Ground settlement issues, Cracks in drywall.

[Tim The Enchanter]

[FONT=&quot]Just wanted to hear what some of you think about this. Purpose of appraisal is for lenders decision making process. Owner is in default.

Cracks in walls and ceilings. The MLS listing says roof and foundation and settlement issues. Of course I will recommend further inspection. MLS list price is ridiculous low.

The foundation slab seemed OK, from what little I could see. Also the roof, except near the fireplace. Inside, drywall had cracks in walls and ceilings. First pic is next to the fireplace, other 2 are in a bedroom, same corner diff view. Similar cracks were in most of the rooms. Tried a couple windows and doors, worked OK. Owner said they worked fine, except windows in teenage kids room were painted shut.

And in case anyone knows the area, it's in Thousand Oaks near Ave Arboles and Lynn Rd. Apparently the area has some known ground settlement issues. Which I am researching right now. If the cracks weren't there, it would look just fine. TGIF.
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[samc6782]

A colleague told me about an area in Torrance where hardwood flooring is very rare because of settlement issues. Did this place have Pergo or vinyl floors? If you see a lot of this kind of flooring in the subject and comps, if nothing else it might indicate that settlement is a common issue in the area.

 

[J Grant]

scary looking. recommenced inspections....did RE agent have inspection done or just a good guess? Those are extensive enough to indicate settlement issues and/or cheap construction. Even though slab visually looks okay, that is the little you can see.

Would you call the property C5 or C 6? ( I'd probably call it C6 )

 

[Noreen]

Lee, I didn't notice any cracks in the mortar between the concrete blocks, could be just faulty construction. I think I would call for a structural inspection just because it really looks like it's pulling apart in multiple areas. Could this be locational from earthquake rumblings?

 

[Randolph Kinney]

I have appraised a home like that in Oceanside. During the rainy season, the drainage was insufficient and the water flow was from the back part of the lot toward the house. Water collected at the foundation and soaked under the slab foundation. This caused an uneven pressure across the slab and it began to move and crack. The cracks in the slab were vertical. The cracks went up the walls near the doors and windows and even into the ceiling.

 

[Mountain Man]

Water. It expands and contracts to break off huge sections of mountains and can do the same to the interior and foundation of a house.

 

[J Grant]

water stains are visible in 2 of the photos. Caused by water, settlement, poor construction or combo of them....some areas should not be been built on , or at least not built with generic /cheap construction .

 

[CigarDad]

Area known for expansive soils. Swells by as much as 10% when wet and shrinks when dry.

This causes settlement and foundation cracking issues.

 

[David Mescon]

My sister lives in that area, (but closer to the 23). I have not noticed any apparent expansion or subsidence issues at her house. I too noticed the water stains and couldn't help but wonder if the damage is water related. All of the gaps in your photos appear to be parallel. Symmetrical vertical and horizontal shear is not, in my personal experience, typical when the damage is related to soil subsidence or expansion.

 

[Ca Ar Independent]

Did one very similar in Westlake. Cracked slab, settlement, water stains all visible. Local brokers know which houses have known "settlement" issues in each neighborhood and which ones don't (yet). I called it all out to the lender in my report and requested inspections. The lender poo-pooed it all, and went forward with the loan. Just report what you see and call for inspections. If the lender wants to ignore you then it's on them.