Buy house with termites?

Question

I have put an offer on a house which has termites in a specific location. The house is concrete block. I am considering to still buy the home if the sellers to pay for the repairs.

I understand later on when selling the property I would have to indicate on the seller's disclosure that the house has had termites at some point. How bad is this?

I'd like to hear some recommendations on weather I should move forward or not. How likely is it for the termites to come back?

Melvin List · Answer

@David Jesse there are 2 types of homes in the state of Florida.

1)Homes that have termites

2)Homes that will have termites

Gary Siver · Answer

I would not hesitate buying it. If it’s a good deal go for it. A termite guy told me once that in Florida it’s not if a house will get termites it’s when. They are everywhere here. Repair it, have a remote company come out and inspect, treat and then sell you a termite bonds for any future problems. That way the house is always covered. As far as telling the future buyer  I can’t remember if it is on the sellers disclosure. I believe it asks if there is current termite damage but not sure about past damage that is no longer existing.

Share Ross · Answer

Agree with all the comments here. Especially if it's a CBS home... older homes? Termites? South Florida. Yep. No biggie. it just happens. So if you can get them to kick in for some of the cost (licensed/bonded) then go for it. I would still want to know the extent of the damage. And then... what type of repairs. Tenting does not do anything for subterranean termites from what I understand. Lots of questions.. but still... very doable! Good luck!

Nick Harvey · Answer

Everything posted so far has been spot on. I work for a pest control company and I wouldn’t hesitate at all. Have it inspected and treated but keep in mind you may not be able to see the full extent of the damage depending on where it originated from.

Dennis Folk · Answer

@David Jesse Personally if the seller agreed to completely repair isolated termite infested area with licensed, bonded and insured pest control company prior to closing, I would still do the deal.

If repaired properly, especially with cinder block style home, termites alone would not stop me.

Yes you would want to disclose the termites on the seller disclosure once you go to sell, but have paid invoices on hand from when repairs were completed by current seller and encourage buyers to have their own home inspection completed and you should be just fine.

Account Closed · Answer

@Dennis Folk - Thanks for the information on dealing with termites. Literally just had this issue come up while purchasing a new property in Mississippi which I believe probably has the same problems as Florida. Definitely going to have the work bonded.

Susan Maneck · Answer

LOL. I was told precisely the same thing when I bought a house in Florida. Turned out it never got termites, at least not while I lived there, but when I went to sell people were complaining that it was made of wood not cinder block. I'm from California and I hate cinder block. I guess that's a sign of how bad the termite problem is in Florida. In any case, my house was made of cedar and termites don't like cedar. The roof was tongue and groove and went through Hurricane Floyd real well. I was able to sell the house at my yard sale just before I moved. :-}

I'm told the same problems with termites are here in Mississippi, but I own 9 houses here and only one had to be treated for termites.

Michael Lee · Answer

My best deal to date had active subterranean colonies. If the price is right it's a non issue.

Darren Lenick · Answer

Having termites is no big deal as long as you treat/repair the issue and get a bond. I've dealt with 2 homes with termite issues and both sold without issue.  The key is to get a bond from the pest control company, which will be transferable to the new owners.

John Teachout · Answer

I live in Georgia and also have a Florida property. There have been termites in nearly every property we own including our personal home which isn't all that old and was properly treated during construction. Some damage has been minor like trim, window sills and drywall paper. Other properties have been severely damaged where joists and studs are completely gone. If the damage is major, it can be very expensive to fix. The property I'm working on now was so badly damaged we actually had to tear some of it down (to dirt) and reconstruct it.

So, that said, I would do the deal if it's fixable but I'd write the offer for them to fix it and you pay xxxx amount or you fix it and pay xxx amount. The sellers are probably not going to do the repairs so the deal will fall through if you don't provide options.

Buy house with termites?

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