Getting a Pest Inspection Before you List

In this time of volatility, it is important to take all the precautions that are being advised, to stay focused and to move forward the best we can. In this week’s article, we are going to talk about having a pest inspection done before you list your property and the advantages of doing that.

Before your real estate professional places a “For Sale” sign in your front yard, you want to be sure that no stone has been left unturned when preparing your home for marketing. The “To Do” checklist that your agent gives you is created to help protect you from the unknown once you are under contract to sell. It is also a great checklist for taking care of everyday preventative maintenance of your home and in this climate, that is important.

One of the key items on your list will be the recommendation to obtain a professional structural pest inspection prior to listing instead of waiting for an acceptable offer to see if your home is the subject of hidden pest or water damage.

For a modest fee, a state-licensed pest inspector will scrutinize everything from the rafters down to the foundation, looking for signs of active wood-boring invaders and/or dry rot.

Termites, both sub-terranean and drywood and certain beetles can be causing behind-the-scenes damage to the structure, while water could be causing wood to rot where it is not properly protected. Once the inspection is complete, you will receive a report with suggested remedies and estimated costs for any areas of active infestation or dry rot. If you want to correct any problem that has shown up you will know ahead of the curve and have the opportunity to do so.

Having this information before you move ahead with an offer gives you a great advantage when selling your home. You will know the cost to get a clear pest report prior to agreeing on a selling price.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the home selling or buying process. Thank you for reading and remember you can always call me at 727-298-8888 or email me at terriLMREP@gmail.com ordrop by our office at 906 Drew St Clearwater, Fl 33755. Until next time!