“Are you always required to fumigate your house for termites when you sell?”
***ANSWER:
Not necessarily.
I’ll explain when you do have to fumigate, but first let me correct three myths about termite fumigations:
Myth #1: “You’re legally required to fumigate when you sell.”
Over the years, many of my clients have believed this. There’s no such law.
Myth #2: “Banks require a fumigation or they won’t make a loan.”
This isn’t true either. There are some instances where this is “sort of” true, which I’ll explain to you in a moment.
Myth #3: “You can only get rid of termites by fumigating.”
One type of termites (subterranean) comes up from the ground and is never treated by fumigating. Instead, you inject termicide in the ground and destroy their “mud tubes”. You only fumigate for DRYWOOD termites. But there are also alternative treatments, such as spot treatment, heating, freezing, and electrocution. So it’s rare that only a fumigation will do the trick.
So when DO you have to fumigate, or at least do one of the alternative treatments?
1. Buyers almost always expect a pest control (aka termite) clearance. So if you have drywood termites, plan to fumigate or do an alternative treatment.
2. VA and FHA loans require a pest control clearance. So again, if you have drywood termites, you’ll need to get rid of them.
3. If your contract with your buyer calls for a pest control clearance, your lender will insist on it, even if your buyer is willing to take a credit.
Short question; long answer. I do that a lot. Oh well…
How To Sell Your San Diego Home & Buy Another
