General Home Inspections do not address Termites. If your home inspector notices possible termite droppings or damage they may note it on their inspection report but they are not a licensed pest control operators.
Termite Inspection Report – Typically a few weeks before recordation is when the termite inspection takes place. Just as with the home inspection, the termite inspector will take 30 minutes to a few hours to inspect the property and then we will show up to the property for a walk through. The termite inspector will walk us through any findings, possible future issues, as well as any remedies if live termites or termite damages are found.
If the termite inspection comes back clean with no issues, then we can move toward closing. If there is termite damage the seller is responsible for correcting these issues as recommended by the termite inspector. Typically, we see damage in wood features of a home such as door or window frames. Larger issues could be found in structural beams, roof rafters, or kitchen/bathroom cabinets. If there are termite droppings, which signal live termites the remedy could be removal or spot treatment. Spot treating involves drilling out holes to expose termite tunnels, putting in gas or powder into the tunnels, and sealing the holes to kill any termites.
The Hawaii Association of Realtors Purchase Contract states:
“If the Termite Inspection Report indicates visible evidence of termite infestation, Seller shall order and pay for the recommended treatment which shall not include preventive measures. Buyer and Seller understand that such treatment may cause damage to plants and/or improvements. Seller shall deliver to Buyer a Certificate of Treatment no later than five (5) days prior to the Scheduled Closing Date, or at any date mutually agreed to in writing between Buyer and Seller.”
There are two types of Termites typically found in Hawaii – Dry Wood Termites and Ground Termites. Ground termites typically work very fast and can be visible through mud tunnels usually found on the outside of properties. Dry wood termites work a lot slower and may take years in a piece of wood to ever push out termite droppings. One day there could be no visible sign of termites and the next day there may be. Because of this the termite inspection is not a guarantee of any termites but an inspection of what is visible at the time of the inspection. If there has been evidence of termites or termite damage in the past the seller should note that in the SRPDS (Step 17: Seller’s Disclosure Statement).
The Hawaii Association of Realtors Purchase Contract states:
“Latent or Hidden Termite Infestation and/or Damage. Buyer acknowledges that there may be latent or hidden termite infestation and/or damage of which Seller and Seller’s Brokerage Firm are not aware and for which Seller and Seller’s Brokerage Firm will not be held liable. Seller, Seller’s Brokerage Firm, Buyer’s Brokerage Firm, and their respective licensees make no representations or warranties that the Property is free from latent or hidden termite infestation and/or damage. Buyer and Seller release Brokerage Firms and their respective licensees from any and all liability with regard to any latent or hidden termite infestation and/or damage.”
Previous, Step 23: Survey (Single Family Homes)
Next, Step 25: Conditional Loan Commitment & Final Loan Commitment Letters
Joe is a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty. He majored in finance and has experience as a former mortgage loan originator. He has helped buyers both with new project loans and going through the process of applying and obtaining units in new projects. He uses his finance, mortgage, and real estate knowledge to help home buyers find the right properties to fit their needs. Contact Joe by phone or email at (808) 351-8394 or JoeC@BetterHawaii.com.
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