Real Estate And Termite Damage

Termite damage, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can be a real estate investment killer. If, during a home inspection, any termite damage is found, it will have an affect on the negotiation process.

In the majority of cases, the responsibility of fixing the problem will lie with the seller of the property. Although this may seem like a good deal to some buyers that the seller will treat for termites, they still need to consider the damage that has already been done.

In severe cases, damage to the structure could cost up to 50 times the amount paid for the treatment. The last thing you want is to move into a home that you know has been treated for termites, only to find the structure to be in very bad condition.

If any type of damage was done to the wooden structure of the home, immediate repairs may be required. While some termite damage may be visible, there are other types of damage that may seem invisible to the naked eye.

To find out just how bad the damage is, carpets and rugs will need to be lifted, furniture and appliances moved, walls and ceilings will need to be opened, and even some types of excavation may be needed.

Unfortunately, this is the only way to find the extent of the damages, especially when termites are involved. If you don’t inspect every area of the home, you could be moving into a home that has severe structural damage - which could end up costing thousands of dollars to repair.

There could also be latent damage present as well. To determine this, you’ll need to have invasive and destructive testing performed on your home. This will be performed by qualified contractors and specialists, and will also help to determine the extent of the damage as well as the cost of the repairs needed. This can end up being very expensive, but it’s the only way to find and repair any latent damage.

To protect yourself, you should always get a treatment and repair history before you purchase the home. If you are renting the home, you’ll need to get written documentation from the specialist that details the damage to the home and cost of repairs.

Before you buy a home, you should always have it checked for termites. There are a lot of termite inspection companies out there, many of whom will go above and beyond to inspect a home for any type of termite damage.

The last thing an investor wants to do is to buy a home and find out later that it has been infested with termites. If you have the proper inspections performed before you make the purchase, you’ll know for a fact that you don’t have to worry about termites or termite damage.

If the inspector or contractor doesn’t find any termite damage, you should always have it documented. This way, if termite damage does exist, you’ll have the documentation to back you up.

Termites can do an incredible amount of damage to a home, even more so if you are looking at purchasing a log home. If you know a home has been infested with termites before - you need to make sure that the structure isn’t damaged and the termites are gone before you commit to buying.


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