Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonanza
Some of the things you mention regarding termites seem unusual. The majority of Florida residents have not experienced termites in their houses. You had termites in two houses which you purchased brand new and after a couple of years, had termites -- a "swarm" of them? That is extremely rare! And you mentioned that you had "major termite clauses" in houses (in a contract, I assume) that you both sold and purchased? Other than what is pre-written into a standard contract for sale on a house, how did these clauses differ?
I can only tell you that in all my years as an active Realtor in Florida (30+ years) I have never had a customer not by a home because it didn't have an ongoing termite contract. Never! As I said previously, if the termite inspection was clear, that is all the buyer wanted to know. If the inspection showed some activity, the problem was treated and a warranty was issued. Either way, it did not present a problem. And no, it is not rare to find someone who has never had termites. I've never had them although I know at some point I probably will. Luckily, most people do not have the problem but yes -- termites in Florida are not uncommon.
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Our last house we sold in Jax had a swarm in master bath in year 2. Yes, a swarm. Little tiny termites laying all over the bathroom, tub, shower, etc. We had a policy, so we had a retreat and clean up. When we sold the house 6 years later in 2020, the first contract backed out because he found that the house had experienced that episode of termites, even though the home had a continued policy the entire time and the termites were treated, taken care of immediately, and never had termites again. We even take extreme care of our yards to ensure we don't get termites. So, there is one example of someone who wouldn't buy a home that once experienced termites, though it may not be exactly the same as just having a continuous coverage.
I have 2 brothers and a sister (also in real estate) who all live on different sides of town, all had termites. 6 of my friends, ditto. I just checked with my sister and my last agent. Both told me that they sell houses all the time that had termites at one time. They both said they have had clients or others wig out and not buy a home because it had termites once before, or had gone without termite coverage, however, both said that the majority of time, most are like me and my husband, in that as long as there is a clear WDO and a current policy, we are fine with the purchase.
Maybe it's just a problem in Jacksonville. Don't know. Yes, contracts want WDO reports only with no active infestations, but some had a termite addendum. I can't remember the exact wording. My agent, not my sister, said she has seen that addendum many times before about the termites. So, either, me, my family, friends, and many in Jacksonville are the most unlucky people on the face of the earth when it comes to termites or you are the most luckiest real estate agent that has never had to deal with them. Cheers to you. May you never have to.
PS...our first house in the 90's was 3 years old and that house also had a swarm, too. Yep, a damn swarm. We saw small tiny holes by our living room window, could actually hear them in the wall. Called our pest control. We were told that it was termites and they were going to swarn. Per their advice, we taped over all the pin holes to try to get them to swarm outside, but nope, they swarmed into the living room. Me and my two year old son were vacuuming them as they were flying in. They can only fly a few feet and then drop. I swear, it makes me wonder if the builders are actually remembering/bothering to treat the ground or not.
Good times....count yourself lucky.