It's Not a Question of IF, It's a Question of WHEN Termites will Visit Your Home

It's Not a Question of IF, It's a Question of WHEN You'll See Termite Infestation at Your Home

We live in Georgia.  Termites live and prosper in Georgia too.  Both subterranean termites and drywood termites are known to damage homes in Georgia every year!

Recently, I was with a home seller who informed me that during her time of ownership, she had never had a termite inspection or put the house under a termite bond!  "Oh yes", she said, "our lender required us to get a termite letter showing the house was free of termites when we purchased the property, but we never purchased the transferable bond."

As I suspected, this has stalled this seller from getting an offer from a potential buyer.  Within 3 days of putting her home on the market, we received two offers on the property.  Both offers asked about a transferable termite bond.  The Sellers Disclosure Statement showed that in the 6 years the Seller had owned the property, the home did not have an active and transferable Termite Bond.  As a result, both potential buyers decided to walk from the deal over a lack of termite protection. 

Of course, now my seller is in the process of going through the termite inspection, obtaining a letter and transferable bond on the property.  By this time, if it weren't for the lack of a termite bond, the property could be under contract.

This has influenced today's blog!  YES!  You need a Termite Bond on your home regardless of it's age!  Every time I talk with Termite Inspectors they tell me it's not a question of "IF", it's a question of "WHEN" termites will invade your property.

Subterranean Termites      
With few exceptions, Subterranean termites require contact with the soil, which provides optimal temperatures and moisture for their survival. Subterranean termites build underground nests connected to above ground food sources via mud tunnels.   These underground termites are responsible for the majority of termite damage to homes and buildings in the U.S. and specifically Georgia.

Subterranean Termite Control
Because they infest homes from the ground level, it is easier to prevent subterranean termite infestations than drywood termite infestations. The most common control measures for subterranean termite infestations include treating infested areas (direct applications to the soil and damaged wood) with termiticides, and placing bait stations around the home.

To help make your home less hospitable to termites, you also can focus on reducing moisture sources and wood-to-ground contact. By limiting entry points and water sources, you can help make it less likely termites will make your house their dinner.

Drywood Termites
Drywood termites typically are found in the southern and western states, although they can be transported in furniture to other parts of the U.S. Drywood termites do not require soil contact or aboveground moisture sources to survive. They live wholly within the material on which they feed, including dead trees, structural timbers, hardwood floors and pieces of furniture.
Generally speaking, drywood termites are larger than subterranean termites. Drywood termites do not have a worker caste, which means they rely on nymphs (immature reproductives) to perform the typical worker tasks.

Drywood Termite Control
Small, localized drywood termite infestations in a home can be treated by a pest expert who will apply termiticide directly to the wood where the termites live.  Fumigation and heat treatment are options when the drywood termites are located in an inaccessible area, the infestation involves multiple colonies or large nests, or the exact location of the nest is difficult to determine.
Other less common methods to control drywood termites include extreme cold and electronic methods. Depending on the size, scope and location of an infestation, these methods may be viable for infestations in structural wood or furniture.

Both protective wood treatment and regular home maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of a drywood termite infestation. By reducing the amount of wood materials near the home, using bug screens on attic and foundation vents, and keeping exterior walls in good condition, you can help reduce termite habitats and entry points into your home.

It's not a question of IF, termites will find your home, it's a question of WHEN.

So, when selling or buying real estate both the buyer and seller need to be mindful of termite issues with the house you are selling or buying.  Regardless of whether you are buying a resale or a foreclosure property, the Lender will require that the buyer have a Termite Letter from a reputable Termite inspection company as a condition of sale.  Typically, Lenders will not loan money on a home that is infested with termites.   

These days, the onus is on the buyer to do their due-diligence and ask the sellers for a transferable bond.  If there is no transferable bond available, the buyer will need to have the property inspected by a termite company to prove to the lender that the house is free of termites.

Likewise, to move the transaction along, the seller still needs to do everything they can to prove that they have maintained a transferable bond on the property during their ownership.  Once the home is sold, the buyer will need to maintain the transferable bond.  When it's time to sell the property, you'll need to transfer the termite bond to a new owner.

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara works with buyers and sellers alike.  Call Sara regarding any questions you may have regarding the Atlanta metro real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / selling / relocation process.  Sara Hibbard looks forward to answering your many questions and assisting you throughout your next real estate transaction when the time is right for you.  Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!