Buying house with termite damage (buying a house, transfer, contractor)

[spx9d]

We are buying a house and inspection report shows termite damage, the termite inspector suggested to get home warranty and get the damage tested. Has anyone bought house with termite damage. Please advise should I go ahead with the purchase or back off.

[mojo101]

I would not buy it until it is fixed

[TMing]

Every house in LI have some termite damage. In general I wouldn't be too worry about it. You can ask the seller to hire an exterminator to lay down bait traps around the property and get a year warranty.

[Strannik33]

If there is no other choice but this house, you could dig in deeper, so to speak. First, I would press the inspector for a clarification. How extensive is teh damage? Where?

You could call a reputable exterminator to see if the damage is fresh or decades old. Or, if there are termite inspectors in LI, they could do the same thing.

Once you determine that the damage is not catastrophic (I've seen those), you could perhaps spend a few $1000s for a long-term treatment. I presume the seller knows that, and the house is priced accordingly. And it might not be that bad after all.

[94nasupra]

The report should say more than just termite damage. As said before you need more detail.

[dman72]

If you open up the walls of most homes on Long Island, you will find termite damage. You can't know what happened 30 years ago with a current inspection because the activity could be long gone, but the damage is done. I found it in my own house when we were re-doing some walls. The contractor said it looked to be decades old. For all I know every 2x4 on the other side of the house has damage also.

[altidelete]

Some home inspection may include detailed termite inspection, but it isn't standard. At least mine wasn't but he did point out that there was prior traces of it. It was in the garage, so it didn't bother me much. The seller also disclosed the issue and transferred the treatment plan during closing.

Ask the seller if they are aware of the situation. If you are worried, then I would put a contingency to have a termite inspector come to assess how bad the damage is.

[citizenkang]

it depends on the severity of the termite damage
so maybe from here your best bet is to have a specialty termite inspector or have a pest treatment company come in and see the extent of the damage.

i really havent seen too many nightmares in ny regarding termites. but some states have real nasty termites that eats through beams and foundations.

GL

[lubby]

Walk Away. I would not buy a house with Termite damage. But if it isn't too bad negotiate with the sellers and tell them you will not close until they fix the termite damage and have an exterminator come.

[AKA Bubbleup]

I have an acquaintance that bought a house in NJ (at the time home inspections were not required as part of the purchasing process). He forewent the inspection to save a few hundred and the damage turned out to be structural in it's severity. Six figures to fix.

If you must have the home, get a full blown estimate and work the repair costs into the purchase price.