Buying or Selling a Home/Homes and Termites

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Expert: - 11/27/2008


Question

The house
Hi, I just recently got to Hinesville, Ga and am looking to buy a house, the house I liked had been treated for termites.

Should this be a concern and what should I look for to make sure the termites are no longer present and the damage they made before was minimal?

Will it cost more to get it insured for termites?

Thank you so much!
Nelson


Answer
Hey, Nelson.

Get the documentation from the company that did the treatment. That should tell you why it was treated and where the damage was. There's a slight possibility that the company that did the treatment is not the same one that did the evaluation for the treatment. "Treatment" usually involves repair of damaged ares as well as some sort of treatment to kill any residual colonies and preventative treatment against re-infestation.

Find out what their warranty is. The worst companies have 90-day warranties, the best have two-year warranties.

I'm not quite sure I understand your last question since I don't think you can "get it insured for termintes." I think you're wondering if homeowner's insurance will be higher because you had termites. It shouldn't be since the house has been treated.

Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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