Why You Should Get A WDO Report If You’re Looking To Sell Your Home

When it comes to selling your home, there are a lot of details that need to be covered in order to bring you and the potential buyer peace of mind. Home ownership is an investment and as anyone would agree, they want to make sure that investment doesn’t come back to bite them. As a seller, you can provide potential buyers with the peace of mind that your home is WDO free! A WDO is a specific inspection that looks for wood destroying insects and/or organisms. Many people are familiar with this inspection as a termite inspection but a true WDO will inspect and give a detailed account for all wood destroying insects and organisms. 

How To Go About Getting A WDO Report

When going about getting a WDO report you want to find a pest management company that is licensed according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A reputable pest company will be able to provide proof of insurance and a treatment plan that extensively lists the types of pesticides and any environment friendly alternatives. One good rule of thumb is to hire someone who doesn’t place pressure on you to receive a treatment plan as this will indicate that they are confident in their products and services; providing you with all the necessary information so that you can make a decision. Real estate agents often work with pest companies to provide services like getting a WDO but doing your own research is recommended when finding the best pest control company for you. Also, keep in mind that a WDO inspection is not the same as a home inspection. It’s important that you understand the difference. Home inspections will not cover WDO’s or will be limited at best. Even home inspectors that offer pest inspections do not have the skills necessary to see what a pest inspector is trained to see and resolve. 

What To Expect Of A WDO Report

A WDO report is typically a short inspection, taking around 30 minutes depending on the size of the home. It includes looking over crawl spaces, basements and attics. A pest control inspector will check the exterior and interior of these specific areas of your property for any signs of infestation or damage due to a current or previous infestation as well as structural areas that may be targets of wood destroying organisms. A key part of the inspection will be to read points of moisture as these can easily become areas of infestations. Not only will they take moisture readings but they will look for mud tubes, wing piles, damaged wood, bubbling or buckled paint, chewed on wood and droppings from rodents as part of their inspection. Once the inspection is done, a detailed review of what they found should be given as well as any questions answered. 

Benefits Of Getting A WDO Report

As a seller, having a WDO report done will save you time later down the road during the home buying process and will give you peace of mind in knowing that your home is pest free. Selling a home always entails a contingency period in which if anything comes up like a pest issue, a buyer can back out. Knowing that the home you are selling is at its optimal will ensure a smoother process. Of course, if any problems are noted after the pest inspection you will need to fix them immediately. Then you will be able to show through your report that your home is in the clear. It’s also worth noting that some states require these inspections and even if the state itself does not, certain counties do. If a real estate agent is involved, they should be aware of any regulations in your area and be able to give you additional insights. The last thing you want is an unexpected issue arising while you’re in the process of selling your home. By covering your bases, you will stay one step ahead which may be what factors into your home being sold quickly. 

Some homeowners may not want to deal with what seems like added stress when being one step ahead but in the long run, these stresses may prove to be much less than what could potentially come up in the home buying process. If your home has never been inspected for pest problems, it is highly recommended that you take this time to do so. Any effort placed in preparation of the home selling/buying process always proves itself to be worth it.