Escrow Clearance Serving Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties

Ventura Termite Escrow Clearance

Inspection, Treatment, & In-House Repairs: One Company, Start to Finish

Before a home sale closes in California, most lenders require a Wood Destroying Pests and Organisms (WDO) Inspection Report from a licensed structural pest control inspector. Escrow timelines are tight, and handing off repairs to a second contractor can push a closing date back by weeks. At Cal Termite & Pest Control, we handle the full sequence in-house: inspection, treatment, and wood repairs. Sellers, buyers, real estate agents, and escrow professionals in Ventura work with one company from start to finish.

Owner Scott Keighley brings over 15 years of construction and termite industry experience to every job, backed by a team with more than 50 years of combined pest management experience. Our technicians are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and we serve Ventura County along with greater Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. Same-day appointments and weekend service are available when your timeline demands it.

To learn more about our escrow clearance service, call us at (805) 608-3550.

What Our Escrow Clearance Process Covers

Our licensed inspectors arrive on time, walk you through what we’re looking for, and produce a written WDO report that classifies all findings. Section 1 findings cover active infestations or infections currently damaging the structure, such as live drywood termites in the attic or subterranean termite mud tubes on the foundation. Section 2 findings cover conditions likely to lead to future infestation but with no active pests or damage present, such as earth-to-wood contact on exterior siding. VA loans commonly require a full WDO inspection and Section 1 clearance in California. For FHA loans, a WDO report is typically required when the appraiser notes evidence of infestation or damage, and when it is required, Section 1 items typically need treatment and repair before the loan clears escrow.

When treatment is needed, we prepare a plan matched to the property. No two infestations are the same, and we don’t apply a standard protocol twice. Our team has the resources and manpower to address infestations of any scale. Once treatment and repairs are complete, we file a Notice of Work Completed and Not Completed with the California Structural Pest Control Board. That document is the official Section 1 clearance your escrow officer uses to satisfy the lender.

Because we hold a state contractor license issued by the California Contractors State License Board, we handle wood repairs in-house after treatment without subcontracting the work. For sellers and agents managing a closing deadline, that single-company model removes a significant coordination problem.

Why Ventura Sellers & Agents Work with Cal Termite & Pest Control

Several things set us apart for escrow work specifically:

In-House Wood Repairs: Our state contractor license lets us treat and repair in one engagement. You don’t need to find and schedule a separate contractor after we finish.
Payment Deferred to Close of Escrow: We defer payment until escrow closes, so out-of-pocket costs before closing don’t become a friction point for sellers.
Free Inspections: We offer free inspections with honest, no-pressure assessments so every party understands what the WDO report may show.
Same-Day and Weekend Availability: When a closing date is at risk, we move quickly. Same-day and weekend appointments are available throughout Ventura County.
EcoWise Certified: Our EcoWise certification reflects a commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that target pests effectively while minimizing environmental impact. Treatments are tailored to each property’s specific conditions.
Fully Licensed, Bonded & Insured: Our technicians meet all state requirements, giving every party in the transaction confidence in the work.

Call our team today at (805) 608-3550 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.

Understanding California’s Escrow Termite Clearance Process

If you’re buying, selling, or representing a property in Ventura, understanding how the clearance process works makes the transaction easier to manage.

What Is a WDO Inspection Report?

A Wood Destroying Pests and Organisms (WDO) Inspection Report is the formal document most California lenders require before approving a home loan. It must be prepared by a licensed structural pest control inspector registered with the California Structural Pest Control Board. The report documents all findings related to termites, wood-boring beetles, fungal rot, and related conditions present at the time of inspection.

Section 1 vs. Section 2 Findings

The WDO report divides findings into two categories. Section 1 covers active infestations or infections currently damaging the property, such as live drywood termites in the attic, subterranean termite mud tubes on the foundation, or active dry-rot fungus. Section 2 covers conditions likely to lead to future infestation where no active pests or rot are currently present, such as plumbing leaks or earth-to-wood contact on exterior siding. Section 2 findings are typically treated as buyer maintenance items, and lenders rarely require them to be resolved before closing.

Who Pays for Termite Repairs in California?

California law doesn’t mandate who pays for termite repairs. It’s a negotiated term between buyer and seller. In a buyer’s market, the seller typically covers Section 1 treatments and repairs to help keep the buyer’s loan approval on track. In a seller’s market, properties are more often listed as-is, and the buyer may take on the WDO inspection cost and any required repairs. Your real estate agent can advise on what’s typical in the current Ventura market.

How Long Is a Clearance Valid?

In California, a WDO inspection report and its corresponding clearance are valid for four months from the date of the initial inspection. The official clearance document, called a Notice of Work Completed and Not Completed, is filed with the state and handed to the escrow officer to satisfy the lender’s requirement.

Drywood & Subterranean Termites in Ventura County

Both drywood termites and subterranean termites are common in Ventura County and can appear as Section 1 findings on a WDO report. Drywood termites typically infest attic framing, eaves, and interior wood members. Subterranean termites enter from the soil and are often identified by mud tubes on foundation walls or crawl space piers. The treatment approach differs between species, which is one reason a property-specific plan matters more than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

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