Although different regions may certainly vary in the state of Texas, it’s almost standard for home warranties to be a part of a real estate transaction. And why wouldn’t they? What homebuyer wouldn’t view an included home warranty as the “cherry on top” of an already exciting purchase? With a home warranty, homeowners can rest assured that if a major home system component or appliance breaks down or needs servicing, the repair or replacement may be covered. For new homeowners, this extra perk is a nice security blanket at a time when a lot of money is being put on the table.
“I would say about 95 percent of all transactions, particularly when I’m representing the buyer, have a home warranty attached,” says Jennifer Robertson, a REALTOR® for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate David Winans & Associates in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. “Even when I’m representing the seller, we are usually providing a home warranty at the buyer’s request. I would say 95–98 percent of the time, it’s included as part of the contract.”
Robertson has been with David Winans & Associates for the last 12 years. Three years ago, right around the time the company franchised with Better Homes and Gardens, she made the decision to partner with American Home Shield, an industry leader with more than 40 years of experience. Since then, Robertson has been including home warranty plans in most of her transactions, helping her better serve both her buyer and seller clients.
“AHS is the largest company, and they have the best resources. When it comes to giving a sense of security to a client buying a new home, American Home Shield is there.”
According to Robertson, home warranties are a point of comfort and “the first line of defense” if something in the home goes haywire.
