Julie Stav, a financial coach and educator, has made it her mission to empower financially underserved communities by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to make the best financial decisions. Whether it involves personal banking, credit, retirement, investing or even making major life purchases and running a small business, Stav is committed to providing individuals with financial advice through several New York Times bestsellers, a personal finance radio show, and as a Univision Television on-air financial expert. Stav also founded Tu Dinero, the first and only Spanish-language personal finance magazine for U.S. Hispanics.
But not too long ago, Stav—with Julie Stav, Inc. in Woodland Hills, Calif.,—was a single mom, cutting coupons and working hard to make ends meet.
“When the washing machine would break down or the oven wouldn’t work, I didn’t have the savings to hire an expert to come and fix them,” recalls Stav. “That’s when I realized that I needed to hope for the best while I prepared for the worst.”
One of the ways Stav accomplished this was by making sure she had the best car and homeowners insurance policies, as well as a home warranty that would cover the repair or replacement costs of the larger appliances within her home.
Having first learned about home warranty policies when she got into debt in order to pay for the replacement of one of her own large appliances, Stav understands just how important it is to invest in a high-quality home warranty. “Buying a home warranty from American Home Shield (AHS®) has proven to be one of the smartest financial decisions I’ve made,” says Stav.
“As responsible drivers, we all have car insurance to protect ourselves and our assets from the damaging expenses that could destroy what we have worked so hard to build: our financial stability. Why wouldn’t we do the same thing with those unpredictable and potentially damaging costs for repairs and replacements of our valued possessions?”
Her advice for REALTORS®? Explain the virtues of this type of protection to prospective homebuyers from the get-go.
“Even though we have a home inspection when we purchase a home, we need to protect ourselves from a future malfunction that can throw a monkey wrench in our finances,” says Stav. “As a new homeowner, cash is tight and the demands for it abound, so it makes sense to avoid unexpected costs that could have easily been mitigated with a home warranty.”
Stav goes on to say that an informed consumer knows that having a home warranty is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. And American Home Shield stands ahead of the competition when it comes to offering the best coverage and service at an affordable price point.
“I have found American Home Shield to be a leader in the field when it comes to the promptness of their response and the quality of their work,” says Stav.
“A home warranty policy is probably the most effective way to leave a legacy for yourself after the home purchase process is finished,” Stav concludes. “By giving the gift of peace of mind, you’re placing yourself above the competition. When something goes wrong, you have the chance to prove your mettle, and an AHS home warranty is the best testament of your professionalism and your willingness to be there for your clients when they need it most.
“From my own personal experience, I can say with confidence that I truly recommend American Home Shield.”
For more information, visit www.ahs.com/realestate.
