Pest inspection
A specialized inspection looking for termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying pests. Required for VA loans and common everywhere else.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A termite inspection is routine, and VA loans ask for one. A clean report is one line; a finding turns into a treatment, a repair, and a form the lender wants signed before closing.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
The pest inspector finds old termite damage in a basement joist and no live activity. The buyer's VA lender asks for a treatment certificate anyway.
| What the inspector finds | What tends to follow |
|---|---|
| No activity, no damage | A clear report and nothing more |
| Old damage, no activity | Often a repair of the damaged wood, and sometimes a treatment for the lender's file |
| Live termites | Treatment before closing, usually paid by the seller |
The pest report is short, and a finding on it is usually the seller's to fix.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That a termite finding is rare in a house that has never had a problem. Old damage from a long-gone colony is the most common finding of all.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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