Buyer/Seller myth #12-Termite Certificates

Buyer/ seller myth #12. "I don't have a thing to worry about, I got a termite certificate when I bought my house".
Guys, a termite certificate will probably say that you don't have termites or termite damage, as of now. If there are termites or previous termite damage, then it will need to be treated and fixed before you close on your home.
Now a termite certificate is no guarantee. It simply states that this is how it is today. If you get termites tomorrow, it's on you.
...If you happen to be lucky enough to buy a home with an outstanding termite bond (that is a warranty) you can renew it when it expires. Normally, it's $150- $200 to renew from year to year. It's a no-brainer. Do it! It's cheap insurance. Now, you will want to make sure that it is a "damage" warranty, that is that it will cover treatment as well as damage.
If you buy a new home, you get a termite bond. It starts when it is treated before the slab is poured and is good for 1 year from that date. They will come and do a perimeter treatment when the one year has past. At that time you can renew. Do it! You don't want the risk. We live in Mississippi, where termites thrive.
When I bought my personal home, it had a warranty on it. Just like in every business, there are honest and not so honest people. I called for an inspection with that company, since it was in place when I bought the home. They informed me that it would cost $1800 to put a moisture barrier down and put it back under warranty. What the guy didn't know is that I had already been under my house and there was already a moisture barrier there. I invited him off my property and called a legitimate company, that I have done business with for years. They said that the present moisture barrier was fine and that they would be happy to give me a bond for $157 per year.
Long and short, be careful who you deal with . Every business has good and bad folks attached to it. Thanks for reading myRants. Steve Houck