How do you sell a house that has had termites?

Option 1: Selling your home with termite damage on the open market

1. Pay for a pest inspection.
2. Disclose known issues (even if you’re not required to by law).
3. Deal with the repairs before you take the home to market.
4. Offer a warranty to bring peace of mind to potential buyers.
5. Negotiate on price as needed.

How do termites affect the sale of a home?

Like treatments, the price of this can range from minor costs to expensive repairs. If the termites have gotten in the walls, floors, or other structural components of the house, then it will cost a lot to make the property sellable again.

Does termite damage affect appraisal?

Homeowners are legally required to disclose information about a termite infestation to any potential buyers since this discovery could affect your home’s structural integrity and appraisal. Some experts estimate termite damage could reduce the value of your home by approximately 20%.

How can I tell if it’s old termite damage?

Here are the telltale signs termites are taking over.

• Mud tubes. Subterranean termites create a network of highways out of soil and wood.
• Damaged wood.
• Blisters in flooring.
• Frass.
• Swarmers and discarded wings.
• Headbanging.

How do you know if termite infestation is active?

Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:

1. Discolored or drooping drywall.
2. Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
3. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
4. Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
5. Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.
6. Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.

What is a termite report in real estate?

A termite inspection in real estate is done to make sure that a home is free of termites and other damaging elements.

Are termite inspections required in Massachusetts?

If you’re buying or selling a home, there’s almost certainly a termite inspection in your future. A termite inspection is always recommended for a real estate transaction, but not always required. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, unfortunately termites are a fact of life.

Can a termite infested house be saved?

Although termite damage may be reversed through professional repair, homeowners should first call a local termite specialist. Repairs should not be made until a licensed pest professional has confirmed that there are no longer termites present and the risk of further infestation has been eliminated.

Is termite damage common in older homes?

Termites will infest wood of newly built homes just as readily as older homes. If considering the purchase of a newly constructed home, ask the seller whether home has received a termite pretreatment. Newer foundations may be built with termite-resistant wood or may be treated to prevent infestation.

What does evidence of termites mean?

Stuck windows or doors. Maze-like patterns in furniture, floor boards or walls. Mounds of drywood termite pellets, often resembling small piles of salt or pepper. Piles of wings left behind after swarms, often resembling fish scales.

Are termites found in Massachusetts?

Termite Activity in Massachusetts Termites are active across the state, from Boston to Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts. Termites are less likely to be found along the coast in Cape Cod.

What do termites do to your house?

Termites can cause damage to the structural wood of your house as well as in areas around your windows and doors. Serious infestations can even lead to damage inside the walls of your home and to the wood furniture inside.

How fast can termites destroy a home?

With about 2 million termites working in the right condition they can cause significant damage within the first few months. A home can be totally destroyed in a year or two.

How long does it take for termites to cause structural damage?

3 to 8 years
It can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years for termite damage to show up depending on the size of the colony.