Hi Leigh,

Are you buying in a new high-rise complex? Or in a 2-3-4 unit building? You need permission of the Home Owner's Association in any complex to take a termite/pest inspector throughout a building . (It would be cost prohibitive for a high-rise.)

I suggest you get a contractor's inspection. Some inspectors like Steve Gogol of SJ Gogol Construction are also licensed termite/pest inspectors as well. The general contractor can tell you if you need a termite inspection and also answers questions about termites without giving you a formal inspection. You can find a list of inspectors on my website under Referrals.

Your realtor should be giving you all of this information!

Good luck,

Sally

Most pest work in condos is inside the walls and that is typically the HOA's financial responsibility not the condo owner.
So as far as affecting how much the condo is worth to you and asking for reduction in purchase price it has no value. If you want to know and use it to inform the HOA of any damage or are highly allergic to molds then do it FYI.

Leigh,

While the likelihood is that a pest report on a 9 year old condo will show very little damage, in my opinion it makes no sense not to have one with the amount of money you are spending on your place. If they do uncover something major you'll be glad you did, and if they don't you'll have the piece of mind of knowing everything is as it should be.

I would call diverse inspections. They are the most knowledgeable I've seen and good people, too. Their number is 415-665-8288.

Regards,

Lance King/Managing Broker
415.722.5549
lance@fixedrateproperties.com

Leigh, it cost about $150-$175 to get a pest inspection for a condo. You don't spend Hundreds of Thousands of dollars on your new purchase and try and save a couple hundred bucks!!! Period.

Call JK Pest Control 415-468-2002 and ask for Monte to come out.

Dave "Tap" Tapper
Realtor
Cashin Company http://www.DavidTapper.com
415-370-7195

Hi Leigh,

I have never heard of a Pest Company doing a "free" inspection in San Francisco. Some companies may do a property inspection for a fee, and include the Pest report at a discounted price. Have you done a property inspection yet? If so, did the inspector note anything that a Pest company would call out or put a repair price on? Just because the property is 9 years old, doesn't mean it will not have issues. Your agent should be guiding you on this. If you are purchasing directly through the listing agent, and you can pay a couple hundred dollars for a Pest report, I think it is worth peace of mind at the very least. Good luck.
-Greg

Leigh,

There are companies that offer a FREE inspection...........their hope is to have the home owner purchase a protection service from them.

We are also familiar with inspectors that offer a structural and WDO inspection for one fee.

For what it will cost, the peace of mind you will recieve may be worth the effort.

Good luck

Leigh,
There really are no cons when educating yourself on the purchase of your home. Typically a termite inspection will cost about $35, a minimal cost in what is typically your largest investment. Pest control is usually covered as part of your monthly condo fees, but I always recommend home and termite inspections for peace of mind.

If I can be of further assistance do not hesitate to contact me.
Many SMILES!!

Beth Lancaster
beth.lancaster@sothebysrealty.com