You’re likely using more electricity during the winter due to less daylight, colder temperatures, and holiday displays. Use these electrical safety tips to avoid fires, power outages, and other dangers.

Avoid Overloading Outlets

Christmas lights, space heaters, lamps, and more often require outlet space to function. And if you’re anything like us, you likely have only couple of outlets that are in the right spot to plug in the things that need to be plugged in.

Avoid the temptation to overload outlets with too many power strips or extension cords. There’s a good reason why standard outlets only come with two to four spots for plugs: that’s usually as much electrical load as they can safely handle.

It’s OK to use power strips if you’re smart about it. For example, use power strips that will automatically turn off if they become overloaded. This can prevent bigger power surges, which can be dangerous in cold weather, along with electrical fires.

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Never Use Water to Put Out an Electrical Fire

If you ever experience an electrical fire, do NOT use water to put it out. Using water to put out an electrical fire can easily kill you, spread the fire farther, and in the best-case scenario destroy your electrical system and any electronics in the vicinity.

Instead, use any of the following to quell an electrical fire:

• Class C fire extinguisher
• Fire blanket
• Baking soda

It’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. If you don’t have one on every level, consider doing so. In a pinch, baking soda can dampen an electrical fire.

If you’re unsure about whether you can put the fire out yourself, don’t try. Evacuate your home and call 911.

Space Heaters: Placement and Plugging

If you use space heaters in your home, make sure to follow two important rules:

1. Keep them away from high-traffic areas to reduce tripping and tipping.
2. Plug them directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.

Space heaters are common causes of fires in the winter for several reasons. They can cause things like curtains or furniture to ignite when placed too close to them. If they tip over, they can start carpet fires. And if they’re plugged into a power strip or extension cord, they may cause the strip or cord to overheat.

Most new space heaters come with sensors that will automatically disable the space heater if it tips over. Try to purchase one of these if at all possible.

Finally, never run a space heater if you plan to leave the house, and set a timer for it to turn off if you plan to run it at night.

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Extension Cords: Use the Right Ones Sparingly

If you plan to use extension cords for outdoor holiday displays, make sure that you’re using extension cords that are appropriate for outdoor use.

Outdoor extension cords include extra insulation that protects them from harsh weather and helps reduce overheating. Indoor cords do not include this insulation, which makes them more likely to crack, break, and start fires.

Outdoor extension cords also have a thicker sheathing to protect the internal wiring, which can reduce the risk of sparks and fires.

Finally, extension cords are a temporary way to supply electricity. They are not meant to be a long-term or permanent solution for electrical needs.

Know Where Your Circuit Breaker Box Is

In an emergency, turning off electrical currents at your circuit breaker can help you reduce damage. Take time to locate your circuit breaker, and mark which circuits control which outlets throughout your house.

Solve Electrical Issues With Help From 2-10

Using these safety tips can go a long way in protecting your home and budget against unexpected fires this winter. And if you experience an electrical system breakdown from routine use, a Home Warranty Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) could help reduce the costs to solve electrical issues.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Smoke detectors can save your life but only if they’re in the right place and functioning. Here’s how to place them, check them, and when to replace them.

Placing a Smoke Detector

You should always have a working smoke detector on every level of your home, from the basement to the highest level in the house.

Fires can start anywhere. Only having a smoke detector on one level of your home can cause delays in realizing that there’s a fire in your house. This can put you and anyone living with you in unnecessary danger.

The more smoke detectors you have, the quicker you can respond to a fire. Here are all of the rooms where you should have a smoke detector.

1. Basement
2. Near the kitchen but away from ovens
3. In every bedroom where someone sleeps
4. In an outside hallway near any sleeping quarters

Additionally, you’ll want to keep smoke detectors away from drafts and humidity. If a smoke detector is installed near a drafty or humid area, it may not work well.

Here are places to avoid placing smoke detectors.

1. Near windows
2. Near doors
3. Near vents
4. Near bathrooms or laundry rooms (humidity can cause false positive alerts)

Finally, you want to place smoke detectors high on the wall, typically within a foot or so of the ceiling, or on the ceiling itself. Since smoke rises, putting the detector high up will help alert you to any potential fires in your home.

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Checking Your Smoke Detector

Test your smoke detector monthly to make sure your smoke detector works properly. Reputable smoke detector brands will include an easy-to-use testing method, such as a button you press to ensure that it’s working.

