Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. There are so many factors to consider during the process, but have you thought about ensuring your prospective new home is termite-free? Obtaining a termite letter is a must in any home-buying process, especially if you’re living in a warmer climate like the one in Memphis, Tennessee. Your termite inspectors at AAA Termite & Pest Control want to educate you on the importance of getting a termite clearance letter before you buy any home.
Termites can devastate your home
Did you know that termites and other wood-eating insects do about $30 billion of property damage each year? Termites feed on the wood in your home but also can use any material containing cellulose as a food source: foam insulation, paper products, or any organic material that has cellulose as part of its structure. Termites can find even microscopic cracks or gaps and use them as an access point in their continual quest for new food. The most disturbing part about termites is, by the time you start to notice visible signs of termites, you probably already have an infestation on your hands. Termites can stay hidden in walls and floors, doing catastrophic levels of damage before they are detected.
What type of home is most vulnerable to termite damage?
Any home can be subject to termite infestation. Newer homes may be built already suffering from termites if the wood used in the construction was left out in the rain for extended periods of time, or the underlying structure already became infested. Older homes, with older wood, can be susceptible. So can homes in foreclosure that may not have been treated for termites in quite some time.
A termite letter provides protection for your home
Now knowing what you do about termites, their potential danger, and how easily you can infiltrate your home, you hopefully understand the importance of protecting your home against these risks. That’s why a termite letter is so important. The inspection for termites is conducted by an experienced pest control professional. Then, you receive a written document that serves as verification that no termites have been found in the home or on the surrounding grounds. Generally speaking, a termite clearance letter is valid for 30 days, which should be long enough to complete the closing process on your new home. Once that 30-day period expires, the responsibility falls to you as the new homeowner to provide termite protection for your property.
Most lending companies you’ll work with to obtain a mortgage for your new home require a termite letter as part of the home-buying process. Depending on the type of loan you’re seeking, there may be more stringent and specific standards required for your termite letter in Cordova. You, or your realtor, should send a copy of the letter to your lender.
Termite inspections for new homebuyers in Cordova
AAA Termite & Pest Control is staffed with pest technicians who can detect signs of termites or termite damage that would be invisible to the consumer. If you’re looking to buy a home, we can perform an inspection so that you can move in with full confidence your new home is termite-free. To learn more or to schedule a termite inspection, just call AAA Termite & Pest Control at (901) 737-7378. We provide termite inspections in the areas of Cordova and Memphis, Tennessee.