There are certain areas of the country where termites are incredibly common and buyers seem to be somewhat tolerant of them. On the other hand, buyers often question buying a house with termites. I believe that termite treatment is expensive but fairly effective. However, now you have to disclose that the house had termites and that will effect you when you go to sell it, sometimes significantly.

In many areas of the country termites are so common that it's unlikely you could find a home over 10 years old that hasn't had termites at some time. If it really concerns you, your only recourse is to buy new construction. If you live in it long enough, you'll have termites that you will have to have treated.

Yep. They say there are two kinds of houses here -- those that have had termites and those that will. Both of the homes I've lived in here have had previous termite treatment but no apparent damage.

I would request that 2-3 pest folks come out and give it a more detailed look and rec/bid for treatment. Then you have something to ask the seller to have repaired or a dollar amount to talk about if you want to handle the treatment. If you have the work done, the folks doing the work report to you and you have a little more control over the work being done to your satisfaction -- but you have to deal with it. The more involved the treatment and repairs, the more you might want to be in the driver's seat.

In my area (Southern California) termites are so common, I expect termites in an inspection. The seller gets one and pays for treatment, not a big deal.

In my area separate termite inspection is required; the inspection and any necessary treatment is paid for by the seller. It is very typical in an older home here to have past evidence of termites. The house I bought this year had past evidence. I will just have it looked at every year as preventative maintenance. Good luck!

Ditto to cmarlin20. Most of us living here are on some kind of annual inspection once major termite work is done, so we just keep up with it. Not sure where you are, but we were worried about termites recently for the Montana Cabin and they laughed at us. They don't have termites there. It should be the seller's responsibility to get rid of the termites and repair all damages.

In a previous house here in So CA, I was vacuuming a window ledge, and the vacuum brush went right through the ledge. It was being held up by paint! No wood left. This required tenting and all new window ledges to the extent of the damage.

Where I'm from homes are required to have a termite contract (initial treatment with annual inspections) in place before they can get a mortgage. If an inspection reveals termite damage then the termite company is required to treat and repair the damage.