REAL ESTATE TERMITE INSPECTIONS
Posted By SafeGuard Pest Control Administrator
Buying a home is an exciting step for any Yardley family. Of course, with the excitement comes the need for filling out a lot of tedious paperwork and completing inspections. Most people are already familiar with the concept of a home inspector. These professionals thoroughly review a property to look for systems that aren't functioning, exterior faults or structural components that may need to be replaced.
TERMITE CONTROL PROVIDER VS HOME INSPECTOR
Although most home inspectors are generally well trained, they are typically not qualified to complete termite inspections. To comply with the requirements of most mortgage lenders in Pennsylvania, it is necessary to work with a licensed, experienced pest inspector.
And while it might be easier to have one inspector handle everything, that's not a particularly realistic expectation. After all, you wouldn't ask a shop that typically only does oil changes to replace a driveshaft. Why? Because they don't have the training, equipment and skills that are necessary for the job.
That's where the difference between home inspectors and termite inspectors originates. Home inspectors just don't have the tools and training that are necessary for uncovering a worrisome infestation. From both a legal and a practical standpoint, home inspectors cannot adequately inspect a property for any of the wood destroying insects that are commonly found in Yardley and throughout the Pennsylvania area.
Becoming a termite inspector is actually an involved process that requires specialized training and licensing through the state. This training makes it possible for an individual to prepare and file a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report, which is often referred to as a WDI. An increasing number of mortgage lenders are making the completion of a WDI a basic component of all home loans. Simply put, it's all but impossible to buy a home without the assistance of a certified termite inspector.
TERMITE CONTROL PROVIDER BEST FOR REALTORS
And it's not just home buyers who benefit from the services of a professional termite inspector. Real estate agents will find that being able to quickly and confidently recommend a licensed pest inspector will enhance the services they offer to clients. With so many home lenders making a WDI report a basic component of a loan package, it is essential to be able to help clients meet this requirement with efficiency and ease.
The term "termite inspection" doesn't really cover the full breadth of pests that a WDI review looks for. When a licensed termite inspector is asked to complete a WDI, they look for all the usual suspects when it comes to destroying wood in homes. This includes carpenter ants, wood boring beetles, carpenter bees and, of course, termites.
WOOD DESTROYING INSECT REPORTS
Wood-destroying insects are incredibly common in Pennsylvania. Statistics from the National Pest Management Association suggest that termites and other similar pests cause billions of dollars of damage to buildings every year. When infestations are caught early, only minimal damage is caused. On the other hand, damage to some single-family dwellings is so severe that it can cost as much as $1 million to repair. In cases like these, it almost makes more sense to bulldoze the property instead of attempting to fix it. No wonder so many lenders are requiring a WDI before they agree to finance a property!
The presence of wood-destroying insects is not always obvious, particularly to the untrained eye. The pests themselves are experts at covert maneuvers. By boring deep into the wood, they make it incredibly hard for people to spot them. This is why relying on the services of a trained pest inspector is so important. They have intimate knowledge regarding the telltale signs that wood-destroying insects leave behind. To a well-trained expert, these signs are an unmistakable trail of clues.
So, what does a licensed termite inspector know to look for that other inspectors don't? A grayish or brownish gritty film is often a major clue. Wood-destroying pests also leave behind a trail of mud tubes on the foundation and walls. In addition to mud, feces and saliva are also used to construct the tubes. These tubes are then used as passageways as the insects go about their business of destroying the structure of your home. Other indications of an infestation might include discarded wings and fecal pellets.
Unfortunately, many homeowners don't know they have a wood-destroying insect problem until the damage is already severe. This can mean sagging floors and ceilings as well as what appears to be water damage in some parts of the home. Avoiding this regrettable, and expensive, state of affairs is of paramount importance. That's why home buyers should welcome the requirement of having a WDI performed, rather than seeing it as just another hoop to jump through. A single, affordable inspection can save them from taking on a lemon of a house.
Contrary to what many believe, it is not just older homes that are subject to infestation by wood-destroying insects. Termites and other pests have been known to inhabit new construction homes, sometimes within just days or weeks of their completion. This is why these inspections are essential to every property, both existing and new.
WHY CHOOSE SAFEGUARD FOR YOUR TERMITE INSPECTION REPORTS
SafeGuard Pest Control is one of the area's most trusted providers of termite inspections, providing home owners and realtors with WDI reports throughout Yardley and most of Pennsylvania for nearly 30 years.
So, whether you are a real estate agent who helps clients realize their dreams of home ownership or are a home buyer yourself, you need a reliable, experienced pest control company working to protect your interests. With our years of experience and dedication to outstanding customer service, SafeGuard Pest Control stands ready to help you make a wise home buying WDI reports.
