Termites in a investment home?

Question

Hi,

I'm planning to purchase a duplex home and it is also my first home purchase. The reason I choose duplex is that I live in California and Single Family Homes are in high demand and often expensive. With a duplex, I thought I can cover some costs with rental income and still have the privacy that I need. So, I found a duplex and it looks good and spacious enough. But my hopes plummeted after knowing that the house is termite infestation (basement/crawl space, exterior railings, etc.) My agent is pushing me to take the house as it has rental income and is listed at a good price.

Once termites infest then it is permanent. Even if you treat them, they come back again. I'm worried I have to deal with in my entire life.

Can termites prevention acts such as ventilation, dehumidification, etc. in the crawl space keep termites at bay?

Any advice?

Kevin Purvis · Answer

@Vijay Chadalavada If the damage is widespread, but superficial, it's not a big deal.  Treat it, then patch it with Bondo and you are good to go.  The inspector should be able to tell you if it's structural or not.  If not, ask them if they know a better inspector (half kidding).  I would not buy a home with structural damage.

Jack Seiden · Answer

The biggest issue with termites as I have figured out is it’s really hard to see the extent of the damage until you start tearing apart the house, I won’t say don’t buy it but be very careful because there can be quite extensive damage hidden.

Russell Brazil · Answer

In our area you are supposed to get the chemical treatment once every 5 years. In reality, no one actually does that here though. It is somewhat common to get the treatment when the house is sold from termites coming up on the termite inspection.

A lot of damage, is having to replace all the wood in the house...this happened to my friend @Jack Seiden a couple years ago on a flip. But a few pieces of wood being eaten and needing to be sistered with new wood is not a big deal.

Vijay Chadalavada · Answer

@Russell Brazil Are you saying 5 years is the ideal time to re-inspect the house after initial treatment? Or a yearly inspection is preferred? Also how much damage do you consider too much?

From the termite inspection reports from the prospective property, it is not clear to me whether there is a structural or joist infestation. I understand some inspection might be limited.

Kyle J. · Answer

@Vijay Chadalavada  For what it's worth, I've purchased several rental houses (also in California) that had termites. I'm not scared off by them.  I look at them as just another problem/expense to budget for and deal with.  And like most other problems (i.e. electrical, plumbing, foundation, etc), they can generally be fixed.  It just takes money.

Then, once you treat/fix the problem, you just need to take some basic steps to prevent them from coming back (i.e. eliminate any areas of wood-to-ground contact, address any moisture issues, etc).

If it's something you're really worried about though, there are companies out there that will sell you a warranty or an annual "protection plan" where they'll do free annual inspections and if the termites are found to have returned, they'll treat them again for free.  Of course, those plans can sometimes be costly so I've never purchased them (and I've never had termites return either).  But, like I said, it's an option if it's something you're really worried about.

Russell Brazil · Answer

In some parts of the country (my area for one) termites are very common. Every property surrounded by a yard here has them. Recommended treatment is to get a particular chemical treatment once every 5 years. Almost no one ever gets this done. So here in the midatlantic its not a big deal.  Just have to make sure you dont buy a house with too much damage, but some damage is common.