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Elite Home Warranty Explains: 6 Things to Do When Preparing for a Home Appraisal

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6 Things to Do When Preparing for a Home Appraisal

Getting ready to sell your home is emotionally and financially stressful. There’s just no other way to say it— selling and moving aren’t pleasant! If you’re getting ready to have your home appraised, here are some things to know beforehand. 

 

What is Your Home Really Worth?

The point of a home appraisal is for buyers to get a real estate agent’s professional opinion on the true value of the property. These opinions are unbiased and take into consideration the housing market, buying trends, location, home condition, and more. Try not to take the appraisal personally, as many of these things are out of one’s control. 

 

Tips to Get Ready for a Home Appraisal 

Fortunately, there are a few things you can control before the appraisal. If you’re stressing over your home being undervalued, this is normal for sellers. To set clear expectations for you and potential buyers, what should you do before getting it appraised? 

 

1. Gather Home Documents

Get all the important property-related documents ready. This includes insurance, warranties, lists of repairs or new appliances, house systems you’ve replaced in the home, and tax documents. Make sure to let your real estate agent know all the major upgrades you’ve made on the property, as that can increase the value. 

2. Schedule the Appraisal Early

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your property appraised. You want to allow plenty of time to clear up any necessary repairs, financial details, or suggestions from your agent. Additionally, appraisers can be booked out, so make sure to schedule your session in advance. 

3. Clean Up & Improve Your Curb Appeal 

Buyers typically don’t want to buy a broken down home. Tidy up as best you can, and audit your home’s curb appeal: What exterior features stand out the most? How can you add to the overall attraction of the home and make it more welcoming, if possible?

4. Make Necessary Repairs

It might be essential to make repairs on the inside or outside of your home. If there are any leaks, broken wiring, outdated appliances, or faults in the foundation (like the roof or flooring), the price is likely going to be significantly lower. 

5. Consider a Warranty 

Buyers tend to feel more comfortable buying a home that comes with some kind of home warranty in place. If you already have a home warranty, it can add value to your property both with the agent and future buyers. Make sure to search for the best home warranty companies to get a reliable home warranty coverage in place.

 

A warranty gives buyers peace of mind because in the case that something goes wrong with the house after buying, they’ll be covered. They won’t have to invest a lot of money into sudden repairs.

 

6. Have Realistic Expectations 

What is your neighborhood like? The location of your home affects its overall value. For example, if you live in an up-and-coming suburban area with plenty of new schools and restaurants, higher-income buyers are likely looking to move in. If your home is next to an airport or busy highway surrounded by run-down shops, the appraisal may be a bit lower than you expected. 

 

Thinking of Selling in the Future? Improve the Value of Your Home Now

If you’re wanting to sell someday but not any time soon, you can take preventative action to ensure your home’s value remains high. Take care of your house systems and appliances with a complete home warranty. This way, if you need any repairs or major replacements, you’ll be covered and won’t need to pay out of pocket every time. 

Contact Elite Home Warranty today to get the right home warranty for your home, whether selling, buying, or appraising.

 

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Should You Get a Home Warranty for Your First Home?

Homeownership is no walk in the park, especially when you’re a first-time homebuyer. On top of a mortgage, maintenance bills, HSA, and homeowners insurance, do you really need to pay extra money for a home warranty? 

 

If you’re wondering whether or not you should get a warranty on your new home, we’re here to help you decide for yourself. 

 

What is a Home Warranty?

A home warranty is when a homeowner pays a warranty company an annual or monthly fee to receive discounts or coverage on repairs if anything goes wrong. This is not the same as home insurance, where disasters like fires or crime are covered. Instead, a home warranty helps cover the cost of appliances, home systems, and expensive electronics. 

 

Home warranties cover items like:

 

  • Washer and dryer
  • Refrigerator 
  • Home entertainment center
  • Electrical system
  • Plumbing system
  • Water heater
  • HVAC system

 

Often, warranty companies provide full-house or partial-home coverage, which can get expensive if a new homeowner isn’t in a place financially to pay seemingly unnecessary costs. 

 

Who Needs a Warranty on Their Home?

Anyone who wants an added layer of long-term financial protection can use a home warranty. Think of it this way: if your new home— which you invested a major down payment into— suddenly experiences electrical damages, it could end up costing you thousands of dollars out of pocket. 

