Having a termite inspection is vital, especially here in California where most homes are made from wood and stucco. Unless the home is new construction, don’t forgo having a termite inspection. This will ensure that the investment in the home is sound and alert you to any problems from pests.

Generally, the home seller is responsible for hiring a termite inspector and supplying the inspection report to the buyer.

If there is no evidence of termites, this is called having ‘clearance’ and the lender will need to be provided with this information to satisfy the condition of the loan. The reason some lenders require this report is to ensure that they are issuing a loan on a property that’s a good investment and in good condition.

Along with termites, the inspector is checking for things like dry rot, fungus, and any other issues that come with damage to wood. The inspector will look at the interior and exterior areas of your home and check for any visible signs of a termite infestation.

As you can imagine, this is extremely important because no one is going to want to invest in a home that has been structurally damaged. You want the report to disclose that the home is solid and has good structural integrity.

Reviewing the Termite Inspection Report

The termite inspection report is made up of 2 parts: 

Section 1:

Items where there is evidence of:

• Active infestation
• Infection
• Conditions resulting from or caused by infestation or infection
• These issues require immediate attention and are typically considered serious enough to impact the structure’s integrity or pose a significant risk to the occupants.

Section 2:

Items deemed likely to lead to infestation or infection, but where no visible evidence of such was found

• These conditions may not be actively infested but have the potential to become a problem if left untreated
• Section 2 repairs are often considered optional and may or may not be required by a lending institution for loan approval

In summary, Section 1 addresses urgent, active termite issues that require prompt attention, while Section 2 identifies potential risks or precursors to termite infestation that may or may not require immediate action.