Termite damage, no matter how minute it may be, is never good for a home. During
a real estate inspection, if any termite damage is found, it will affect the
ending value of the home. In most cases, the buyer is told that the seller will
fix the problem. Although this may sound good to some buyers that the seller
will treat for termites, other buyers often wonder.
Of course it�s nice that the seller will pay to have the termite problem
treated, which will normally cost around $1,000 or so. Even though the termites
will be gone, you have to wonder about the damage to the structure. In the more
severe cases, damage to the structure can cost up to 50 times the cost of the
treatment. The last thing you want is to move into a home that you know has been
treated for termites, only to find the structure to be in very bad shape.
If any type of impairment or destruction was done to the wooden structure of the
home, you may need to get repairs immediately. While some damage may be visible,
there are other types of damage that may seem invisible to the naked eye. To
find out just how bad the damage is, carpets and rugs will need to be lifted,
furniture and appliances moved, walls and ceilings will need to be opened, and
even some types of excavation may be needed. This is the only way to tell the
extent of the damages, especially in cases of termites. If you don�t inspect
every area of the home, you could be moving into a home that has severe
structural damage - which can cost you thousands to repair.
There could also be latent damage present as well. To determine this, you�ll
need to have invasive and destructive testing performed on your home, which will
performed by qualified contractors and specialists. This will help to determine
the extent of the damage and the cost of any needed repairs. This can be very
costly however, although it�s the only way to find and repair any latent damage.
Destructive and invasive testing can cost you an arm and a leg, although you�ll
need to have it done if you suspect termites or know for a fact that the home
was treated for them. To protect yourself, you should always get a treatment and
repair history before you purchase the home. If you are renting the home, you�ll
need get written documentation from the specialist that details the damage to
the home and cost of repairs.
Before you buy a home, you should always have it checked for termites. There are
a lot of termite inspection companies out there, many of which go above and
beyond to check the home for any type of termite damage. You don�t want to buy a
home only to find out that it has been infested with termites. If you have the
proper inspections performed before you make the purchase, you�ll know for a
fact that you don�t have to worry about termites or termite damage.
If the inspector or contractor doesn�t find any termite damage, you should
always have it documented. This way, if termite damage does exist, you�ll have
the documentation as endorsement. Termites can be very destructive to your home,
especially if you are looking towards a log home. Termites can destroy wood in
little to no time at all, which is why you should always do what you can to have
your home treated as soon as you suspect any type of damage. If you know a home
has been infested with termites before - you should really make sure that the
structure isn�t damaged and the termites are gone before you commit to buying.
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