Sell My House Top Factors Devaluing Your Home 4

Question 1

A crack running horizontally along a basement foundation wall is particularly concerning to buyers because it typically indicates:

Accepted Answer

Lateral soil pressure that can threaten structural integrity

Answer

Horizontal cracks in basement walls often indicate serious lateral pressure from surrounding soil and can signal structural failure risk.

Question 2

How does the presence of polybutylene plumbing in a home built between 1978 and 1995 affect its value?

Accepted Answer

It reduces value because the material is prone to failure and expensive to replace

Answer

Polybutylene pipes have a high failure rate and many buyers and insurers view them negatively, often requiring replacement before or after sale.

Question 3

An active or past termite infestation that was never professionally treated will most likely cause a buyer to:

Accepted Answer

Request a price reduction or remediation as a condition of purchase

Answer

Untreated termite damage can be extensive and costly, giving buyers strong negotiating leverage to demand price reductions or paid treatment.

Question 4

Which factor related to a home's layout is MOST likely to reduce its appraised value compared to neighboring properties?

Accepted Answer

Requiring occupants to walk through one bedroom to access another

Answer

Bedrooms accessible only by walking through another bedroom are a classic example of functional obsolescence that reduces value and buyer appeal.

Question 5

A home in a neighborhood with a rising crime rate is likely to experience what effect on its market value?

Accepted Answer

A sustained decrease as buyer demand drops and risk perception rises

Answer

Rising crime rates reduce buyer demand and can cause sustained price declines as families and lenders become more cautious about the area.

Sell My House Practice Test