We had the house inspected yesterday. Found a lot of termite damage in the basement.
Apparently there are these things called floor joists. And they are pretty crucial to the, um, overall structure of the house.
And the inspector (doodoodoodoodoo, In-spec-tor Gadget…) was able to put a screwdriver completely through said joist.
The previous owners have attempted to repair the damage, but from what Josh reports, they should have done a lot more. Not to mention include “termite damage” on the disclosure form. No, we had to pay $250 for Inspector Gadget to tell us that. Thanks a lot, guys.
So our options right now are:
- Back out completely and start over at square one, where we have to decide apartment or house all over again.
- Make the owners fix the damage.
Not knowing anything about termites or joists, I tend to lean towards option #2. Josh, however, remains unconvinced. He is afraid that the termites may have damaged other areas of the house, gotten into the walls and attacked the frame.
And there’s no way to know if the frame is damaged… is there? And is there any way to know if the termites are really and truly gone? There is “evidence of extermination” in the basement.
So, all you old-home-owners out there:
How much should we be concerned about this termite damage? Any advice for knowing the extent of the damage? Will fixing the joists by attaching good wood to them (have I mentioned I don’t know what joists ARE? Or what they look like? So I could totally be misquoting this solution) good enough to ensure that, um, no one will fall through the floor?
Will all this effect our ability to sell in three years? (If it’s all fixed of course.) Would YOU buy a house that had termite damage, but has been sufficiently repaired?
Oh, and the water heater, furnace, and A/C are all over 20 years old.
And the chimney? is … short? Which may cause a “backdraft” when we use the fireplace.
Personally, I would be wary of buying any house that I knew I was only going to keep for three years. Unless, of course, you have already factored in the money it will cost you to sell the house three years from now (and the potential that you could sell it for less than you paid, if the market stays about the same and you don’t replace any of the older things you mentioned).
Having just sold a house last year (which was agonizingly stressful and the house DIDN’T have problems), I most likely would not buy that house. You know you only want to live in it for three years, it has termite problems, and an old furnace, water heater and A/C. If you buy it, are you prepared to either replace at LEAST one of those things OR to have to negotiate down in price when you sell?
Do you even want the financial stress of having to replace those things? And keep in mind that there are many other things that could come up to repair or replace while you are living there (like plumbing…etc).
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. Buying a house (any house older or newer, but especially your first) is SO stressful. I remember being so filled with uncertainty the first time around. But, I think you will KNOW when it is right.
I say walk away. Much easier to regret a house bought than a house walked away from. We bought a brand new house for our first house, but terrible neighborhood. So many factors to consider.
But, definitely, when in doubt, walk away.
Nondisclosure of termites is the hugest red flag you could ever have! Especially since they knew about it!
My advice… DO NOT BUY THIS HOUSE!!!!!
I am not a homeowner… yet, but my high school summer job was fixing this type of thing. I can tell you right now that you will put WAY more into the house than you will get out of it. The house is a money pit and will be hard to sell in 3 years; ESPECIALLY for the money you will want to get out of it.
If you only want to go three years, I suggest (though I know some would not) you continue to rent. Closing costs are high enough that industry average is 5 years to earn enough extra equity to cover them. That is average and we are in a below average time in the housing market.
Also, you are going to be hard pressed to get a mortgage that is good with your only income being “insecure.” (Basically, they think he wont get it again.)
I know it’s sad, but I’d say that was the best $250 you ever spent, and saved you thousands!
That stinks!
I would advise against buying the house. I wonder if termites have been into the studs and rafters as well. The fact that the owners did not disclose this makes me wonder how much they can be trusted. Also, I thought termite inspections were the responsibility of the seller, not the buyer. I suppose it can be handled either way. It seems that when we have sold houses there were charges for inspections that came out of our profit.
Sigh. Nevertheless, it is better to find out now rather than later!
