[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by clossonjunk

I agree with him. Been in FL for 50 years. Been in TV for 1.5 yrs. This is my 4th home that I have owned as an adult. So far, 2 of my 4 homes have had termites. Both homes were brand new when I bought and only several years old when termites swarmed in. We didn't have new furniture or cabinets to blame. They come up through the ground and into house under the siding, in window seals, etc. The third home was built in the 70's and was treated with chemicals that are now banned, but never had termites in the home....in the yard, it did tho. I expect this home will eventually have termites. Each house we sold and bought had major termite clauses in them. Mant people will not purchase a home in FL without a history of termite treatment because the repair of unseen damage is crazy expensive. The damage is usually not found until there is remodeling or future termites. A bond does not cover past damage. Many people I know have dealt with termites. It's more rare to see someone who hasn't.

Basically, termites in FL are like gators in FL. You can tell yourself that they aren't there because you don't see them, no one has seen one, yadda, yadda, but they are there. It's not if, it's when you get termites in FL....

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.

[clossonjunk]

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.

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.

[retiredguy123]

Typically, subterranean termites live underground in the soil and invade a house eating wood, cardboard, or drywall. They cannot be exposed to the light, so you may not see them for years until you notice a wrinkle or weak spot on a door jamb, window sill, or baseboard. They will eat the wood right up to the surface and, when they see the light, they will go in another direction. Sometimes, the wood surface will be paper thin, but you don't notice it because the termites will not break through the surface. They will also build earth tunnels on an exterior wall to travel into the house and stay out of the light. Once a year, usually in the Spring, they will mate, swarm, and fly away. But, this usually occurs outside the house. The flying swarm will relocate to another house, but the original group will remain and continue eating your house. The way to treat the house is to inject a poison into the soil all the way around the perimeter of your house so they cannot live in the soil. There are other types of termites, but the subterranean type are the most difficult to detect. Once they move into your house, as long as they have enough moisture, they will never leave until you kill them.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Typically, subterranean termites live underground in the soil and invade a house eating wood, cardboard, or drywall. They cannot be exposed to the light, so you may not see them for years until you notice a wrinkle or weak spot on a door jamb, window sill, or baseboard. They will eat the wood right up to the surface and, when they see the light, they will go in another direction. Sometimes, the wood surface will be paper thin, but you don't notice it because the termites will not break through the surface. They will also build earth tunnels on an exterior wall to travel into the house and stay out of the light. Once a year, usually in the Spring, they will mate, swarm, and fly away. But, this usually occurs outside the house. The flying swarm will relocate to another house, but the original group will remain and continue eating your house. The way to treat the house is to inject a poison into the soil all the way around the perimeter of your house so they cannot live in the soil. There are other types of termites, but the subterranean type are the most difficult to detect. Once they move into your house, as long as they have enough moisture, they will never leave until you kill them.

That's a great argument for living in a manufactured home. Our homes don't have foundations, therefore there's no way for a subterranean termite to enter.

The OTHER types of termites might - but mfg. homes don't have all that much wood in their construction.

So whoever said the "historic section" had a lot of problems with termites is probably - not correct. The historic section is primarily manufactured homes and mobile homes. Yes there are sight-builts on foundations but they are in the minority.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by clossonjunk

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.

You have had some incredibly bad luck with termites that borders on unbelievable. Seriously, I have never known anyone with the repertoire of termite incidents as what you have seen and/or experienced! I'm not familiar with if Jacksonville has or had an abundance of termite issues. I can only speak of southeast Florida first handed, and of course, termites do exist there but not nearly to the extent of what you've described.

I don't believe my luck, as well as the good fortune I've had with my buyers and sellers, is untypical although compared to you, your friends, etc., it most certainly is. Treating the foundation of houses for termites is code as you probably know. I can't imagine that some builders can get away with not doing that.

Hopefully, you will find some satisfaction in knowing that every Florida house will experience termites at some point in time. I hope this makes you feel better!!!

And yes -- I am lucky!