Selling A House With Bed Bugs

Can You Sell A House With Bed Bugs In Pennsylvania?

Selling a house with bed bugs is a spicy topic among real estate professionals:

For one, who really wants to purchase a house full of this creepy crawly diatomaceous earth mites?

No seriously. Let’s play that out a little bit:

First Time Homeowners? Not a chance. No bank would lend on it.

Investors? They don’t have the patience and mindset to do it.

Retirees? Who wants to be scratching their skin well into retirement?

So now it may start to become clear to you that your house, the one with the messy bug infestation, is a real problem. You could either hire a professional bug killer to remediate the issue or, if even possible, find someone to buy the house from you.

The right answer for you will depend.

Here’s what I know though:

Yes, it is absolutely possible to sell your house with bed bugs in Pennsylvania. However, it requires loads of disclosures, negotiating and documentation to do so. You won’t find any luck by selling it the traditional way on the MLS with an agent. You’re best bet is to find a home buyer who has purchased “bed bug homes” before.

And on top of that, fixing the problem yourself could be a very expensive and time consuming effort. Many times sellers run to home depot and purchase bug spray thinking that will fix the issue.

It won’t!

You need to hire a pest control specialist and invest money to remediate if that is the direction you choose to take.

So if your plan to kill bed bugs is not working out as intended, which for many it is not, then how can you sell your house with bed bugs quickly and easily?

Let’s walk through that process.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Bed bugs are a serious health hazard. They can live in your mattress, rugs and other linens throughout your home.
• Selling your house with bed bugs can be difficult and painful if you aren’t working with the right professionals. Realtors may make your small bed bug problem larger than it is.
• There are steps you can take to begin selling your house with bed bugs in Pennsylvania. Follow these instructions that have produced a 95% success rate for sellers in the past.

Table of Contents

Should I Move Out If I Have Bed Bugs?

The better question is:

How serious is your bed bug problem?

Think about the following:

1. How long have you had this bed bug problem?
2. Are the bed bugs moving from one bed to another?
3. Are the bugs laying eggs in the mattress?
4. Are the bed bugs currently affecting residents of the household?

We don’t need to tell when you bed bug problem has become unsafe.

But if you had to think long and hard about any of the above questions, then it’s best for you and your family to consider moving out of the household. Even if it is temporary – at least until the bed bugs are under control.

It’s been reported by Orkin that bed bugs mainly follow a hematophagous diet. What does that mean?

Blood. They live off of human blood.

This Orkin study also illustrates how these tiny pests repopulate quickly and thrive in larger numbers.

Now that we know you and your family may be at risk, how do you go about moving out or even selling the house?

The easy way to absolve yourself from the obligation of fixing this bed bug fiasco is to sell the house. Unless you have a lot of time and money to fix the issue yourself, then you probably need to sell.

Many people think that the cleanest and easiest thing to do is to just sell the house, bed bugs included, and move on.

In reality, it might be your best option.

In actuality, it might be your only option.

As I stated above:

Bed bugs are not to be taken lightly.

Act quickly. Your health, and that of your family, is at risk.

In summary, bed bugs can be anywhere and everywhere. If you suspect you have them in your home, please consider finding a pest control solution or moving out.

Is It Legal To Sell A House With Bed Bugs In Pennsylvania?

Disclosing bed bugs isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a legal one too.

Sellers are obligated to provide potential buyers with a written disclosure statement that outlines any known defects in the property.

And, you guessed it, this includes the presence of bed bugs.

So, if you’re aware of a bed bug issue, be upfront about it – or risk facing legal repercussions down the line in Pennsylvania.

Now, you might be wondering, “Can’t I just get rid of the bed bugs and pretend like it never happened?” The short answer is no.

Pennsylvania law requires sellers to disclose defects even if they have been fixed.

So, attempting to sweep the bed bug issue under the rug, or mattress for that matter, after treating it won’t cut it legally.

Now you know how disclosure can secure the best interests of you and buyers.

However, it’s possible that you’re not aware of a bed bug problem.

Well, ignorance isn’t bliss in this case.

If a buyer discovers bed bugs post-sale and can prove that the seller knew about the infestation but failed to disclose it, the seller could find themselves facing legal consequences.

