Are Termites Making Your Home Unsellable?

If you’re like most people, the thought of termites infesting your home is terrifying. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also cause serious damage to your property. In some cases, termites can even make your home unsellable. New buyers simply don’t want to deal with a termite infestation. So, before you put your home on the market, let Residential Inspector of America conduct a thorough termite inspection. Here are some ways these wood-eaters are decreasing the value of your home.

Termites Cause Unattractive Damage

Termites tend to live within the walls of a home, but if the infestation is severe, the damage can start to show on the outside of the walls and the home. For example, evidence there is a termite infestation includes cracked window sills, chipped exterior paint near the ground, and even obvious mud tunnels that run up the side of a house. These are obvious signs of termites and can easily turn off potential buyers.

The Structure of the Home Becomes Unstable

Termites are attracted to wood that is moist, and they use their sharp jaws to tunnel through the wood and create galleries. As the termites eat away at the wood, they cause it to become weak and hollow. This damage can make a home unsellable because it diminishes the structural integrity of the home and makes it unattractive. In addition, termites can cause problems with plumbing and electrical systems by chewing through wires and pipes.

Infestation Can Happen Around the Property

Homeowners often associate termites with the home. However, colonies very rarely originate inside. Instead, termites look for dead or dying wood, including trees. They can even infest a perfectly healthy tree if given the opportunity. Once termites have infested a tree, they will begin to eat away at the wood, weakening the structure and making it more susceptible to wind damage. In addition, termites can cause extensive damage to flower beds and other vegetation. 

Termites Are Likely to Infest Other Wood Structures

Does your home have a nice porch or deck? Then you better believe these structures are just as susceptible to termite damage as the rest of your home. Unfortunately, if the termites have begun to tunnel through the deck or porch, the best solution is to tear it down and start new. This isn't something a new home buyer is going to want to do, nor deal with from a safety perspective. So, while your deck might be big and beautiful, it could be the thing that turns off a buyer.

Get Rid of Termites and Sell Your Home Successfully

If you're wanting or needing to sell your Atlanta, GA, home, but can't seem to find a buyer, termites could be the culprit. That's why it's important to have a pre-listing and termite inspection done by Residential Inspector of America. We'll even conduct mold testing and a repair estimate so you can make all the fixes needed to sell your home. Schedule your appointment today by calling (770) 476-4963.