A licensed technician will visit your home for a termite inspection, checking essential locations like the attic, crawl spaces, garage, and sinks for any indications of termites. An inspector will examine your home’s inside and exterior, looking for signs of dry wood and subterranean termite activity such as shed wings, harmed wood, termite droppings, and mud tubes.
The entire termite inspection procedure in Maryland usually takes less than an hour to complete, depending on the size of your house, how accessible critical sections are, and whether there are indications of a termite infestation. The technician will provide a full report of their findings once they complete their process.
Why Is Termite Inspection Important?
A “termite letter” may be necessary for some real estate deals. Termite letters describe any termite activity or termite-related home damage. The report might include details on other insects or pests that harm the wood. Keep these pests out of your house with termite inspections and preventative services.
Termite inspections performed before closing can help new homebuyers avoid making expensive repairs. A Termite Inspection Maryland is necessary for several types of mortgages before closing. Examples include Federal Home Administration (FHA) and Veterans Administration (VA) loans.
Each year, termites inflict $5 billion in damages on more than 500,000 houses. Termite damage is more likely to be prevented by regular maintenance, inspections, and preventative measures. An inspection might help you identify problems while they are minor rather than when there is a severe infestation.
Who Pays For The Termite Inspection?
Nobody enjoys addressing money, but there is some good news regarding termite inspections. Most pest management companies offer free termite inspections, though prices can vary depending on the vendor. If there is a fee for an inspection, it is often low, in the $50–150 range.
Because the inspection includes other wood-destroying insects, there are usually expenses involved when a termite inspection is performed as part of a real estate transaction. Usually, the seller will pay for all costs related to the service. Termite inspections are subject to additional regulations and restrictions for several types of mortgages, including VA (Veterans Administration) and FHA (Federal Home Administration) loans.
Who Pays For The Treatment?
After the inspection, the pest control company will review any indications of recent or historical termite or other wood-destroying insect activity. Any concerns discovered are detailed in the “Termite Letter” or termite inspection report. It will also contain the actions that shall be taken before the home sale. Some sources state that treatment costs anywhere from $1,300 to $3,000. However, treatment may be more expensive depending on how much harm has already been done.
The buyer will bear the expense of preventative treatment if there isn’t an active infestation or damage. Moving bark away from the house or other preventative measures are examples of preventive maintenance. Typically, the cost of treating an active infestation or repairing wood damage is covered by the seller. Before the sale is finalized, proof of treatment is frequently needed and given. There are exceptions to this rule with an “As Is” property transaction.
Are Termite Inspections Required to Get Approved for a Home Loan?
Several factors, including the state where you reside, your loan, lender, and house insurance policy, will determine whether a termite inspection in Gaithersburg is necessary before you can be accepted for a home loan. For instance, 39 states, including New Jersey, require pest inspections if you are eligible for a VA loan. It is significant to notice that the VA does not mention who is accountable for paying for pest control services. The seller may be required to cover services and repairs up to a specified sum by several states and mortgage lenders.
Only if the house or property shows symptoms of active termites is a termite inspection necessary if you are eligible for a government-backed loan, such as an FHA loan.
The phrase “termite letter” will definitely come up during any real estate deal. If so, this letter serves as a statement to the buyer that the property is damage-free and frequently allows the seller to close more quickly. Before buying a home, considering termite and pest inspections is the best, even though they aren’t always necessary.
Should You Get a Termite Inspection Before Buying a Home?
One of the first steps in the house-buying process is a home inspection. These inspections give potential buyers and lenders more information about a house’s severe and minor issues. Problems, including poor wiring, structural deterioration, and mold, are frequently found during home inspections. They don’t always check for insect or termite damage or notice it. As a result, performing an additional inspection is always recommended. A registered termite inspector in Maryland can ensure there aren’t any present, ongoing, or potential pest issues by inspecting a house before buying it.
The buyer holds the negotiating power if there are pest or termite problems. With written proof from the inspection report, you may bargain with the seller to lower the house’s asking price before buying it or request that they pay the total cost of pest control treatments so that you can move into a pest-free home.
Doesn’t matter if you are the buyer or seller, you must cure the home immediately, regardless of the type of termite infestation you have. The damage will worsen and cost more to repair the longer you wait. If the damage is severe, it will probably jeopardize the sale, so if you’re the seller, you might have to spend a lot of time and money making repairs to your property first. You should schedule a termite inspection in Gaithersburg as soon as possible to ease any worries you and your buyer may have about the property.
