Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Hi Jeff Dowler . Fortunately for us, termites are not an issue. But my parents-in-law had to tent their home in Anaheim before they sold it. Anyone with termites in their market should have the inspection you recommend.

Jun 24, 2017 02:21 PM
Dan Jasmer
Fine Properties - Sarasota, FL
Changing the way you look at real estate

We deal with tenting quite a bit in Florida.  Luckily we've never had anything go missing.  On another note, most tentings have been done post seller move and pre buyer move-in.  I like the idea of the camera.

Jun 24, 2017 02:45 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Lynnea Miller 

A termite inspection is key for buyers to have, whether they request the seller do it or do so on their own. Deciding how to proceed with the information and the needed repairs is an important discussion with your agent. Buyers from out of the area are often clueless, as I was moving from Boston.

Jeff

Jun 24, 2017 03:29 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Dan Jasmer 

Lots of sellers try to work around the tenting here, too, if they can move before closing. Timing doesn't always work.

Jeff

Jun 24, 2017 03:32 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

 All I can say is ewwwww....there are people "in the know" who say it is too cold for termites here ...have never heard of a one...and would sure like to keep it that way !

Jun 25, 2017 04:33 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

That was a real eye opener about some of the risks involved with tenting.  Good to know a seller can buy insurance against roof damage.

Jun 25, 2017 06:35 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Jeff - I am actually going to check into this for the home I bought in Florida.  It is new and masonry but the roof and inside frame is contructed of wood.  Good to take precautions.

Jun 25, 2017 07:30 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
www.iCharlotteHomes.com | The Maxwell House Group | RE/MAX Executive | (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

We have subterranean termites here as well, Jeff but, don't do 'tenting' for treatment!  They drill into the ground around the property and the treatment is then applied. No need to evacuate the home for 48 hours!  It is so funny to hear how differently we do things across the nation, isn't it?!

Happy Sunday, Jeff!

 

Jun 25, 2017 07:53 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hi Jeff -- As Debe Maxwell, CRS commented one of the things I enjoy most about AR is seeing how the real estate business is practiced in different places.  What seems rather common to us in Southern California can be a head-scratcher for others.

Jun 25, 2017 08:11 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

In Oklahoma if termites are found there is never spot treatment allowed if a mortgage is involved. We also do not do tenting so it is interesting to read about different rules.

Jun 25, 2017 08:16 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sally K. & David L. Hanson  They are nasty critters and voracious! They were very rare in New England, which was a blessing, but then we had plenty of carpenter ants.

Hi Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089  - there are definitely some risks to this sort of termite treatment, but it's pretty common.

Jeff

Jun 25, 2017 08:33 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Grant Schneider  - Smart thing to do. I believe they are pretty common in Florida, too!

The difference is that most of our termites are dry-wood termites, not subterranean so the treatment is different Debe Maxwell, CRS . But we have those underground buggers, too!

Jeff

Jun 25, 2017 08:35 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Like Debe Maxwell, CRS, in Mississippi we have subterranean termites. Tenting is not necessary , thank GOODNESS! This is just ONE example of how real estate and related services vary across the country. It's good to know insurance can be purchased to protect against damage to the home and furnishings. Oh, and I've also heard tenting is a big expense.

Jun 25, 2017 08:38 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

So very true Michael Jacobs  And it helps one appreciate the experiences relocating buyers have had elsewhere.

It depends on the lender and if clearance is required, and also if the termite inspection and repairs are even part of the contract Joe Pryor 

Jeff

Jun 25, 2017 08:38 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
www.iCharlotteHomes.com | The Maxwell House Group | RE/MAX Executive | (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

Pat Starnes brings up a great point, Jeff - what is to cost to tent a home? Just treatment cost, not including the time that has to be spent in a hotel while it's being done?!

Jun 25, 2017 08:56 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Pat Starnes  - well it can vary by company but typically at least $1/SF of the house for a rough estimate.  I know Debe Maxwell, CRS was interested in this as well.

Tenting for a 2500 SF house will likely be at least $2500. And replacing damaged wood beams and fascia board, and such, can get expensive too.

I sold a home several years ago where damage was almost $7000 total! It's a good reason to keep up with termite maintenance as a home owner.

Jeff

Jun 25, 2017 09:04 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

OH my gosh! A termite bond is definitely warranted there - that's quite a hefty cost. Thanks for satisfying my curiousity, Jeff! ;-)

Jun 25, 2017 09:11 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Termite contracts are commonplace in my market, also. And your statement at the beginning of your post, "....there are two types of homes – those with termites and those that will get them". We use it too!

Jun 25, 2017 09:25 AM
Debbie Walsh
Shahar Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Very interesting - I have never heard of this before.  I don't think they do this out here.

Jun 26, 2017 04:40 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Jeff,

I lived in SoCal so I know exactly what you are talking about.  Your blog should be featured. For SoCal, this is a thorough explanation of the process and gives real estate clients a much better understanding. I had no idea about the Fume Watch! Great info to share.  

In AZ our problem is subterranean termites. They are treated differently. There are safe treatments they use that does not involve tenting as well but it can be invasive because they treat by poking holes in the walls every few feet. 

Great blog!

Jun 26, 2017 06:43 AM