Pre-Purchase Termite Inspection
Before buying a home, having it inspected for termites can save money and prevent headaches later.
Termites are nasty residents. They’re almost invisible and completely silent but cause extensive damage behind the scenes. Just uttering the word “termite” or seeing mud tubes or termite wings can make some homeowners shudder. Termites are active in 49 of the 50 states in the US and cause billions in property damage each year.
Before buying a home, having it inspected for termites can save money and prevent headaches later. Often, mortgage lenders will require a termite inspection to certify that the property has no termite damage or active termites.
Why inspect before buying?
A termite inspection is an expense, but it’s worth the price. It reveals termite activity, and some home purchase agreements are contingent on its results.
Termites eat timber from the inside out, leaving little evidence of their presence until an infestation is far along. The warning signs can be subtle, taking an expert to recognize them.
A large termite colony can consume up to a pound of cellulose daily, resulting in extensive structural damage if left for too long.
Termites make nests and tubes to live in and travel. A large nest and a network of tubes indicate severe infestation.
During early spring, swarms of sexually mature winged adults leave their nests to start new colonies elsewhere. The presence of these termites or their wings inside a home is a warning sign of infestation.
The presence of termites is alarming but doesn’t necessarily mean a home is unsound, especially if the colony is small or the infestation is new. An expert can tell the difference.
A termite inspector can decipher the warning signs of termites and recognize the presence of other wood-destroying insects like carpenter ants.
What next?
Revealing termite activity isn’t all bad news. The signs, mainly hollow wood and subterranean tunnels, may be leftover from a previous infestation. A termite inspector will recognize the difference between past and current termite activity and write a report. The seller should have the home treated for termites and structural repairs done.
It may not be a deal breaker if termites are active on the property. Termites usually affect a home’s resale value, but sellers treat for termites and repair termite damage, restoring a property’s value. If a follow-up inspection reveals minor infestation, and the seller is willing to pay for termite treatment and repairs, then the property is worth considering.
Negotiating pricing
A termite infestation may be good news when buying property. Buyers use this defect as leverage to reduce the price of a home. If the buyer is adamant about bringing down the price, the seller should have the buyer pay for termite extermination. Working with a professional can help determine the extent of termite damage and whether it’s worth purchasing the home.
Having read this guide, paying for a termite inspection before buying a home now makes sense. A building inspector can look for signs of termite damage, but hiring an expert who specializes in all things termites is best.
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!