Gary KW4Z wrote:
We plan on selling our current home in a year or so and upon doing
inspections to find possible flaws or common problems that will need to be
addressed to help sell the home I noticed a drywall crack extending from the
top corner of a room opening to the edge of the second level floor in an
open foyer (open from lower level to upper level). This crack is visible in
the drywall and looks bad and I would like to get rid of it to keep it from
being an issue with a home inspector or potential buyer. The home is about
4 to 5 years old.

Any ideas on how to eliminate this crack, most likely caused due to some
settling, without causing some major problems to the drywall. The crack
extends at about a 45 degree angle, upwards, and about for 18 inches.

Rather than rigid spackle, corners and fine cracks that result from
movement can be patched with paintable caulk. Corners crack commonly
from expansion, and that is most common problem area. Using rigid
material just invites it to crack again; flexible material allows a
little movement without cracking.