Getting ready to list your home in Marana? A few smart checks today can prevent delays, renegotiations, and stress once you go under contract. You want clean disclosures, smooth lender approval, and buyer confidence from day one. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to handle termites, septic, and permits in Marana so you can launch your listing with clarity. Let’s dive in.
Why these checks matter in Marana
Marana sits in a desert region where termite activity is common, and lenders often look for verified inspections. Many homes also rely on septic systems outside of sewered areas, which triggers specific transfer steps at sale. Unpermitted work can slow or derail a closing if not addressed upfront. Taking care of these items early helps you price confidently and negotiate from strength.
Termite check: WDIIR basics
A Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Report, or WDIIR, is Arizona’s standardized termite report completed by a licensed applicator. Lenders frequently require a WDIIR in our area, and sellers often order one proactively to support marketing and buyer confidence. You can review the form and consumer guidance on the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Pest Management Division page under the section on Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Reports.
Local risk is real here. University of Arizona research points to subterranean termites as the main concern in Southern Arizona, with drywood species also present. For background on species and behavior, see University of Arizona research on desert subterranean termites.
What inspectors can and cannot see
A WDIIR covers visible and accessible areas. State rules outline scope and limits, including how inaccessible areas are noted on the report. For details on inspection scope and who may perform WDIIRs, see the Arizona Administrative Code section on inspection requirements and credentials.
When to order and what it costs
Order your WDIIR before you list if you want to market “no observed WDO” or expect lender review during escrow. Gather any prior treatment paperwork and warranties so the inspector can reference them. Typical inspection fees in the Tucson area range around 50 to 200 dollars, with treatment costs varying by method and severity, according to regional cost guides like Fixr’s Tucson termite overview.
Septic systems: transfer steps
Start by confirming whether the home is on sewer or septic. If the property uses a septic system and is in Pima County, a qualified inspector must complete a Transfer of Property septic inspection within six months before closing. The seller must provide the Report of Inspection to the buyer and submit it through Pima County’s process, and the buyer must file a Notice of Transfer within 15 days after closing. Pima County’s step-by-step directions are here: Transfer of Property Septic Inspection instructions.
Arizona’s Department of Environmental Quality explains that counties administer onsite wastewater rules, so most steps are handled locally. For background and contacts, see ADEQ’s page on onsite wastewater systems and county delegation.
Costs and timelines for septic
Pima County’s transfer submittal includes a modest invoiced fee, and you pay the inspector separately. Pumping, repairs, or replacement can add costs and extend timelines by weeks if needed. If your system is old or records are missing, plan extra time for investigation and possible county approvals.
If you are in the Pinal portion of Marana
A small part of Marana lies in Pinal County. If your property is in that area, contact Pinal County Community Development for septic and permit guidance. Start with Pinal County Building Safety for contacts and process.
Permits and unpermitted work
Buyers, lenders, and title companies often review permit history during escrow. Unpermitted additions or modifications can trigger retroactive permits, corrective work, or credits. Arizona seller disclosure obligations require you to disclose known material facts that affect value or safety, which can include known unpermitted work. For a plain-language overview, review this guide to Arizona seller disclosure obligations.
How to check permit history
- If the property is inside Town of Marana limits, contact the Town’s Development Services Building Division to request permit records and close-out status.
- If the property is in unincorporated Pima County, use the county’s Citizen Access portal or contact Development Services with your parcel number.
- For the Pinal County portion of Marana, start with Pinal County Building Safety for permit questions.
- Compare findings with your disclosure documents and title report to resolve any open items early.
Timeline, costs, and who pays
- Termite WDIIR: Often scheduled within a day or two. Inspections typically cost about 50 to 200 dollars, and treatment varies by method and extent. Reference: Tucson termite cost overview.
- Septic transfer: The Pima County submittal fee is modest, with inspector, pumping, and any repairs billed separately. Replacement or repairs can add weeks due to design and county approvals. See Pima County’s septic transfer steps for process details.
- Who pays: Inspection fees are usually paid by the party who orders them, and repairs or treatments are negotiated in the purchase contract. Clarify responsibilities in your listing and during offer negotiations.
Pre-list prep checklist
- Confirm sewer or septic and gather system records.
- Schedule a WDIIR with a licensed applicator and collect any prior termite treatment warranties.
- If septic, book the Transfer of Property inspection and plan for possible pumping or repairs.
- Request permit history from the Town or County and compile permits and final inspections for additions, pools, roofs, and mechanical work.
- Resolve open items early and share clear documentation with buyers to support price and timing.
A well-prepared file makes your home easier to market and gives buyers confidence. If you want help sequencing these steps alongside high-impact staging and marketing, reach out to Lisa Ambroziak for a pre-list strategy tailored to your property.
FAQs
Termite inspections in Marana: are they required?
- No state law requires a termite inspection for every sale, but lenders commonly request an Arizona WDIIR completed by a licensed applicator, and many sellers order one proactively. See the state’s page on WDIIR guidance and forms.
What does a WDIIR cover and not cover?
- Inspectors review visible, accessible areas and note any inaccessible spaces; a WDIIR is not a structural engineering report. See the state rule on inspection scope and credentials.
Septic at sale in Pima County: what is required?
- A qualified inspector must complete the septic Report of Inspection within six months before transfer, the seller provides it to the buyer and submits it as directed, and the buyer files a Notice of Transfer within 15 days after closing. Steps are outlined in Pima County’s septic transfer instructions.
What if prior work was unpermitted?
- Disclose what you know and contact the Town or County to determine whether retroactive permits or corrections are required; outcomes can affect cost and timing. Review this overview of Arizona seller disclosure obligations.
How common are termites in Southern Arizona?
- Subterranean termites are a primary concern in our region, with drywood species also present. Background on local species is available in University of Arizona research.
