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Pest Inspection for Home Buyers: Is It Necessary?

There's a difference between pest inspections and home inspections. As such, they are done separately. If you are wondering, should I get a pest inspection when buying a house? Yes. Once you've bought your home, ensure the house inspection is part of the mortgage process.

The home inspector will confirm that your new home has no safety hazards or potential damage, like moisture control and cracked foundations. However, these home inspections never check to verify that your new home has any unwanted critters.

Instead, you can get a pest inspection separately to confirm whether your home has pests like moths, ants, mice, snakes, or scorpions. The type of pest will depend on where you live. The most annoying pest problem you might have is a termite infestation.

Termites and other pests that destroy wood require pest control since they can cause structural damage to your property, which is expensive to repair. And since your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover pest issues, you should get a pest inspection for home purchase.

If you are lucky, your country, lender, or state might require a home pest inspection. A pest inspection might cost you $100. This is a small amount to incur in the long term since many pest control services cost thousands of dollars, depending on the state of the infestation.

Should I Get A Pest Inspection When Buying A House?
Should I Get A Pest Inspection When Buying A House?

The Pest Inspection Process.

During a pest control inspection, the pest management professional checks the interior and exterior of your home. Usually, they check for any damage or potential damage from destructive pests and signs of moisture, pest droppings, Pest tunneling, and pest discarded wings.

Moisture attracts pests that destroy wood, like termites. Some of the pests the professional might cover include:

  • Carpenter ants
  • Bedbugs
  • Earwigs
  • Mosquitoes
  • Rodents
  • Silverfish
  • Termites
  • Wasps
  • Bees
  • Cockroaches
  • Fleas
  • Moths
  • Scorpions
  • Spiders

If your Pest inspection for mortgage demands a more specific standard service like a pest inspection for termites or bedbugs, you can look for individuals with specialization in those fields. You will also get a certificate or a report once the pest control inspection is complete.

It will indicate any problem areas and recommendations for additional treatments if necessary. It will also indicate if you need a terminator just once or long term.

Should You Get A Pest Inspection When Buying A House?

Yes, because only a pest inspector can determine whether your new home has unwanted pests, the severity of the infestation, and the duration the pests have been in your home. A home inspection will not cover these types of damages.

You might find that your state or lenders require you to contact a pest inspection for home purchase. For instance, if you take a VA loan, the VA will ask for a pest inspection for mortgage if they determine your home is more susceptible to termite infestations.

Will The Home Seller Require A Pest Inspection?

Put your home under a pest inspection before putting it on the market, especially if the house is in a high heat or humidity region. An older home also needs to be inspected before sale. After all, prior pest inspection and a report will boost buyer confidence and keep your house out of the market faster.

And if you do find that the house has a pest problem, call a pest exterminator to get ahead of the problem before your buyers arrive. Remember, your homeowner's insurance will not cover pest treatment or damage.

Should I Get A Pest Inspection When Buying A House?
Should I Get A Pest Inspection When Buying A House?

The Cost Of A Pest Inspection

The cost ranges between $75 to a few hundred dollars, but it depends on the size of your home and the company you use. Also, the inspection price does not include the treatment price that might be recommended if you have pests in your home.

Nonetheless, you can find inspection specialists that offer free inspection on the condition that you use their treatment services if your home has a pest problem. Your real estate agent can recommend the best pest inspection company.

Who Pays For The Inspection?

Both the buyer and the seller can pay the pest inspection costs. Your real estate agent can tell you if seller concessions can cover the pest inspection costs and the typical procedure in your area. But whether you or the seller pays, a home pest inspection should be done before you buy a house.


       

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