What is a Home Warranty?

What is a Home WarrantyA home warranty is a type of service contract that provides coverage for repairs or replacements of major systems and appliances in a home. It typically covers items such as heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, plumbing, water heaters, and kitchen appliances.

Home warranties are purchased by homeowners to protect against unexpected expenses for repairs or replacements that may occur due to normal wear and tear.

When a covered item breaks down, the homeowner can contact the home warranty company, which will send a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the issue. If the item cannot be repaired, the home warranty company will typically replace it with a similar model.

It is important to note that home warranties are not the same as homeowners’ insurance. Homeowners insurance covers damage to the structure of the home and personal belongings due to unexpected events such as fires, storms, or theft. Home warranties, on the other hand, cover the repair or replacement of items due to normal wear and tear.

What’s generally included in a home warranty?

The items that are typically included in a home warranty can vary depending on the specific plan and provider, but they generally cover major systems and appliances in a home that are subject to normal wear and tear. Some of the most common items included in a home warranty are:

Heating and Cooling Systems – This typically includes coverage for furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning units, and ductwork.

Electrical Systems – Issues with your home’s electrical system can be expensive and dangerous. Having these covered makes sure that your home stays safe. This includes coverage for the main electrical panel and wiring throughout the home.

Plumbing Systems – Just like electrical repairs, plumbing issues often require a professional and can cause major problems if not fixed right away. Having these things covered by a home warranty will cut repair costs and includes coverage for the water heater, pipes, and drains.

Kitchen Appliances – This includes coverage for the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and built-in microwave.

Laundry Appliances – This includes coverage for the washer and dryer.

Garage Door Opener – This includes coverage for the garage door opener and related components.

It’s important to note that while these items are typically included, each home warranty plan is different, so it’s important to read the details of the plan to understand what is and is not covered. Additionally, there may be optional add-ons available for specific items or systems that are not covered under the basic plan.

Purchasing A House That Requires Repairs: What To Know

Purchasing A House That Requires Repairs: What To KnowIf you are looking for a way to save money on the purchase of your next home, you might be thinking about buying a property that requires repairs. Keep in mind that you will not be able to move into this property right away, so is it the best option? You could open the door to unique financing options that could make it easier for you to purchase your next property.

FHA 203(k) Rehab Loan

One of the best options available is an FHA 203(k) rehab loan. This is a convenient option because it allows you to finance both the purchase price of the property and the price of any repairs that you want to do. You do not have to worry about taking out multiple loans, and you might be able to qualify for a lower interest rate. You might also be thinking about taking out a home equity line of credit or putting the cost of the repairs on credit cards, but you can save a significant amount of money by bundling everything together.

Standard Vs. Streamline

Next, you need to think about which type of FHA 203(k) loan you want. The first option is the standard loan. It is a great option if you have lengthy, expensive repairs as it does not have a maximum amount of money you are allowed to spend on the repairs themselves. It is a great option if you need to rehab the garage, modernize the bathrooms, or remove health and safety hazards. The other option is the streamline loan, which allows you to tap into your funds quickly and easily. You can finance repairs up to $35,000, and it is ideal if you have to replace the HVAC system or work on the plumbing.

Think Carefully About Buying A Fixer Upper

Even though you might be able to save money on the purchase price of your house by purchasing a house that requires repairs, you need to think carefully about how you finance the project and how much money you plan on spending on repairs.

Why An Emergency Fund Is Important

Why An Emergency Fund Is Important

There’s almost a guarantee that at some point in the future you’re going to face an emergency. Like most things in life, that emergency is going to require money to solve. You can’t assume that you’ll have the funds to face the emergency when it happens. You can’t even assume that you’ll have enough on your credit cards to pay for it. The only safe way to plan is to have an emergency fund.

What Is An Emergency Fund?

An emergency fund is a reserve of cash set aside for emergencies only. It’s not a savings account, because you’re not saving up for anything in particular like a new sofa or a dining set. It’s strictly money on hand to be used in an emergency.

What Constitutes An Emergency

As a homeowner, you could face any number of emergencies regarding your property. An emergency is something unexpected and urgent. In other words, you couldn’t foresee it happening, yet it needs to be taken care of right away. Examples of homeownership emergencies are:

  • Basement floods and needs to be drained and contents cleaned
  • Tree falls on roof, and you can’t wait for insurance check
  • Furnace dies in the middle of winter
  • Central air system dies and there’s a high deductible on your insurance policy
  • Water tank gives out a week before your big family holiday

How To Manage an Emergency Fund

The key thing about an emergency fund is that it needs to be instantly accessible. Instantly accessible means you should only have to use your debit card or write a check to use it. You shouldn’t have to sell stock or transfer money out of your retirement IRA. It should also be kept separate from other funds, so it doesn’t get confused with the Christmas gift fund or the college fund.

Why Have An Emergency Fund?

Emergencies shouldn’t cause catastrophic damage to your finances. With consistent, small saving habits, you can build up an emergency fund so you can easily and readily take care of maintaining and repairing your home. This is part of good homeownership. When you have an emergency fund, you know that you can always keep your home in tip-top shape.