My thoughts on Home Warranties

[nkgilbert]

American Home Shield came through after I found a good email to take the issues to them. Replacing my washing machine so that covers 50% of my annual premium in one issue alone! I'll be staying with them but I'll keep the other suggestions in mind for future issues. Thank you!!

[UserNamesake]

good thread

[notnamed]

Just like car extended warranties many are not worth the paper they are written on. Our buyer requested one so we got one for $350 from some unknown company our realtor recommended. I'm sure that will work out well for them...

[DaveinMtAiry]

Purching addition warrenties, be it for the home, car, or TV, is never a smart move. This is not news.

[selhars]

I would not purchase a home warranty, unless I was selling a house and an unsophisticated buyer thought it was a positive.

My deductible is $125. My out-of-pocket was $250. I did not complain, but the double deductible was because each unit is considered a separate problem. My annual premium is $420. So I am all in last year for $670 on that property and the parts and labor on one problem was $1368.

I was going to ask…how much do these warranties cost….because as a SELLER, I was wondering should I just get one to offer with the sale of the house…..

But as a BUYER…1) I don't think home warranties are "worth it"….2) personally, it would make ME wonder, "Uh, mr and mrs. Seller, what to you expect will go wrong right after you sell and ride off into the sunset, why does this house need a warranty, what about it is so bad you're trying to cover your arse about it.

Also, do MOST warranties dictate which contractors or service providers you use? Because I like to use who I want to use. I have my own go to people who I trust and know do good work. So I might by a hour with a warranty and never call them, because I don't' want to deal with their BS.

Also as for the cost, all it takes is going a couple of years, and even if you need something repaired or replaced you might be able to get the job done for less that the premium on the warranty. I had a major retailers appliance warranties for a few years. Three years worth of warranties and I more than paid for a NEW appliance. And the appliances were new so they were under SOME kinds of warranty anyway for a while I think. And how many appliances really break down in less that even FIVE years really. Every appliance I've EVER had has lasted more than 15 years before ANY trouble.