Foundations: What do you mean by "dirt foundation"?

[Julie Taylor]

I've heard a few people, in particular from the Pittsburgh area, mention that they will never again by a house with a "dirt foundation, often citing that it is not possible to perform repairs.  To date, no one has been able to explain exactly what they mean by the phrase "dirt foundation".  I am familiar with homes that are built with piers setting atop poured concrete footers, homes built on full basements (both block and poured wall), and also homes built on concrete slabs that are poured onto the ground. Can anyone tell me what is meant by a "dirt foundation"?  Is it that the house still has piers or posts, but they were never set atop poured concrete footers for support?  Or is it something else altogether?  Any assistance, and maybe even photos, will be greatly appreciated!  Thank you in advance.

[Rob Caldwell]

I am a certified Home inspector and Foundation Repair Specialist. What you are describing sounds like a colloquialism from a specific region. Possibly it has to do with older homes, before code inspections were required, built directly on the ground. Sometimes on rocks. I have seen this on 100+ year old houses. I avoid these mainly because of the FHA restrictions when it comes time to resell them. FHA won't finance them making it harder for me to find a buyer.