Is Your Property Value Dropping Because of Pests And Rodents?!
Pests and rodents are the last two things a potential buyer wants to see at an open house. And it’s not just rats. Indeed, those pesky termites inside the home or a large bee colony on the backyard patio can cause prospective buyers to jump ship and look elsewhere for a new home.
But even worse, however, is the threat of rodent, insect or termite infestation, which, if left unattended, could significantly reduce your property value. From the outside looking in, you might not realize how much your homestead’s value can diminish if a potential buyer learns of an infestation.
Rodent, termite and pest infestations can greatly impact the appeal of your home, especially in a buyer’s market. In particular, your home can look gorgeous from the outside, but the mere threat or sign of infestation can hamper your ability to sell your home at true market value. Experienced similar headaches?
Here are several ways to ensure your house can once again be called a home.
Property Damage
Did you know U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair the damage they inflict? Indeed, it all adds up to be an expensive undertaking. Still, no matter how long you decide to put off fumigation, no interested buyer will be willing to take on and be responsible for that amount of repair work.
In addition to damaging the home’s foundation, termites can destroy walls, flooring and other surrounding or nearby property, particularly if your home has a wooden fence around it. Moreover, your home will instantly decrease in value if the foundation begins to crumble or there are signs of damage on any exterior or interior walls and siding.
Health Threats and Dangers
Mosquitoes are known carriers of several viruses. Rats and rodents are easy transporters of diseases. And pests and rodents aren’t particularly sanitary creatures. Even cute rodents or an otherwise innocuous number of termites in your home can carry diseases and illnesses, as well as wreak havoc on your home.
Not to mention, these diseases are potentially dangerous and can pose a threat to you. And, if you have children or pets, it’s even more dangerous to have pests lingering around your home and property. If a buyer learns about an infestation on or around your property, the threat of illness or disease may very well deter them from purchasing your home.
The dangers don’t end with your family, either, as these diseases can potentially kill plant and wildlife around your property, including high-priced palm trees and well-manicured lawns and gardens.
Diminished Curb Appeal
Nobody wants to live with pests. Fire ants, termites, small rodents, bees or wasps are just a few of the many pests that can infest properties. They’re dirty, they carry diseases, and they can penetrate the surfaces of your home, impacting its integrity. Buyers don’t want to deal with this issue when they’re considering the purchase of a new home.
Just imagine walking by a home infested by termites. It’s easy to spot damage to the paneling, deck or surrounding wooden fencing. If your home is listed for sale, and the front of your deck or a swing set in the backyard is falling apart, some buyers may decide to quickly move on and devote their attention to more appealing properties. Pest infestation is a major issue many homeowners avoid due to the costs of remedying the issue. Still, others believe the issue will go away on its own.
As a homeowner, it’s imperative to address these issues immediately; after all, the last thing you want is to put your property up for sale, only to have it sit on the market month after month after month. That’s why it’s critical to call local pest control companies when you first spot any rodents and/or termites to eliminate these threats and dangers from your home altogether.
Curb appeal is extremely important, especially during peak seasons in real estate. If a buyer spots signs of damage, rotting wood or small traps for rodents, you can virtually guarantee they will move on to another property in the area.
Legal Remedies
Even if there is no known infestation in your home, a recent fumigation of your neighbor’s property can be a red flag to potential buyers. Small pests travel in flocks, and it’s quite easy for them to move from one home to another. If there’s even the slightest possibility that they’ll infest your property, many buyers may decide to spend their money elsewhere.
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, meet with your neighbors to discuss the possibility of them having their home fumigated to help remedy any potential infestation. In some areas, legal remedies may be available to you if your neighbors aren’t willing to have their property fumigated.
Buyers want to know the area they’re moving to is clean and that their new neighbors are clean. If issues with infestation are prominent, this can easily dissuade even the most willing of buyers from putting an offer on your home.
In Closing
People don’t like pests and rodents. Even the words “pest infestation” are enough to scare away even the most willing buyers. Pests and rodents are dirty, and most people don’t want to have them anywhere near or around their home.
For those planning to sell their property, conducting a full-scale assessment and remedying any potential signs of pests, critters or vermin is imperative. Even if the chances of infestation are minimal, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ultimately, professional preventive care and pest treatment is the best way to maintain your home’s integrity and keep its value intact.