Between Two Doors: Navigating Homebuying from Mortgages to Pests

 

Between Two Doors: Navigating Homebuying from Mortgages to Pests

Buying or selling a home is more than just signing papers—it’s about building a trusted team to safeguard your investment. In this episode of Between Two Doors, I sat down with Realtor Taquilla Allen and Marcus Parsons, owner of Parson’s Pest Detectives, to explore how pest inspections intersect with real estate transactions in Birmingham, AL.  Watch the full conversation here:  https://youtu.be/GUPo37S1-9M

Why Pest Inspections Matter

  1. Protect Your Investment

    • Wood-destroying organisms (termites, beetles, fungus) can undermine a home’s structure quickly—sometimes within months.

    • Marcus shares stories of collapsed porches and hand-sized spiders lurking in crawl spaces—reminding us that hidden pests can balloon repair costs into the thousands.

  2. Streamline Your Closing

    • In many loan programs (especially VA), a WDO report is mandatory. Knowing what to expect upfront prevents last-minute surprises.

    • Taquilla advises buyers to ask sellers about when termite stations or liquid barriers were last serviced—these systems often expire after 10 years.

  3. Smart Negotiation & Financing

    • Armed with inspection insights, Realtors can negotiate repairs into the purchase contract.

    • Savvy lenders can roll pest remediation into renovation loans when sellers can’t cover repair costs.

  4. Ongoing Home Protection

    • Beyond one-time treatments, consider quarterly or annual subscription plans to catch infestations early—before damage becomes disastrous.

Key Takeaways

  • Build Your White-Glove Team: Mortgage pro, Realtor, pest inspector, insurance agent—all working together to shield homeowners from costly pitfalls.

  • Ask the Right Questions:

    • When was your termite system last serviced?

    • Have you noticed any signs of pests in crawl spaces or around exterior baits?

  • Proactive Prevention: Regular maintenance beats emergency repairs. Even if you don’t see insects, they may be lurking unseen.

Meet Our Experts

Taquilla Allen

Marcus Parsons

  • Owner, Parson’s Pest Detectives

  • Faith-based pest control, specializing in WDO (wood-destroying organisms) & general pest services

  • Service Area: All of Alabama (including Birmingham, Hoover, Mobile & beyond)

  • Phone: (205) 202-0818

  • Website: parsonspestdetectives.com

About Your Host & How to Reach Me

About Between Two Doors
Between Two Doors is a podcast where I talk with Realtors about their journey, aiming to connect home buyers and sellers with agents on a more personal level. I ask "right brain" questions that go beyond transactions, focusing on the experiences, values, and passions that make these professionals great at what they do.

Listen to more episodes at: https://www.betweentwodoors.com

Sponsored by:
Premier Lending, Inc.
https://www.natecarver.com

NMLS Numbers:
NMLS: 2004738
Licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI). Equal Housing Opportunity.
https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.com

📞 Contact: 972-832-5761

Follow Us on Social Media:

Thanks for tuning in to Between Two Doors! Drop us a message on social or reach out directly for any mortgage, real estate, or pest inspection needs. We’re here to help you open the door to your next chapter—safely and confidently.

Location: Birmingham, AL, USA

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