[zmarkp]

My sister has her courtyard villa in Pennecamp for sale and the broker emailed that the termite coverage would end July 31.

Should my sister extend the termite coverage for another year even though it won't be transferable to her next home in TV?

What are the downsides of her not renewing the termite coverage?

Are termites much of a problem in a block and stucco courtyard villa?

Thanks for any and all input.

[Jima64]

Termites will come up through the small cracks around any plumbing such as the bathroom or kitchen water pipes. Concrete shrinks as it cured creatint these very small cracks. You have wood in the roof and ceiling that they go to. Possibly also in the walls if there are wood studs. Builder is no longer required to treat the soil under the foundation for termite prevention.

[retiredguy123]

She should definitely extend the coverage for another year. It will probably cost less than $100 and will be a good selling point for the house. Also, if the inspection reveals any termites, the coverage will protect her.

[jsw14]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

She should definitely extend the coverage for another year. It will probably cost less than $100 and will be a good selling point for the house. Also, if the inspection reveals any termites, the coverage will protect her.

I That will be a small price to Sell ur house

[autumnspring]

Originally Posted by zmarkp

My sister has her courtyard villa in Pennecamp for sale and the broker emailed that the termite coverage would end July 31.

Should my sister extend the termite coverage for another year even though it won't be transferable to her next home in TV?

What are the downsides of her not renewing the termite coverage?

Are termites much of a problem in a block and stucco courtyard villa?

Thanks for any and all input.

Your post is at least secondhand,"My Sister." The reason the broker contacted your sister is that no one should allow their termite coverage to lapse. If, you allow it to lapse you may have trouble getting another company to pick up the liability and without termite coverage a new buyer will not be able to get a mortgage.

[Toymeister]

Let's see I find the home that I want, everything is perfect all the upgrades that I want: is asking about the termite bond even on my checklist? Or course not,, don't be ridiculous. Even if I had some concerns I would pay the 200 for an inspection.

[borjo]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Let's see I find the home that I want, everything is perfect all the upgrades that I want: is asking about the termite bond even on my checklist? Or course not,, don't be ridiculous. Even if I had some concerns I would pay the 200 for an inspection.

From my understanding from talking to our termite company, once the yearly date has passed and it hasn't been inspected, the new owner can not get just another inspection but will need to have it retreated, very expensive.
Keep up the yearly fee.

[mtdjed]

Is there anyone on TOTV that has personally had termites in a home in The Villages? I personally believe that the termite business in The Villages is a business that creates the fear and capitalizes on that. I certainly have. I have owned my home for 11 years and it was guaranteed not to have termites for 10 years if I paid my annual fee, which I did. (I should say that the guarantee was that if I did have termites and damage, they said they would get rid of the termites and repair the damage).
Would seem that the treatment either works or does not work. Why treat the ground and guarantee for 10 years if it does not work? Then after 10 years, you get to pay another $500 dollars plus annual payment. This time no treatment, but rather a bait station that can be checked to see if any activity. Also a yearly fee for checking the station.
I pay, but with the feeling that it is only for piece of mind. i.e. an insurance policy. But I have never heard of any Villager having a problem, hence the question.
Would be interesting to know how much termite companies pay out verse what they take in. I would bet that most of their expense is in advertising and inspection charades and nice trucks in our view to remind us of the significant problem about to eat us alive.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by borjo

From my understanding from talking to our termite company, once the yearly date has passed and it hasn't been inspected, the new owner can not get just another inspection but will need to have it retreated, very expensive.
Keep up the yearly fee.

.

That is not true with Massey. They are determined to have me sign up for a termite bond and it has been close to a year. Let's examine why that might be:

1) The bond company does the inspection, they and they alone decide if there is damage (read your bond yourself). They have zero incentive to find damage.
2) According to Terminex's website termite damage can go undetected for 10 years.
3) Be honest Here, Will you own this house in10 years?
4) What Is your Life expectancy?

Now add it all together: bond transfer fee, annual treatment (vice DIY) the miniscule chance of infestation, the chance infestation will ever be noticed, the chance YOU will need It.

here is Toymeisters math: I Will take $12,000 and keep it. It is your money, you may be older than me, so you may save less or it could be worth piece of mind to you.
But don't fool yourself: this industry thrives on fear and misinformation.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

But don't fool yourself: this industry thrives on fear and misinformation.

