All homebuyers
know they should get a home inspection, but a common misconception is that your
home inspector will also cover inspecting for termites. While home inspectors
make a notation in the home inspection report if they see termite activity or
if they see prior termite damage to structural components, they do not perform
a full termite inspection.
In addition,
termite inspections are addressed under its own paragraph within the local
contract of sale used in Worcester County, which reads:
WOOD DESTROYING INSECT INSPECTION: Buyer, at Buyer’s expense, (if VA, then at Seller’s expense) is
authorized to obtain a written report on the state regulated form from a
Maryland licensed pest control company that, based on a careful visual
inspection, there is no evidence of termite or other wood-destroying insect
infestation in the residence or within three
(3) feet of
the residence; and damage due to previous infestation has been repaired. The
provisions of this paragraph also shall apply to: (1) the garage or within
three (3) feet of the garage (whether attached or detached); (2) any
outbuildings located within three feet of the residence or garage; and (3) a
maximum of ten (10) linear feet of the nearest portion of a
fence on
Seller's Property within three feet of the residence or garage.
The contract of sale further specifies how
any current/present infestation is to be handled, and calls for sellers to pay
up to 2 percent of the purchase price for any treatments or repairs. If the cost
of treatment and repair of any termite damage exceeds 2 percent of the purchase
price, a seller may cancel a contract, unless the buyer chooses to pay for the
cost of treatment and repairs exceeding 2 percent of the purchase price. Note
that if the buyer is using a VA loan, the seller must pay for the cost of the
termite inspection as well as any repairs that might be needed.
Lauren Bunting is an
Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean
City, Maryland.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
