Can a Home seller refuse buyer right to have property inspected for termites? (contingency, agent)

[curiosa]

I am currently in escrow on a condo in Los Angeles. The property already has been screened by a termite company and has been noted as having termites. The HOA has already collected special assements by current owners to go to the repairs of common areas the HOA is responsible for.
I am wanting to have a 2nd termite inspection to get a 2nd opinion especially to recheck the inside of the property being that is what we would have to pay for should we inherit any termite problems that the 1st inspection didn't find. The seller's listing agent refuses to allow us to have another termite inspection on the property. My question is basically...
Can a Home seller refuse a buyer the right to have property inspected for termites especially since I have not lifted the inspection contingency (termite portion)?

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by curiosa

I am currently in escrow on a condo in Los Angeles. The property already has been screened by a termite company and has been noted as having termites. The HOA has already collected special assements by current owners to go to the repairs of common areas the HOA is responsible for.
I am wanting to have a 2nd termite inspection to get a 2nd opinion especially to recheck the inside of the property being that is what we would have to pay for should we inherit any termite problems that the 1st inspection didn't find. The seller's listing agent refuses to allow us to have another termite inspection on the property. My question is basically...
Can a Home seller refuse a buyer the right to have property inspected for termites especially since I have not lifted the inspection contingency (termite portion)?

I think this is his subtle way of telling you that you would be better off buying something else.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by curiosa

The seller's listing agent refuses to allow us to have another termite inspection on the property.

Out of curiosity, what are the reasons the seller's agent is refusing to allow another inspection? (What's their side of the story?)

[Mr. Fantastic]

Buy elsewhere. Why would you want to buy a problem property?

[Narfcake]

Originally Posted by Dusty Rhodes

I think this is his subtle way of telling you that you would be better off buying something else.

Exactly. If there's nothing to hide, then why the holdback? A seller telling the buyer that they cannot have another inspection is a BIG RED FLAG that they're hiding something.

[curiosa]

Originally Posted by Charles

Out of curiosity, what are the reasons the seller's agent is refusing to allow another inspection? (What's their side of the story?)

The listing agent's has said that the place already has had a termite inspection and that should be good enough. He is claiming that he is protecting the seller's interests.

As the buyer don't I have the right to do as many inspections as I want?

[Narfcake]

Originally Posted by curiosa

The listing agent's has said that the place already has had a termite inspection and that should be good enough. He is claiming that he is protecting the seller's interests.

Protecting the seller's interest ... to hide something. Seriously, if it's all fine, then what is the big deal? Your agent (you do have one, right?) needs to put pressure on the listing agent.

As the buyer don't I have the right to do as many inspections as I want?

As long as it's on the buyer's dime and the inspections are non-destructive, then a good seller would let them have at it. Beyond the general home and termite inspections, folks routinely have separate HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing inspections too. In more severe cases, structural engineers are brought in too.

So when a seller holds back, that's a red flag to me.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by curiosa

I am currently in escrow on a condo in Los Angeles. The property already has been screened by a termite company and has been noted as having termites. The HOA has already collected special assements by current owners to go to the repairs of common areas the HOA is responsible for.
I am wanting to have a 2nd termite inspection to get a 2nd opinion especially to recheck the inside of the property being that is what we would have to pay for should we inherit any termite problems that the 1st inspection didn't find. The seller's listing agent refuses to allow us to have another termite inspection on the property. My question is basically...
Can a Home seller refuse a buyer the right to have property inspected for termites especially since I have not lifted the inspection contingency (termite portion)?

If you are paying for it, I don't see the problem, on the other hand if there were termites and it was treated I think you are being paranoid. Again, I don't think I have ever heard of someone wanting another inspecition, but what do I know. What did the original report show? I am a little confused, you are talking about outside common grounds, but what about the inside? As an x real estate agent, I am not sure I agree with everyone else on this. I will repeat, I don't understand why they would be fighting this.

Nita

[ferretkona]

Having worked construction for 35 years, I find all homes have termites. My house passed termite inspection when I bought. In remodeling, all studs in walls I have opened have had termite damage.

If I built a new home I would use all steel framing.

[bhcompy]

The real question is who did the inspection(what company) and did they certify it? A house won't clear escrow unless the work is done and if there are termites in a condo and they won't tent it the only other solution that will clear escrow generally is a heat treatment and those only clear out the areas treated(attic heat treatments are popular in townhouses). Any termite company worth their salt will not certify anything less than a heat treatment(Timbor, orange oil, drill and treat, etc do not eradicate infestations), so you should accept no less.

http://www.pestboard.ca.gov/forms/inspctns.pdf (broken link)

As far as refusing the inspection, if the certification meets the qualifications the bank sets, they can do that, but, as noted in the publication above, the Structural Pest Control Board that licenses and oversees the industry suggests that buyers have their own inspection done anyways. Escrow inspections typically run 75$ or so from a reputable termite company. These aren't required by law, just by the finance companies.