Without a doubt, we say “In addition to getting a whole house inspection, get a Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) inspection done by a qualified heating and cooling contractor.”

Why?

1. 50% of the claims we pay are on HVAC systems yet these are two of the most under inspected items on the whole house inspection. Often the home inspector will only turn on the HVAC system that applies to current weather conditions (i.e. air conditioner in the summer, furnace in the winter) but does not evaluate the other system. In addition, several home inspectors do not have the equipment or technical knowledge to properly test HVAC systems so they tend to include several disclaimers on the home inspection about their lack of knowledge and recommend a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate further. This disclaimer is routinely included so that the recommendation to get a HVAC inspection completed becomes “white noise” to a potential home buyer.
2. Home buyers assume more testing is done on their HVAC systems by a whole house inspector than what is actually completed. Therefore, they read the inspection report which indicates “furnace appears functional” and assume that their furnace is fine. However, a furnace can be “functioning” and yet operating with a crack in the heat exchanger or be in need of a cleaning. A HVAC contractor can run more sensitive carbon monoxide testings than what is detected by a retail carbon monoxide detector. The contractor can also perform a pressure test or use a scope to check for a cracked heat exchanger, which is the most frequent cause of a furnace claim denial due to pre-existing conditions.
3. HVAC repairs and replacements are costly…much more so than kitchen and laundry appliances. If the home inspector misses something on a dishwasher, at worst case scenario, you can replace an entire dishwasher for $300. Not so with a new furnace, heat pump or air conditioner which can run into several thousands of dollars.
4. A seller disclosure form is not an adequate indicator of the expected life and condition of the HVAC systems in a home. A seller may have used the systems differently (did not vary thermostat settings much from season to season) or may not have completed routine maintenance on their HVAC systems, thereby being unaware of any potential problems with their systems.

Home Warranty, Inc. is such a strong proponent of the HVAC Pre-Inspections that we offer FREE HVAC coverage to the seller during the time of listing (up to six months) with a satisfactory HVAC inspection.

We also will provide a written guarantee against claim denials due to pre-existing conditions on the HVAC systems once the inspection comes back satisfactory. The home seller or home buyer would pay for the HVAC inspection (generally $50-$99) using the qualified HVAC company of their choice after scheduling the inspection through our toll free customer service line 877-977-4949. We send a checklist to the HVAC company and continue to follow up until the inspection is completed. We then notify both the homeowner and the real estate agent(s) involved in writing.

Sellers can also use this documentation as a further selling point on their home, letting potential home buyers know that their systems have been professionally inspected and have been found satisfactory.

For more information visit our pre existing conditions page and our pre-inspection faq page or talk to your District Sales Representative.

The Appliance Protection Plan, an appliance warranty program previously offered by Alliant Energy, is now owned and administered by Home Warranty, Inc., an Iowa-based company. If you currently participate in this program there is no change to your coverage, service level or pricing, including equipment replacement bonuses.

If you have questions on the program, please contact Home Warranty, Inc. at 877-977-4949.

Something new for your clients!

Now clients who sign up for our Home Protection Plan get access to our Discount Buyers Club (powered by Sears Commercial) and save BIG money on everything from appliances to power tools to fitness equipment and more!

This offer is open to sellers who opt into our FREE LISTING COVERAGE program or buyers who activate a Home Protection Plan at closing.

Just another reason why Home Warranty, Inc. is your best choice in home warranty providers!

For more information, please contact us today.

Before you reduce the price on your listings, stop and consider this…

You and your seller can offer up to 10 years of home warranty coverage to a potential buyer and keep more money in your sellers’ pocket than if you reduced the price of the listing by $10,00 – $15,000.

We offer anywhere from 1 to 10 years of our premier Home Protection Plan coverage locked in at current prices.

That means:

• The home buyer would have repairs and replacements on more than 18 major home appliances and mechanical systems covered for the number of years purchased.
• The homeowner could transfer the remaining warranty to the next home buyer with no risk of pre-existing conditions if he or she sells before the contract period expires!
• The seller can negotiate the number of years of warranty purchased based on the offer price.
• You can really make your multi-year warrantied listings stand out by while your competitors are only offering one year of protection, if any!
• Your seller can get an offer closer to listing price, meaning more money in their pocket.
• You, then, get more money in commission on the sale!

Sample Pricing by Number of Years Purchased:

1 Year – $425
5 Years – $2,125
10 Years – $4,250

Call or email us today to find out more or to order (free of charge) multi-year rider signs for homes listed with 5 or 10 years of Home Protection Plan coverage from Home Warranty, Inc.!

Home Warranty, Inc. a leader in home warranty solutions and provider of the market leading Home Protection Plan has selected 4CS iWarranty Home Warranty solution to support its continued growth.

Home warranty plans are risk reduction tools that can cover repairs and replacements to nearly every component of a home including Heating, Cooling, Appliances, Hot Water Heaters, Plumbing, and other appliances and systems required to ensure the comfort and well being of a home. To support the varied products and coverage’s requires a solution that is both flexible and extendable. The 4CS iWarranty Home Warranty solution will enable Home Warranty Inc. to easily manage and administer its renowned Home Protection Plan product.

