Did you know that each year termites cause over $1 billion in property damage? If you own a home, then finding termite infestation can be a nightmare. Not only do you need to worry about getting rid of them, but there’s also the damage they leave behind. And, depending on the extent of the infestation, this can be extensive.
If you’re trying to sell your property, then a termite infestation can make it much more difficult to find buyers. However, the good news is that selling a house with termites isn’t impossible. In this article, we’ll be giving you some of your different options when it comes to finding a buyer for your property. Let’s get started!
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How to find out if you have termites
There are three main ways you can tell whether or not you have termites. This includes visual evidence of their bodies, shelter tubes they use for traveling, and damage to your house. Early detection is key to treating termites, so if you notice any of these signs, then it’s important to act as quickly as possible.
Evidence of their bodies
The first sign of termites is their bodies around your property. The most visible types of termites are known as swarmers. These types of termites have wings and are responsible for starting new colonies.
If you see swarmers outside your window, or near the foundation of the houses, then this is a serious cause for concern. Unfortunately, swarmers only appear after a few years of a colony being established.
As such, their appearance is a clear sign of a serious infestation. Keep in mind that killing swarmers does nothing to solve your termite problem. The real problem, the colony, will be unaffected by this. You might notice swarmers around wood sources twenty-five meters or more from your house.
The good news is that this isn’t as serious as if they’re directly your foundation. However, if your home has a history of termites, then you should still call a pest control individual.
Shelter tubes used for traveling
Shelter tubes are structures made of mud that are about half an inch in diameter. These tubes can be found at the base of homes, on walls, and in ceilings.
They allow the termites to travel into properties when they can’t tunnel in. Unfortunately, shelter tubes are almost a sure sign that termites are inside your property. However, to make sure, try breaking off a small section of the shelter tube.
Look for any termite activity inside. Or, wait a few days and see if the tube is repaired. If you notice this type of activity, then call an exterminator immediately.
Damage to your house
The next signs to look for are physical damage done to your house. First, look for sunken areas in the wall or ceiling. This is often a sign of termite tunnels underneath the surface.
Swarm castles, or more shelter tubing, on foam insulation, is another clear sign. There are also more obvious problems that come after a colony has been established in a home for a while.
For example, sagging walls or ceiling can be an indication of structural damage caused by overeating. It’s also usually easy to see signs of an infestation if you remove wallpaper. Typically you will either see termites or the damage they leave behind.
What should you do if you find signs of termites?
If you find any of these signs, then it’s important that you immediately pay for a professional pest inspection. The untrained eye can only tell so much when it comes to a termite infestation.
As such, a trained professional can help you find out where the infestation is congregated at. They can also tell you the extent of the damage caused by the pests. This type of service is vital if you plan on selling your house.
Regardless of the condition of your property, you must be as upfront as possible about the condition when selling a house with termite damage. That’s why a professional’s opinion is invaluable. If you want more visual resources on how to tell if you have termites, then make sure to check out this guide here.
Selling a house with termites: your options
There are three main options for selling a home with termite damage. In this section, we’ll be going over these options in more detail. Keep in mind that no one option is better than the other.
Instead, it depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your selling process. Factors like the extent of the damage, your budget, and the quickness you need to sell all affect this outcome. So, keep these things in mind when you read.
Option 1: Repair the damage
The first option is to repair the termite damage before selling your house. To begin, you must make sure that all the termites are gone before trying to repair them. After all, you don’t want to repair the damage only to have it destroyed all over again.
Each year, homeowners spend roughly $2 billion treating their property for termites. While this figure might sound astonishing, the reality is that termite treatments don’t need to be that expensive. The national average for termite treatments is around $550. However, there’s a big caveat to this price factor — it depends on the size and progression of the infestation.
More advanced extermination procedures can cost much more money. As such, you should always get an estimate before proceeding. Next, is the physical repairs needed to repair any damage.
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.
Ultimately, treating termites and repairing their damage before you move can be a frustrating experience. After all, it feels like you’re dumping a lot of money into something you’re already going to sell.