To legally protect yourself and maintain the integrity of the sale, it’s advisable to invest in a thorough inspection before listing your property. A professional pest inspection can uncover any hidden bed bug issues, allowing you to address them proactively. Plus, being transparent about the inspection results can build trust with potential buyers.

Remember, a bed bug infestation doesn’t mean your house is unsellable. It just means you need to be upfront about it. By being ethical and forthcoming with your bed bug problem, you will find success in the sale of your property.

If you opt to work with a home buyer, they will expect the same level of transparency.

Will My Bed Bugs Every Go Away?

We all wanted the answer to be yes. But it’s not.

Once you realize you have a bed bug problem, you might be tempted to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach, hoping the problem will magically resolve itself.

Spoiler alert – it won’t.

Bed bugs are built for survival, and they won’t simply vanish into thin air.

Be proactive and find a solution. Here are some things you can do right away:

1. Contact a pest control company for a free quote.
2. Research bed bugs to understand how serious your problem is.
3. Contact a home buyer who might be able to buy your house directly.

Still not sure what to do?

Find out by requesting to contact us.

My team and I will be in touch shortly to help you get started on solving your bed bug problem.

Can I Sell My House With Bed Bugs In Pennsylvania?

If you made it this far, then you already know how serious bed bugs can be. And with that being the case, it makes selling a house with bed bugs are very difficult endeavor.

Many people decide to sell their house with bed bugs to eliminate the hassles and costs that often follow bed bug infestations.

This could be a great option for you.

Here’s why:

Homebuyers are professionals. They deal with mortgages, foreclosures, and houses all the time. Your situation will not be intimidating or challenging to them. To a realtor, it could be.

Homebuyers also are not realtors so they do not charge you a fee. For sellers who want to sell their house back to the bank, this is huge! Imagine selling your house without paying a commission.

Homebuyers are also seasoned at creative deal constructs. In this article I scratched the surface on some deal structures that could help get seller’s more money without dealing with the headaches that banks and lenders bring about.

Homebuyers are a great option. If you think so too, request an offer below:

Sell Your House With Bed Bugs | Pennsylvania FAQ

How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Completely In PA?

Ah, the million-dollar question, or in this case, the bed bug question.

The timeline for bidding adieu to these persistent pests can vary based on the severity of the infestation and the chosen treatment method. Generally speaking, a professional pest control service employing a combination of treatments may take several weeks to ensure complete eradication. Quick fixes might sound appealing, but a thorough and time-tested approach is your best bet for a bug-free future in your Pennsylvania home.

Or you can speed up that process and sell your problem to the next guy. That may shorten the timeline immensely.

What legal consequences could I face if I don’t disclose a bed bug issue when selling my house in Pennsylvania?

Imagine this scenario: You skip the bed bug disclosure, close the deal, and think you’re in the clear. Not so fast!

Pennsylvania takes non-disclosure seriously. If buyers discover bed bugs post-sale and can prove you were aware but didn’t spill the beans, you might find yourself dealing with legal repercussions.

These consequences can range from contract disputes to potential legal action by the buyers.

Save yourself the legal headache—disclose, disclose, disclose!

Can I fix the bed bug problem and sell my house without disclosing the past infestation in Pennsylvania?

Fixing the bed bug issue is a step in the right direction, but here’s the catch: Pennsylvania law still requires you to spill the bed bug beans.

Even if you’ve successfully shown these pests the door, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law mandates that you disclose past material defects.

So, it’s not just about the present; it’s about being open about the property’s history.

Fixing the problem is good, but disclosure is the key to a smooth and legal sale.

The findings and information in this article are focused on Pennsylvania, however, it is applicable in many locations nationwide!

Best Way To Sell My House With Bed Bugs In PA

Signature Properties provides the easiest and simplest way to sell your house in Pennsylvania. We buy houses through fair and honest cash offers.🙂 Whether you are avoiding the bank from foreclosure, coming into an inheritance, going through divorce or any other situation – we have real estate solutions to get you the outcomes you desire when you sell your house to us. We help homeowners with costly home repairs, mounting liens, code enforcement violations and even vacant homes. Are you trying to sell your house in surrounding areas or other counties and states near Pennsylvania? We buy properties in New Jersey and Delaware as well as many other towns! In fact, we buy homes all over Pennsylvania. So if you’re selling a house with bed bugs and don’t know where to start, then reach out and we’ll get your going!