Buying a Home With Termite Damage in Eastern Tennessee

Just because a home has past termite damage, doesn’t mean you should rule it out. As long as the home is inspected and protected against termites, it is completely safe to purchase a home with past termite damage.

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. It makes sense that one would be concerned about putting a down payment on a property with termite damage. Unless there is an active infestation, it is generally considered safe and completely normal to buy a home with a history of termites.

Is it Safe to Buy a Home With Termite Damage?

It is absolutely safe to purchase and live in a home that once had a termite problem. However, it’s always a good idea to be on the safe side and take the following measures to ensure your property is protected:

Get a WDI report that will disclose any evidence of past, present, or potential infestations.
If damage is found, you may be able to negotiate costs with the seller to cover treatment and repair expenses.
Ask the seller for any infestation history the home may have just in case the WDI report missed something.
If a home has significant structural damage or active termites, it’s up to the buyer to decide whether they want to continue with the purchase of the home.
Provided that past infestations have been addressed, you should not allow a history of termites to keep you from purchasing your dream home.

Can I Sell My Home If I Had Termites?

Like all property damage, termite damage that has not been repaired can lessen the value of a home. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to sell your home, it’s just imperative that you disclose termite damage. Whether you had a past infestation that was treated and caused minimal damage or have active termites in the home, it’s important to be upfront about termite infestations when selling the home. Additionally, it’s smart to be prepared to pay for inspections, treatments, and even repairs if necessary.

Can Termites Re-Infest Homes?

All homes are vulnerable to additional termite infestations. A home that once had an infestation has the same risk as a new home does. The best way to protect and avoid the destruction caused by termites is to implement regular inspections, treatments, and prevention methods into your home maintenance routine. This will make the process easier when you decide to sell your home.

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