Dealing with a termite infestation is never fun. It can be particularly frustrating when these tiny bugs infest a house that you want to sell. Just because you find live termites or termite damage, doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In our latest post, we will give you pointers to sell a house with termite damage in Oklahoma City.
Let’s face it, having bugs in your house is gross all around. Potential buyers can become very put-off by seeing any little creature running through your home whether it is a roach, flea, spider, flies, or termites. With termites, you should try to solve the problem at the first signs of infestation. This will save you money and frustration down the road.
Below are some tips on selling a house with termite damage in Oklahoma City….
Determine The Size of The Infestation
Determine if you are dealing with a full-blown infestation or just a few bugs. Hopefully, it is the latter and you have been able to catch them in time. Whether you have 1 or 1,000,000 don’t hesitate in handling the problem. Termites can multiply rapidly and the more of them that are present the more damage they do. The easiest way to determine the size of infestation is call a termite inspector. If you want to save some money and do it yourself to estimate this part, get a flashlight and walk around the walls in your house. You are looking for any tubes of dirt that extend from the wall. You can also tap on the wall in every place you can. If you find one spot that sounds hollow or is soft to the touch, you likely have termites behind there eating away. Below are some pictures of things to look for:
Extermination Can Be Expensive
If you do find termites and it is confirmed by a termite company, you need to get it treated ASAP. The cost depends on the size of home and how bad your infestation is. Generally, you should expect to pay $1,000 – $3,000 for a termite treatment. The treatment used is very effective and lasts quite a while so once you get it done, you should be able to rest safely for a while. If you have had termites for a long time, they might have caused damage to the walls or structure of your house. Termites eat sheetrock and wood which means you might have some repairs to do in addition to treatment.
Disclose Everything
The saying in Oklahoma is, “it isn’t IF you have termites but WHEN”. Most homes get them and termites are a common problem in Oklahoma. Buyers might still be afraid of termites or termite damage but once treated, you should be safe for a long time and the damage is rarely serious. It is important that you tell all potential buyers about the infestation and what you have done to remedy it. They need to be aware of what has happened to the home and be on the lookout for any resulting damages. Not doing so is fraud and can cost you big-time in the end. It is better to be upfront than to hide a problem. It might take longer to find a buyer, but at least you won’t be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.
Buyers May Have Funding Difficulties
As you might imagine, lenders may not want to provide financing for a house that could potentially have a small army of termites in, around, or under the house. It might be more difficult for your potential buyers to get a loan once the bank learns about the infestation. Keep this in mind, and provide any and all treatment and repair verification/receipts the bank requires. Typically, a buyer’s bank will always order a termite inspection. If termites are found, they will then want it treated before they will lend the buyer money to buy your home. This cost typically falls on the seller in Oklahoma.
Buyers Might Get The Heebie Jeebies
People don’t typically like bugs, especially when they are in their house. Do everything you can to ensure potential buyers that the problem has been properly resolved. Consider having a preemptive termite inspection done, showing proof that there are no longer bugs living in your walls. Termite inspections cost $75 – $150 so it isn’t too expensive. Do other things during open houses and property showings to emphasize the cleanliness and quality of the home. Make sure the place is spotless, smells amazing and is decorated impeccably. Make the place look so great, potential buyers won’t even remember you had a problem with termites in the first place.
Consider Selling As-Is
There is a way you avoid the costs of fumigation, listing, and waiting for the right buyer, and that is to sell your Oklahoma City house as-is. At W Properties, we buy all sorts of distressed Oklahoma City houses. We will buy your house as it is right now, handling any of the problems that come along with it. A direct sale can help alleviate the costs and hassles of a burdensome Oklahoma City home.