A wet basement ranks up there
with a leaky roof as a major cause of concern to prospective buyers. If you have
a water problem, it is unlikely that it will go unnoticed. If the buyers don't
notice the problem at first, they will when they take a closer look. Buyers are
very vulnerable to attacks of "buyer's remorse", so they might use
this as justification for backing out of the transaction.
You should handle any water problems before your
agent begins to market your home. If you have a problem with the basement,
honesty is the only policy. Be ready to provide a receipt from a reliable
waterproofing company showing what caused the leakage and what was done to
correct the situation. Wet basements can usually be handled by rather
inexpensive means. If the dampness is caused by clogged gutters or misdirected
downspouts, it may be corrected by building up the soil around the base of the
house. Your Realtor may be able to provide you with a list of companies that
specialize in making wet basement problems go away.
