Does a termite inspection cover the seller and the buyer?
Additionally, the termite inspection covers both the seller and buyer from legal recourse down the road. For instance, with the inspection, the buyer cannot claim the seller didn't disclose pre-existing issues and demand the seller pay for structural repairs.
Who pays for termite remediation when selling a house?
As the seller, you should expect to pay for the termite inspection cost and Section 1 termite treatment. If you negotiate an offer that states you are not responsible for paying for Section 1 remediation, make sure the buyer tracks whether or not the bank requires a termite certificate.
Do I need a termite letter to sell my house?
Having a house filled with pests is not ideal, but it is a solvable problem. However, a home filled with termites is a horse of another color! By law, homeowners need a letter from a certified pest control company declaring the house termite-free.
How do I get short sale approval for termite repairs?
If the seller is having to get Short Sale approval from his lender, a good way to put leverage on that Short Sale bank to agree to pay the termite repairs is to get an appraisal done that calls out the termite repair as a condition to funding the buyer's loan. b.
Who pays for termite treatment buyer or seller California?
the sellerIn California, as in most states, you as the seller usually cover the cost of the WDO inspection though with many companies, they may offer to do the inspection at no cost with the hope that you'll come back to use their services for future problems.
Does seller have to pay for termite treatment in California?
Who Pays for a Termite Inspection? In California and most other states, the seller pays for termite inspections. This is because some lenders ask home buyer's for a termite certificate or report prior to funding a loan — no inspection, no loan, no home sale.
Does the buyer or seller pay for termite inspection Virginia?
sellerVA Termite Inspection Cost Typically, the seller pays the cost, but it may also be the listing agent, buyer's agent, or even the lender (as long as the Veteran does not pay it.) Most termite inspection invoices range from $50 – $100.
Are termites a deal breaker when buying a house?
So, when is it a deal-breaker? In most cases, termite damage shouldn't be a deal-breaker, unless you find that: — There is an active and unresolved termite infestation. — There is extensive and unresolved structural damage to the home caused by termites.
Who pays for termite report in California?
the sellerTermite Inspection Reports Section one is termite treatment and should be paid for by the seller. Section two is considered as termite prevention and should be paid for by the buyer.
Do lenders require termite inspections California?
If you are receive a loan from a lender. Some lenders require that a termite inspection be completed and submitted to the lender. It is advisable to ask your loan officer if they require a termite inspections as part of a condition for funding the loan.
What is the seller responsible for in a VA loan?
Sellers Must Pay Certain Fees The loan program prohibits buyers from paying certain fees at closing. Typically, this will include the loan underwriting fee and the closing fee. Those fees don't go away. Instead, they become the seller's responsibility.
Can the buyer pay for termite repairs on a VA loan?
Although VA buyers cannot pay for the pest inspection in most states, they might be able to pay for any treatment to get rid of them. VA lenders may even let buyers pay for termite damage repairs in some cases.
Who pays for termite inspection in Florida?
As the seller, you should expect to pay for the termite inspection cost and Section 1 termite treatment.
Do termites come back after treatment?
Will termites come back after treatment? Termites may return after treatments. Luckily, companies like Orkin and Terminix promise to re-treat at no extra cost if you have a termite plan with them.
What is the most destructive termite?
Formosan termitesFormosan termites are one of the most aggressive and destructive types of termites. Like other termites, these termites are known for destroying wood by boring tunnels through walls. Just one Formosan termite colony can potentially contain more than 10 million individual termites taking up residence in a plot of soil.
Can a termite infested house be saved?
Although termite damage may be reversed through professional repair, homeowners should first call a local termite specialist. Repairs should not be made until a licensed pest professional has confirmed that there are no longer termites present and the risk of further infestation has been eliminated.
Who is responsible for termite damage?
The seller writes up the contract and typically lists who is responsible for termite damage if there is any question in the matter. If the seller lists in the contract that the buyer has to pay for any pest damage or repairs found, it will be the buyer’s responsibility.
What is section one in a termite inspection?
