Buying or Selling a Home

Termites can be a serious source of stress for both home buyers and sellers, especially when it comes to the Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Inspection, commonly known as the termite inspection. WDO Inspections are an important step in the home-buying process, especially if the home is located in a termite hot zone.

What's a WDO?
A WDO inspection informs prospective buyers and lenders about any wood-destroying infestations and damage to the home.

Who does the WDO Inspection?
A WDO inspection is generally conducted by a certified pest control professional.

What does the WDO tell home buyers and lenders?
The inspection, which covers visually accessible areas of the home, includes a check for termites and other wood-destroying insects. Also, the WDO inspector typically identifies conditions that could lead to or support a termite infestation, including:

• Firewood and other debris stored against the home.
• Wood siding in contact with the soil.
• Landscape grading that does not slope away from the foundation.
• Mulching materials, landscape timbers and deteriorated wood near the home.

When conditions like cracks in the foundation or plumbing leaks are present, the possibility of a hidden wood-destroying infestation exists. Buyers should pay particular attention to these potentially hazardous conditions outlined in the WDO inspection report.

What happens after the WDO?
Inspection findings are reported to the purchaser of the WDO report, which is usually the home buyer. Ask your real estate agent or home inspector about obtaining a copy of this report for your records.

Does the WDO provide a guarantee?
No, the report is not a guarantee that there are, or are not, wood destroying insects in a home. And it's not a structural integrity report. If your mortgage lender, or property transfer contract requires a termite inspection, the WDO inspection is usually only valid for 90 days from the date of inspection.

As a buyer, how can I prepare for a WDO Inspection?
Buyers should obtain full disclosure from the seller regarding any insect activity during the prior ownership, including the contact information for any companies that provided treatment and relevant paperwork, warranties or service agreements.

As a seller, how can I prepare for a WDO Inspection?
Sellers should make sure as many areas in the home are accessible as possible.

Sellers can also protect the value of a home by investing in a premium termite treatment before they put their home on the market. This investment far outweighs the cost of damage and extra repair time that homeowners will incur if termites are actually found during a termite inspection. In termite hot zones, a premium treatment that offers years of protection is considered an asset in selling the home – similar to a security system, new windows or granite countertops. In fact, it is so valuable that sellers often factor the cost of a termite treatment into the asking price of their home.