New York buyers find termite damage in $750,000 home — commenters warn against seller repairs

A $750,000 home on Long Island left first-time buyers questioning whether a cooperative seller could make up for troubling inspection findings.

After discovering termite damage, deteriorating wiring, and potential moisture problems, the buyers turned to Reddit for advice. Several commenters warned that letting the seller handle repairs could leave them with costly problems after closing.

Here's what to know

The buyers still didn't know whether termites were present or how much damage might be hidden. The inspection had found termite damage to the attached garage's sill plate. The buyers described the roughly 75-year-old, three-bedroom house in a post on Reddit's r/FirstTimeHomeBuyer community. 

The house also had a 100-amp electrical panel. For the older cloth-covered wiring with insulation concerns, the seller's proposed solution was an electrician's "recasing" of the affected wiring rather than replacement. The termite-related work would be split: The seller would replace the damaged wood, while treatment would remain the buyers' responsibility.

"Our hesitation is that we're specifically looking for a manageable, move-in-ready home, not something that turns into an expensive project after closing," the original poster wrote.

More background

Possible future water intrusion was an additional worry for the buyers. The inspector found basement efflorescence and ground sloping toward the foundation.

The garage door and opener also had problems, the chimney needed repairs, and some pipes and shutoff valves were corroded.

Keeping their savings intact was a priority for the couple despite their substantial down payment; they did not want tens of thousands of dollars going toward unexpected repairs. On the positive side, the house had a gas boiler, a water heater, and the buyers liked its location.

One commenter reported walking away from another house after discovering damage that extended from the sills to second-floor studs. Another described seeing houses with damaged sill plates successfully repaired.

What can be done?

Several commenters recommended negotiating a credit, a price reduction, or money held in escrow for repairs rather than relying on work arranged by the seller.

"Do not let the seller perform repairs. Propose an amount to be held in escrow to cover repairs. The wiring would concern me more than the termite damage on the garage. Long Island is a tough market, my wife and I recently bought in suffolk," wrote a commenter.

Checking property permits, determining the roof's age, and looking for lead paint were also on one homeowner's due-diligence list. That commenter recommended quotes from companies chosen by the buyers, plus mold and radon testing, a sewer scope, and a search for an abandoned oil tank.

"This might not be a disaster but continue to do your due diligence on your terms. If the sellers block further inspections then walk away," one commenter said.

Where can I learn more?

Other homebuyers have had to weigh troubling inspection findings, repair costs, and sellers' proposed fixes. These stories cover termite damage, aging HVAC equipment, and roof warranties.

• A California buyer waived inspection, then found termite damage that left the house "barely standing."

• A St. Louis buyer offered $15,000 over asking, then learned old HVAC isn't a defect.

• A seller's roof replacement before closing prompted commenters to warn the warranty could vanish.

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