U.S. residents spend an average of $5 billion each year to repair termite damage to their homes. If you are one of them, you may need a termite inspection attorney to help recover some of the damage repair costs. You can avoid some of this risk when you purchase a home by availing yourself of the WDI inspection clause in your sale contract.
Whitney, LLP’s real estate lawyers help home buyers bring claims and file lawsuits against dishonest and negligent home sellers, house flippers, real estate agents and termite inspection companies across Maryland. Our attorneys recover compensation for buyers to repair hidden damage and defects, and for emotional distress. We offer Legal Consultations.
If you need a real estate lawyer near me to help with hidden damage, failure to disclose defects, negligence or fraud in the purchase of a house, Call Us at 410 583 8000 or use our Online Quick Contact Form.
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Termite Damage Discovered after Home Purchase
As a home buyer, the last thing that you want is to complete the purchase of a home and then realize that there is significant damage from termites and other wood-destroying insects, or WDIs. The repair bills can be astronomical and even drive families into financial distress. The good news protecting buyers is that a WDI/termite inspection is available before purchasing or financing on a home. Every buyer should insist on this inspection and make sure that any damage is fully remedied before the closing.
In Maryland, the buyer and seller usually start with a uniform contract for the purchase of a home. This contract contains a clause about termite inspection as a standard part. Thus, termite/WDI inspections are automatically a part of the sales agreement.
As a buyer, you usually are obligated to pay for the termite/WDI inspection on your own. However, that is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with this inspection. Moreover, if the inspection shows the presence of these harmful pests, the seller is usually responsible for the costs of repairing the damage up to 2% of the purchase price of the home. There is no reason why you should not get an inspection. And, the buyer’s agent should be sure to discuss it with you.
Lenders Can Demand a Termite/WDI Inspection as a Condition of the Loan
One of the main reasons why you should require a WDI/termite inspection in your contract is that your lender may need it. Without it, the lender may not approve your loan. In fact, lenders may ask for proof of this at closing.
Furthermore, buyers getting loans from the Veterans Administration or an FHA-backed loan are often required to have a termite/WDI inspection to guarantee the condition of the property.
Even if there were no other legal requirement for a termite inspection of a home in Baltimore, Columbia or Laurel, you should insist upon this inspection as a condition of the contract.
Maryland Termite Damage Lawyer
At Whitney, LLP, our real estate attorneys take legal action for you against both sellers and agents who have been dishonest about termite damage and activity, and negligent termite inspectors who have failed to do their job. Our termite damage lawyers could help you get compensation for damage repairs and emotional distress.
If you were the victim of a dishonest seller, real estate agent or WDI/termite inspection company in Maryland, contact Whitney, LLP’s real estate lawyers at 410 583 8000, or use our Online Quick Contact Form, for your Legal Consultation.
We represent homebuyers throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Waldorf, Frederick, Ellicott City, Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Dundalk, Towson, Bowie, Aspen Hill and Wheaton.