🚀 go-pugleaf

On 20 Mar 2004 14:51:23 -0800, in a fit of unbridled digital verbosity, once
again proving the problem is located between the seat and the keyboard,
email_invalid@mail2world.com (Email Invalid) two-fingered to all:

|>az-willie <sclause@npole.com> wrote in message
news:<iD_6c.16$lf.13@okepread05>...
|>
|>> =========
|>> Not sure about Arizona real estate law but the revelation of termites 
|>> CAN  be grounds to void the contract. Usually the seller has a termite 
|>> inspection before going on the market. If they sold you the home WITHOUT 
|>> revealing the termites you can probably void the contract.
|>
|>According to my real estate agent and my understanding of the
|>contract, I would be within my rights to withdraw from the contract
|>and obtain my earnest money back. The loss from doing so would be time
|>and the cost of the home inspections ($290 total for separate home and
|>termite inspections).
|>
|>The question, though, is should I start looking for a another home or
|>should I still buy the home but have the seller pay for full treatment
|>(which actually he is required to do as the contract stipulates). If
|>there is any "advantage" to speak of, it is that if I choose to go
|>forward I can get termite treatment for free.
|>
|>There is of course better peace of mind in buying a home where the
|>report shows no current termite activity. OTOH, I could easily buy a
|>home where the termite inspection is clean and termites could still
|>show up later on anyway and then I'd be the one to have to pay for it.
|>
|>If the current termite activity and more importantly damage is minimal
|>and if this problem is somewhat inevitable, then there really is not
|>much reason not to move forward, I guess???

If the house is standing in what used to be an orchard, like so many of the
valley's houses are, then termites will be an ongoing problem for years to come.
When the developers clear the land, they knock the trees over, cut them up and
haul them away.  In doing so, they leave considerable quantities of wood and
plant materials behind in the soil.  This creates a fantastic home for termites
and certain species of ants, and they make the most of it.  

As their numbers grow, and food and nesting resources dwindle over the years,
the insects start looking for new directions to expand, or simply migrate to
more plentiful resources, like that nice batch of houses the developers built
right on top of their homes.  

The onslaught usually begins when the development is 4-8 years old, depending on
how well the developer cleaned up before construction.

My suggestion would be to research the property.  If it's standing on what used
to be an orchard, walk away, and consider yourself lucky to have escaped the
decade(s) long battle to come.


jammin1-at-jammin1-dot-com

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