Selling A House With Bed Bugs

Published on June 4th, 2023

Selling A House With Bed Bugs In Florida

bed bug disclosure

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Bed bugs - something no one wants to hear before entering a residence, whether it's an apartment, townhouse, or condo. A bed bug infestation is often associated with hotel stays and short-term rentals, but these nasty little creatures can make their way into your home, with 91%  of bed bug infestations being treated by exterminators in single-family homes. In some cases, the responsibility of fumigation is part of an agreement between a tenant and a landlord, or a condo owner and the manager, and might be specified in the lease or contract. Inspections, such as a home inspection, can help identify this problem for clients. Knowing the proper place, size, and area for a bed bug inspection will help ensure accurate results and answers for all parties involved.


Selling a home with a bed bug problem isn't impossible! With full disclosure to potential customers and a solid plan of action, you will be able to sell your house. Throughout this article, we will discuss various treatments for bed bug problems, what a pest control company can do, and five different ways you can sell your home with bed bugs successfully, even if someone with ownership of a property is facing challenges related to these pests. Consulting with an attorney who has experience in this matter can also help guide you through the process and protect you from potential lawsuits or liability.

Selling To A Real Estate Investor That Specializes In Selling Homes With Bed Bugs In Florida

An infestation of bed bugs can happen at any time. Bed bugs can live on furniture, luggage, purses, or backpacks and be brought into the home by anyone.


Adult bed bugs then lay their larvae on furniture such as your couch, mattresses, or upholstered chairs. You start to notice when you have little itchy bites all over your body, which can lead to injury. Sounds awful, right? Bed sizes and types can play a factor in infestations, with larger beds and certain types of mattresses being more susceptible. Regular inspections can help identify issues early on. As evidence of an infestation, you will want to look for proof on the mattress and other areas within the room.


This situation can cause not only emotional distress but financial distress as well. Trying to rid your home of bed bugs costs a lot of money, and many buyers won't be interested in purchasing a home with this type of material defect until the situation is fixed properly. A disclaimer might be needed in such cases. A potential lawsuit from infected individuals is another concern that homeowners need to address.


Selling an infested home to a real estate investor might be a good option if you don't have the time or money to deal with this issue. Real estate investors buy houses that are in distress of some sort and repair them to their former glory to keep them in their portfolio as rental homes. Experts, such as attorneys and other professionals, can help guide you through the process.


Investors will also offer you a fair cash offer for your home before having the house treated by professionals and making any other needed repairs.

bed bugs are typically found in furniture

Selling Through A Real Estate Agent On The MLS In Florida

Most states have a disclosure statement that needs to be honored throughout a real estate transaction. Disclosure laws make it so that you, as the seller, would have to disclose the presence of bed bugs to a potential buyer during the selling process.


Material defects, like a bed bug infestation, will affect your property's value if left unchanged. When dealing with an infestation prior to a sale, it is important to select the right course of action and treatment as soon as possible to avoid further damage and move on with selling your home as soon as possible. Some common methods for removing bed bugs from a house include:


  • A heat treatment - When treating your home, also remember to treat all your clothes.
  • A cold treatment.
  • Steam cleaners, wet or dry that can get into cracks and fabrics to treat bed frames and other furniture.
  • Pay money to hire an exterminator.
  • Check anywhere a bed bug might be hiding - like picture frames or electrical outlets.


When in doubt, consult with local real estate agents to see what they might recommend or ask for a free consultation with a local pest control company. These professionals can offer guidance on anything from the best places to find cost-effective solutions to bedbug infestations to your rights as a seller dealing with this issue.

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Selling A House With Bed Bugs Directly To Private Home Buyers In Florida

Selling a house with bedbugs directly to a private home buyer is another option for you, as a seller. Selling any property to a private home buyer, especially one with a defect like bedbugs, should be done with proper legal steps, including consulting an attorney with experience in the matter. This ensures that people involved in the transaction are protected under the law, and that issues like blood-stained walls and furniture are addressed.


Speaking with a lawyer who can provide legal advice surrounding disclosure laws, state laws around bedbugs, and what might be a fair offer for your property. Sellers are wise to follow the advice of their attorneys on how to proceed when selling to a private home buyer so that they are not left responsible for any damages to the home after purchase, such as wall damage or other pest issues like termite damage.

Selling A House With Bed Bugs At An Auction In Florida?

Selling a property with bedbugs at an auction is another alternative for sellers to consider. Contrary to popular belief, selling a house at auction does not mean you have fallen on hard financial times or other woes.


You might even be able to get more money for your home at an auction than you would if you were to put it on the traditional market, depending on location, the extent of damage, and the level of pests involved in the infestation.


Getting rid of pests prior to an auction isn't always possible, so if that's the situation you find yourself in, be sure to disclose any information about the infestation and damages to the walls or property in general. Be sure to remove any soiled or infested bedding, furniture, and picture frames before the auction.


For a chance at a successful auction, follow these tips:


  • Hire a professional auctioneer
  • Ask how the auctioneer gets paid
  • Choose between an absolute auction or an auction with a reserve.
  • Find out how the bidders will be qualified
  • Determine how you will accept bids
  • Proper marketing of your home prior to the auction.


pest inspection

Selling To A Local Home Buying Company Ready To Do A Bed Bug Treatment In Florida

Local home-buying companies that purchase properties with bugs and other damage are willing and ready to deal with a bedbug infestation.


Call various local companies and see which one might be best equipped to purchase your home.

Final Thought

If you are thinking about selling your home, but are worried about its condition, check out our other blogs.

Recent Facts

1. In the United States, it is not illegal to sell a house with bed bugs.

2. Bed bugs are a type of insect that feed on human blood and are usually found in beds and other furniture.

3. Bed bugs can spread quickly and cause an infestation in a home if not treated properly.

4. Bed bugs can be difficult to detect, as they are small and nocturnal.

5. Bed bugs can cause a variety of health problems, including skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological distress.

6. Bed bugs can be difficult to eradicate, as they can survive for up to a year without a meal.

7. Bed bug infestations can be expensive to treat, as it requires multiple treatments and the use of professional exterminators.

8. Landlords are legally obligated to disclose any bed bug infestations to potential tenants.



Recent Statistics

1. Bed bugs are found in 5-7% of all homes in the United States.

2. In 2018, the National Pest Management Association reported that bed bug infestations were reported in 48 states.

3. Bed bugs can live for up to 18 months without feeding.

4. Bed bugs can travel up to 100 feet in one night.

5. Bed bugs are most active between the hours of midnight and 5am.

6. Bed bugs can survive temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Bed bugs can survive up to two months without a blood meal.

8. Bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime.

9. Bed bugs can live up to one year without food.

10. In the United States, it is illegal to knowingly sell a house with a bed bug infestation.


Chris Charles

Author | Real Estate Investor & Realtor

My name is Chris, and my team and I buy all sorts of houses in Florida. We are a local, family-run business committed to the highest standards of quality and integrity.

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