Maryland and Virginia Real Estate and Homes Blog

ABOUT TERMITE WARRANTIES AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. 

IF YOU ARE A SELLER AND THE HOME INSPECTOR SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS A TERMITE INFESTATION, HOW DO YOU PROCEED? 

Do you deny that there is a problem because you have a TERMITE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT?   Fact is, that won’t keep the termites out. 

TERMITES CAN’T READ!

i sometimes believe that home owners believe that if they don’t think about a problem it will go away. 

Or, they take the advice of someone who is selling them something.  Like a termite inspection company THAT HAS BEEN PAID FOR A TERMITE MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTY but which has NOT performed as expected.  The home inspector isn’t selling termite treatment or repairs. 

The purpose for the termite maintence contract is to pay in advance for regular inspections with the guarantee that, if a pest infestation is found, the termite company will treat and repair as necessary.  NO COMPANY CAN GUARANTEE THAT TERMITES WILL NOT ENTER A PREMISES.  The critters CANNOT READ the guarantee. 

Just because a termite maintenance contract says you are protected, home owners must make sure that the contract provides for regular inspections so that the treatment can be accomplished at a cost of $500 rather than an eventual treatment of $3,000 plus repairs to the damaged part of the home.

There is a real disconnect between a Termite Maintenance contract and the reality that it doesn’t protect the home from an infestation.  I suppose it’s the home owners’ wish that it be so, i.e., if I have a maintenance contract, termites can’t get into my home.  It’s nonsensical, but wishful thinking is the home owner’s security blanket. 

Those of us in the real estate business know better, OR SHOULD.  When I hear a listing agent poo-poo a bad termite inspection report, I wonder whom they are trying to protect.  Surely, they don’t expect the buyer to take possession of a home riddled with termites and the concomitant damage. 

OR DO THEY??

I don’t expect anything but a self protection mode from a home owner/seller.  However, I always expect better from a licensed REALTOR.  Sadly, I have often been disappointed.

YES, the first report of possible termite infestation is often from the HOME INSPECTOR.  It is their job?  Of course, it is.  Can they prepare a termite report or treat??  Not without the appropriate license.  That doesn’t mean they can’t identify the problem.  Since the HOME INSPECTOR is often the first inspector on the scene, it is logical that they be the first to see a potential infestation.  A quick follow-up to schedule the termite inspection is then necessary. 

HOME OWNERS MAY BE ABLE TO BURY THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND, but licensed REALTORS cannot.

QUATERLY PEST INSPECTION IN LOVETTSVILLE, VA - ALL CLEAR - DON’T GIVE THE MICE OR TERMITES A CHANCE TO MOVE IN.

QUATERLY PEST INSPECTION IN LOVETTSVILLE VA - ALL CLEAR - DON’T GIVE THE MICE OR TERMITES A CHANCE TO MOVE IN.

QUARTERLY PEST INSPECTION THIS MORNING.  Yes, I have a pest inspection every quarter.  How much does it cost, you ask?  I don’t care.  What difference does it make?  It’s like paying a toll on the Dulles Greenway.  Whatever it takes to get the job done or get where you want to go. 

THEY WERE LIKE THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and never intended to leave.  Three years ago an extended family of mice move into my house.  I believe it was an extended family due to the number I was sighting and seeing evidence EVERYWHERE.  It’s a startling moment to walk into your kitchen in the evening and see a 2.5 inch critter scamper across your kitchen counter and disappear behind something.  Where did it go?  Dang those little things are fast.

DO IT YOURSELF PEST CONTROL??  So, you do what you can to rid you home of these unwanted guests.  You pay a visit to the Nichols Hardware Store in Purcellville and stock up on supplies and equipment to suggest to the critters that they should go visit someone else.  Problem is, the mice are quicker and smarter than we when it comes to places to hide, find food and generally make a pest of themselves. 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK: 

1.  The sticky papers did and did not work.  Some would catch a mouse, others would attract the mice but from the mouse fur on the empty sheets, you know that these things are not strong to hold a country mouse.  When my house in Bethesda was invaded, the sticky paper worked very well and, once we discovered the small hole where the foundation and framing met, the mice were gone.  However, these country mice in Lovettsville appear to be much stronger.  The paper attracts them but they escape. 

2.  Mouse Traps did not work.  Someone really needs to build a better one.  Sure, a well placed trap under the sink will catch mice.  The problem is that you have to BAIT and SET the dang thing.  Unlike others, I do not like to set mouse traps.  They scare the daylights out of me.  I can visualize a sprung mouse trap hanging from a broken finger.  I do not like mouse traps. 

ENTER KEITH, THE BUG PROS COMPANY.   “We’ll Send Your Pest Pakin”is his motto.  Three years ago, when I had the first extended visit from a mouse family and realized that the mice were far more resourceful than I, I found Keith, a local (Purcellville, Loudoun County) pest control company. 

Bugpros Termite & Pest Control LLC:
Serving Northern Virginia
18258 Chestnut Grove Court,
Purcellville, VA 20132
4023 (540) 338-6600 ‎

I also turn to BugPros when I need a pest inspection for a real estate contract in Northern Virginia.  Keith is reliable, timely and uses the latest equipment and supplies for any inspection or treatment need. 

It pays to have good service companies, for your real estate home buyers AND FOR YOUR OWN HOME. 

Keith checking the outside mouse traps.  Of course, we also do external inspection for termites on a regular basis.  I’m super cautious when it comes to termites.  Sure, I have a termite inspection/treatment, etc. contract, but TERMITES CAN’T READ and wouldn’t give a fig about my Termite Control Contract.

THE COST OF A TERMITE INSPECTION is about $50-$100. 

THE COST OF A TERMITE TREATMENT will be a minimum of about $500.  In all the years I have sold real estate I have NEVER had a termite inspection that revealed termite infestation where the home owners had regular annual pest inspections.

ALL CLEAR!  Thanks Keith.  See you in 3 months. 

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Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders. com, 800-711-7988.

A MESSAGE FOR HOME BUYERS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA 

HOMEFINDERS VIDEO 

For a tour of homes in your location of choice in Loudoun County, contact Homefinders.com.  We’ll arrange a wonderful tour and you can get to know the county, shopping, recreation, the real estate market and the hardest working Buyer’s Agents in the area.  Ask about the Homefinders.com new home buyers REBATE - 1% cash back to our new home buyers.

Homefinders.com will help you ENJOY THE HOME BUYING ADVENTURE!

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