Having your own home is always a good thing. However, before you can get settled in a home that you like, there will be due process, such as paperwork, signing documents, and so on. One particular part of the home buying process is looking out for any undesirables, such as termites. If termites dwell in a home, a sale may not push through because this may become the buyer’s problem.
Because termites pose a serious threat to the buyer, many lenders require a clean bill of health. It’s no secret that termites are known to cause significant amounts of damage to any home, which can range up to a few thousand dollars. The easiest way to prevent this is through termite inspections.
In this article, we’ll discuss why termite inspections are vital during the home buying process. Read on below to learn more.
Why Termite Inspections Are Important
Termite inspections aren’t required per se, but rather it comes up during the home inspection itself. It’s necessary because most mortgage companies need to know if there are any termites in the house that can destroy wood before lending money to the buyer. A lender may send a third-party pest technician to inspect and ensure that the property is in good condition and free of termites.
How Termite Inspectors Work
Aside from making sure that a property’s condition is termite-free, a termite inspector will also take note of any damages that will be observed to determine if repairs will be necessary or not. In the case of termite inspections, only visible parts of the house will be inspected, meaning there’s no guarantee that termites aren’t in areas that aren’t visible.
The inspection process goes like this:
- The inspector will check every room of the property, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and the attic.
- Aside from termites, they will be on the lookout for leaking pipes and moisture-damaged wood, attracting termites.
Once the inspection is done, the inspector will look over the findings and make recommendations to either the homeowner or the building owner. If they see any evidence of a termite infestation, they will recommend treatment, regardless of whether there’s an active infestation or not. The property seller will be responsible for taking care of the problem, and the buyer must also get a copy of the inspector’s report before moving forward in the deal.
Why Buyers Need the Inspection
If you’re a homebuyer, you might think that it’s not necessary. On the contrary, you’ll need it for the following reasons:
Buyer’s Guarantee
Before a prospective buyer buys a home, a termite inspection must be done so that they will know of its condition. This also lets the seller know of their property’s condition so they can take corrective action.
Property’s Actual Value
Any real estate property will have a specific value that will go up or down depending on its condition. Obviously, a termite infestation is unwanted, meaning the property’s value will go down. This can become a factor during the negotiation process.
Conclusion
A termite inspection must be done because it ensures the safety of buyers. For sellers, they will also benefit from it because their property won’t go down in value. If there’s any evidence of a termite infestation found during the inspection, it has to be treated as soon as possible.
AEI Inspections provides top-quality services for home inspections in Tulsa. We believe that a house should always be free of any undesirable elements for would-be homeowners to be safe, so our inspectors will look at every nook and cranny of a property to ensure this goal is met. Contact us today to learn more!
