Termite Report Explained with Kristi Botkin

🚀 What does a termite report really say about your home, and should it scare you?

Many Sacramento homeowners, buyers, and sellers avoid inspections because they fear what will turn up.

Host Meriam Hansen, a Windermere REALTOR® and former attorney, sits down with Kristi Botkin of Twin Termite, who breaks down WDO reports, dry rot, and repair choices.

Discover what a termite report reveals, how to prep a home for sale without surprises, how to avoid cut-corner repairs, and which habits help you know your home.

🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen

👤 Guest:🏡 Kristi Botkin – Director of Client Development at Twin Termite, a company that provides home inspections, wood destroying organism inspections, and repairs. She joined Twin Termite four and a half years ago after managing group fitness at Lifetime. 

💡 What’re you learn:

• Dry rot keeps spreading and only gets worse when left alone

• Termite report, pest report, and WDO report all name the same inspection

• Tenting a home before listing lets you go to market with a clear report

• Licensed termite repair companies take liability off agents and sellers

• Experienced termite inspectors have seen more than a license can teach

• Gutter problems show up on a home inspection, not a termite report

• Home inspection walkthroughs show where your gas and water shut-offs are

⏳ Timestamps (Click to Jump to Sections!):

• 00:00 - Cold Open: $5,000 Repair vs. a $700,000 Home 

• 00:25 - Meet Kristi Botkin of Twin Termite 

• 01:40 - Career Switch & a Uganda Children’s Home 

• 04:11 - WDO Report: Section 1 vs. Section 2 

• 08:45 - Pre-Listing Inspections: No Surprises 

• 10:47 - Everyone Has Dry Rot: Maintenance Tips 

• 14:58 - Handy Randy vs. Licensed Repairs 

• 17:08 - Hidden Dry Rot, Clearance & Guarantee 

• 20:58 - How to Choose a Termite Company 

• 24:06 - Experienced, State-Regulated Inspectors 

• 26:57 - Home Inspection Tips for Homeowners 

• 29:28 - Veteran Discounts & Billing to Escrow 

💡 Key Questions Answered:

Q: How long does a termite inspection take compared with a home inspection?

→ A: Kristi Botkin, Director of Client Development at Twin Termite, says the average termite inspection lasts about an hour, while the average home inspection takes over two hours.

Q: When should a buyer order their own termite inspection?

→ A: When the seller hasn’t already had a wood destroying organism report done. In that case, Meriam Hansen tells her buyers they need to get one.

Q: How can I pay for a termite inspection if I don’t have cash up front?

→ A: Ask the company to bill the inspection to escrow, so no money comes out up front. Kristi notes many buyers put all their cash into the deposit, and repairs can be billed to escrow too.

Q: What is a supplemental in a termite repair?

→ A: A supplemental covers extra repairs needed behind an original finding. Kristi explains this often happens when a crew opens up a wall and discovers more damage than the report showed.

🎧 Connect with  Kristi Botkin:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twintermite

🌐 Website → https://www.twintermite.com/

🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:

🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/

📘 Facebook →https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen

📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meriamhansen/

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

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