No one wants to live in a bug-infested house. Maybe you’ve put up with it and grown used to the pests, but if you’re getting the house ready for sale, the bugs have got to go! Plus, pest control will boost your property’s value to buyers.
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If you want top dollar for your home, de-bugging the house and removing mold is critical — whether you do it yourself or decide to hire a professional.
The Impact of Damage on Property Values
Bugs, mice, and other roving pests may cause serious damage to your property, which will come to light during a home inspection. Discovery of insect damage may lead to buyers backing out of the deal or significantly lowering their bids.
Termites chew through wood, destroying the home from the inside. If you hear tapping in the walls that sounds like an old typewriter or a woodpecker pecking away, you may have a termite problem. The cost of removing termites varies, but hiring a professional exterminator is your best bet. The cost of repairing termite damage can be a lot more, so the sooner you remedy the problem, the better.
Rats and mice chew through wires which are not only expensive to repair but pose a fire risk.
Many other insects, like beetles, silverfish, carpenter ants, and roaches seek out moist areas in the house. Roaches in the bathroom and kitchen are a real turnoff for house buyers!
Pest Control Plans
Professional pest control removes the bugs currently in the house and also sets a preventative plan in motion that sellers (and their real estate agents) can push during the marketing process.
Do-It-Yourself pest control is temporary, and it doesn’t always work. DIY doesn’t show true commitment to controlling unwanted buggy visitors — something would-be buyers might notice. Professional exterminators determine where the pest problems originate and develop a plan to keep them out for the long run. New homeowners have a lot to do after moving in, they don’t want to worry about mice and insects moving in, too!
The “Eeew!!!” Factor
Noticeable damage aside, knowing bugs and rats are running through the house is emotionally disturbing. When buying a house, emotions DO play a part in the decision process because people get attached to certain rooms or elements on their wish lists.
Psychologically, knowing a house has a pest problem can lead to qualified buyers saying NO WAY! Concerns about allergies, health risks, and the basic “eeeeewwww!!!” factor may turn people away, no matter how “perfect” the place is.
Perceived value is part of the analytical thought process that leads a buyer to make a bid. Basically, no one wants to buy an infested house.
Boost the Value
So, what do you do? Boost the value of your property withannual or twice-yearly inspections and regularly scheduled treatments.
Hire an exterminator to combat pest issues before putting the house up for sale.
Instruct your real estate agent to include the name of the pest control company in marketing materials, but don’t make it sound like the house is victim to an ever-flowing bug invasion.
Proactive measures tell would-be buyers that you’re aware of the problem and actively dealing with it. Knowing that insect and rodent issues are being remedied helps potential buyers make a more comfortable decision.
Pest Control Tech
Property values are based on assessed value (for real estate taxes), home appraisals (size, location, condition, etc.), similar nearby home sales, and fair market value — what a buyer would pay in an open market. But if truth be told, the ultimate decision comes from banks and mortgage lenders. They are the ones who decide — or not — to lend out the purchase money, and a home with good pest control helps mortgage lenders make a more stable decision.
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