I moved from the northeastern part of the country to Jacksonville, Florida, about ten years ago. I was eager for the warm weather but unfamiliar with the problems specific to the area. I was accustomed to issues caused by sub zero temperatures, heavy snow and ice. Jacksonville was the perfect escape from the long, chilly and snowy winters. However, the humidity and heat causes its own set of concerns. When I purchased my home, I wasn’t aware that the neighbor’s house was infested with termites. I never noticed any evidence of termites in my home. It did not occur to me to schedule a termite inspection. I later learned that the bugs feed on wood and getting rid of them can be just about impossible. Had I caught the infestation at its early stages, it could have been successfully solved. Aggressive termite infestation negatively affected the structural integrity of my home. I discovered the problem when my ceilings and floors began to collapse. There was also damage to carpeting, walls and furniture. It took the colony of mature termites about five years to totally destroy my home. When I read up on the Formosan termite, I learned that it is a subterranean bug that reproduces so quickly, the colony can wreck a home in a year. Because the insects attract mold, they also cause a health threat. Plus, termites have very long life expectancies and are extremely durable. Looking into solutions was discouraging. I was told that it is extremely difficult and nearly impossible to permanently eradicate termites. The process was also disruptive and expensive. Along with eliminating the bugs, there were lots of necessary repairs. At that point, I decided to sell the house. Since it would never pass an inspection or interest a buyer, I filled out an online contact form for a cash buyer. I had an offer by the end of the day. I accepted the offer and we closed on the property ten days later.