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If you’ve been looking for a new home and think you’ve found the one, don’t make the mistake of foregoing the building and pest inspection because you could end up like the Sunshine Coast couple that purchased a home in Buderim only to find termites had created significant structural damage and infested almost 75% of the home. The home was so damaged it was deemed unlivable by the insurance company and after spending thousands of dollars in termite treatments to rid the home of subterranean termites they put the home up for sale and took a $130,000 loss on the property.
Authorities and pest controllers alike strongly urge you to have your prospective new home inspected for termites as not doing so could cost you a lot of money and stress down the line. In Queensland the current regulations are “buyer beware” which means that if the seller knows there is or has been termite activity in the home they are under no obligation to disclose that to you, the buyer. We have seen it many times, people have purchased properties only to find they have a major termite issue down the line and our technicians have found areas of old damage that had been spot treated and fixed so you would never have known. Without the past history of termite attacks and damage the buyers has to make an educated decision on how you how much termite damage the house has previously been exposed to before proceeding with the sale.
Many people consider termite damage to be a deal breaker when purchasing a home and it doesn’t need to be. Have the home inspected by a licensed timber pest inspector and if they do find termite damage or evidence of a previous termite attack, talk it over with them. They should be able to tell you how severe the damage is, where it is and the likely implications of that damage. It may just mean you, as the new owner, have to be vigilant about your termite protection and you can even go back to the seller and negotiate for a preventative chemical barrier to be installed to close of any old entry points and protect the home from another termite attack.
Buying a new home should be an exciting time, so do your due diligence so your dream home doesn’t turn into a nightmare. We see it all the time and all we can say is be vigilant and engage a company you trust to do a full pest inspection.
If you’re buying a new home and you need a qualified and experienced timber pest inspector, call Results Home Services now on 3823 2500. Having been inspecting and protecting Brisbane homes for termites for over 20 years, you can trust we have the knowledge and experience to protect your new home from termites and give you the best advice to move forward with. We service all of Brisbane and surrounding suburbs on the south and north sides of Brisbane.
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