It's a common saying in Georgia that if you have not had termites in the past, and you do not have termites now, you will have termites in the future! 

     The Georgia Association of Realtors contract requires a Wood Infestation Report to be attached to any offer to purchase.   If it is not attached to the offer, the Seller has seven (7) days from the "Binding Agreement" date to provide the report to the Buyer.  The Buyer has ten (10) days to review the report, and this creates a contingency to the contract.

     It is the Seller's responsibility to provide a copy of the wood infestation report to any potential Buyer and his/or Buyer's Agent.  Before listing your home, or at least at the time of listing, you should have a termite inspection done and a wood infestation report issued by your pest control company.  This will give you time to correct and treat as needed for the sale and closing of your home.

     The Wood Infestation Report is an official document required by the State of Georgia (Agriculture Department).  If you have a contract or bond with a pest control company, and your home has inspected recently, this does not take the place of an official Georgia Wood Infestation Report.   The cost of a Wood Infestation Report should be $50-$85.

     Unless your contract closes within 30 days of the original inspection, you will need to order a Final Inspection before closing.

     SELLERS:  The "Seller's Property Disclosure" (which you will complete at the time of listing) asks if you have a transferable bond or guaranty.  Before checking this item, be sure to read your original termite bond or guaranty.  If your home was built 10 years ago and you have maintained the original bond, you may discover that your bond is only a ten year bond and is not transferable to your purchaser.   A termite bond is not required for the sale of property in Georgia, but the Seller's Disclosure becomes part of the contract and must be accurate.

            1. Insulated foam board around perimeter of the home.  This
                perimeter insulation was required by FHA and VA and by
                most local building codes for many years, even though the
                pest control companies recognized that foam board near the
                ground provided safe haven for termites to move into your
                home.  In Georgia the code has changed.  Not only is foam-
                board insulation not required, the pest control companies will
                not issue a clear wood infestation report unless the foam board
                is removed.

            2. Earth to wood contact on deck posts, porch supports, exterior
                wooden steps.  Current code requires that these posts be set in
                concrete.

            3.  Exterior cross tie walls made of railroad ties or landscape
                 timber, and wooden fences when they abut the exterior wall of the
                 house.

            4.  Excessive moisture in the crawl space (this can be corrected by 
                 adding more vents or a vapor barrier on the dirt)

            5.  Debris in the crawl space or under decks and porches.

            6.  Active or previous infestation.  If either is found, the entire home
                 must be treated.  If you do not have a bond, the cost averages
                 $900.00 - $1,200.00.

     If any of these conditions are present at the time of inspection, the pest control company will not issue a "clear" termite letter.  Most lenders will close on conventional loans with some or all of these conditions present, but FHA and VA loans require that ALL conditions be corrected and a clear final inspection performed before closing.
 
 

 
Related Topics
• Facts of Life for Buyers
• Financing
• Home Inspections
• Lease Purchases
• Gwinnett Information
• Fulton Information
• Links to Other Helpful Information
• Facts of Life for Sellers

 The information contained herein is believed to be accurate and timely but no warranty as such is expressed or implied.  
  © 1999-2004 Pat Sabin