i'm trying to determine the "resale factor" of different foundation types for a small home.
in my neck of the woods, the difference between a concrete block foundation (with a poured floor) vs. a poured concrete foundation (with a poured floor) is about 5k - labor/material savings.
from a resale standpoint - if you were buying a house - would it matter which is which? would you deduct 5k from the value of a house... or look at it differently if it had a concrete block foundation vs. poured? or does it just not matter that much?
Unless I REALLY liked the property, I wouldn't buy a house with a block foundation. A properly poured foundation is tighter and stronger.
Not all block foundations are equal - a speed block wall filled with rebar and concrete is nearly as good as a poured equivalent. Here in the Bay Area the engineering requirements for walls are as tough as anywhere but you'll often see smaller e.g. office or apartment buildings with long, high (>20') block walls. Admittedly built with speed blocks, a lot of rebar and probably >8" wide. The block section is often attached to poured walls for the more complicated or higher shear sections of the building.
From a resale standpoint building the same as what is the norm for the area may be best. It would be what the local folks would be used to.
I agree with Don. Having lived in four states on the northern Great Plains, block foundations are common. Would poured increase value? Maybe.
But it's doubtful that block would decrease it.