In a termite inspection report, the inspector will list the outcome as section one or section two. Section one is termite treatment and should be paid for by the seller. Section two is considered as termite prevention and should be paid for by the buyer.
What to read before buying a home?
However, you should have already read the contract before signing, which means the inspection report will have already been done. Before signing a contract to buy a home, there are certain inspections and paperwork you want to have. Some of these include: 1 Closing cost obligations 2 Disclosure agreement 3 Home appraisal report 4 Home inspection contingency 5 Home maintenance and repair records 6 Termite inspection contingency 7 Terms of finance
Why do termite inspectors need a license?
Termite inspectors are issued a specific license due to their use of controlled chemicals which allows them the ability to treat the home if termites are present. To clarify the differences in the two inspections, we need to identify what each inspector does and some of the terminology used.
What is section 1 termite inspection?
Termite inspection reports describe items as either “Section 1” or “Section 2”. Section 1 items typically fall into the closing costs for the seller, meaning sellers pay for these treatments.
What does a termite inspector look for?
Termite inspectors look at various wood destroying organisms in the home including termites and fungi. Termite inspectors will inspect from the ground to the first floor. If accessible, termite inspectors will enter attics to examine the roof structure. Some home inspectors possess both licenses, but most do not.
How much does a pest inspection cost?
A pest company might vary pricing depending on whether the foundation is raised or slab and on the number of stories or square footage. Prices vary from around $50 to $200.
What does a pest control company do?
Based on the findings of the inspection, the pest control company will recommend treatments or provide options for prevention and protection. They provide treatment options for both subterranean and drywood termites, as well as protection plans that covers the cost of damage and repairs as long as your plan is active.
What is a home inspection?
Home Inspection – is a home inspector examines a home’s structure, its systems, and components for defects. This includes aspects of the construction, electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling systems, roof, interior, and exterior components. The home inspector will inspect nearly every aspect of a home and is much more detailed than ...
Can a home inspector inspect for termites?
No. While most home inspectors are qualified to inspect and identify termite activity, the two inspections are distinctly different and serve different purposes. Also, in every state, the licensing for home inspectors and termite inspectors is different. Termite inspectors are issued a specific license due to their use of controlled chemicals which ...
How much does a termite inspection cost in California?
In California and in almost all other states, sellers pay termite inspection costs. The cost is typically inexpensive, ranging from $50 to $150. Some termite companies even offer a free inspection in the hopes that they'll earn your business and can handle any necessary (and more expensive) treatment.
What is section 1 in a termite inspection?
Section 1. Termite inspection reports describe items as either "Section 1" or "Section 2". Section 1 items typically fall into the closing costs for the seller, meaning sellers pay for these treatments. This includes the cost of remediation, like tenting or spraying to eliminate an active termite infestation.
Do banks require termite certificates?
Because of this, it's very common for a bank to ask for a termite certificate prior to funding a loan. As with most things, this point is negotiable so buyers should be prepared to ask for a contingency stating the seller pays for a termite inspection, treatment, or both - even on an as-is sale.
Do you have to pay for termite inspection?
As the seller, you should expect to pay for the termite inspection cost and Section 1 termite treatment. If you negotiate an offer that states you are not responsible for paying for Section 1 remediation, make sure the buyer tracks whether or not the bank requires a termite certificate.
What is a termite inspection report?
The Termite Inspection Report. During the termite inspection, the inspector will be looking for more than just termites. The inspector will be on the lookout for other pests, dry rot, leaks, and fungus that could cause structural damage to your foundation. Incidentally, most of the time the inspector isn't actually looking for ...
What does section 1 mean for a termite inspection?
Under Section 1, the inspector will identify any damage caused by termites and WDOs as well as if they spot an actual infestation. These issues will need to be remedied immediately before the buyer moves into the home as the damage is considered a potential safety hazard for the new homeowners.
What is section 2 of a termite report?
Section 2. Section 2 of your termite report will focus on potential future problems with termite or WDO damage. For example, the inspector may note that an area could be a hotspot for pests and prone to creating an environment where termites would flourish and cause damage.
How much does an inspection cost?
