“What can cause a house to fail an inspection?” is a question both buyers and sellers might have during a home sale. The truth is inspections don’t end in a simple pass or fail, but certain issues on the report can indicate trouble and lead to buyers walking away.
A clean inspection report—or a “passing” inspection—will only note minor issues that are either just cosmetic or won’t be too expensive to fix. On the other hand, a “failing” report often points to expensive, complicated, or time-consuming repairs that might be red flags to buyers.
9 things that fail a home inspection
Whether buying a home in Austin, TX or selling a house in Portland, OR, these are the things many buyers might consider “failing” the home inspection — and sellers should expect negotiations around these repairs.
1. Structural or foundation repairs
“When we flag structural issues—cracks in the foundation, shifting walls, or sloping floors—it often sends buyers running, especially if it’s the first home they’ve considered seriously,” shares Curt Kloc, founder of nationwide inspection franchise Inspections Over Coffee.
But what is considered “normal” or “concerning” can vary by region, Kloc says.
“In places like Texas, expansive clay soils can cause seasonal shifting, and minor movement might be common—but in areas like Colorado or the Pacific Northwest, even small signs of settling raise big red flags.”
Common structural red flags
- Foundation cracks or settling: Small hairline cracks are common, but wide, horizontal or stair-step cracks can mean shifting or instability
- Bowed or leaning walls: Indicates pressure from soil, water, or poor construction.
- Uneven or sloping floors: Can mean underlying foundation or support beam problems.
- Doors and windows that stick: Not always bad, but could be a sign of shifting frames.
National cost ranges:
- Minor crack repairs: $250–$800
- Average…