What Home Owners need to know about Pest Inspections and the Real Estate transaction.
June 17th, 2007 categories: Buying San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Real Estate, Selling San Diego Real Estate
Why should you have your home inspected regularly.
Every year, thousands of homes are attacked by termites or other wood-destroying pests. Home purchasers usually want to know if these pests are present before investing their money. Therefore, it is wise to have the property inspected by a representative of a licensed pest control company who can detect the presence of wood-destroying pests and will provide a report on his findings.Many companies will also an estimate what they would charge to do any wood replacement or repairs beyond to treatments required for elimination of any findings of active infestation.
Who orders an inspection-A pest control firm is usually selected by the seller, the Homeowners Association if they are paying for any repairs noted in a Common Interest Subdivision, the Listing Agent, or sometimes the buyer. As the Seller, if you choose, you may also be setting yourself up for a 2nd or even a 3rd inspection if the Buyer should not accept your choice. If you are the one selecting, chose wisely and provide as much access as is humanly possible. Is the report for termites only- No. The Subterranean termite is the number one wood-destroying pest in the United States; hence its name is often attached to the so-called “Termite Report.” There are other wood-destroying insects, including some other species of termites (i.e., swarming dry-wood) that may be included in the report. The report may also include wood-rot (or dry-rot - is caused by a combination of moisture and fungal growth, and can be very destructive. What does the inspection entail-A qualified representative from the licensed pest control company will perform the inspection. All visible areas of the structure which are readily accessible are inspected. If evidence of an infestation is found, it is reported on a specified form. An inspection may include sounding or probing areas where infestations are suspected. The inspection may be performed for a nominal fee, usually paid by the seller or Homeowners Association if building is in a common Interest Subdivision. However, the inspector cannot see behind walls, paneling, into voids of cinder block or under carpeting. Infestations here usually may remain undetected. This can always pose a problem for any new Buyer and it would be advisable for any Buyer to do annual inspections just in event one of these hidden infestations breaks out and become noticed.These hidden infestations as we have observed can do a lot of structural damage. Does an inspection report guarantee there is no infestation- No! The report gives the findings of a trained inspector who searched for visual evidence of pests in the readily accessible areas of the structure. It states that wood-destroying pests were or were not found by the inspector in these visible areas. It is possible that an infestation may be hidden inside a wall void or beam. Not all dry-rot is accessible or discovered either. Once again, annual inspections would serve any home owner as the expense of the inspection most always is outweighed by an unobserved damage. What if evidence of an infestation is found-The company will recommend, and usually propose, appropriate treatment to control the pests. For termites, a treatment is usually warranted for a year or longer, meaning that if an infestation is found while the warranty is in effect, the company will re-treat at no charge to you. If dry-wood termites are found, it may require covering the entire structure with a tent and overnight fumigation or a more localized treatment may be recommended that is far less intrusive and cumbersome. Microwave treatments, and freezing of live infestations are a couple of the more environmentally friendly methods that may be used. Once the report is received and if there is live infestation noted in the report, that would be an excellent time to discuss the options for treatment. If tenting is recommended , it would serve everyones interest to get it done and hidden infestations will very likely be killed and that will give peace of mind. The main object is to eradicate any live infestations and get a clear statement of clearance. Annual inspections will then help to insure that any new infestations don’t get a foothold in your home.
