Once you land a successful contract on a home, you will now navigate a minefield of inspections and approvals. Before proceeding to the final closing date, you might feel as though you’re leaping through hurdles. Luckily, the termite inspection doesn’t have to be a difficult one. These questions can help pave the way to a smooth and successful inspection.
Who is paying for it? Usually the seller pays for the termite inspection, but occasionally the buyer might take on that responsibility.
Who should perform the inspection? In most cases, home appraisers and general inspectors can miss obvious signs of a termite infestation, because their training does not often delve too deeply into this area. Hiring a professional pest control company is the way to go, as we are experienced in spotting all signs of a termite infestation. We can also identify other potential problems, if needed.
Have you set aside enough time? A thorough termite inspection can require at least an hour, but might take longer depending upon the size of the home, number of crawl spaces, and so forth. And of course, you want to perform the inspection at least a week or two before the closing date, so that the owner has time to address problems that can hold up the sale.
Do you have access to every part of the house? Your termite inspector will need to look in the attic, crawl spaces, utility closets, and so on. Termites generally don’t set up camp in the living room, right out in the open. They prefer dark, damp spaces… So we need to look there. Make sure you’re familiar with the home’s access points, and have keys for any locked areas.
After performing your termite inspection, we will provide you with a thorough report listing our findings, so that you can provide proof to the buyers and their mortgage company. If we do find evidence of a termite infestation, we can make recommendations for treatment and proceed from there.