Buying a house is stressful enough without finding out it might have a termite problem. You’ve already spent time looking at properties, making an offer, and imagining yourself living there. Then the inspection report comes back with something you weren’t expecting.
That’s exactly what one homebuyer found after making an offer on a house built in 2007. The termite inspector found mud tubes in the garage and exit holes in a window sill, leaving the buyer wondering whether to move forward with the purchase or walk away.
The buyer turned to Reddit for advice, hoping to get perspective on whether finding termites during an inspection was reason enough to walk away.
The Inspection Turned Up Some Unwelcome News
According to the Reddit post, the buyer had been under contract for just over a week when the termite inspection uncovered signs of an infestation.
The inspector found mud tubes along the garage and exit holes in a window sill. Both can indicate termite activity, although further inspection is needed to determine whether termites are still present and how much damage they’ve caused.
The buyer was quoted $1,400 for treatment, plus another $170 per year for inspections and maintaining a transferable warranty.
But the treatment cost wasn’t necessarily the biggest concern.
The buyer wanted to know whether having a history of termites would make the house harder to sell five or ten years down the road, even if the problem was treated and the warranty remained active.
It’s a reasonable concern. Buying a house is a major investment, and nobody wants to discover that something in the inspection report could become a problem when it’s time to sell.
Some Homeowners Would Buy the House, While Others Would Walk Away
Finding termites during a home inspection isn’t necessarily a reason to walk away. Termites are common in many parts of the country, particularly warmer regions, and a properly treated infestation with little or no structural damage may not be a major concern.
Several homeowners shared experiences of purchasing houses with termite problems and successfully treating them. One homeowner paid approximately $900 to treat an infestation and reported no further termite activity eight years later. Another negotiated for the seller to treat a garage with termite damage before closing.
However, not everyone was comfortable taking that risk. Some homeowners said they would avoid buying a house with a history of termite damage because it’s hard to know what might be hiding behind walls or under floors.
While treatment can eliminate an infestation, it won’t repair damaged framing, floor joists, or other structural problems. The possibility of expensive repairs was enough to make some buyers reconsider.
Related: 13 Things That Instantly Turn Off Homebuyers the Moment They Walk Into Your Home
Buyers May Have Room to Negotiate
Finding termites during a home inspection may give buyers an opportunity to negotiate with the seller rather than immediately walking away. Depending on the purchase agreement and local market, buyers may request treatment, necessary repairs, or a credit toward the cost.
Some homeowners have successfully negotiated these expenses before closing. One buyer received $5,000 in seller credits to help cover treatment and repairs, while another arranged for the seller to treat an affected garage and have it reinspected.
Getting a thorough termite inspection and an estimate for any necessary repairs can help buyers understand what they’re taking on and decide what to request from the seller.
So, Should the Buyer Walk Away?
A history of termites doesn’t automatically make a house a bad investment, but the extent of the damage matters. A minor infestation that’s been properly treated differs greatly from one that has caused significant structural problems.
Before moving forward, buyers should determine whether the termites are still active, how much damage they’ve caused, and what the treatment warranty covers. Records of completed treatment and a transferable warranty may also reassure future buyers, although not everyone will be comfortable buying a house with a termite history.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to the house’s condition, potential repair costs, and how much risk the buyer is comfortable taking. When you’re making one of the biggest purchases of your life, it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting into.
