Do You Have To Disclose Termites When Selling A House

Published on August 26th, 2022

When selling a house with termite damaged wood, sellers are obligated to disclose that damage and the presence of the termite infestation - why? Due to federal law, sellers need to fill out a disclosure form that will tell potential buyers what material defects can be found in a home - and a termite infestation is on that list!

Why You Have to Disclose Termite Activity and a Termite Infestation

Why You Have to Disclose Termite Activity and a Termite Infestations

Federally, a seller's disclosure statement should include information about the following property defects and structural damage to prospective buyers if they are aware of them:

• Roof leaks

• pest infestation - this includes both active termites and termite history

• Any known defects

• Previous termite treatment

• Septic of sewer issues

• Issues with the heating system

• A potential health hazard

Sellers are legally required to disclose all of the above information and known issues to a seller prior to purchase. State's laws also include that pest damage needs to be disclosed in the seller disclosures to a buyer.

Yes, termites can cause significant damage and hinder you from getting full market value for your home - even if you are selling your home with a real estate agent or to house flippers.



If the termite damage at your property is extensive enough, you might have to consider selling your home as is with a cash offer due to the fact that many home buyers won't have enough money to pay for needed repairs.

What Kind of Damage Can Termites Cause?

Significant termite damage can not only be annoying to repair but costly and possibly threaten the integrity of your home. Making the necessary repairs to termite damage can involve fixing ceilings, floors, walls, and even replacing furniture - basically, anything with wood can be destroyed by a termite.

Types of Termites and Termite Removal Methods

Signs that you might have a termite problem include wobbling floor tiles, maze like patterns on exposed wood, noticing wood shavings in places they shouldn't be, termite tunnels, and collapsing wood. Figuring out what type of termite infestation you have on your hands is your first step in learning how to treat the problem.

Some of the most common types of termites include:

• Formosan termite colonies

• Subterranean termites

Each of these types of termites can form a termite swarm - causing extensive damage to a home.

Working with real estate agents to sell your home with termite issues is an excellent path to be on. Agents will know how to sell a house with termite damage, information regarding termite warranty longevity, provide legal advice, a good idea about the current real estate market and listing price, and help you find interested buyers or even a cash buyer for your home.

For more information on selling a home with damage, please check out our blog!