Love ya,
Pop Pop
My parents put a contract on a house a few years ago, and found out later it had termite damage. They were so frustrated because it had taken so long to find something that was in their price range. They talked to several different friends who were in construction to see how hard it would be to fix the damage themselves, and every single one of the friends said to walk away. Which my parents did. And God provided an EVEN BETTER house, which they bought and still love.
But that was their experience. It could be totally different for you! I’ll show this post to my mom and see if she has anything else to offer.
RUN! Seriously… run the other way! We were looking for a house after we first got married (we were in an apartment at that time too), and found out at the inspection that there was termite damage… and I an SOOOO glad we decided to walk away. God provided a much better house and situation later down the road. Maybe this is His way of telling you that this is not the house. Trust me, I know how frustrating it is to start all over again, but it is so worth it.
I really hope it all works out!
I hate to say this, but I would run! You never know how far they have gotten into the wood of the house and there could be a lot of damage that you can’t see. It is also hard to fix unless you level the house and start fresh.
Shake the dust off your feet and walk away.
Not only is it expensive, time consuming, and difficult to fix termite damage, it will affect the ability to resell.
Also, the fact that they fixed it poorly says a lot about how they maintained the house! Who knows what other problems there are?
I have to agree with everyone and as an engineer I can say that floor joists are VERY important to your new home and termites are VERY bad! It’s so difficult to walk away, but I think you have to.
run away as fast as you can–for all the reasons mentioned by previous commentors…by the time the termite damage has gotten bad enough to eat through the wood, you are too late….it would ALL have to be replaced…not to mention what could be hiding in the walls, roof beams, etc.
i know this might be hard advice to take, but you really should rent for another three years. in this market, buying is for LONG TERM investments only–because you are not likely to get out what you paid—especially in just three years (trust me, i am trying to sell mine right now after three years—and we have lost almost $20,000 in equity!)…..
run and rent—that’s my advice!
I would not buy a house that had former termite damage, even if it was fixed IMHO. You can put a sister joist on the original termite damaged joist. If the joists are majorly damaged, then other areas are probably also.
What a bummer! But having fixed up an old house once already, I can honestly say – I’ll never do that again! We didn’t make any money even after dumping about 20 grand or more into the house replacing all plumbing, the roof, the furnace, adding air conditioning, remodeling a den into a third bedroom, redo-ing the electrical, replacing windows, the list could go on and on. Our main reason for selling was actually having a newborn. The constant remods and fixing and what not were a hassle as it was, let alone with having to care for a newborn around all the construction. For us it wasn’t worth any more hassle. And floor joists are a pretty major thing, especially in an old house that most likely has structural issues anyways.
Honestly, my hubby and I have thought many times that we should have rented after we sold last summer. Instead we built a house. (thanks to my brother in law!) We originally thought we’d be selling it next spring, but it looks like to get our equity out, we’ll be staying in it for awhile. Maybe you can find the perfect house to rent. 🙂 Good Luck!
I’m so sorry to hear the inspector’s report wasn’t what you’d hoped for, but I agree with everyone else here.
As far as planning on staying in the house for only 3 years….the market is so unbelievably rotten right now they are predicting that people’s home values will continue to depreciate for the next few years. So, unless you are putting down 20% cash (or more), you more than likely won’t have enough equity to sell after 3 years. Unfortunately, we are in the same pickle right now. We did an 80/20 loan. Yup, mortgaged to the gills and our home (that we’ve been in for 3 years) is worth less than what we currently owe on it .
RUN RUN RUN!!!!! I understand that this is probably not what you were wanting for an answer, but… do you really want to spend that much money on a risk?
There are lots of red flags with this house, 20+ year old MAJOR appliances, undisclosed but known damage to MAJOR structual supports, yikes.
God will provide better, just be paitent and listen to his wants. This is hard when our wants are screaming at us.
I agree with all the other comments 🙁 Both about the termites and the three year plan. Unless you have most of the money down, you will lose money, not make it, with such a short-term investment 🙁
Do not walk away from this house. RUN, with all you might, away from this house!!!
