Buying a house with an external crack

[MotherOfCamicazi]

The survey picked up an stepped crack in an external wall. Bigger at the top that at the bottom. The house is 1960s, external walls are brick. Nothing else indicates any problems with ground movement. Floors, windows, doors, walls are all straight and no problems noted.

The survey was a bit contradictory in that it said in one place there was no sign of ground movement, but then in reference to this crack that it was indicative of heave.

It sounds like it might be a bit of an issue to get buildings insurance. If we can't get insurance then obviously can't buy it. We'll try with the current insurers and possibly talk to an insurance broker.

But assuming insurance is possible, should we still go ahead and buy it? Are we likely to have problems with selling it in the future? Is the house worth less now? And if so, how much less?

Anyone been in this situation and it been fine/a complete disaster?

Maybe get a structural engineer to look at it, if you like it otherwise and think you'd go ahead if it wasn't a major problem. Without knowing how serious it is, it's impossible to say really.

Similar issue except ours was rectified. We went ahead and hoping that it wont affect future sale. Check buildings insurance first, ours was the same as regular insurance (due to it being rectified). If its not rectified I'm not sure I would progress unless with a good discount - sounds like you will need to do a lot of work to fix it and your insurance premiums wil increase because of it.

See if you can get insurance and money off then decide.

We were.
Our was (we think) caused by settling from an extension. It's been fine and hasnt increased since we moved in.