San Diego is one of the most military-heavy cities in the entire country. Between Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, MCAS Miramar, and all the veterans who chose to stay after their service. This city is full of people who have earned the VA loan benefit. And if you’re using a VA loan to buy a home in California, there is one requirement that can stop your closing cold if you’re not prepared for it.
A VA Home Loan requires a termite inspection.
Whether you’re a buyer trying to close on time, or a real estate agent trying to keep your deal together, here’s exactly what you need to know.
Why the VA Requires a Termite Inspection.
The VA loan program is designed to protect veterans. Part of that protection means ensuring the home being purchased is structurally sound and free of wood-destroying pest damage. The VA calls these WDO inspections, Wood Destroying Organism inspections.
In California, this inspection is almost always required. And it has to be done by a licensed company before the loan can fund. No inspection, no closing. It’s that simple.
The good news is that we do these every day. We know exactly what the VA is looking for, how the paperwork needs to be filed, and how to get it done fast so your timeline stays on track.
What the VA Termite Inspection Actually Covers.
A VA termite inspection is a full visual inspection of the all accessible areas of the home — interior, exterior, attic, subarea, garage, and fences attached to the structure. What are we looking for:
- Active termite infestations — drywood or subterranean
- Evidence of previous termite activity and any damage left behind
- Fungal damage from moisture — dry rot, water intrusion
- Other wood-destroying organisms
At the end of the inspection, we complete what’s called a Structural Pest Control Report, commonly known as a Section 1 and Section 2 report. Here’s what those mean:
Section 1 — Active infestations or conditions that directly require treatment. The VA typically requires all Section 1 items to be corrected before the loan can close.
Section 2 — Conditions that are not currently active but could lead to problems if not addressed. These may or may not be required by the lender, but they should be addressed eventually.
We walk every client through both sections in plain language. No confusing reports. No guessing what it means for your deal.
Who Pays for the VA Termite Inspection?
This is where a lot of buyers and agents get tripped up.
VA loan rules state that the veteran buyer cannot pay for the termite inspection. That cost must be covered by the seller, the real estate agent, or another party, but not the buyer directly.
Who pays for the repairs if Section 1 items are found? That is negotiated between buyer and seller, just like any other repair request. In a competitive market, sellers sometimes push back. In a slower market, they often cover it to keep the deal alive.
Either way, knowing this before going in, that is before inspection day, keeps everyone on the same page and prevents last-minute surprises.
How Fast Can You Get It Done?
We understand that real estate deals move fast. When your closing date is locked and your lender is waiting on the termite clearance, you don’t have time to wait a week for an appointment.
We work with buyers, sellers, and real estate agents across San Diego County to get inspections scheduled quickly and reports turned around fast. Call us directly at (619) 447-8216 and tell us you have a VA loan transaction. We’ll make it a priority. We know everyone’s clock is ticking. Tell us you have a VA transaction and we’ll move fast.
Why Real Estate Agents Trust Us.
We have been doing this since 1997. In that time we have built relationships with agents, lenders, and escrow officers all across San Diego County who know that when they call License to Kill, the inspection gets done right, the report is clean and clear, and the communication is honest.
We don’t pad reports. We don’t find problems that aren’t there. We don’t recommend treatments that aren’t needed. That’s not how a family business survives 27 years in the same community.
If you’re an agent looking for a reliable termite company you can refer with confidence, give us a call. We’d like to earn that trust not only for you but for your clients as well.
We Honor Those Who Served.
Every veteran who uses their VA loan benefit to buy a home in San Diego deserves a company that respects that sacrifice. We offer military and veteran discounts on all our services, and we treat every VA transaction with the urgency it deserves.
If you’re a veteran, active duty, or the spouse of someone who served, we want to take a moment and thank you for your support and for your service. Call us and we’ll take care of you the right way.
We Go Where You Want To Live, The San Diego Area.
We serve VA loan transactions throughout San Diego County — La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Lakeside, Rancho San Diego, San Carlos, Alpine, Chula Vista, National City, Poway, Escondido, and surrounding areas.
Call (619) 447-8216 or contact us through this website to schedule your VA termite inspection. We’ll get it done right and get it done on time.
We’ve been your neighbors since 1997. We’re not going anywhere. Let us be the solution.