Feasting on Foreclosures – Time for a Termite Inspection?


During the last few years, the US has been in a serious recession. Unemployment is high and there are a record number of homes in foreclosure. Unfortunately the real estate market is very slow, so those homes will be vacant for some time yet. Those homes are vacant, correct? No, actually many of them have uninvited guests – termites!

The risk of a termite infestation rises when a home is vacant and neglected for several years. Most foreclosed homes have not had an annual termite inspection in years. If the homes also have any type of water leak, either from plumbing or from the roof, the risk of termites is greatly increased.

Experts estimate that the amount of damage caused by termites each year exceeds the damage done by all the tornadoes, hurricanes and wind storms put together. The cost of treating and repairing termite damage is estimated between $1.2 and $5 billion dollars each year in the US alone. Annual termite inspections could prevent much of that damage.

According to researchers a drywood termite colony may contain 5,000 to 10,000 individuals. A termite colony can matures and begin to swarm in about four years. Curing that four-year period, the colony may split and develop into multiple colonies.

The normal termite inspection / treatment / repair cycle prior to the recession has been postponed indefinitely for foreclosed houses. Experts are concerned the termite colonies in vacant, uninspected homes could be growing larger than normal. In fact observations by termite control professionals in Florida and California are reporting larger and more active swarms.
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The banks that sell the foreclosure will never see the house. So they have no knowledge of any problems that might exist. The home is sold “as-is” without any disclosure report. Experienced buyers know that they still have the right of inspection. They will not buy the property without both a termite inspection and a complete home inspection.

If a professional termite inspector finds evidence of termite problems, do not count on the bank to make repairs. They will not, and the issue is not even negotiable. It is time to get estimates on the cost of termite treatment and damage repair. All that can be done is to deduct the costs from the value of the house if an offer is made.

The bottom line is that homes in foreclosure have typically been neglected, often for years. These properties have a high risk of termite infestation. The longer the period of neglect, the higher the risk. Before committing to purchasing such a property, a professional termite inspection should be required. The cost of the inspection and termite control is minimal compared to the cost of future damage.

Peace of mind is only a phone call away. Florida Bug Inspectors provides professional termite inspections at a competitive cost. We also offer 20 years of expertise in both termite prevention and termite control. Safe, effective, experienced. Call today.