Who Pays for the Termite Inspection, the Buyer or the Seller?
A termite inspection is when a licensed technician comes to your home and inspects key areas like the attic, garage, crawl spaces, and sinks for any signs of termites. An expert will inspect both the interior and exterior of your home, searching for both subterranean and drywood termite activity like shed wings, damaged wood, termite droppings, and mud tubes.
Depending on the size of your property, how accessible key areas are, and if there are signs of termite infestation, the entire process typically takes less than an hour to complete. Once the technician is finished with their process, they will give you a thorough report of what they found.
If there are signs of termites, the technician will explain our Sentricon System for termite control treatment and why it’s the absolute best for your home and landscape.
Should You Get a Termite Inspection Before Buying a Home?
Home inspections are one of the first steps of the homebuying process. These inspections allow buyers and lenders to learn more about the major and minor problems of a home.
Home inspections often uncover problems like faulty wiring, structural damage, and mold. They do NOT always inspect or catch pest/termite damage. Therefore, conducting an additional inspection is always advised.
Having a home inspected by a licensed pest professional before purchasing ensures there are no current, existing, or even potential pest problems.
If there are pest or termite issues, you (the buyer) have the upper hand in negotiations. With documented inspection report proof, you can negotiate with the seller to either reduce the price of the home before purchasing or ask the seller to fully cover the costs of pest control services to ensure you move into a pest-free home.
Are Termite Inspections Required to Get Approved for a Home Loan?
Whether a termite inspection is required before you can get approved for a home loan depends on several variables such as the state in which you live, your loan program, lender, and home insurance policy.
For example, if you qualify for a VA loan, there are 39 states that require pest inspections – New Jersey is one of those states. It’s important to note that the VA does not specifically name who is responsible for paying for the pest services. However, there are certain states and mortgage lenders who require the seller to pay for services and repairs up to a certain amount.
If you qualify for a government-backed loan, such as an FHA loan, then a termite inspection is only required if the home or property has signs of active termites.
Although not always required, it’s best to consider pest and termite inspections before purchasing a home. In any real estate transaction, you’ll probably be hit with the words “termite letter.” If so, this letter is a document that states to the buyer that the home is damage-free, and it often provides the seller with a quicker close.
If There is Termite Damage, Who Pays for That?
Most states and lenders require that the seller pays for termite inspections. If termite damage is detected, whether past or present activity, the seller is also the one responsible for pest control services.
The seller has a few choices in how they will handle the expenses of termite and pest control. They can either pay upfront costs for treatment, lower the price of the home, or pay through closing costs.
Once the home is deemed pest-free and the buyer purchases the home, then the buyer is responsible for pest and termite prevention. It’s important for homeowners to know that homeowner’s insurance does not pay to repair termite damage, so it’s critical to have your new home inspected, treated, and repaired before closing on a home.
Where to Get a Termite Inspection
At Dial Environmental, we use a Sentricon System, the number one brand in termite protection. When it comes time to get a termite inspection, we come out and thoroughly inspect the home and surrounding area for any potential signs of termites or pests.
If there are signs of termites, we can discreetly install the Sentricon System around your home, so that the termite colonies basically eliminate themselves. Plus, your home is protected 24/7 from future infestations.
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, don’t let termites be an unexpected expense for you! Contact our experienced pest control team for affordable termite prevention services. Get a FREE quote today!