Can termite damage keep my house from selling?
Did you know that termites cause over $30 billion in crop and property damage each year? Finding a termite infestation in your home can be a nightmare. Not only do you have to deal with getting rid of them, but you also must deal with the damage they leave behind. And, depending on the severity of the infestation, this can be quite extensive.
If you're looking to sell your home, a termite infestation can make it difficult to find buyers. The good news is that selling a house infested with termites is not impossible. In this article, we'll go over some of your different options for finding a buyer for your property. Let's get this party started!
How to Determine Whether You Have Termites
There are three primary ways to determine whether you have termites. This includes visual evidence of their bodies, travel shelter tubes, and damage to your home. Early detection is critical in termite treatment, so if you notice any of these signs, you should act as soon as possible.
Their Bodies as Evidence
The first sign of termites is the presence of their bodies on your property. Swarmers are the most visible type of termite. These termites have wings and oversee establishing new colonies.
If you see swarmers outside your window or near the foundation of your home, this is cause for serious concern. Unfortunately, swarmers only appear after a colony has been established for a few years.
As a result, their appearance is a clear indication of a severe infestation. Remember that killing swarmers will not solve your termite problem. The real issue, the colony, will be unaffected. Swarmers may be seen near wood sources twenty-five meters or more from your home.
The good news is that this isn't as serious as it would be if they were directly beneath your foundation. If your home has a history of termites, you should still contact a pest control professional.
Traveling with Shelter Tubes
Shelter tubes are mud structures that are about a half-inch in diameter. These tubes can be found at the foundation of buildings, on walls, and in ceilings.
They allow termites to enter properties when they are unable to tunnel in. Unfortunately, termite shelter tubes are almost always a dead giveaway that termites are present on your property. To be certain, break off a small section of the shelter tube.
Inside, keep an eye out for termite activity. Alternatively, you could wait a few days and see if the tube has been repaired. If you notice this type of activity, contact an exterminator right away.
Your home has been damaged.
The next thing to look for is physical damage to your home. To begin, search for sunken areas in the wall or ceiling. This is frequently an indication of termite tunnels beneath the surface.
Another telltale sign is swarm castles or more shelter tubing on foam insulation. There are also more visible issues that arise after a colony has been established in a home for a period.
Sagging walls or ceilings, for example, can be an indication of structural damage caused by overeating. When you remove wallpaper, you can usually see signs of an infestation. Termites are usually visible, as is the damage they cause.
What Should You Do If You Discover Termite Signs?
If you notice any of these signs, you should immediately pay for a professional pest inspection. When it comes to termite infestations, the untrained eye can only tell you so much.
As a result, a trained termite professional can assist you in determining the location of the infestation. They can also tell you the extent of the pests' damage. This type of service is essential if you intend to sell your home.
When selling a house with termite damage, regardless of its condition, you must be as honest as possible about its condition. That is why a professional's advice is priceless. If you want to see more visual resources on how to tell if you have termites, check out this guide here.
Selling a Termite-Infested Home: What Are Your Options?
There are three main options for selling a termite-damaged home. In this section, we'll go over these options in greater depth. Keep in mind that neither option is superior to the other.
Instead, it is determined by the circumstances surrounding your selling process. This outcome is influenced by factors such as the extent of the damage, your budget, and the urgency with which you need to sell. So, as you read, keep these things in mind.
Option one is to repair the damage.
The first option is to repair the termite damage before listing your home for sale. To begin, you must ensure that all termites have been exterminated before attempting to repair them. After all, you don't want to fix the problem only to have it destroyed again.
Every year, homeowners spend approximately $2 billion on termite control. While this figure may appear to be exorbitant, the reality is that termite treatments do not have to be that costly. Termite treatments cost about $550 on average across the country. There is, however, a significant caveat to this price factor: it is dependent on the size and progression of the infestation.
More advanced extermination procedures can be prohibitively expensive. As a result, you should always get a termite inspection quote before proceeding. The physical repairs required to repair any damage come next.
The cost of this, like that of treatments, can range from minor to costly repairs. If termites have infiltrated the house's walls, floors, or other structural components, it will be very expensive to make the property sellable again.
Finally, treating termites and repairing their damage before relocating can be a frustrating experience. After all, it appears that you are investing a significant amount of money in something that you will eventually sell.
The good news is that repairing the damage will help your home sell much faster. Because your home isn't infested, you might be able to get more for your asking price in some cases. However, this varies depending on the circumstances.
Option two: Try selling the damaged house on the open market.
You may be wondering, "Can you sell a termite-infested house on the open market?" The quick answer is yes. However, it is critical to be as forthright and open as possible. It is legally required in some states to disclose any termite damage or infestation that has occurred. This is a good practice to follow regardless of at laws where you live.
It may save you from future lawsuits that the new homeowners may file against you if they discover the truth. So, be as forthright as possible. Show any potential buyers where the infestation occurred and what kind of damage it caused. You should also inform them of any repair or treatment options you used.
However, don't be surprised if there aren't a lot of takers. Extensive insect damage is one of several reasons why your home may not sell quickly enough.
The good news is that you may be able to sell your house as-is. Termite damage isn't serious enough for many people to jeopardize the final transaction. Still, it will almost certainly necessitate a lot more wrangling. Buyers will want any damage or infestation factored into the final price because the money is coming from their pocket.
So, be as adaptable as possible, and don't be afraid to lower your asking price for an as-is house slightly. Another option is to provide the new homeowners with a termite warranty. This is ideal for people who are selling a home with a termite history.
This type of product guards against future termite infestations. It can also be transferred to the new owners of the home. This can be interpreted as a demonstration to the buyers that everything is being done to prevent future termite damage.
Option three: Sell the damaged house to a cash buyer.
Selling a termite-infested house directly to a cash buyer is a great option if you don't mind taking a slight discount. Property flippers and investors buy the property as is. They then renovate it and resell it for a profit to people.
It is, however, critical that you disclose the fact that your home has termite damage and/or an infestation. This is one of the most effective methods for selling a run-down house.
Most of these types of investments will buy the property regardless of its condition. As a result, it's a good choice if your home has extensive termite damage that will cost thousands of dollars to repair. There are additional advantages to consider. For one thing, there will be no showings because you don't need to attract buyers.
This means that selling a house requires far less preparation and stress. You can also quickly sell your home. You may be able to close the deal on the first day.
This makes it an excellent opportunity if you need to relocate quickly for a new job. Alternatively, if you need to sell a property quickly due to a divorce or death.
Considering the number of advantages, depending on the condition of your home, this is a pretty good option. However, it is critical to find a real estate buying company that you can rely on.