When I started this Homebuying Adventure, I had never heard of a home warranty. As a renter, you call your landlord or apartment manager when things break. Other than the inconvenience, repairs are not really your problem.

But as a homeowner, what happens when the air conditioner or heat stops working? What do you do when your roof is leaking? Who fixes the plumbing when the faucet drips or the toilet overflows? Even as an apartment dweller, I routinely called on my dad for advice if something wasn’t working. Maybe it’s the engineer in him, but it seems that he can fix anything, or at least, come up with a solution. If I’m going to become a homeowner, I guess I’m going to need to cut the apron strings and learn how to stand on my own two feet when things break.

When I met with Sonya Bethea with Allen Tate Home Services, I learned of a solution to help me be prepared for unexpected breakdowns and unwelcome repairs as a homeowner. A home warranty can help cover major repairs like a leaky roof, a heating or air conditioning system, appliance breakdowns and electrical problems, just to name a few. It’s kind of a like an insurance policy that covers fixing things. And for an annual investment of several hundred dollars (plus a small trade fee at the time of service), it makes lots of sense for a first-time homeowner on a tight budget.

I was also pleased to learn from Sonya that some properties have a home warranty already included, or the seller is willing to purchase a warranty on behalf of the buyer as part of the negotiation.

While I’m still looking for my first home, I’m definitely sold on the idea of a home warranty when I find the right place for me.

Do you have a home warranty in place?

By Amy Gibbs