Buying a Home With Termite Damage in Arizona

Termite damage is serious and can be expensive to repair, so it’s understandable why you might be cautious about purchasing a home with a history of these wood-destroying pests. However, as long as the infestation was properly treated and is no longer active, it’s generally considered safe to do so.

Just because a house has had termites in the past doesn’t mean it’s any more likely to get them in the future. Unless the house still has termites or is still vulnerable against these pests, it’s safe to buy a property that once had termites. Just make sure to take the right precautions, such as getting a WDI report.

Can I Sell My Home if I Had Termites?

It’s challenging to sell houses with any kind of structural damage, whether it was caused by termites or something else. While that doesn’t automatically mean you can’t sell your home, it does mean you may have to lower your price unless you’ve fixed the damage.

Regardless of whether you choose to make the repairs before selling, it’s important to be up-front about your home’s history. If you’ve experienced a termite infestation, no matter how severe, it’s important to inform potential buyers. You should also be ready to pay for any treatments, inspections, and repairs that may put your buyers at ease.

Tips for Buying a House With Termite Damage

You’ve found the perfect home – it’s in the right neighborhood, has all the features you love, and is within your budget. Just one problem… It used to have termites. While that can be alarming, it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself while buying a house that once had termites:

Get a WDI report to reveal any evidence of previous or current infestations. These reports can also help identify vulnerabilities that could cause future termite invasions.
Ask the seller questions about previous infestations to gather any information that the WDI report may have missed.
Try to negotiate treatment and repair costs with the seller if you find damage. They may be willing to cover these expenses to make the selling process easier.
Determine how comfortable you feel with repairing termite damage, especially if the damage is extensive or the buyer isn’t willing to cover repair costs.
Try not to worry, as long as the infestation is gone. A history of termites shouldn’t stop you from buying your dream house, as long as the infestation is no longer active.