The Inspection Was Clean—So Why Should Buyers Still Consider a Home Warranty?

What every real estate professional should explain before closing

By Kathleen Snow, National Account Manager, ARW Home Warranty

A clean home inspection is excellent news, but it does not guarantee that every system and appliance will continue working after closing.

An inspection provides a professional assessment of the home’s condition at that particular time. It may identify visible concerns, safety issues, or items requiring further evaluation. What it cannot do is predict when a working air-conditioning system, furnace, water heater, electrical component, or kitchen appliance may break down.

That is where a home warranty can become an important part of the real estate conversation.

The New Concern: Affording the Home After Closing

Today’s buyers are not only thinking about whether they can afford to purchase a home. They are also concerned about the ongoing costs of owning it.

After the down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, taxes, and insurance, an unexpected repair to a system or appliance can place additional pressure on a buyer’s budget. A home warranty can help protect against qualifying repair expenses during that important first year of homeownership.

It is not homeowners insurance, and it does not cover every repair. However, when properly explained and matched to the property, it can provide valuable protection for covered systems and appliances that fail from normal use.

What Homeowners Are Prioritizing in 2026

A recent survey of 2,000 home warranty customers found that homeowners are paying particular attention to whole-home protection:

• 69% selected combination plans covering both home systems and appliances.

• Heating and air conditioning were among the leading coverage priorities.

• 28% selected exterior water or sewer line protection as an add-on.

• 20% received their home warranty as part of a real estate transaction.

• Homeowners purchased protection for both older and newer systems—not only aging homes.

  
  

These findings show that home warranty coverage is increasingly being viewed as a way to plan for future repair expenses, rather than something intended only for older properties.

A Meaningful Option for Buyers and Sellers

As the real estate market becomes more balanced in many areas, buyers may have greater negotiating power, and sellers may be looking for practical ways to make their properties stand out.

A seller-paid home warranty can be a meaningful closing benefit. Instead of offering another decorative upgrade or a small concession, a seller can provide protection that continues to support the buyer after the transaction is complete.

For buyers, requesting a home warranty in the offer can help protect the budget they worked so hard to establish. For sellers, offering coverage can demonstrate added care and confidence in the transaction.

Coverage Conversations Should Be Clear

One of the most valuable things an agent can do is help clients understand what a home warranty is—and what it is not.

Before selecting a plan, buyers should review:

• The systems and appliances included

• Optional coverage that may fit the property

• Service fees and coverage limits

• Exclusions and eligibility requirements

• The correct procedure for requesting service

  
  

Covered items must be in proper working order when coverage begins. Homeowners should also contact ARW before arranging an inspection, diagnosis, or repair for a potential claim. This allows the claims team to review the issue and explain the appropriate next steps.

Clear expectations at the beginning can make a significant difference in the homeowner’s experience later.

Why Real Estate Professionals Choose ARW Home Warranty

The company behind the coverage matters. ARW Home Warranty has been protecting homeowners since 2009 and has paid more than $100 million in home warranty claims.

ARW’s ratings and industry recognitions include:

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

• 2026 ConsumerAffairs Buyer’s Choice Award for Transparency

• 4.4 out of 5 rating from nearly 3,000 Consumer Affairs reviews

• Named the #1 Best Overall Home Warranty Plan by U.S. News & World Report for 2024

• Nationwide coverage in all 50 states

  
  

These recognitions reflect ARW’s commitment to clear communication, dependable protection,n and responsive customer support.

ARW offers home warranty plans designed specifically for real estate transactions. Depending on the plan selected, benefits may include:

• Coverage beginning at closing once the plan is funded, with no standard 30-day waiting period

• Protection options for major home systems and appliances

• Exterior water and sewer line coverage

• The option to request your own qualified contractor with prior authorization

• Convenient ordering and tracking through the ARW Home PRO app

• Direct assistance for agents, transaction coordinators, and title professionals

  
  

Agents can place orders through ARW Home PRO or contact me directly. I am always available to review coverage options, answer questions,s and help make the ordering process as easy as possible.

Your Service Continues Beyond Closing

A real estate professional’s service does not have to end when the keys are handed over.

Offering clients the option of a home warranty is another way to support them as they transition from purchasing a house to caring for their new home. It gives agents something practical, personal, and valuable to offer—protection that continues after closing day.