Should You Buy a House with Termite Damage?

When you buy a home, the image you have in your mind is of a place where you will create your family’s future. After a great deal of searching, you find a home that looks like it was made for you and is in the perfect neighborhood. Schools are close by and commuting to work will not be a problem. Stores and entertainment options are easy to get to. There is, however, a big hurdle. Being a responsible and careful person, you have had a termite inspection of the property done. For this, you used a professional termite control service and they have found termite damage in the property. What do you do now? You do not have to walk away yet. There are options available to you.

The Decision

Your decision should take into account the extent of the damage done. If the damage is so bad that repairs are not a viable option, then you have no choice but to walk away and continue your search for the perfect home. However, if the damage can be fixed, then you can consider going ahead, subject to certain conditions.

Also Read: All Termites Are NOT the Same

If Signs of Termite Damage Are Found

Signs of termite damage are a big warning sign, but not necessarily a reason to walk away from your dream home. There are some things you need to find out before you make a decision.

• Has termite treatment been done by the current owner? If so, has it been effective and have all the termites been removed? Are the signs of termite damage just the leftovers of the infestation? The termite service you used to do the inspection will be able to answer these questions. If you are told that no termites remain in the house, you can think of getting the damage repaired. This is a specialized job and the termite company will be able to help you find experts who will survey the damage and give you an estimate of the repair cost. You can then either ask the owner to have the repairs done or adjust the cost against the selling price and pay for the work yourself.
• If the termite infestation is an existing problem, then ask the termite control company to tell you how much termite treatment (termite tenting or other methods) will cost. Once you know this, you will need to add this to the cost of the damage repair. You then have the same choice of having the owner pay for everything or adjusting the amount from the selling price and paying for the work yourself.

Also Read: Termite FAQs

Expert Help Is Essential

Spotting the signs of a termite infestation and the resulting damage requires expert knowledge. You must have a professional termite control company by your side to ensure that the decisions you make are informed ones so that your family’s new home and its future are safe.

As an added protection for the future, ask the termite service about termite prevention treatment options to ensure that your home and your family stay safe.