Selling a House with Termite Damage In California

Termite swarmers are winged adult termites that fly away to establish their own colonies. You can find shed wings or dead swarmers on your home’s floor or windowsill.

Unfortunately, once swarmers are already out in the open, it is a sure sign that there is already a large termite colony underneath your property. It is imperative that you contact a pest control company ASAP in order to have your house inspected and treated.

If you spot mud tubes in your crawl space or running along the outside of your home, it’s likely you’ve got a pest problem. To confirm, snap off a small piece of the tube and see if it gets patched up over a few days. If it does, you’ve got an active infestation.

Mud tubes extending further up into the ceilings and exterior features like soffits and fascia boards could indicate Formosan termite colonies, sometimes called “super termites,” known for their aggressive behavior.

In any case, call and arrange a professional exterminator immediately for termite removal.

Drooping laminate floors, drooping ceilings, wood damaged by termites covered in dry mud, and fractured door frames are some common signs of severe termite damage. Often, a major termite issue may be concealed behind wallpaper or beneath loose floor tiles.

Get a professional on-site ASAP in order to prevent further damage.

Schedule a home inspection in order to get a picture of where you’re at and what you need to do with your property prior to listing it on the open market.

Follow the recommendations of the inspector regarding the necessary treatment so you can be in a better selling position down the line.

Even if you live in a caveat emptor state, it is best practice to be honest and upfront with interested buyers regarding all known issues and material defects, especially termite damage in this case, even after treatment was completed. Doing so builds trust, and you avoid any future legal trouble.

Normally, the termite treatment comes with a one-year warranty. Make sure that this warranty is transferable to the buyer.

This would assure the potential buyers that the home has been taken care of, and should problems arise in the future, they know that it’s not going to cost them extra.

If you’re low on funds and in a hurry, you can sell to a cash buyer. You won’t need inspections, repairs, or staging. Investors and flippers are keen on such properties, especially if they’re distressed. Still, disclosure matters, so make sure buyers acknowledge the house’s condition in writing.

A buyer paying in cash will take into account the costs to fix and improve the property when making their offer. Thus, anticipate that the cash offer will likely be lower than the market value, as there’s significant work required, and the buyer needs to cover those expenses.

However, selling to a cash buyer relieves you and your family from the complexities of a standard sale. Plus, you avoid agent commissions, giving you more money upfront. Cash buyers also close quickly since they don’t rely on mortgage approval.

With the time you save, you may realize in the end that this is the more cost-effective option.