I'm selling my house. Should I get a termite inspection?

Termites and the damage they cause can delay the sale of your house. It can also discourage potential buyers, since oftentimes the details can make or break a sale. I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't want to buy a house that has a bunch of small hidden issues.

If you're planning on selling your house, it's a good idea to get a basic termite inspection before even putting your home on the market. This will give you a general idea of whether or not you have termites, as well as any other issues you need to address. During the course of our termite inspections, we often also discover plumbing issues, structural problems, and bad electrical connections.

You can get a free, non-certified inspection from most pest control professionals; however, they will usually charge you for a WDI (Wood Destroying Insect) inspection.

In addition, most real estate transactions will require you to get a WDI / WDO inspection if there's a third party money lender involved (such as a bank or mortgage company.) Most of us don't have enough cash lying around to buy a house entirely on our own, which means that most home buyers borrow money from one of these companies.

What's the difference between a WDI and a basic termite inspection?

The difference between these two types of inspections all comes down to a piece of paper. Your basic termite & WDI inspections will both include a thorough interior and exterior examination. However, a WDI inspection will also provide you with a written statement on what the pest control technician found and will include any other recommendations they may have. This statement is sometimes called a "termite report," "clearance letter," "termite check" or occasionally a "warranty letter." The industry standard in most states is the NPMA-33 document, although some states have their own required form.

What happens if I discover the home I'm selling does have termites?

Don't freak out! Ask for a detailed description of the termite damage or evidence, including photos. Always make sure to contact a Pest Control Company that is properly licensed and insured to treat for termites.

If you end up having (or have already had) a pest control company treat your property for termites, here are a couple of suggestions:

1. Save both the termite treatment contract & the termite treatment record. If your home has termite damage, you need to know whether it's recent damage or was caused a long time ago. More importantly, you need to show that the problem has been addressed.
2. Keep your termite warranty up to date. Not all pest control companies offer a warranty on their work; make sure you hire an exterminator that does. Make sure you renew your warranty on or before the anniversary date of your termite treatment.

What if I'm buying a home? Should I still order a termite inspection?

Absolutely! Find a termite inspector that you are comfortable with and can trust. It's not uncommon to have differing opinions on whether or not a home is in need of termite treatment. At the very least, arranging for your own inspection of your prospective home will ensure you are aware of any problems.

Do I still need a termite inspection if I'm buying a house with cash?

Even if no money lenders are involved, it's still a good idea to get as much information as you can about the property you intend to purchase. And since there's no need for a WDI document in this case, the inspection will likely be free.

To wrap all of this up, the number one thing to remember about real estate termite inspections is:

Don't wait until the last minute to get a WDI inspection!

Scheduling a WDI inspection at least 30 days before closing allows for enough time to deal with any problems that may arise.