The Fall Market Has Slowed Down. Have You Taken a Closer Look at the House?
The fall real estate market is underway, and transactions may feel a little different than they did earlier this year.
Buyers have more time to ask questions. They have more homes to compare. Sellers are looking for ways to make their properties more attractive without simply reducing the price.
And for real estate professionals, this may be the perfect time to slow the transaction down just enough to take a closer look at the house itself.
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing-home sales declined 2% in August, while inventory climbed to 1.62 million homes, representing a 4.9-month supply. The median time a property spent on the market also increased to 31 days.
Pending home sales showed a slight 0.3% monthly increase in August, but remained 4.7% below the prior year nationally.
That doesn't mean buyers have stopped buying.
It means many of them are looking more carefully.
Slow Down and Look Beyond the Inspection Report
A home inspection is an important part of the transaction, but it is still a snapshot of the home's condition on a particular day.
A working air conditioner today can fail later.
The same is true for a water heater, heating system, refrigerator, dishwasher, garage door opener, or other mechanical system or appliance.
That is why I encourage agents to look at the whole house when having the home-warranty conversation.
Ask questions such as:
How old are the major systems and appliances?
Does the buyer know what they may be responsible for after closing?
Are there older HVAC or heating systems?
Does the home have a pool, well, or septic system that may need additional coverage?
Would exterior water and sewer line coverage be valuable for this property?
Is the warranty plan actually appropriate for this particular home?
A home warranty should never simply be, "Here are three companies. Pick one."
Helping your client understand their options is another opportunity to provide real value.
In This Market, A Home Warranty Can Be Part of the Strategy
For sellers, a home warranty can add value to the property and give a prospective buyer extra confidence.
Buyers can request a home warranty as part of the offer or purchase it at closing.
The key is to have the conversation before the transaction is finished, not to leave a new homeowner searching online after closing to figure out who to call.
With ARW Home Warranty, real estate professionals have several buyer and seller plan options so coverage can be matched more closely to the property and the client's needs.
ARW Home PRO Makes the Process Easier
One of the biggest improvements for the real estate side of our business has been ARW Home PRO.
The platform was created specifically for real estate professionals and allows agents to:
Enroll buyers and sellers in home warranties
Manage Listing Advantage and buyer plans
Track warranty status
Access plan information and documents
Manage transaction and invoice information
Connect with ARW's real estate support team
ARW Home PRO is available for Apple and Android devices, and agents can also access the platform online.
Eligible real estate professionals can also earn a $100 service fee on qualifying transactions after completing the required fee agreement.
The goal is simple: make adding a home warranty to a real estate transaction easier, not another task for the agent.
The Company Behind the Coverage Matters Too
A home warranty isn't just about the plan's price.
Agents should also know who they are referring their clients to.
ARW Home has been in business since 2009 and currently maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. ARW is not BBB accredited, but A+ is the company's current BBB rating.
ARW Home also received a 2026 ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Award for Transparency.
And most importantly for the real estate professionals I work with, you aren't simply handing your client a website and hoping they figure everything out.
You Also Have Me
I'm Kathleen Snow, National Account Manager with ARW Home Warranty, and I work directly with real estate professionals, buyers, sellers, transaction coordinators, and closing teams.
I can help you:
Review which ARW plan may make sense for the property
Explain coverage options to your client
Help with buyer or seller orders
Assist with invoices and closing information
Walk you through ARW Home PRO
Be a direct resource when questions come up
With more than 20 years of real estate experience, I know the home warranty is only one small piece of a much larger transaction.
My job is to make that piece easier.
Fall 2026 Is a Good Time to Slow Down
A slower market isn't necessarily a bad market.
It can give buyers more time to look carefully, sellers more reason to think creatively about value, and agents another opportunity to demonstrate exactly why professional guidance matters.
So before the next closing, slow down and take another look at the house.
Look at the systems.
Look at the appliances.
Look at what your buyer may be taking responsibility for.
Then make sure the home warranty conversation isn't just another box to check.
Have a property or upcoming closing you want me to look at with you? Send it my way. I'm always happy to be your ARW real estate resource.
Kathleen Snow, National Account Manager | ARW Home Warranty
📱 978-504-1826✉️ ksnow@arwhome.com
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