I have a house I'm going to buy, but I just had inspections, and they found a dead German cockroach, as well as droppings and egg casings.
The pest control inspector seems to think this is not a problem and says there is no clear evidence of an active infestation. But he didn't check everywhere, and was there primarily for termites. He also said we would be fine after tenting the house and doing the quarterly spraying.
The owner moved out in October, and the house has been empty since then, but there were some leftovers behind the refrigerator.
The pest man also found a mouse dropped into a closet, but says it likely came from the attic, where other inspectors had been checking the day before.
I'm so terrified I'm about to cancel this deal. This sounds like I'm putting myself in a terrible situation, but maybe I'm wrong and he's right that it's no big deal. what do you think? I have no idea how common this is.
Investigate it
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Dear Total Out,
I share your sentiments – cockroaches are gross, and they certainly seem like a bad omen when you're about to buy your home.
Cockroaches are not only icky, they are also dangerous. Because they can carry bacteria, they can spread diseases like E. coli and salmonella, according to Pestworld.org. If you have children, they are also more likely to develop asthma caused by cockroach allergy.
Depending on the severity of the infestation, insects and mice can be a solvable problem – or not. It's not unusual to see pests in the house every now and then, but they can certainly be a bigger problem if they multiply during the time the house is empty.
Raise the defect issue with the home seller
Before you warrant a home, inform the seller's attorney of the problem, and seek assistance from a pest control service to determine the source and extent of the infestation.
The seller may also be able to provide important information. Does the home have a history of pests? How did the previous owner handle the problem?
Consider hiring a second pest inspector and check every nook and cranny of the house, this time using a notebook and pen, writing down every place you think these rodents and cockroaches could get into. Make sure the inspector does a thorough job, and keep a record of any evidence of pests you see.
If the expert says the problem is widespread, or you see evidence of a severe infestation, raise the issue with the seller and your agent, and negotiate to see if anything can be done regarding compensation. Can the seller lower the asking price to reflect the cost of fixing the fault issue? Or can they fix the problem before moving forward with the purchase?
Now for some bad news. Thai Hong Nguyen, a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Premier, told MarketWatch that based on what he's seen with home inspectors and pest exterminators, rodent infestations can sometimes be untreatable.
“They are animals that live outside your home and are attracted to your home by two main elements: a food source and a heat source,” Tai said. “In the spring and fall, they are very active, looking for food and warmth. Make sure you eliminate these two sources that attract them and eliminate those who have already entered your home.
Get your money back if you back out
If you decide to back out of the deal, whether or not you get your escrow money will depend on whether you waived the inspection contingency requirement. If the home has major problems and you don't waive the contingency, you can back out of the deal without penalty within a certain period of time.
If you do not waive your home inspection contingency, find out if the deadline to complete the inspection has passed. If it hasn't been passed yet, you can talk to the seller about a rollback.
But if you choose to waive the inspection contingency, you likely won't be able to back out of your purchase contract and get your earnest money back, according to legal information publisher Nolo.
Weigh your options in a competitive market
Meanwhile, backing out of the deal and going through the entire house hunting process again in order to find a home that is free of insects or rodents can be time consuming and expensive.
With lower mortgage rates, you will likely face more competition in the home market. Remember the pandemic buying frenzy, when people were waiving home inspections to win offers? You may face similar competition if you go back to the drawing board.
Ultimately, Ty said, if it's a good deal, don't let it go. “I will spend some time, effort and money addressing this issue before moving,” he said. “Remember to take care of this issue before moving so you can have fun [the home]. The longer you delay treatment, the worse it becomes.
“For those who haven't encountered this issue yet, when you move into a home, whether it's newly built or not, make sure you inspect your home to make sure your home is well sealed and sealed so you can win,” he said. “There won't be any problems in the future.”
If you want to do it yourself, find the best chemical that can get rid of the infestation. Some experts recommend sprinkling boric acid in corners and floors, but this may not be an option if you have children or pets who could accidentally come into contact with the chemical. Fill any cracks or crevices through which insects may enter the house, and repair any leaks. Set traps and bait to catch any rodents or cockroaches already inside.
But the wisest course of action is probably to hire and take advice from a pest control expert.
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