If you are in the process of buying a home, congratulations! Whether it is your first home, or you are simply moving somewhere new buying a home is exciting. However, something that isn’t exciting is finding out your new home has structural damage caused by termites or other wood-destroying insects like carpenter ants. Termites can cause a lot of damage to a home, not to mention the cost of repairing that damage. If you are buying a home, it is important to have a termite inspection to make sure that the house is free of termites and other wood-destroying insects.
When you get your home inspected the home inspector will look for many different things, but they will not check for termite damage. This is why it is extremely important to schedule a separate termite inspection to ensure the home you are purchasing is safe from termites.
How Termites Can Damage a Home
Termites are small insects that live in colonies in the ground. These colonies can number in the millions and they will travel dozens of feet above and below ground to find food. Termites eat wood, and they will happily feast on the wood in your home if given the chance.
While termites do not eat through concrete, they can squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices in the foundation to get into a home. Once termites have gained entry, they will start eating the wood in the walls, floors, ceilings, and support beams. This eating can cause a lot of damage to the structural integrity of the house and it can even make the home unsafe to live in if the termites eat too much of the structural support.
In some cases, termites will also build mud tubes to travel between their colony and the house. These mud tubes are small tunnels made out of termite saliva and dirt that termites use to travel back and forth between their colony and your home. If you find termite mud tubes on the outside of the home, it is a sure sign that termites are already inside and eating away at the wood. By getting a termite inspection before purchasing the home, you are ensuring that you are not buying a home that is damaged and infested with termites.
The Benefits of Getting A Termite Inspection Before Buying Your Home
When you are buying a home, it is important to get a termite inspection to make sure that the house is free of termites and other wood-destroying insects. There are many benefits that come with scheduling a termite inspection before buying a home some of which include,
Helping You Identify the Problem Before You Sign
Once you sign the contract you become responsible for the termite damage, no matter how bad it is. If you have a termite inspection before you sign, you can negotiate with the seller to have them pay for termite treatment or repairs. In some cases, the seller may even be willing to lower the price of the home to cover the cost of termite treatment. While this is not always the case, it is definitely worth asking.
A termite inspection will also give you an idea of how severe the termite damage is and what kind of repairs need to be made. This way, you can decide if you still want to purchase the home or if you would like to walk away from the deal.
Giving You An Upper Hand in Negotiations
If you find termite damage during the termite inspection, you have a few options. As we mentioned before, you can ask the seller to pay for termite treatment or repairs, you can negotiate a lower price for the home, or you can walk away from the deal. No matter what you decide to do, having a termite inspection before buying the home gives you the upper hand in negotiations.
The seller may try to downplay the termite damage or they may even try to hide it. However, if you have a termite inspection report that details the extent of the damage, the seller will not be able to argue with you. This report will give you the leverage you need to get the seller to agree to your terms, whether that is a lower price for the home or having them pay for termite treatment.
A termite inspection report can also be used as leverage if the termites are still active. If you find active termites during the inspection, you can use this as bargaining power to have the seller pay for termite treatment. In some cases, the seller may even be willing to lower the price of the home to cover the cost of termite treatment.
Uncovering Hidden Issues
Buying a home is a big investment and you want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth. A termite inspection can uncover hidden issues that the seller may not be aware of or may be trying to hide. These hidden issues can include,
- Water damage:
If there is termite damage, there is a good chance that there is also water damage. This is because termites are attracted to moisture and they need it to survive. If the termites have been eating away at the wood, they may have also created tunnels that allow water to enter the home. This can lead to serious problems like mold and mildew growth, which can be costly to repair.
- Structural damage:
Termites can cause a lot of structural damage to a home if they are left unchecked. They will eat away at the wood, which can weaken the foundation and the framing of the home. This can make the home unsafe and can lead to expensive repairs.
- Electrical damage:
Termites can also damage the electrical wiring of the home. This is because they will eat away at the insulation around the wires. This can create a fire hazard and can be very expensive to repair.
Avoiding Any Future Regret
Imagine spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on your new home only to find out there is a terrible pest infestation taking over the house. This infestation could harm your family’s health and your property. Taking the time to have a pre-purchase termite inspection will help give you the confidence of investing in a termite and pest-free home.
Let Us Help With Your Pre-Purchase Termite Inspection
Overall, a termite inspection is a crucial step to take when buying a home. It can uncover hidden issues that the seller may not be aware of, it can give you leverage in negotiations, and it can help you avoid any future regret. If you are looking for a team to help with your pre-purchase termite inspection, look no further than Sigma Pest Control. Our team of experts will be able to inspect your home for termites and provide you with a detailed report. We can also help with termite treatment if necessary. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a termite inspection before closing on your new home.