If the inspector does charge, typically the inspection cost will range from $50 to $150 making it an inexpensive upfront cost that could end up saving you thousands in the future — the negligible fee and potential benefits make getting an inspection an easy choice for most sellers.
Do you have to know about termites before selling your house?
While you never want to hear that you have a termite infestation, it's important to know before you attempt to sell your home so you don't run into issues with the buyer down the line. Learn everything you need to know about termite inspections — how to read the report and how much it will cost you.
Can you spray a house for active pests?
Treatments for active pest problems can either be small fixes, like spraying an isolated area, or they can be more involved, for instance, you may need to tent and spray the entire home. Additionally, the seller will pay for any repairs needed to fix dry rot or replace wood damaged by termites.
Do you need a termite inspection in California?
And while a termite inspection is not legally required in California, many lenders obligate buyers to have one before they hand over financing.
Why do you need to inspect your house for termites?
In order for a real estate sale to be finalized, the house and property must be inspected for termites. This inspection is to protect the buyer’s interests so they are not tricked into something they were not aware of.
What is the smell of termites?
Infestations of pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, and termites each have a unique odor. This odor is one that is usually musty, oily, or just downright smelly! With each room you enter, take a deep breath and see if anything smells out of the ordinary.
Do you need a letter to sell a house with termites?
However, a home filled with termites is a horse of another color! By law, homeowners need a letter from a certified pest control company declaring the house termite-free. Once the inspection has been completed, you can move forward with the selling process. However, if termites are present, keep that pest control company around to talk about ...
Can termites be in your house?
An active termite infestation is within the house. There is no infestation within the house, but there are signs of an infestation underground. The house was previously treated for an infestation, but could still have termites underground. Termite inspections are mandated by law for the proper sale of real estate, ...
How do you know if you have termites?
The first sign of termites is their bodies around your property. The most visible types of termites are known as swarmers. These types of termites have wings and are responsible for starting new colonies.
Can you sell a house with termites?
You might be wondering, Can you sell a house with termites on the open market? The short answer is yes. However, it’s important to be as upfront and open as possible. In some states, it’s legally required that you disclose any termite damage or infestation that’s occurred. Regardless of the law where you live, this is a good practice to follow.
How much does termite treatment cost?
According to HomeAdvisor, the national average for the cost of termite treatment is $525, and most treatments will fall between the range of $217-$868. More involved processes, including tenting and full scale fumigation, can run between $1,200 to $2,500 or more in extreme circumstances.
How to deal with termite damage?
While the phrase “termite damage” can be scary for buyers, you can take steps as a seller to allay their concerns with a few standard procedures: 1. Pay for a pest inspection. If you suspect there’s even a hint of termite damage in your home, it’s wise to shell out for a pest inspection.
How long is termite warranty?
Termite repairs and treatment typically come with a year-long warranty that can transfer to the buyer at the time of purchase. This warranty, while it acknowledges a history of termites in the home, helps with the sale and shows potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained.
How to tell if a termite is infested?
It would be nearly impossible for a homeowner to let an infestation get to an untreatable point—the signs of damage would be prevalent, even to the untrained eye. Keep your eyes open for these signs of termite trouble: Blistering or dark spots on wooden flooring.
What does it mean when your floor is a termite?
Changes in the floor can indicate a termite infestation in your flooring. In some instances, this blistering can resemble water damage. Hollow wood. If you knock on a wooden structure in your home, and it sounds hollow when it shouldn’t be, termites might be chewing through your walls or structures. Wings.
What does a pest inspector do?
It’s hard to spot early signs of infestation with an untrained eye, but a pest inspector will go over the exterior of your home to check for any signs of unwanted critters. At the end of the inspection, they’ll also provide a report including next steps you can take as a homeowner to solve or prevent pest issues.
What happens if you don't catch termites?
If you don’t catch termite issues early, or put preventive measures in place, your house (and wallet) could be in trouble. In many instances, you’ll see evidence of the termites themselves before you find the damage they’ve done. When they spawn in the spring, you might find wings or small bodies in your home.
