As a real estate agent, you’re offering your clients more than just home sale services. You’re helping to guide them through a huge change and what, for many, may be the largest purchase they make in their lifetime. This means it’s imperative for the success of your business that you become an invaluable resource, offering real estate help from start to finish—and beyond. Being available and present after closing will go a long way toward establishing a lasting relationship, spurring future referrals.
For Don Wolkerstorfer, an agent with Coldwell Banker Burnet in White Bear Lake, Minn., a critical component to staying relevant after closing comes through offering clients a home warranty.
“There are certainly a lot of unknowns when dealing with a home purchase, and sometimes mechanical things fail, even if the home is brand new. It’s wise to have something to protect your client’s assets after closing,” says Wolkerstorfer, who has been using American Home Shield (AHS®) for over 15 years. In fact, whether he uses the warranty as a listing tool or negotiates with the seller to finance a warranty package, a transaction without an AHS warranty is rare.
There’s a reason AHS grants new homeowners massive peace of mind; the company has been in the home warranty business for over 40 years, offering a variety of comparative plans that fit an array of diverse needs, from minor appliance repairs to major home systems, including air conditioning, plumbing, heating, and more.
For Wolkerstorfer, the most important thing AHS lends him is competence. “AHS helps smooth out the whole transaction. It has been an incredible asset, making the whole transaction positive. I know that my buyers and sellers will be taken care of.”
A value-added service, AHS impacts the entire home-buying process, creating one less thing that clients and their agents have to worry about. It also sets up the agent as a hero. When something goes wrong, whether it’s six months or six years after a covered property was purchased, AHS steps in to appease the situation.
“AHS offers peace of mind for my clients, and for me,” says Wolkerstorfer. “It’s one less phone call I have to take.”
In terms of making and taking calls, Wolkerstorfer also stresses how impressed he has been with AHS’ customer service.
“I’ve worked with a ton of other home warranty services,” says Wolkerstorfer, “and none of them compare as far as coverage, affordable deductibles or customer care. They always have someone available to answer any questions, and they’ve constantly stood up for my clients, making things extremely easy for everyone.”
For more information, visit www.ahs.com/realestate.
