Is a Termite Inspection Essential When Purchasing a Home

If you’re planning on buying a new house or have already landed on one – congratulations! Whether it’s your first house or you’re only relocating, both the times the process is equally exciting. But but but, what’s less exciting is that you move into your newly bought home and are welcomed by unexpected and unpleasing surprises. For example, structural damage caused by termites or other pests like carpenter ants. What makes this more unfortunate is knowing that your insurance doesn’t cover termite damage.

So, it’d be better to say that, yes, in every real estate transaction, a termite inspection is an essential step. And this is especially true if you’re planning to get your loan approved from a lender. These inspections help your lender determine whether you should be given a loan for a home purchase. The presence of termites or evidence of past termite damage can significantly impact the lender’s decision. If termites are found, it may lower the property’s value and increase the risks associated with the loan. Thus, the lender might be required to address the termite issue before approving the loan or adjust the loan amount accordingly.

In this blog, we intend to answer the most asked question, “Are termite inspections necessary?”. But before that let’s highlight the significant damage termites can have on a home.

How Termites Can Damage A Home?

Termites feed on cellulose found in wood and can cause damage that can cost more than $5 billion in property damage annually. In their search for food, these intruders chew through flooring, wood, and even wallpaper. This type of termite activity then significantly damages a house’s structural support and foundation and costs thousands of dollars just to fix. Most of the time, different termite colonies also live together and this means that the home you’re about to buy might have millions of uninvited guests (termites) at any time. In the United States, drywood and subterranean termites are two of the most common ones found, and both of these can create significant stress on the property.

The most vulnerable areas to termite damage are:

• Slab foundations
• Areas that touch dirt
• Inaccessible crawl spaces

These three are the areas that are most prone to excess moisture and can attract termites over time.

Reasons to Get A Termite Inspection

Maintaining Property Value

Maintaining property value is an important and very obvious reason to schedule a termite inspection when purchasing a home. By conducting a termite inspection and getting the inspection report you’ll be able to verify the property’s value you’re about to buy. If the report highlights some major termite damage, you can use those findings to negotiate a better price with the seller. Once you discover termite infestation and its related damage before closing on a deal, you not only save yourself money in treating the damage. In fact, you will also have the ability to plan how you or the homeowner will handle it before finalizing the purchase.

Termites Can Be Active Even if They’re Not Visible

Ok, this might surprise you a bit. Termites can be active for five years before their colonies are enough in size to cause major damage to the property. This means that these trespassers get plenty of time to sneak up on you right after you step into your new home. So, it’s better to know whether you’re stepping into an entirely empty home or there is an unexpected welcoming committee waiting for you. Termite damage usually happens in areas where the wood comes in contact with the ground. The most common example is the home’s foundation. This is why it’s better to not just try your luck with termites but rather inspect the property beforehand to determine whether you really want to make the purchase.

Your Insurance Might Not Cover It

If you decide to let go of termite inspection, then remember your typical insurance won’t be covering the expense of termite damage. But if you have an additional coverage plan for it, then that’s another case. You might think that termite damage is rare, but to your surprise, every year, 600,000 homes in the US are exposed to damage caused by termites. We think that this large number of termite-affected homes is enough of a reason to rethink your decision about skipping termite inspection during the closing period.

Termite Damage is Expensive

Since the threats imposed by termites are major, then, of course fixing the damage caused by these termites is also expensive. These unwelcomed guests actually eat up your home’s foundation, and that’s big. In fact, in worst cases, these may also compromise your home’s structure integrity. On average, to fix these issues, you might need to spend around $2500 to $3000. So, it’s justified to say that it’s rather fair to spend much less by scheduling a termite inspection instead of facing such financial challenges as a homeowner. It’s all about considering these inspections as an investment for your future home and a peaceful life there.

Early Detection is the Key

Termite inspections save you from future headaches – quite literally. When it comes to things related to termites, with early detection you can prevent most of the significant damage in the future. With termite inspections, you get to detect termites early in your future home, eventually saving you thousands of dollars. Some of the warning signs of termites include:

• Discolored or drooping drywall
• Stuck doors or windows
• Excessively squeaky floorboards

These signs surely indicate the presence of termites, but to be sure, it’s better to schedule an inspection. Professional inspectors have the eye for detail that is needed to identify termite issues and spot these sneaky intruders that might be hard for you to do so.

Conclusion

Termite inspections might seem like an added expense on top of all the money you’re spending for buying that house. But, if you look at the benefits in the long run this will seem just like a well-deserved expense. The inspection can potentially save you from significant financial and structural risks down the line. Considering all the potential termites to potentially damage the property, putting its value at stake, getting a termite inspection beforehand is a smart decision for every homebuyer.

By identifying and addressing termite issues early on, you can make informed decisions and negotiate repairs or treatments with sellers. Ultimately ensuring the long-term health and value of your investment. Therefore, while it may seem like an optional step, a termite inspection is an essential part of the home-buying process and rightly so.

Ready to ensure the longevity and value of your home investment? Look no further than Inspect360 for comprehensive termite inspection services. Our team specializes in thorough assessments to detect and address any potential termite issues, safeguarding your property from costly damage. Don’t leave your investment to chance – schedule your termite inspection with Inspect360 today and enjoy peace of mind for years to come!