Question:
“We’re in escrow on a home. The seller’s termite report costs seem low and many areas I feel were overlooked (dry rot apparent). If we get our own termite report can it hurt the deal in any way? What if my inspector points out many more areas and the costs doubles. I don’t want to get another report if it will hurt my purchase, but I want to protect myself from buying a house where termite work should have been completed.”
Answer:
You do have the right to get your own termite (aka pest control) inspection during your investigation period.
So if more work is found needed, is the seller obligated to do it?
It’s a gray area—leaning towards the seller not being obligated.
If your contract requires a termite clearance, the seller getting one from their company satisfies that. You’ll get their termite firm’s warranty and could go back to them after closing to do any missed work for free.
Could getting a second inspection cause a problem with your purchase?
If more work is needed and the new report is sent to the lender, they may require the additional work to be done. And if the seller refuses, you could be at a stalemate.
If the seller refuses, you could contact their termite company and let them know they missed items and would be on the hook for more work, in which case they may amend their report and require the “new” items be done.
The seller wouldn’t be happy about that and may hold it against the buyer, though they shouldn’t. Since, after all, the first company should only add those items if they’re genuinely needed.
