buyer confidence
Solutions that help pass inspections
Even if you’re not fixing everything before listing, we can:
Identify and prioritize critical repairs
Offer third-party estimates to share with buyers
Discuss post-closing repair options with you or your agent
We know what local buyers – and their inspectors – are looking for. Don’t risk losing your deal or leaving money on the table over a problem you didn’t know existed.
Call us today to schedule your free seller’s foundation inspection. We’ll explain everything clearly and honestly.
