bobo ... it might be a great idea for you to have your home inspected by a knowledgable building inspection company such as the Moisture Warranty Corp - www.moisturewarranty.com - they understand how stucco as well as EIFS (whichever system your home has on it) work. For a reasonable fee, they will evaluate the condition of your cladding and make recommendations for repair if needed, and then give you a warranty which you can transfer to the buyer of your home. Such an inspection is practical regardless of what type of siding your home has. Many brick and stucco clad homes have experienced the same problems that you are reading about here - these issues are not endemic to any particular type of siding. If your home is clad with EIFS (this is an acronym that stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish System - it should not be referred to as "synthetic stucco" because it really is not like stucco except in surface appearance) and properly maintained (all sidings need maintenance) your home is worth MORE than a brick home because of the energy savings you get from the insulation in the EIFS. As energy prices rise, this value will increase. www.eima.com is a good source of information for EIFS.

these comments are filled with so much misinformation it is very sad.
You have tremendous resources in Atlanta that can give you the help you need. I work for Sto Corp, a manufacturer of these type systems, and happen to live in the PTC area. I would be happy to have a building science expert go with you to see the home,and give you an assessment of the cladding system. You may bring a building inspector along with you if you like as well.
While it is highly unlikely this is a home clad with EIFS (the correct name), if it is, you will be getting a very energy efficient home, that is easy to repair if there is damage, and no more prone to termites or any other cladding issue than any other product. What you are being told are myths based on gross misinformation.
Please e-mail me directly at dboivin@stocorp.com if you would like to pursue a look at the home. You may also read all about the facts regarding EIFS at Stocorp.com, or eima.com

Is the construction ALL synthetic stucco? Or just the trim around doors and windows?? If it is ALL, then you might think twice about even purchasing the home. A little trim here and there is okay.

Synthetic stucco is notorious for absorbing moisture, and termites love to travel through the stuff to get to the framing underneath and eat through the wood supports. Be careful.

'Hardcoat' stucco, brick, concrete siding, or even vinyl is what you want in construction material especially in the south.

Get a home inspector quick!