askchapo

That corner with the bricks is very likely sinking because of that gutter discharging too close to the house. It's actually worse than not having a gutter at all because it's directing the water from the whole roof section to one point. It's a cheap fix to stop future damage(a long piece of gutter extension), but you do want to hire someone to inspect that.

A structural engineer probably or a good home inspector. Have them make sure the grade around the house is directing water away from the foundation, it's the number one reason for foundation damage. Figure out what it'll cost to fix before you buy.

Not a foundation expert but you can put an inspection contingency in your offer. They are unappealing to sellers because the essentially amount to if-I-change-my-mind clauses but interest rates are fucked for the foreseeable future, so you might not be facing much competition right now.

If you put in the contingency and the offer gets accepted, you'll have to get it inspected on your own dime ($200-$300) and the inspector might suggest you call in a structural engineer ($500+), and if you discover an issue and decide to go through with the purchase, anything that gets put in writing becomes something you're legally obligated to disclose to a new buyer. Ignorance is legally protected, however.

Again, not super experienced here but knowing how expensive foundation issues would get, I wouldn't want to make an offer without the inspection contingency.

When it comes to something like this:

1. Don't trust the realtor, they don't know anything.

2. Don't trust the home inspector, they are legally protected from having to know anything.

3. Find out how much a structural engineer costs and have them look at it during your inspection period. Consider making it a separate contingency deadline beyond your inspection period if you think it might take extra time.

Sometimes homeowners have a feeling that something is wrong and they don't want you poking around because then they'll be liable if they don't disclose it once they learn about the problem. In an environment where people aren't bidding shit up in cash the week it comes on the market, it's a red flag if they're scared off by you wanting to look under the hood.

Some states have inspection clauses that require a homeowner to repair any issues within X% of the sale price, others are very Wild West and just let you open it back up to negotiation. If you think that the potential for foundation repairs is going to scare the seller off, you can specify that the foundation inspection is separate and they wouldn't have to repair it but you wouldn't be required to move forward with the purchase. You could figure it out from there if you have to.

That said, I've always heard from contractors that any crack you can't fit a pencil in is probably fine.

Doesn't look completely fucked, but could get there. Def go the inspection contingency route.

Not to shill reddit, but if you dont get a good answer here ask r/masonry

Be careful with the attic, adding too much weight could do serious damage.

(I clicked on this post, not knowing if it was going to be about the Foundation series of sci-fi novels or a question about construction.)

Not a contractor by any stretch but I'd have some questions.

First, building inspector? You're giving me vibes that this is a place where building inspectors are a thing. It might be worth the cost (unless you can convince the owner of the house to pay for it) to get a building inspector to look at the place.

Is the house on a concrete pad? (seems like it)

That brickwork? (That is actual brickwork and not some plastic/metal molded sheets that look like brickwork, right?) Any idea when that was added? Is it on the concrete pad or is it sitting outside of the perimeter of the concrete pad on the dirt? If the bricks aren't sitting on the actual foundation, the cracked brickwork won't tell you whats going on with the actual foundation.

I don't really know shit, but I'll give you a gut reaction anyway: if you're planning to live there awhile, and as you say the floors don't seem effected by this, then it is probably fine. The increase in value you expect may well more than offset the foundation repairs.

Not helpful but those photos you uploaded are pretty damn thicc (or is it just me?)

Disclaimer: although I have experience building, I don't have personal experience with brick foundations.

How old is this house? If it is a newer house, that seems like a sign of shoddy masonry, though it doesn't look new in those photos, so probably not relevant.

Those cracks don't look that bad to me, and I have heard the rule of thumb of not worrying too much about cracks thinner than a pencil in old masonry, but idk

What I can comment on is that I doubt that level of shifting was caused by the drainage based on the info you have presented. It could be caused by the tree and that is something to assess