12 years ago I purchased the house we currently live in. I let the big backyard be the decider for me. We have paid dearly over the years. There was no termite damage, but if you count the deck falling apart, the roof needing replaced, the air conditioner that broke every summer, the garage door opener that broke and mangled the garage door, the hot water heater that broke, the fence that blew down, the fireplace wall that caved in….do I really need to go on? We have fixed all or most of the major things in this house, but I can tell you that there has been no money for cosmetic work which is why I’m still living with 15 year old teal green carpet.
All I can say is…BUYER BEWARE!!
For all that is good and right….DON’T DO IT!!
BTW you can get your ernest money back 100% because they did not disclose this. You might also be able to get back your inspection $…but don’t hold your breath.
So sorry to hear about your inspection. I know you are disappointed. We did walk away from a termite house, and I was terribly disappointed because the house was beautiful, a great location and size. What bothers me most about this situation, though, is that the owners did not disclose this. What else are they hiding? That scares me even more than the termites. I would also adivse you to walk away. God has something better in mind for you, even though you might not be able to see it yet.
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Hello friends,
I need your thoughts(serious advise/suggestion) on this : I am trying to buy a house 22 yrs old, owner disclosed the termite infection and treatment 5 or 6 year back. The infection was on the floor about 1 square foot near the entrance door. After treatment every year he did inspection and no further activities found. I am first time home buyer. Should I proceed further ?
With advance appreciation and thanx
PeeKay
Termite damage isnt all that bad, ive purchased many homes where damage was present. As long as the main support beams are intact your okay. People always fear what they do not know. Ask the seller to reduce the price because damage was found. Plain and simple. Mold is another thing people are terrified of, relax people!
Sigh..I need u guys some advice too, 5 years ago when my husband, his son and my daughter who was 2 lived with his mom, the house was too small and some other issue that we had to find a place to moved, then my husband saw an auction house just few mins away from his mom, the house I guess at least over 30 years old, and used to be a school and the ex owner bought it and remodel to a housing and health club (the main part for living, and the other part have indoor swimming pool and sauna and hot tub), the first time I saw the house I wasnt like it..or I can say I hated it..coz old and dark, my husband fixed to walk away and my BIL made a comment like got space and swimming pool..and we can fixed ourselves..(im not trying to blame him), so my husband kept thinking and agreed about what he said, so end up I said “I dont care” (and now I learned I need to say no if i dont like), anyway, last month, I noticed something flew out from the top of the wall, he told me that was a flying ants, and he said got it last year too..so I use the tape cover the crack and couple day later they flew out from the bathroom fan..and some flew out from my bedroom celling, I told my husband that dont look like a flying ant.., they should fly in the house from outside not from inside the house and we looked online and yes..it was termite..next day, the exterminator came and valuation said that termite stay at the house for awhile if they flew out from the celling..and he can guarantee if can fix it…we need to break the flooring in the living room and the kitchen..and now we really dont know what to do..the ex owner ever never mention anything about termite..coz my neighbor to us, the house had termite b4 we moved in and guessing they treated it..we still have a 90000 mortgage and I know no body will buy it..but should we put a lot of money to fix it? or we find the place to move and try to rent it out to cover the mortgage? i am so stress..the house to old..got a lot need to be fix..like the root, window..kitchen need remodel..sigh..sorry that my long story…Wendy
hell i moved in to a house turnd in to 3 appt’s, mine around the back, everything looked fine, then a month later cockroaches everywhere, then a month aftre that there was no heater, then the roof leeked NOW THERE IS A SWARM OF TERMITES EVERYWHERE.
mr. buster need to fix this
I could just imagan my frind staying the night with her baby and waking up to find her kid coverd in termites. the sad part is there mostly in the kitchen, WHERE I COOK MY FOOD AND SIT DOWN TO EAT MY MEALS,
its like im in a 3rd world county and not columbus indiana
any way.
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Calvin Crabtree.
say bye bye and look elsewhere. What you SEE is not necessarily what you GET.
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