realestate

Woodland homeownership nightmare: Pests devour finances

San Francisco Bay Area influencer warns of headaches with maintaining woodland homes.

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San Francisco Bay Area influencer has shared her cautionary tale about buying a house in the woods, warning that it can be a maintenance nightmare. Laureise Livingston and her husband purchased their charming 100-year-old home two years ago, only to discover they had unwanted roommates - rodents and beetles infesting the property.

    In a TikTok video, Livingston shares the issues they've faced, including Norwegian rats under the floorboards that were eating through their HVAC piping. The couple spent $4,500 on a treatment, but the rats ate through it, forcing them to remove all the rats and replace the piping for an additional $10,000.

    Their problems didn't end there. A termite company informed them that their neighbor had termites, but instead, they found wood-boring beetles. The couple was given two expensive options: a $4,500 treatment or a $7,000 fumigation, which would force them out of the house for four days and expose them to poison.

    Livingston's experience highlights the importance of checking for pests before buying a house. Sellers are often required to disclose pest infestations, but it's essential to ask questions and consider hiring a pest inspector if you're unsure. Some signs of pest infestations include unusual noises, droppings, or gnaw marks on walls and furniture.

    Livingston's advice is clear: "Just don't" buy a house in the woods unless you're prepared for the potential headaches that come with it.

Woodland residents struggle with pest infestations destroying homes and finances in rural areas.