Over the years, I’ve seen this situation far too often: A homeowner is trying to sell their home and trying to get the most out of the deal. But, during the sale process, he or she receives “nickel and tithes” until death for repairs or other things the buyer wants.
In many parts of the country, a house must pass a termite inspection before the bank will lend you money. That, in itself, is not a problem. All homeowners should want their home to be protected from termites. The problem begins when an unethical or downright dishonest termite inspector is hired. These guys don’t really care about the sale or purchase of their house. They are only looking to sell a high dollar value treatment on the homes they inspect. Here are some of the tricks they use:
1. Termites on fences, trees, stumps, landscape lumber, or other wood not attached to the house: You must treat the house. In parts of the country where termites attack homes, you can find them everywhere. You see, termites are nature’s little recyclers, and their purpose is to return cellulose to the soil. That being the case, you need to understand that they can be found almost anywhere you find cellulose: in the garden, near the house, etc. A house should not need to be treated if termites are only found outside, away from the house.
2. Your home has not been treated for termites in the last 5 years; you should treat the house. On the back of the NPMA-33 termite inspection form, it gives the inspector the right to RECOMMEND a treatment, and one of the criteria is if there has been no treatment for termites in the last 5 years. However, the inspector MUST take into account other circumstances. They should not AUTOMATICALLY recommend a treatment in every house that exceeds the 5 year mark for treatment.
Remember, the inspector only has the power and authority to RECOMMEND treatment. He can’t say it’s a requirement. It depends on the bank if a treatment will be required or not.
Another thing to remember: An inspector could list the house as infested on the NPMA-33 report and sell a treatment based on that report. However, if you check the termites in Section II of the report, and those termites are located far away from the house (tree stump, fence, etc.), and you sell a treatment, you are committing fraud by misrepresenting the actual conditions and findings. . of inspecting him. This is because Section II of the NPMA-33 form is reserved for findings inside, on, or under the structure only, and NOT for areas outside the structure.
Homeowners thinking of selling their home, and anyone considering buying a home, need to educate themselves on all aspects of selling a home. When it comes to hiring inspectors, ask for references, call the Better Business Bureau and contact your state’s pest control regulatory agency, often the state department of agriculture. Ask specific questions about the company you’re considering hiring, and then make an informed decision.