Wet crawl spaces under homes (Portland, Eugene: buying a home, buying, design)

[skypros]

I am looking at buying a home in the Portland area..... and have noticed on the houses that I have looked at the crawl spaces there tends to be some moisture issues.

Some have water on top of the plastic vapor barrier
Some are moist under the plastic vapor barrier (not muddy just moist, semi damp)

I am not talking a crawl space full of water.... just some moisture issues.

My Realtor says that is a totally common thing for the Portland area.

I have had a home in Eugene, Bend, La Pine and Sisters and never had any moisture issues.

Is it common in the Portland area???

[skiffrace]

Some are moist under the plastic vapor barrier (not muddy just moist, semi damp)

This is OK. The purpose of plastic vapor barrier is to block the ground moisture from evaporating into the insulation and the wooden structure of the floor. After months and months of rain, the ground is virtually guaranteed to hold some moisture. However, a properly-designed house should allow water the evacuate away from the house, not to pool underneath.

Some have water on top of the plastic vapor barrier

This is not. This means the water does not evacuate away from the house, and pools underneath instead. Stay clear from house like that.