The coronavirus pandemic has changed how virtually all business functions. That is especially true of real estate. While folks are still buying and selling their homes, how they go about it has changed. Now, almost all business between a realty agent and homebuyer is digital-first, from video calls and Zoom meetings to virtual tours and online contracts.
Buying or selling a home in these unprecedented times can be stressful all around. Realtors are limited in their marketing tools. Traditional open houses aren’t safe to have right now. For many buyers, the first time they can see themselves living in a new place is when they are standing in it. In 2020, realtors have had to get creative in how they evoke that feeling of home through a series of pictures and video walkthroughs.
A house is one of the largest purchases someone will make in their lives. One way to provide a sense of security to the buyer, especially now, is with a home warranty. If you are a realtor, here’s how a home warranty can help close the sale of your next house.
Why a Home Warranty?
A home warranty covers the service, repair, or replacement of major home systems and appliances and can give a client added peace of mind.
When doing a walkthrough of a home, a buyer will typically check the water pressure, HVAC system, plumbing, water heater, and take a close look at any included appliances. Stricter cleaning and sanitizing protocols have made safe walkthroughs possible. Even still, a client may not feel comfortable spending as much time in the home as they would have before. Because of that, a home warranty can add security to the deal.
Home warranty plans can protect a homeowner from the cost and inconvenience of a failing or broken appliance or system. An unexpected HVAC repair can cost more than $1,000. A broken washer or dryer can seriously disrupt a household that is trying to settle into a new home. A home warranty covers its service, repair, or replacement by an expert technician. Home warranty plans include coverage of plumbing and electrical systems, ductwork, water heaters, ovens, stoves, and cooktops, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, sump pumps, and more.
COVID-19 stress has created new procedures and caused temporary closings and delays. Seller and buyer anxiety has become expected among all the moving parts of a real estate sale. Buying a home already comes with hidden costs, many of which a buyer is unaware of until they begin the process of buying their own home. The last thing a new homeowner should have to deal with is yet another added expense. With a home warranty, they won’t have to.
Home Warranty Protection for Realtors
Home warranty coverage on a house that you are selling includes the time that the house spends on the market. With new protocols and more delays, it may take a little more time to sell. HVAC systems can become major routes for pests. If you are selling an older house, especially if it hasn’t been occupied for some time, a home warranty will only protect you—and your bottom line.
Small, personal touches are more important than ever in our mostly virtual world. While buying and selling a home amid a pandemic is stressful, a good relationship with your client can make all the difference. By offering a home warranty as a closing gift, you are building trust; not just with this client, but with potential future clients. You are showing them that you care about their future happiness in the home they bought from you, and that you had their back every step of the way.
Get a free quote on a comprehensive home warranty plan today.