However, the good news is that repairing the damage will help your property sell a lot faster. In some cases, you might be able to get more out of your asking price since your house isn’t infested. However, this can vary from circumstance to circumstance.
Option 2: Try selling the house with the damage on the open market
You might be wondering, Can you sell a house with termites on the open market? The short answer is yes. However, it’s important to be as upfront and open as possible. In some states, it’s legally required that you disclose any termite damage or infestation that’s occurred. Regardless of the law where you live, this is a good practice to follow.
It could potentially save you from future lawsuits that the new homeowners can file against you if they find out. So, be as upfront as possible. Show any interested buyers where the infestation occurred, and what type of damage it left behind. You should also let them know what types of repair or treatment options you took if any.
However, you shouldn’t be surprised if there aren’t many takers. Extensive insect damage is one of many reasons why your house might not be selling fast enough.
The good news is that selling your house as-is can be a viable option. For many people, termite damage isn’t serious enough to jeopardize the final transaction. Still, it will likely require a lot more negotiating. Buyers will want any damage or infestation factored into the final price since the money will be coming out of their pocket.
So, be as flexible as possible, and don’t be afraid to lower your asking price slightly for an as-is house. Another thing you can try is offering the new homeowners a termite warranty. This ideal for people selling a house with termite history.
This type of product protects your home from any future termite infestations. And, it can be transferred to the new owners of the house. This can be seen as a show of faith to the buyers that everything is being done to prevent termite damage in the future.
Option 3: Sell the house with the damage to a cash buyer
If you don’t mind taking a slight discount, then selling a house with termites directly to a cash buyer is a great option. The flippers and property investors buy the property as it is. Then, they renovate it and sell it back to people for a profit.
However, it’s important that you still discloser the fact that your house has termite damage and/or an infestation. This is one of the best ways to sell a house that’s in poor condition.
Most of these types of investments will buy the property no matter what type of condition it’s in. As such, it’s a good option if your home has significant termite damage that will cost thousands of dollars to fix. There are also other benefits to consider too. For one thing, there will be no showings, since you don’t need to attract interested buyers.
This means much less preparation and stress is needed to sell a house. You can also sell your home quickly. Sometimes you can close the offer on the first day.
This makes it an ideal offer if you need to move quickly for a new job. Or, if you want to get rid of a property quickly due to divorce or death.
Considering the number of benefits, this is a pretty great option depending on the state of your home. However, it’s important for a real estate buying company that you can trust.
Preventing termites in the future
Once you’ve dealt with termites, you know that prevention is key to dealing with them in the future. Whether you’re termite-proofing your new property or an old one, there are simple things you can do to keep them out of your house.
First, try and make sure the property is built on a concrete foundation that they can’t burrow through. Next, it’s important to keep the foundation around the property as dry as possible. To do this, utilize the gutter system and drain pipes so they’re facing away from the structure. You should also reduce the number of entry points they have.
This means sealing any cracks in the foundation. If you discover any leaks or blocked vents, then fix them immediately. The moisture attracts the termites. Finally, ensure that there aren’t many trees planted directly next to the house.
You should also make sure that any firewood supply is kept a good distance from the home. This will ensure that they aren’t attracted to your home after traveling to one of these food sources. Make sure to read this resource if you want to learn more about how to prevent and control termites.
Want an easier way to sell your house fast?
We hope this article helped you answer the question, Can you sell a house with termite damage? As you can see, selling a house with termites can greatly complicate the real estate process. As such, many homeowners want an easier option when it comes to finding a buyer for their home.
So what’s the solution? Easy: go with a reliable instant buyers service like an iBuyer. With an iBuyer, there’s no need to repair any termite damage to your house. You don’t even need to worry about showing it.
Instead, you simply plug in your address and we provide you with an instant quote. There are no obligations, and you get the best cash offers through our network of buyers and investors. So, if you’re ready to sell your home as fast as possible, then make sure submit your address today.
