Special offer
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent (Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would and show that action was taken.

Jun 14, 2015 05:33 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

It might not be required but it's always good to disclose something like this. Follow Gabe Sanders' advice, disclose there was pest remediation and include the receipt.  

Jun 14, 2015 05:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

It depends on the states laws. Honesty is the best policy but each state has different laws. If you are talking about a legal point of view this is the case but from a responsible person point of view wouldn't you want to know if you were the buyer?

Jun 14, 2015 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

If they're gone and it's guaranteed that they're gone, I would forget it.

Jun 14, 2015 10:24 AM
Rainmaker
911,448
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I would, especially if the are red or fire ants that could bite kids or pets playing in the yard.

Jun 14, 2015 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Of course! Thge more you disclose, the less likely you will be sued over something!

Jun 14, 2015 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, I think it would be the prudent thing to do.  Along with a receipt from the pest remediation company for the work.

Jun 14, 2015 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I encourage all sellers to disclose all known material facts.   Let the buyers discern what is important or not to them, more information the better.  Would I be concerned about ants if I was the buyer?  No, but opinions vary.

Jun 14, 2015 04:25 AM
Rainmaker
900,278
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I have seen inspectors comment to the effect that there had been an infestation [of whatever], they noted it with the commentary that it had been taken care of. If I were the listing agent and was aware of it, I would disclose it. The buyers should know, in case the ants reappear, or just to be on the lookout for them.

Jun 15, 2015 07:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wanda,

Disclose and show the action taken to get rid of the ants. A

Jun 15, 2015 12:50 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yesterday a big dark storm cloud obscured the sun from my house. Do I need to disclose 'storm cloud can obfuscate' here in the SUN SHINE state?

A termite swarm was spotted at the shed and back fence, but later no termites found. Do I disclose?

Had new sod installed. Must owner disclose if the sod was replaced because of sod worms, beetles or wild Bahia grass or personal preference? (All are part of the FLORIDA environment)

Left back door open and mosquitoes potentially carrying disease of every sort allowed into the house, still swatting them....DISCLOSE?

Big century oak in back yard next door. Excellent location for a nesting bald Eagle? (they do nest here) If that happens, activity in your back yard is greatly influenced. Disclose even the potential of such real situation?

Gator spotted in golf course pond just over the back fence? Disclose?

As you can see, the 'disclose everything' could result is a exhaustive list that would frighten every buyer away. Common sense must prevail.

Here in Florida, insects and other creepy crawly things are a certainty. The question is never 'if' but 'when?"

ONLY if structural damage was caused and infestation not current, or materially effects the value of the property, would disclosure be needed. 

We can all share war stories regarding exceptions. I know of the house that had a bee problem. Bees eradicated. No one anticipated the consequeses and was undetected by home inspector or WDO expert.

I have yet to see an appraiser add value or remove value based on the absence of a pest.

And in your example, ants are a part of the environment.  And for $17, they can be eliminated by products purchased from Home Depot.

My disclosure would be, 'Home is under a current, transferrable, 'Annual Pest Control' contract.

Jun 15, 2015 12:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I would advice them to disclose and show the receipt  that they got rid of it.

Jun 14, 2015 08:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

There is a time frame for disclosures. So, yes, if it happened in last few months, they have to disclosure what they did.

Jun 14, 2015 05:00 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Honesty is the best policy, in this situation.  Perhaps it would help if you provide backup from exterminator, confirming they have been eradicated and "x" is recomnmended to complete the treatment (i.e., perhaps another 1 year of spraying will completely eradicate the possibility of them coming back?) or extermination was completed and no further treatment necessary. 

Jun 14, 2015 03:25 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

in my state if you know it you disclose it.  And pest issues are covered on the seller's disclosure.  

Jun 14, 2015 03:00 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Ants? Like in Fire Ants?  Either way, no matter what kind of ants they were I think a potential buyer would want to know this.

Jun 14, 2015 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Wanda - If I was aware of the issue, I would ask the sellers to disclose. If I didn't know about it, I wouldn't be able to tell the sellers to include that in their disclosure.

It sounds like it was a big enough issue when you say there were millions of ants, and the fact that they were in the home. We have a Sellers Advisory form that specifically has a miscellaneous area that asks about rodents, insects, and pests. 

Jun 14, 2015 02:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Carpenter ants, probably but insects rule here in Florida so other than the required WDO certification if this were the case I would be disclosing until the cows came home. 

Jun 14, 2015 02:08 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

It is always best to disclose even if they got rid of them. Otherwise a buyer could say it was concealed knowledge. 

Jun 14, 2015 12:48 PM
Rainer
26,764
Beatrice Briseno
RE/MAX Unlimited - San Antonio, TX
Beatrice M. Briseno, GRI, CDPE, San Antonio, TX

Disclose

Jun 14, 2015 11:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin known defects should be disclosed - if disclosure is mandatory in your state.

In MA, seller's disclosure is not mandatory.

Jun 14, 2015 11:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Wanda, I have to agree with all the previous responders on disclosing the prior issue.

Jun 14, 2015 11:24 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

If you have to ask...

Apr 30, 2018 06:10 AM
Rainmaker
695,753
Nicholas Crane
Woodland Companies - Cadott, WI
Managing & Appraising Forest Land

I would disclose and show that action was taken.  I think with a small pest problem time has to be a factor.

Jun 20, 2015 04:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

When in doubt disclose it and have proof the problem has been remedied.

Jun 15, 2015 01:20 PM
Rainer
2,660
Dennis Loewen
Sereno Group - San Jose, CA
Active South Bay Area Real Estate Broker Associate

Of course!  There are only three words in real estate: Disclose, Disclose, Disclose.

Jun 15, 2015 08:15 AM
Ambassador
3,126,213
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

I agree with disclosing to give notice to the new home owner that it was remediated by a knowlwdgeable and reputable pest control company. Thanks everyone for responding and giving your opinion!

Jun 15, 2015 07:47 AM