Inspection report shows significant foundation issues, worth it to look into fixing?

[Sean Haran]

Hello! Had an offer accepted on a house in the Reeb-Hosack area of Columbus OH. Inspection report came back with a few things, but the one that concerns me is foundation problems. There is cracking and quite a bit of of movement/settling/leaning in 2 corners of the foundation. There’s also these weird support beams that I’m assuming the current owner installed. They aren’t secured to a footer, they are just kinda jammed between the basement floor and some of the major beams on the bottom of the house. He also observed some active water penetration into the basement

I am trying to figure out if it’s worth it to look into fixing it and trying to make the deal work, or if I should just keep looking for a different property. I’m a first-time investor and I’m investing out of state… don’t want to get dragged into rebuilding the whole house lol.

These were the actual words from the inspection: “I observed cracks throughout the foundation and leaning/settlement at the east and north structural wall of the house foundation. Major defect.

I am not a structural engineer. I recommend a structural engineer further evaluate and make recommendations related to this observation” 

And regarding this make-shift supports: “

Temporary posts exist in the basement that should be considered for replacement with a permanent support system.

A temporary post is noted as a support to the ground that does not appear to be resting on a footer.

This temporary support post is holding up a metal beam supporting a large portion of the house.

This is a structural concern that should be reviewed by a qualified engineer/contractor”

I will include a couple pics as well 

[Kevin Sobilo]

@Sean Haran, it looks like you are in a Cali where housing stock is MUCH newer on average than places in the northeast and rust belt.

A lot of what scares you here is probably not too unusual for an old house. I suspect an experienced local investor would not be scared off by this house because they could physically see and understand how to address the issues in a common sense affordable way. That is MUCH harder to do from a distance and when your personal experience may be with newer homes that don't have issues like this.

So, the deal may be ok, but it might not be ok for you unless you have someone you trust to guide you in that market. The home inspector is just going to tell you what things should be like in a perfect world, its up to you to figure out what that means to you.

Also, did you have a pest inspection done? in the last picture with the white PVC drain lines, the floor joists don't look too great but its always hard to tell in pics but there could be some rot or pest damage there. 

[Alecia Loveless]

@Sean Haran I passed on a 4-unit that had some significant foundational bowing issues like in your pictures. Now 3 years later I work with one of the tenants there and she reports significant 1”-2” cracks have developed in the walls throughout the building.

For your first time hands off deal you might look for something else. There’s always another deal right around the corner.

[Remington Lyman]

Quote from @Sean Haran:

Hello! Had an offer accepted on a house in the Reeb-Hosack area of Columbus OH. Inspection report came back with a few things, but the one that concerns me is foundation problems. There is cracking and quite a bit of of movement/settling/leaning in 2 corners of the foundation. There’s also these weird support beams that I’m assuming the current owner installed. They aren’t secured to a footer, they are just kinda jammed between the basement floor and some of the major beams on the bottom of the house. He also observed some active water penetration into the basement

I am trying to figure out if it’s worth it to look into fixing it and trying to make the deal work, or if I should just keep looking for a different property. I’m a first-time investor and I’m investing out of state… don’t want to get dragged into rebuilding the whole house lol.

These were the actual words from the inspection: “I observed cracks throughout the foundation and leaning/settlement at the east and north structural wall of the house foundation. Major defect.

I am not a structural engineer. I recommend a structural engineer further evaluate and make recommendations related to this observation” 

And regarding this make-shift supports: “

Temporary posts exist in the basement that should be considered for replacement with a permanent support system.

A temporary post is noted as a support to the ground that does not appear to be resting on a footer.

This temporary support post is holding up a metal beam supporting a large portion of the house.

This is a structural concern that should be reviewed by a qualified engineer/contractor”

I will include a couple pics as well 

 I would definitely try to get a structural engineer in there. Reeb-Hosack has a lot of basements like that. The bad thing about these issues is they are costly. The good thing about these issues is they are relatively easy to fix. This looks pretty significant. I would get an engineer in there, get a quote on the work, and try to negotiate the seller to pay to get the work done

[Zac Mckenzie]

Unfortunately this is extremely common, I would not be scared off but I would get a pro in there to evaluate. A qualified GC or Structural Engineer 

[Mindy Jensen]

I wouldn't touch this property with someone else's 10 foot pole.

I don't do ANYTHING with foundation work.

There are people who do, and that's awesome for them. I know my limits, and this is outside of them.

[Robert Ellis]

Quote from @Sean Haran:

Hello! Had an offer accepted on a house in the Reeb-Hosack area of Columbus OH. Inspection report came back with a few things, but the one that concerns me is foundation problems. There is cracking and quite a bit of of movement/settling/leaning in 2 corners of the foundation. There’s also these weird support beams that I’m assuming the current owner installed. They aren’t secured to a footer, they are just kinda jammed between the basement floor and some of the major beams on the bottom of the house. He also observed some active water penetration into the basement

I am trying to figure out if it’s worth it to look into fixing it and trying to make the deal work, or if I should just keep looking for a different property. I’m a first-time investor and I’m investing out of state… don’t want to get dragged into rebuilding the whole house lol.

These were the actual words from the inspection: “I observed cracks throughout the foundation and leaning/settlement at the east and north structural wall of the house foundation. Major defect.

I am not a structural engineer. I recommend a structural engineer further evaluate and make recommendations related to this observation” 

And regarding this make-shift supports: “

Temporary posts exist in the basement that should be considered for replacement with a permanent support system.

A temporary post is noted as a support to the ground that does not appear to be resting on a footer.

This temporary support post is holding up a metal beam supporting a large portion of the house.

This is a structural concern that should be reviewed by a qualified engineer/contractor”

I will include a couple pics as well 

 pass, go buy land and build in columbus. we build on slabs you won't even have a basement with ugly pics. 

[Austin F.]

Looks like its settling where someone hacked in that new sewer line. I wouldn't worry about any of that, but I'd want to see it in person before I committed to that.

Find a good basement guy to go take a look, usually not the guy with a wrapped truck.