It is true! Your home’s value can actually decrease with the discovery of a pest issue at inspection. After all of the work you undoubtedly did to get the house ready for sale, you don’t want to be shocked by a pesky inspection report. More importantly, you don’t want those pests to hurt your property value when there are already so many other factors to consider.
A pest invasion can make homeowners feel out of control or as if the house is dirty. Seeing a mouse run across the floor or sawdust along wood seams is no fun and will cause a home’s sale to go south. What’s more, the hassle of extermination and wildlife removal can be costly if the critters have caused any damage to the home. No one wants that in a time that is supposed to be an exciting new adventure.
The Damage Pests Can Do
If you have ever had mice in your home, you know the damage they can do. Hopefully, you got them out as soon as you noticed them. If not, those rodents will tear up the insulation and more to build the nest, chew on wood structures, and urinate in the area. The odor alone is a reason to avoid getting rodents in the home.
Keep reading to discover even more damage rodents and other pests can do to lower your property value.
Structural Damage WIll Hurt Property Value
Some pests are merely gross, and some strike fear in hearts. Others can create real damage to the structure of the home itself.
When larger animals, like squirrels and raccoons, decide to nest in your roof or attic, they will assuredly chew the wood. Those beams will need replacement, and the integrity of the trusses will need reinforcement.
Then there is the drywall and ceiling. When rodents nest, they urinate and defecate in the same area. You don’t want to imagine the odor this causes. Then if you are to look up in your home and see what appears to be a watermark seeping through the ceiling, you had better hope it is not a urine stain.
Roof and Gutter Damage
When rodents use the roofline to enter the home, they will pull and chew away whatever is in the way. Rodents will remove shingles, siding, and more to reveal an opening they can fit through. These breaches in the roof will cause a myriad of other issues to emerge.
Insulation and Wiring Damage
Did you know fires can break out if a mouse or rat chews on attic wires? These pests will use just about anything to build their nests, including wiring and insulation. Even if you don’t end up with an attic fire, you will have higher electric bills due to a lack of insulation.
Damage to Curb Appeal
Another type of pests you may not have thought about are the moles and voles that can tear up a lawn. Your once well-manicured yard can become a mess overnight if they get on to your property and decide to “put down roots.”
Ensuring Those Pests Don’t Hurt Property Value.
Imagine entering your new place to jump at the sight of a rodent in the home. And if the house is vacant for some time, they can do some real damage. No one wants to deal with a rodent issue as soon as they move into a new home.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing a home for sale.
- Keep pest control in place until the closing day of the sale.
- Clean out all cabinets and the pantry, leaving no food particles for vermin to eat.
- Vacuum carpets and sweep floors after the move.
- Place trash cans outside if they are staying with the home.
- Check the yard and exterior of the house for pest entry points.
Your local wildlife control company will be happy to come out and seal any potential entry points for critters. That way, after you have vacated the home, animals cannot move in.
Learn Your Property’s Value
As you probably know, realtors will inform you of any issues to repair or replace before selling the home. Allow your realtor to determine the value of your home and property, ensuring the pricing of your home is fair and within the local comparison set.
For guaranteed wildlife removal, contact the experts at Covenant Wildlife Removal to know your house is pest-free.
