Should I Buy a House With Termite Damage?

Termites can destroy the structural integrity of a house very quickly.

More Damage Could Exist

According to Bankrate.com, you might want to avoid purchasing a house with termite damage because there might be other, undiscovered termite damage. Unless you really desire a particular house and it happens to have termite damage, you might want to just look elsewhere.

You Can Control Termites

Termite colonies are killed with special chemicals, so a thorough treatment plan usually prevents termites from coming back, according to the University of Kentucky. Termites are a problem all around the country, even in new houses, so you can usually feel safe buying a house with termite damage as long as the owner repairs the damage and you get regular inspections in the future.

Bottom Line

According to Bankrate.com, if you truly found a special place, but it has termite damage, it should be okay as long as an engineer considers the dwelling structurally sound. Keep in mind, however, that even the best termite treatment programs are not 100 percent effective at eliminating termites forever.

References

• Bank Rate: Termites Alone Should Not Undermine Purchase
• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture: Termite Control