I’m under contract on a small, older home in the Southeast (2BR, 1BA), and I’m trying to sanity-check what I’m getting into before the end of due diligence.
The price is very low (low $60s if negotiations work), which is why I’m even considering it—but the inspection turned up a few things that seem like they could range from manageable to expensive depending on what’s actually going on.
Main concerns:
- Crawlspace has moisture present
- Some notes about possible wood deterioration / settling (not flagged as “major structural,” but still noted)
- A few areas flagged for possible mold (under sink, around windows, and likely tied to crawlspace moisture)
- No gutters + some grading issues that may be contributing to the moisture
The house itself actually felt good - no musty smell, decent systems (roof ~5 years old, newer water heater, decent working HVAC, electrical panel looks fine). Neighborhood felt stable. So it’s not screaming “run away,” but the crawlspace stuff is giving me pause.
Financially:
- I don’t have a huge repair war chest after closing
- I can handle things like gutters, drainage, and minor DIY work
- I can’t comfortably absorb big unknowns like major mold remediation or structural repair
I’m currently negotiating price + credits to account for this, but trying to decide:
At what point does crawlspace moisture + “possible” wood deterioration/mold become a dealbreaker vs. something that’s normal/manageable in this price range?
What would you want to see (or get quoted) before feeling comfortable moving forward?
If you’ve dealt with something similar, what did it actually end up costing?
I’m not expecting a perfect house at this price, just trying to avoid stepping into something that turns into a $10k–$20k problem after closing.
Appreciate any real-world perspective.