Home Warranty, Inc. is a premier provider of home warranty programs. With headquarters in IA, Home Warranty, Inc. provides coverage for multiple states throughout the Midwest and supports industries as diverse as Realtors, Utilities, Builders, Insurance Agents, and Service Technicians. The 4CS iWarranty solution will enable Home Warranty, Inc. to manage multiple coverage types that are tailored specifically to the Home Owners needs while being adaptable to virtually unlimited business partners requirements.

With over 16 years experience specifically focused on customer support and warranty claims management solutions, 4CS offers Home Warranty, Inc. a proven, comprehensive and continuous solution that will enable the consolidation of all business process while leveraging a common enterprise solution for all customer support, warranty management, and reporting processes.

Said Michael Cox, 4CS Account Executive, “for most people, their home is their single largest investment and Home Warranty Inc., provides a vital necessity to the comfort and security of home ownership. We are delighted to have been selected by Home Warranty, Inc., We look forward to our partnership and the opportunity to participate in such an important endeavor as their Home Protection Program.”

Jane Freidinger, Chief Marketing Officer for Home Warranty, Inc., feels the partnership with the 4CS iWarranty system is vital for adapting the Home Warranty, Inc. product line to the different vertical markets they serve. “4CS has combined a well-thought out software package with the flexibility to easily customize internal functionality to fit how our individual company does business. This system will allow more control for the real estate agents and others who interact with our system on behalf of their clients and will enable us to have virtually endless reporting and data mining capabilities. The end result will be quicker and more accurate feedback for how we are doing for our customers and how valuable we are perceived in the marketplace.”

About 4C Solutions, Inc.:

4CS is a leading provider of intelligent service software solutions. 4CS iWarranty software helps to significantly reduce product warranty costs by improving quality and reliability, sharing cost and information with suppliers and partners, and automating the warranty management processes.

The iWarranty product suite consists of multiple solutions to support any industry that requires the ability to enhance customer satisfaction through support services, warranty claims processing, and reporting and analysis.

For more information, www.4CS.com or call (800) 709-8773

About Home Warranty Inc.:

Home Warranty, Inc. is a Christian-owned home warranty company providing warranty plans to clients in 11 Midwestern states. Home Warranty, Inc. is known for their free, “no strings attached” listing coverage for home sellers, flexibility of choice in service providers, and more complete coverage (on more than 18 items in the home) than any other warranty plan on the market today. “We feel that if you list an item as “covered” in the contract, you shouldn’t hide several dollar limits within the fine print of the contract. Simply put: Nobody covers you like Home Warranty, Inc.”.

For more information please visit our web site, www.homewarrantyinc.com or call (877) 977-4949

The following is a summary as interpreted by Home Warranty, Inc. with the input of HUD legal counsel Peter S. Race:

1. Agents may NOT be paid flat marketing fees per month. These are viewed the same as if a real estate agent received an advertising fee per transaction.
2. In rare circumstances, exclusive arrangements may be allowed but usually only when the home warranty company agrees to be bound by the actions of the real estate agent.
3. If a warranty company is asking a real estate agent to do something that was not required/necessary before, HUD will view this is a “front” in order to pay the agent and not deem the actions compensable.
4. If the warranty is paid for at any other time other than closing, it CAN be compensated for. HUD looks at whether the home warranty was paid out of the proceeds on the sale (i.e. on the HUD-1 statement) or was paid at or around the time of closing (and they will notice if it is kept off the HUD-1 but really is meant to be activated at closing).

For questions surrounding RESPA or the payment of fees to real estate agents by a home warranty company, please contact your local HUD office or visit www.hud.gov.

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has written a response to HUD contending that home warranties are not a requirement for settlement to occur and therefore, home warranty companies should not be considered a settlement service provider. In addition, NAR is requesting clarification on whether HUD is addressing only the “per-transaction” fees that have been paid in the past or whether HUD’s ruling is inclusive of the different “marketing agreements”, exclusive provider, and/or preferred provider arrangements whereby monies are paid outside of the per-transaction fees.

Based on this recent ruling by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and while awaiting HUD’s response to NAR, we are holding the potential advertising fees to agents. We feel that agents deserve a fee based on the time you spend explaining the home warranty to your client, filling out the application, often helping your client through the claim process the first time if they have questions. However, we are bound to comply with HUD and certainly do not want to jeopardize your standing as a real estate agent. We will hold these fees until such time that HUD can definitively indicate whether any monies paid to real estate agents would be a violation.

In the interim, you may contact us to waive your fee and credit the home warranty at closing. Conversely, if the full listed price is paid for the warranty, we will hold the advertising fee until such time as HUD settles with NAR on a final decision about the payment of these fees. If it turns out we are unable to pay the $50 fee that we are holding, we will instead offer your customer two months of free coverage ($70 value) upon renewal of their home warranty. In addition, the next revision of our plan (January 2012) will reflect HUD’s final decision and prices will be adjusted to reflect the payment or non-payment of advertising fees as well as other economic conditions.