If your offer to purchase an Alabama home was accepted, it represents the first step on the journey to becoming a homeowner. Ideally, you will have the home inspected before the transaction closes. It may also be a good idea to have a separate termite inspection done to ensure that you know as much about the property as possible before becoming its new owner.

If an inspection reveals the presence of termites, it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. In some cases, a seller may agree to pay for termite abatement in an effort to transfer ownership of his or her property sooner. A seller may also agree to pay for termite damage repair costs such as replacing the roof or siding.

In the event that a seller doesn’t agree to pay costs related to a termite infestation, you may be able to walk away from the deal. Depending on the terms of your purchase contract, it may be possible to do so without losing your earnest money. Alternatively, you can continue with the transaction and simply add the cost of remedying a pest infestation to the overall price tag of the home.

Generally speaking, you’re responsible for maintaining a home after you become its rightful owner. Therefore, you would likely need to remedy the issue on your own. An exception may be made in the event that the owner had an obligation to disclose the problem during the buying process.

Termites may cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home, and in some cases, the damage may render a property uninhabitable. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to do whatever you can to find out about a pest issue before buying a residential property.

The post The importance of a termite inspection first appeared on Steele Ritchie.