WDI Inspection Report in Media and Delaware County, PA

Who needs a WDI report in a Pennsylvania home sale?

Most often the buyer orders one because the mortgage lender requires it. FHA and VA loans commonly call for a wood-destroying insect report, and many conventional lenders and relocation companies do too.

Sellers sometimes get one before listing so there are no surprises after an offer is signed. Who orders and pays is set by the agreement of sale and local custom, so check with your agent. This is general information, not legal advice.

Other situations call for one as well: a relocation buyer whose employer's program asks for it, an occasional refinance where the lender wants a current report, or a buyer of an older twin who wants the information even when the loan doesn't require it. With Census (ACS) median build years in the 1940s for Lansdowne, Upper Darby and Chester, many local reports note old damage or signs of past treatment, which is worth knowing before inspection contingencies run out.

What the NPMA-33 wood destroying insect report covers

WDI reports in real-estate sales commonly use the NPMA-33 form. The inspector records whether there is visible evidence of wood-destroying insects, whether there's visible damage, and whether there are signs of a previous treatment. The form also lists parts of the house that were obstructed or inaccessible.

The insects in scope are subterranean termites, carpenter ants, carpenter bees and reinfesting wood-boring beetles such as powderpost beetles. A WDI report is a visual inspection of readily accessible areas on the day of the visit. It isn't a structural opinion and doesn't cover mold or general rot.

Pennsylvania licensing behind a WDI report

A WDI report has to come from a properly licensed inspector. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Agriculture (PDA) licenses pest control businesses and certifies applicators under the Pesticide Control Act of 1973, and 7 Pa. Code § 128.31 puts the business license number on company vehicles, so buyers and agents can ask for that number before the visit.

The form comes from the industry rather than the state: the NPMA-33 is the version many lenders accept, and FHA and VA loans often require one. The lender decides which form it wants and how recent it must be, so confirm both with your loan officer. We'll tell you on the call whether we can issue a report for your sale. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is inspected on a real estate termite inspection

Finished basements, stored belongings and wall coverings limit what any inspector can see. Sellers can help a lot by clearing a path along basement walls and opening crawl space hatches before the appointment. If you just want to know whether a house you already own has termites, a standard termite inspection is the simpler route.

• Exterior foundation walls, porches, decks and attached garages
• Basement or crawl space framing: sills, joists, girders and posts
• Accessible attic framing and eaves, where carpenter bees and ants show up
• Window and door frames, trim and siding near grade
• Wood-to-soil contact, stored lumber and firewood against the house
• Moisture conditions that favor insects, noted where relevant

Scheduling a WDI inspection before closing

1. 1

   Call with the sale details

   Give us the property address, the closing date and the loan type, and we'll confirm whether we can issue the report your lender needs.

2. 2

   Arrange access

   The listing agent or seller arranges entry, with the basement, garage and crawl space unlocked.

3. 3

   On-site inspection

   The house is checked inside and out, with attention to areas the form asks about.

4. 4

   Findings reviewed

   Visible evidence, damage, prior-treatment signs and any blocked areas are recorded on the form.

5. 5

   Report delivered

   The completed report goes to whoever ordered it, for the agents and lender.

6. 6

   Treatment quote if needed

   If active insects turn up, a written quote for treatment follows so the parties can decide how to handle it.

How soon do you need the termite letter?

Lenders set how recent the report must be at closing, so ask your loan officer early rather than ordering one the week of settlement. A report done too soon after the agreement may expire; one ordered too late leaves no room for treatment if something is found.

We're open 7 days, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. If your closing is tight, call early in the day: same-day visits are often possible when the schedule allows, though we can't promise a specific turnaround until we know the date and the house. Call (209) 563-1650 to confirm this report is available for your property.

What if the WDI inspection finds active termites?

It's common, especially in older Delaware County homes, and it rarely kills a sale. Typically the seller arranges treatment before closing, or the parties agree on a credit. The lender may want proof of treatment along with the report.

Treatment for an active colony is usually a liquid termite treatment along the foundation or, where wells or slabs make soil work hard, termite bait stations. Visible damage may need a contractor's opinion. Old damage with signs of past treatment and no live insects is reported as such.

What affects the cost of a WDI report

Every report is quoted before the visit. The main factors are:

House age and layout drive most of the time on site. A Drexel Hill brick twin with an open, unfinished basement can be read quickly along exposed sills, while a Ridley Park Victorian with a stone cellar, an enclosed porch and a detached garage takes longer and may list more obstructed areas.

The sale itself adds variables. When the first report finds activity, treatment and any re-inspection are separate items, and the agreement of sale usually decides which party covers them. Ask for each piece in writing before you book, so nothing surprises the buyer, the seller or the lender at settlement.

• Size of the house and number of outbuildings to include
• Crawl spaces, attics or detached garages that add time
• Whether the lender requires a particular form
• Re-inspection after treatment, if the sale calls for one
• Any treatment needed, which is quoted separately