What if your new home had a bomb hidden inside?
No, we’re not talking about just any bomb. Instead, we’re talking about nature’s sneakiest weapon — termites.
Homebuyers often wonder if it’s worth getting a termite inspection report for closing on a house. The answer is “yes,” and failing to get such a report puts you in serious danger.
What Is a Termite Inspection Report for Closing?
We’ve put together a thorough guide for why you should get a termite report before closing on a home. Before we go any further, though, we need to define exactly what such a report is.
A termite report is generated by a termite inspector. You can purchase the services of such an inspector at any time. And it’s a particularly good idea before buying a home.
Such reports are meant to reflect a very thorough inspection, both inside your home and out. The goal is simple — to give you ample warning that a home may be infested by termites.
And it is typically homebuyers that are responsible for financing such an inspection. However, you may be able to negotiate the costs of various inspections and services with the seller ahead of time.
Why Are Inspections So Important?
We have covered what a termite inspector does and what their inspection report really is. But there is a bigger question that homebuyers often have: “do I really need to get an inspection ahead of time?”
We think the answer to that question is always “yes.” This is primarily because termites are a very stealthy threat to your new home.
It’s easy enough to look at a piece of damaged wood and see that termites have been there. But if they are eating away at your home from the inside, it may be many years before you see their handiwork. And at that point, the damage is done.
That kind of damage can result in costly repairs. In extreme circumstances, it could even lead to the loss of your home!
Why Doesn’t Everyone Get An Inspection?
We have focused on what an inspector does and why inspections are so important. Despite this, many homebuyers neglect to get a termite inspection before closing on a home.
Why would homebuyers neglect to get such an important inspection? The answer is simple — because of the added cost.
Most termite inspections only cost a few hundred dollars. But for someone juggling down payments and closing costs, voluntarily taking on an extra bill may seem absurd.
We respect that buying a house is an expensive and stressful act. However, the benefits of a termite inspection far outweigh the cost.
For example, you may pay $150 for a termite inspection. And that inspection may save you from buying a home that will eventually need thousands of dollars of termite treatments and repairs!
An Investment In Your Future
Most homebuyers look at their house as more than a house. It’s not just any purchase — it’s an investment in their future.
To protect such an investment, homebuyers take on many extra costs. This includes everything from additional insurance to state-of-the-art security systems.
And a termite inspection functions in the same way. Sure, it’s an added cost that you could skip out on paying. But can you really put a price tag on the peace of mind that comes from a clean report?
How to Get an Inspection
We’ve discussed the importance of getting a termite inspection before closing on a new home. But do you know how to get such an inspection started?
All you have to do is contact a licensed termite inspector to conduct the inspection. You may have locals in your area that specialize in this, and you can also contact local pest control companies.
In some ways, getting the inspection from a pest control company is the better choice. If they discover termites but you still want to buy the home, they will have more resources to get rid of all the termites.
Don’t forget to hold on to their official report. This can give you leverage with the sellers, especially if the inspection found termites.
To Buy or Not to Buy
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet famously said “to be or not to be” as he pondered his own demise. If the inspection found termites, you have something to ponder as well: “to buy or not to buy.”
The discovery of termites may be enough to drive you away from purchasing the house. After all, you now know the home is going to need potentially expensive treatment and repair.
However, if this is your dream home, termites may not be enough to drive you away. The report may help you negotiate a better price to account for the added cost of treatment and repair. After all, the sellers now know they’ll have a tough time selling.
Keep in mind that homes are successfully treated for termites every day. And it’s entirely possible to drive them away and claim this house for your own.
Personal Inspection
So far, we have discussed two possible options: either getting a professional inspection or no inspection at all. However, many homebuyers consider the third option of trying to do a termite inspection on their own.
It’s true that a personal inspection may save a little money in the short term. But it can actually cost quite a bit over time.
First, let’s be real: an untrained eye is going to have trouble finding termites. And even when you find a termite or two lurking in an area, you have no way of knowing how many more might be hidden in the house.
Second, your own inspection will not provide an official report. So, even if you do find termites, you will not have the documentation necessary to negotiate with the seller.
Finally, as we said before, hidden termites can cause vast amounts of damage to your home. It’s better to pay for an official inspection today than to pay for repairs in a few years.
The Bottom Line
Now you know why you need a termite inspection report for closing on a house. But do you know where to get one?
At Synergy, we provide termite inspection, termite control, and overall pest control. Come check out our customer reviews to see the quality service we have to offer!
Please visit the following links for additional information on termite inspections and termite control:
External
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/requirements-termite-inspection-real-estate-6730.html
https://home.costhelper.com/termite-inspection.html
Internal
https://synergy2ms.com/9-signs-of-termites-in-your-home/
If you need pest control services for your home or business please visit our site at https://synergy2ms.com. Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here!
