If you’ve owned property in southeast Louisiana for any amount of time, you already know — not all foundations are created equal.
Some homes sit up on piers and beams, elevated off the ground. Others are built on concrete slabs. Plus most of the area was built on swanpland so its not exaxtly what you’d call solid ground. And when it comes time to sell, the type of foundation your house has can absolutely affect how the process goes.
I’ve been buying houses fast with cash across the New Orleans metro area for over 20 years, and foundation type is one of the first things I look at. Not because one is “good” and the other is “bad,” but because they come with different expectations, inspection concerns, and buyer reactions.
If you’re thinking about selling, here’s what you should understand.
Raised Homes (Pier & Beam)
Raised homes are common in older neighborhoods — especially in areas prone to flooding. You’ll see them throughout Mid City, Gentilly, Uptown, Algiers, and parts of Jefferson Parish, mainly old Jefferson and old Gretna.
There are real advantages to raised construction.
Pros buyers like:
• Easier access to plumbing and electrical
• Better airflow under the home
• Some flood protection (depending on elevation)
• That classic New Orleans architectural feel
But here’s the reality — raised homes almost always come with inspection conversations.
Common issues buyers bring up:
• Settling or uneven floors
• Rotting beams or joists
• Termite damage
• Moisture under the house
• Outdated shimming or leveling
Real New Orleans Home Owners Give Real Reviews.
See how homeowners like you sold their houses fast for cash, without the usual difficulties.
Paul D.
“Carl made the selling super easy.”
A pleasure to do business with this company. I really appreciate everything Carl did to make the selling of my property super easy. I highly recommend this business. Carl is the best!
Janice L.
“Felt very comfortable, friendly, and empathetic.”
Mr. Carl was very business-like yet friendly and empathetic to my needs. I felt very comfortable with selling my home to him and would highly recommend him to my friends.
Slab Homes
Slab foundations are more common in homes built after the 1960s and especially post-Katrina construction. You’ll see these throughout the New Orleans lakefront, Kenner and Metairie, and much of the westbank.
Slabs offer a different set of advantages.
Pros buyers like:
• No crawl space
• Typically level floors
• Less concern about beam rot
• Perceived “modern” construction
But slab homes aren’t immune to problems.
Common slab concerns:
• Cracks in the foundation
• Soil movement
• Plumbing leaks or breaks under the slab
• Settlement issues (Swampland!)
Here’s the big difference: when a slab has a structural problem, repairs can be more invasive and expensive.
With a raised home, you can access plumbing underneath. With a slab, plumbing is buried in concrete. If there’s a leak or a break, that can turn into jackhammering floors or tunneling under the slab. Neither are cheap.
So while slab homes sometimes feel “simpler,” they can create bigger repair conversations if something goes wrong.
How Foundation Type Affects a Traditional Sale
When you list a home with an agent and a buyer uses financing, inspections become a major turning point.
For raised homes, buyers often request:
• Structural inspections
• Termite reports
• Leveling evaluations
• Moisture remediation
For slab homes, lenders may focus heavily on:
• Visible cracks
• Structural engineer reports
• Plumbing tests
If the home has foundation issues — even minor ones — lenders can get nervous. And when lenders get nervous, deals fall apart.
It doesn’t mean your house is unsellable. It just means you need to be prepared for negotiation, repair requests, or delays.
Insurance & Elevation Considerations
In south Louisiana, foundation type also affects insurance.
Raised homes may benefit from elevation in flood-prone areas. But insurance carriers will still examine:
• Structural integrity
• Roof age
• Electrical systems
• Prior claims
Slab homes may face higher flood exposure depending on elevation.
Insurance has become one of the biggest variables in real estate transactions here. Buyers aren’t just asking, “Do I like this house?” They’re asking, “Can I insure it?”
Selling As-Is Changes the Equation
This is where things get simpler.
When you sell to a legitimate local cash buyer:
• There are no lender requirements
• No bank-driven structural demands
• No repair negotiations
• No inspection contingencies
Whether your home is raised or on a slab, the foundation type becomes part of the evaluation — not a deal breaker.
We look at the property as a whole. We factor repairs into the offer. And we close without asking you to fix anything.
For many sellers — especially those who don’t want to deal with structural engineers, repair estimates, and long inspection periods — this is a much cleaner path.
How Do I Sell My Home Fast in New Orleans?
Our goal is to provide a convenient, transparent, and professional home selling experience for our clients. Our three-step process will ensure that you receive the level of service that you deserve. Our approach is unique because it’s consultative. We want to learn about every prospective client’s unique situation and figure out the best way to help. Check out how our simple home buying process works.
Check Out How It Works
Learn exactly how we develop our offers and how the process works. It’s really very simple & easy.
Learn More About us
Before selling to us, get to know us. Everything we do is based on honesty and transparency.
Get Your Cash Offer
Fill in the form and we’ll contact you with your offer! There is no pressure & no obligation to accept.
Which Is Better?
Honestly? Neither is universally better.
Raised homes allow access and flexibility but often come with age-related wear.
Slab homes feel solid and modern but can create bigger repair bills if something shifts.
What matters most isn’t whether your home is raised or on a slab.
What matters is:
• Your timeline
• Your budget
• Your tolerance for repairs and negotiation
• Whether you want speed or maximum retail exposure
Final Thoughts
If you’re selling a raised house, expect inspection conversations.
If you’re selling a slab house, expect structural scrutiny if cracks are visible.
Neither foundation type should scare you — but both require realistic expectations.
If you want to avoid the back-and-forth and simply sell the house as-is, foundation and all, that’s always an option too.
I’m happy to walk you through what your specific property looks like and what makes the most sense for your situation — no pressure, just real information.
Selling your house doesn’t have to be complicated!
If you’d like to talk through your situation or explore what an as-is sale might look like — with no pressure — I’m here to help.
Visit NOLABuysHouses.com
Or call/text 504-264-1407