Buying a new home is a dream that most of us harbor. Since purchasing a house is a long-term and high-value investment, every buyer wants to be fully sure about their decision. There are many elements such as location, size, and price that new homeowners consider before making a buying decision. In this entire process, there is one element that is often overlooked by buyers, which eventually costs them a fortune. And that is, conducting a thorough termite inspection.
While buying a new home, you may see a lot of last-minute costs and procedures cropping up. In such a situation, you can want to overlook any property inspections that are not mandatory by law. But a termite inspection shouldn’t count as a ‘good to do’ activity in your books. Many new homeowners who have recently moved into their property will recommend that you conduct a termite inspection before agreeing to purchase a house.
Termites are a notoriously destructive species. They can sneak into a home without the knowledge of the owner. It does not take them a long time to find an ideal space to build and expand their colony. What may start as just a few termites entering a property might eventually end up becoming an infestation of thousands of termites. It is possible that when you visit a prospective new house, you may not be able to see termites very easily. This is because termites generally build their colonies within furniture, inside walls, or in hidden corners of any wooden structures in the house. They can also form large colonies under the house or in the attic of the house.
Many home buyers can spot small signs of termites being present in the property and assume that they can take care of it through store-brand disinfectants or chemicals. It is important to note that there are over 2,000 species of termites, all with their own set of characteristics. It isn’t practical to assume that a generic disinfectant can treat and eradicate termites without knowing their type or species. Even if you or the seller can kill off a significant number of termites, there is always a risk of re-infestation, which can only be determined by a seasoned professional.
A termite inspection by a professional pest service team will be able to conduct a detailed assessment of the home that you are looking to buy. Termite inspectors are well equipped with the knowledge as well as tools to identify any level of infestation in a home. They know the areas in which termites are usually found, and hence an assessment from them will serve as an assurance for you that your new home is presently safe from any level of infestation.
Along with a detailed assessment, a professional inspector will also be able to give you an estimation of any damage done to the property by current or previous termite infestations. In case there is any damage to the property or an active infestation, the professional will be able to provide you with an estimated repair cost. If the repair cost isn’t too high, you can use it to negotiate a better deal for yourself. However, if the damage is too severe and would require expensive repair work, it is highly advisable to reconsider your buying decision.
