Termite Inspector says wood rot, but agent won't show me report.

Buying & Selling Real Estate
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Termite Inspector says wood rot, but agent won't show me report.

Kay March
Gainesville, FL · Member since 2013 · 127 posts · 21 votes

Selling a single family house FSBO. The termite inspector showed me and the buyer some minor wood rot. The buyer is getting VA financing. The buyer's agent claims I must repair the wood rot in order for the VA to see a clear termite inspection, but he doesn't seem to want to show me a written report of the wood rot, saying that it was sufficient that the termite inspector simply walked around and showed where the wood rot was. I am willing to act only upon a written inspection by a qualified inspector so that I can make sure I am in compliance. Am I missing something?

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Mike McCarthy
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y

I’ve never heard of a licensed pest inspector get paid for an inspection and not provide a written report. Many mortgage companies require a wood destroying insect (WDI) report, so it’s odd that the realtor doesn’t understand that.

You may need to bite the bullet and hire your own pest inspector to get the document you need. Let the realtor know that you won’t be able to close without it

At this point, you may want to anyway - something sounds fishy. Did you get a home inspection done?

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  • Mike McCarthy
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    I’ve never heard of a licensed pest inspector get paid for an inspection and not provide a written report. Many mortgage companies require a wood destroying insect (WDI) report, so it’s odd that the realtor doesn’t understand that.

    You may need to bite the bullet and hire your own pest inspector to get the document you need. Let the realtor know that you won’t be able to close without it

    At this point, you may want to anyway - something sounds fishy. Did you get a home inspection done?

    1Reply
  • Nik Moushon
    Architect · Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2018 · 843 posts · 907 votes
    7y

    I don't care who pays for it but if someone inspects my house I would want to see the report. I would not trust the word of the realtor. I would also be prepared to walk away if they don't. Sorry, in this business you can't afford to trust people you don't have a working relation with that trust was built on. 

    Or just pay for one yourself if you really want to to go through. If you think you might get other VA offers in the future (if this falls through) it will be good to have. I would offer it unless it was ask for, FYI.

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  • Nicholas Iglesias
    Lender · Miami Florida · Member since 2018 · 20 posts · 16 votes
    7y

    @Kay March 

    During a VA purchase you will always need a Termite inspection and the seller is the one that has to pay for it, so you should be able to hire your own and receive the report yourself.

    Hope this helps

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  • Patricia Steiner
    Real Estate Broker · Hyde Park Tampa, FL · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Kay, you've got a buyer and the sales process is moving along.  If there's wood rot, you'll have a problem in selling the property to anyone.  It will always show up in an inspection report.  So, do this:  fix what you can see - and move on with the sale.  In the end, you'll have the sale you want and deserve - and all this will just be a lump in the oatmeal. 

    And, I wanted to share this so that those of you who might sell property in the nine states listed will know that the BORROWER will pay for the termite report.. From VA Loan Rules: "VA borrowers will often have to provide an invoice for the termite inspection to their lender. VA loan rules state that borrowers are not allowed to pay the pest inspection on a home purchase in all but nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas

    Kay, congrats on your pending sale.  Again, my recommendation is to do a quick fix on what you can see and be done with it.  

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  • Melvin ListBusiness Member
    Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 381 votes
    7y

    @Kay March maybe the Realtor needs some VA education. I would reach out again to see what needs to be fixed to get a clear termite report. There are 2 types of houses in the state of Florida. 1) Houses that have termites. 2) Houses that will have termites in the near future.

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