If you are in the last stages of
purchasing a new home, you need to start thinking about the home warranty
options in your area. While exact coverage terms vary from one plan to another,
household warranty is used to cover common household repair and replacement
costs. Some areas that you can expect a home protection plan to cover include
plumbing, heating and cooling systems, electrical work, and repairs for major
appliances. Keep in mind that sometimes the seller pays for the warranty, but
it’s not a requirement. If your purchase has not been finalized, you can try to
negotiate with the seller. Whether your offer will be accepted or turned down
depends on your location and the seller. In some areas of the country, it’s
common for sellers to pay for a household warranty plan. Your real estate agent
should be able to tell you what the norm is in your region.
Don’t worry if the seller expects you to purchase your own household warranty plan. Most plans provide decent coverage at a relatively inexpensive rate. For most people, purchasing an affordable plan is not nearly as hard as choosing the right home warranty company. To narrow down your options, you need to look for reliable home warranty companies that offer policies that fit your needs and budget. The first thing you should remember is to avoid companies you know nothing about. You should specifically look for home warranty providers that have a good reputation in your area. Don’t fall into the trap of choosing a company based exclusively on their rates. Some companies reel new customers in with low prices and big promises that overshadow the shortcomings of their policies. To avoid falling for a scam or a bad deal, learn as much as you can about how home warranty plans work. Educated consumers are much less likely to make a bad financial move than buyers who make impulsive decisions.
Besides checking up on the reputation of different home warranty providers in your area, analyze their policies. Before you even start getting quotes, decide how much you can afford to spend. Try to keep your budget flexible to avoid missing out on a great deal. Some plans might cost a little extra but offer a lot more coverage. Some household warranty providers offer flexible payment plans, so you might be able to afford a better plan if you are willing to consider a special payment arrangement. When you are calling for quotes, ask detailed questions based on hypothetical situations. For example, ask what you can expect if your cooling system breaks down or if you have problems with plumbing. Some household issues need to be fixed immediately, so it’s important to choose a company that will send someone out to your home shortly after you call.
As you contact different home warranty providers, pay attention to their customer service. Some home warranty companies have phone lines that are accessible 24 hours a day, while others can only be reached during normal business hours. Consider quality of service and policy rates to decide on the right warranty provider for your home. Remember to go over your contract very carefully before you sign it. Make sure that you understand what your policy will cover and how much it will cost. Keep a copy of your warranty in a safe place so you can easily find it in case of an emergency.
Don’t worry if the seller expects you to purchase your own household warranty plan. Most plans provide decent coverage at a relatively inexpensive rate. For most people, purchasing an affordable plan is not nearly as hard as choosing the right home warranty company. To narrow down your options, you need to look for reliable home warranty companies that offer policies that fit your needs and budget. The first thing you should remember is to avoid companies you know nothing about. You should specifically look for home warranty providers that have a good reputation in your area. Don’t fall into the trap of choosing a company based exclusively on their rates. Some companies reel new customers in with low prices and big promises that overshadow the shortcomings of their policies. To avoid falling for a scam or a bad deal, learn as much as you can about how home warranty plans work. Educated consumers are much less likely to make a bad financial move than buyers who make impulsive decisions.
Besides checking up on the reputation of different home warranty providers in your area, analyze their policies. Before you even start getting quotes, decide how much you can afford to spend. Try to keep your budget flexible to avoid missing out on a great deal. Some plans might cost a little extra but offer a lot more coverage. Some household warranty providers offer flexible payment plans, so you might be able to afford a better plan if you are willing to consider a special payment arrangement. When you are calling for quotes, ask detailed questions based on hypothetical situations. For example, ask what you can expect if your cooling system breaks down or if you have problems with plumbing. Some household issues need to be fixed immediately, so it’s important to choose a company that will send someone out to your home shortly after you call.
As you contact different home warranty providers, pay attention to their customer service. Some home warranty companies have phone lines that are accessible 24 hours a day, while others can only be reached during normal business hours. Consider quality of service and policy rates to decide on the right warranty provider for your home. Remember to go over your contract very carefully before you sign it. Make sure that you understand what your policy will cover and how much it will cost. Keep a copy of your warranty in a safe place so you can easily find it in case of an emergency.
