Termites are simply part of owning a home in South Carolina - our warm, humid climate is ideal for them. If an inspection turned up termite activity or damage, do not assume the sale is dead. You can sell a house with termite damage here, and understanding the “termite letter” that comes up in most closings will help you decide how.
The CL-100: South Carolina’s termite letter
In South Carolina, most home sales involve a CL-100, officially the Wood Infestation Report. It is a report from a licensed inspector describing any visible active infestation or damage from termites and other wood-destroying organisms. Here is why it matters:
- Lenders usually require it. Most FHA, VA, and conventional lenders will not finance a home without a “clear” CL-100.
- If the report is not clear, the standard purchase contract typically requires the seller to treat and repair the problem and provide a clean CL-100 (dated within 30 days of closing) before a financed sale can proceed.
So for a traditional, financed buyer, termite issues have to be resolved before closing, which puts the cost and the timeline on you.
Why termites cause damage here
The Upstate’s climate keeps the soil moist and hospitable for termite colonies much of the year. Conditions that invite them include wood or mulch against the foundation, firewood stacked by the house, wooden lattice or skirting touching the ground, moisture from poor drainage, and structural wood that has settled into contact with soil. Older homes and homes with deferred maintenance are especially prone.
Your options
Treat, repair, and sell
Have a licensed company treat the infestation and repair the damaged wood, then obtain a clear CL-100. This opens the home to financed buyers and a traditional sale. The tradeoffs are the cost of treatment and structural repairs, and the time it takes, especially if damage reached framing, subfloors, or joists.
Sell as-is
Sell the home in its current condition to a cash buyer. Because a cash purchase does not involve a lender, a clear CL-100 generally is not required, so you can skip the treat-and-repair race before closing. The buyer takes on the treatment and repairs. For significant structural termite damage, this is often the simplest path.
Disclosure applies
South Carolina’s Residential Property Condition Disclosure Act asks about wood-destroying insects and damage, and selling “as-is” does not remove your duty to disclose what you know. Disclose known termite history and damage; it protects you and is a non-issue in a knowing as-is sale.
Why a cash sale can help
If the damage is extensive, or you simply do not want to fund treatment and structural repairs and then wait, a cash sale lets you avoid the CL-100 hurdle entirely, sell as-is, and close quickly and predictably.
If termite damage has you stuck, we are a local, family-run company buying across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and Pickens counties. We buy as-is and will make a fair, no-pressure offer.