Should a Buyer Ask for a Home Warranty to be Included in their Sales Contract?

The simple answer to this is yes! There is no doubt that everything in a contract in negotiable, but a home warranty is essential to any homebuyer. The idea of adding some limited protection to your investment via a home warranty just seems to make common sense.

If you decide that you do wish to include a home warranty in the purchase of your home, what should be included in the warranty? Most common types of warranties will not cover everything in your home. In the $300-500 range most should include the coverage of appliances such as heating/air conditioning, plumbing, sump pump, garage door openers, etc. and electrical. You’ll need to read the entire document on exactly what is and is not covered in the policy. Be sure to read the fine print so there are no surprises.

In addition, most home warranty policies have limitations that you should be aware of and are often described as pre-existing defects. You should hire a professional home inspector to discover defects that may not be covered by your warranty. For example, if the heating system has a cracked heat exchanger, the warranty company would not cover that defect. Even though most electrical may be covered, typically items such as attic fans ans smoke alarms probably would not be covered. Again, be sure to read the fine print and know the limitations. Many policies offer riders that would cover any extra items that are important to you!

As always, consult with your Jenny Pruitt & Associates, Realtor for advice on which home warranty program may be best for you and your particular needs.