I think that's true.
But I don't want to be the one person who doesn't buy insurance, and subsequently has a home that becomes infested with termites.
I'd rather give in to the fear mongering and have peace of mind.

[Mrs. Robinson]

I have lived in Florida for 35 years and have never had termite insurance.
As a matter of fact, I have never even had a contract for pest control.
The couple of times I had an issue, I treated the problem at the time.
One time was for fleas from my dog and the other was for termites on an outside arbor.
What I have found in Florida, and particularly in The Villages, is that pest control companies
put the fear of God in you if you do not have their service.
Beyond that, it is seconded by your friends and neighbors who mimic what the pest control companies
say, without any basis of actual knowledge.
I'm guessing that at least 90% of Villagers have some form of pest service.

These chemicals do not dissipate; they remain in your house and ground forever, and leech into the ground water.
These chemicals are poison and should only be used if you have a problem.

If you need peace of mind, have an annual inspection.
I have peace of mind knowing that I am not damaging the environment any more than necessary.
I also have peace of mind knowing that I am thousands of dollars ahead of those who are paying for unnecessary pest service!

[784caroline]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Is there anyone on TOTV that has personally had termites in a home in The Villages? I personally believe that the termite business in The Villages is a business that creates the fear and capitalizes on that. I certainly have. I have owned my home for 11 years and it was guaranteed not to have termites for 10 years if I paid my annual fee, which I did. (I should say that the guarantee was that if I did have termites and damage, they said they would get rid of the termites and repair the damage).
Would seem that the treatment either works or does not work. Why treat the ground and guarantee for 10 years if it does not work? Then after 10 years, you get to pay another $500 dollars plus annual payment. This time no treatment, but rather a bait station that can be checked to see if any activity. Also a yearly fee for checking the station.
I pay, but with the feeling that it is only for piece of mind. i.e. an insurance policy. But I have never heard of any Villager having a problem, hence the question.
Would be interesting to know how much termite companies pay out verse what they take in. I would bet that most of their expense is in advertising and inspection charades and nice trucks in our view to remind us of the significant problem about to eat us alive.

You are asking the right questions, but I have not seen any credible response (other than what a termite salesman has told someone). Now if one home has termites in your immediate neighborhood, I firmly believe the likelihood of you having them are significantly increased.

Up north a favorite place for termites was the front stoop leading to the front door where the house was built with wood, trees abounded the property, and wood mulch chips (or firewood stacks) were laid directly against the house. Not much of that around here!!

[tagjr1]

Has anyone taken the time to actually read the termite policy they were given when they first moved in? It protects you against Subterraneum Termites ONLY. You are most likely going to have a Wet Wood Termite issue here in Fl, and the policy You have is useless! Dry Wood termites can also be a problem but again your original policy will not cover them. How many people have actually upgraded to full coverage?

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

I have lived in Florida for 35 years and have never had termite insurance.
As a matter of fact, I have never even had a contract for pest control.
The couple of times I had an issue, I treated the problem at the time.
One time was for fleas from my dog and the other was for termites on an outside arbor.
What I have found in Florida, and particularly in The Villages, is that pest control companies
put the fear of God in you if you do not have their service.
Beyond that, it is seconded by your friends and neighbors who mimic what the pest control companies
say, without any basis of actual knowledge.
I'm guessing that at least 90% of Villagers have some form of pest service.

These chemicals do not dissipate; they remain in your house and ground forever, and leech into the ground water.
These chemicals are poison and should only be used if you have a problem.

If you need peace of mind, have an annual inspection.
I have peace of mind knowing that I am not damaging the environment any more than necessary.
I also have peace of mind knowing that I am thousands of dollars ahead of those who are paying for unnecessary pest service!

Well I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment. Fear or pain are two ways to motivate people to spend their hard earned dollar. Each house surrounding me is serviced for all kinds of bug and insect possible problems. They are also treated for weeds and to keep the lawns green. I have never put a bit of Tick or Flea controller on our dog, I have always treated the property. I interviewed each major Lawn / Pest Company about their services and came to the conclusion that we would handle it ourselves. It is nice that the neighbors treat their laws so well that all I have to do is add a little of the proper Scotts Product and I have a thick Green lawn and as of today I don't water. I'm adding a new controller on Saturday to water twice a week. We have no evidence of termites either.

[zmarkp]

Thanks to all who have shared their thoughts!