Hey everyone! My husband and I are first-time home buyers, and we're feeling a bit overwhelmed. We recently had a home inspection done, and unfortunately, we found a trail of termites in the garage that leads to the exterior wall. The seller got treatment done after our inspection and set up a contract for further treatments, but he hasn't done any treatment in the last five years. We were advised by a friend to cut a hole in the wall to check for structural damage, but the termite specialists suggested waiting until May to avoid disturbing the pests. Our concern is that we might end up buying a house with potential structural issues without knowing. We really like this house, but we feel uneasy about proceeding. Also, why don't inspectors check structural integrity? Why doesn't anyone use tools to look behind walls? I'd love to hear about any similar experiences or advice you have. Thanks!
1 Answer
Definitely reach out to your realtor! A good realtor will know how to help you navigate this situation and may even help you back out of the deal without losing your earnest money if you're feeling uneasy about it. If you haven’t made a significant monetary commitment yet, it might be best to walk away from a potential home with a live infestation. Plus, sellers usually have to provide a disclosure sheet, and if termites weren’t disclosed, that could be an issue too.
Exactly! It's better to be safe now than to deal with a huge problem later.