Home Warranty's or Home Protection Plans

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For a seller:

Many home protection plans offer you some coverage (on covered systems and/or appliances) should something unforeseen happen while your property is "listed" on the market for sale. The coverage varies from company to company so be sure to check their policy about what would be included, excluded, limitations, liabilities, procedures, and responsibilities.

When the property sale closes, the policy then covers the new buyer, usually for about a year after the closing, should something happen for any covered systems and/or appliances, subject of course to the policies terms.

Properties that offer a home warranty often sell for more than those without the coverage because it gives buyers a sense of security. It makes a lot of common sense to include one while you are listed and to cover the buyer after closing.

This is a great thing to offer. A little peace of mind for both you and your prospective buyers should there be a problem after closing with anything that is covered under the policy.

Again, be sure to check the policies inclusions, exclusions, limitations, conditions, liabilities, procedures and responsibilities, etc.

Home Warranty's or

Home Protection Plans

Home Warranty's are also called Home Protection Plans sometimes.

In very general terms they usually provide protection against unforeseen repairs for the seller while their property is listed for sale and for the buyer, usually up to a year after closing the sale, depending on the company and particular plans coverage that is chosen. Be sure to read the fine print for inclusions and exclusions in the policies.

You've found the property you want to call "home",

or you're thinking about selling.

One of the issues you need to consider is the purchase of a Home Protection Plan or Home Warranty Plan.

The cost of the Home Warranty/Home Protection Plan varies from company to company, and can sometimes be negotiated between the seller and buyer.

A home protection plan offers some benefits to both the seller and the buyer. The specific coverage for both buyers and sellers may vary from company to company, as well as any deductible for service calls/repairs. Some policies will provide coverage for all the major components to a property -- like central heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, etc., and even certain appliances with some policies. For some policies appliances are an additional cost for coverage.

We do not provide Home Warranty's, we are a real estate office. Check online for your area's Home Warranty providers. We include information about home warranty's here because we feel they are mutually beneficial to sellers and buyers.

Check the policies inclusions, exclusions, limitations, conditions, liabilities, procedures and responsibilities, etc.

Check out these local resources:

American Home Shield Warranty

Home Warranty of America

For the buyer:

It's comforting to know that should something happen for items that are covered under the home protection policy, usually for up to one year after closing, that you'll have someone helping get the problem fixed, and many times by only paying a moderate service call fee up front. Just remember, if something does happen, you'll have to follow the companies instructions very carefully in order for them to help you. Otherwise, you may be totally on your own should repairs/replacement be needed.

If a home protection plan is not offered by the seller, you can negotiate with the seller sometimes to include a Home Warranty/Protection Plan at the time you make an offer, or pay for one yourself to begin coverage at the time of closing (when the property becomes yours).

We all know various systems and appliances have a general "life expectancy". However, no one knows from day to day when something will develop a problem or stop functioning all together. I had a dishwasher which ran perfectly. The next day it wouldn't make a sound. My repairman said it wasn't worth fixing, so I replaced it. But it just goes to prove that no one knows how long something will last or even that there may be a problem "in the works". It may be working just fine then all of a sudden, without warning, it stops.

My advise is not to buy a home without a home warranty, whether the seller offers it or you have to buy it yourself. Should something happen it's like money in the bank, probably at a time when you can least afford extra expenses.

Again, be sure to check the policies inclusions, exclusions, limitations, conditions, liabilities, procedures and responsibilities, etc. before you purchase.

How may I help you?