Recently I was helping buyers who wanted to downsize to a single-level townhome in a very specific Tempe area. We had been looking for several weeks when a home in the exact neighborhood they wanted came on the market. Once my clients viewed the inside of the home they knew it was the perfect one for them. The interior was very clean and nicely updated with granite counters, an under-mount sink, stainless steel appliances, upgraded tile, newer carpet and AC unit. The interior had great light with vaulted ceilings and clerestory windows (a row of windows well above eye level). The neighborhood was very well maintained. My buyers made an aggressive offer because we knew there would be multiple offers based on the location, condition of the home and the strong seller’s market. Their offer was accepted and the home inspection was scheduled. The seller disclosed cracks had been repaired in the garage due to tree roots and provided documentation from the foundation company detailing the repairs. The repairs were done by a licensed contractor and included a transferrable 10-year warranty. The house needed a new roof but the rest of the repairs were minor and not unexpected for a 38-year-old house. The only issue that concerned the buyers was the foundation.
The last thing the buyers, who are retired, wanted to do was buy a home that might need expensive repairs in the future. They started researching the contractor who completed the repairs as well as trying to get a second opinion. All the foundation companies were booked out for weeks. Two of the companies recommended the foundation contractor who had completed the repairs. The 10-day inspection period was ticking away so it was important to get information quickly. The buyers felt comfortable with moving forward and luckily the contractor who did the work was able to call the buyers and give them more information about the repair. This conversation, combined with the warranty, convinced the buyers that the foundation should not be a problem in the future. The buyers and seller reached an agreement on the rest of the repairs.
The answer to whether you should buy a house with foundation issues is it depends. If it is clear there are foundation issues that have not been addressed then this might not be the home for you. If the foundation has been repaired, has a warranty and the cause of the damage (in this case a tree planted in the wrong place) has been addressed then the foundation should not be an issue.