Selling a Georgia house after a termite inspection: what does the buyer need?
If a buyer sends you a termite report and asks for a credit, ask them to identify the finding behind the dollar amount. Does the report identify active infestation? Evidence of previous activity? An area the inspector couldn’t access? Each leads to a different conversation, and only some of those conversations begin with a treatment quote.
Georgia’s Official Wood Infestation Inspection Report covers several organisms. Ask the inspecting company to walk you through the finding, its location, and any inspection limits. The Georgia Department of Agriculture explains what operators report, including active and previous infestations. Georgia wood infestation inspection report fact sheet
Who can answer each question?
| What you need to establish | Who to ask | What to request |
|---|---|---|
| Is treatment recommended? | The licensed pest professional who reviewed the property | The finding, affected location, recommended treatment, price, and follow-up terms. |
| Does an affected building component need repair? | A qualified repair professional, or a structural professional when appropriate | A separate assessment of the component and a written repair scope. |
| What does an earlier treatment cover? | The company named in your agreement | The service history, current coverage, renewal terms, exclusions, and whether coverage can transfer. |
| What does this buyer require before closing? | The buyer through the transaction professionals | The specific document, treatment, repair, or clearance requested, plus any lender deadline. |
A paid treatment invoice can show that treatment occurred. It does not, by itself, establish that damaged framing was repaired. Keep the two sets of records separate so a buyer can see exactly what remains.
Should I treat, repair, or offer a credit?
Suppose a buyer requests $8,000 after an inspection. Your pest professional quotes $1,400 for treatment. That leaves $6,600 of the buyer’s request to explain. It might represent a legitimate repair, an allowance for an area nobody has assessed, or both. Ask for the repair scope before deciding what to accept.
If you choose to do work before closing, agree on what document will satisfy the buyer. If the buyer proposes a credit, confirm that the transaction can proceed on those terms. If you seek a direct offer, give the buyer the report and ask them to identify any further review that could change the price.
What should I give the next buyer?
Put the inspection report, diagram, treatment documents, repair invoices, and warranty or service agreement together. Include dates and identify any area still inaccessible. Have your agent or closing attorney advise you on communicating the findings for your sale. A short, accurate record is easier for another buyer to evaluate than a promise that “everything was taken care of.”
Discuss an offer for my Georgia house after a termite inspection