 

With a home warranty, you pay a smaller fee to ensure the warranty company helps you cover the repairs. Also, when you need to find a reputable electrical company to come fix your house, warranty companies usually have a list of trusted providers in your area. 

 

Unless you feel comfortable eating the cost of potential repairs or appliance replacements in a house you buy, a home warranty is a smart option. 

 

What Type of Home Warranty is Best?

Different home warranty companies offer different types of coverage. Some only offer complete home warranties to homeowners. Others offer warranties to homebuyers who are concerned about potential equipment or system issues upon purchasing the home.

 

You should find a home warranty that meets your needs and covers the items you most want to protect. 

 

What to Know Before Buying a Home Warranty

Here are a few tips if you’re trying to find a home warranty that’s right for you:

 

  • Always ask what the warranty covers, and how the company goes about repairing or replacing items.
  • Read the terms and conditions carefully, as some companies include hidden fees that surprised homeowners later on. 
  • If your home is equipped with all new appliances, you might be able to find a warranty that only covers home systems.
  • Learn about any limitations or pay-out agreements in your plan. 
  • Warranty costs may vary depending on the location, size, and age of the home.

 

If you’re overwhelmed with expensive warranty plans or confusing contract agreements, don’t worry. There are warranty companies that cater to new home buyers like you.

 

Are Home Warranties Worth It?

Getting the coverage your home needs is always worth it if you can’t afford to pay for large repairs. Accidents happen, home items get old, and home maintenance is necessary for any homeowner.

 

Getting a warranty that suits your needs is your best option. For this reason, Elite Home Warranty offers appliance, system, and even custom warranties to give you the coverage that gives you peace of mind. To get a free quote for your home today, reach out to the Elite team.

 

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A-Z Guide to Expat Medical Evacuation Plan

With the rise of rapid globalisation, we are seeing an increasing number of people being posted in developing countries to help the business expand and succeed. This is an excellent step for companies to take, but the health and wellbeing of your expat staff need to be accounted for. 

 

Part of group medical health insurance is the expat medical evacuation plan. When living abroad, staff are at risk of catching viruses and illnesses that may require urgent medical attention - even evacuation from the country. That’s where the evacuation plan comes in. 

 

Why is an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Needed?

Many international health insurance plans include a medical evacuation plan so that if your staff have a life-threatening or limb-threatening condition, they will be seen to urgently. This plan is especially useful in remote areas and developing countries where medical access is limited. 

 

When your staff move to another country, it is to ensure that your business grows and operates the way you want it to. Being able to provide them with a medical evacuation plan ensures they have peace of mind and the knowledge that they will receive the best medical care. 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted how important these plans are. They may not be needed for many years, but when something like this hits it impacts everything. Being able to give your staff access to immediate treatment during a pandemic is invaluable. 

 

What Does an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Include?

Typically, an expat medical evacuation plan will include:

  • Organising the logistics of evacuation, alongside the medical teams on the ground
  • Communicating with our global network of medical teams
  • Dealing with any passport and visa issues
  • Making sure all bills are paid quickly
  • Translating any medical forms or claim forms into your chosen language 
  • 24/7 service to keep you updated and offer assistance 

 

This tends to be what comes with every standard evacuation plan. However, there are extras that you can get that include:

  • Repatriation to your home country
  • The cost of having a loved one with you for support
  • Evacuation for cancer treatment and advanced diagnostic tests

 

Repatriation is an additional benefit that should be seriously considered. This is where your staff member is transported to their home country for treatment, or it can allow them to be transported over the border to another hospital. It’s something many employees would prefer.

 

The expat medical evacuation plan will also cover the costs of ambulance fees, including air ambulances, which can be as much as $220,000 without insurance. Additionally, the cost of treatment and care is also included so that your staff don’t need to worry about the bill. 

 

Usually, there is an option to choose between domestic and international evacuation - the former of which is always included and the latter which can count as repatriation (an extra). Domestic evacuation is where you are transported to a hospital within the same country by road, sea, or air. This can include an air ambulance or a private plane, depending on location.  

 

To Conclude 

Your staff are the core of your company, and if they don’t feel safe and cared for they are likely to go somewhere that gives them the security they need. An expat medical evacuation plan means that they will always get the treatment they require, and considering the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans are more important than ever. 

 

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