Different brands may have different methods of telling you whether your smoke detector is working right. Good smoke detectors will typically have instructions on the back that tell you what to look for when testing the detector. Check the back side, where the batteries are installed or, if the detector is hardwired, on the underside of it, for more information about testing your smoke detector.

Don’t assume that if it’s not making noise that it’s working well. It may be that the detector’s batteries are dead or it’s malfunctioning.

Replacing Your Smoke Detector and Batteries

Smoke detectors generally last 10 years. However, it’s so important to replace the batteries on your smoke detector every year, even if the batteries say they have lots of life left in them. The cost to replace the batteries pales in comparison to what a fire could cost you.

Choose a date that you’ll easily remember, such as a holiday, birthday, or something like New Year’s Day, to replace your batteries.

Good smoke detector brands include a manufacture date directly on the detector. Review this date and then put a reminder on your phone or a calendar to consider replacing it 10 years from that date.

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Using Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Combos

While straight smoke detectors can last up to 10 years, smoke detector/carbon monoxide combos don’t last quite as long—they usually last about seven years.

Many reputable brands sell smoke and carbon monoxide detector combos. You may have heard an incorrect myth that carbon monoxide detectors work best closer to the floor—this isn’t true. Carbon monoxide is lighter than air, so it also rises, like smoke.

When installing combo detectors, it’s best to install them higher up on the wall. This will allow the detector to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. It will also keep them from getting damaged or obscured by people, pets, and clutter.

However, do remember that carbon monoxide detectors don’t last as long as smoke detectors. This applies to combo detectors as well. So, if you have a combo detector, treat it like a straight carbon monoxide detector when it comes time to replace it—this means replacing combos every seven years.

Stay Prepared With Fire Extinguishers

In addition to having a smoke detector on each level of your home, be sure to have a charged fire extinguisher on each level as well. If you catch a fire early enough, having a fire extinguisher handy can minimize damage to your home.

In addition to having a fire extinguisher on every level, keep one in the kitchen and the garage. These are the two places where fires are most likely to erupt.

Finally, if you have a fire and aren’t sure whether you can put it out with the extinguisher, don’t try. Evacuate the home and call the fire department.

As you protect yourself against fires, consider protecting your entire home against breakdowns. A Home Service Plan (aka Home Warranty) from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can protect important things like your furnace, oven, and electrical system against the big costs of breakdowns.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), the Most Trusted Home Warranty Company of 2024 according to Best Company, is celebrating National Good Neighbor Day by offering a good-neighbor discount on a 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan. Here’s how your home-buying clients can take advantage of this special offer.

Who’s Eligible for the 2-10 Good Neighbor Discount?

From September 23 through October 11, 2024, 2-10 will be offering a $35 discount to select home buyers with a valid transaction address when they purchase an existing home.

If your home-buying clients are part of any of the eligible groups,* they can request this discount when they purchase Buyer Coverage through their real estate agent after purchasing an existing home.

• Active-duty military and veterans
• First responders
• Teachers
• Police
• Firefighters
• Nurses

It’s our way of saying “thank you” to the people who make our neighborhoods great places to live and celebrate National Good Neighbor Day (September 28).

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How Home Buyers Can Get the 2-10 Good Neighbor Discount

Accessing the 2-10 Good Neighbor Discount is easy.

1. Inform your eligible home-buying clients about this offer using this handy flyer.
2. When they choose 2-10 Buyer Coverage, enroll their home using your 2-10 Portal Account.
3. Call 720.531.6723 to apply the $35 Good Neighbor Discount. Don’t forget this step!

From there, your home buyers get 2-10’s trusted coverage for important systems and appliances, including 2-10’s industry-leading HVAC coverage, at a one-year discount.

Give your home buyers the protection they deserve with this special Good Neighbor Discount.

Can My Buyers Get This Discount If the Seller Buys the Warranty?

Yes! If your Buyer is a part of an eligible group and the Seller purchases the warranty, your Buyer is still eligible for the discount.

However, your Buyer MUST be a part of an eligible group. A Seller who part of an eligible group cannot transfer their discount to a friend, family member, or non-eligible Buyer.

Why Is 2-10 Offering a Good Neighbor Discount

2-10 loves helping homeowners protect more and pay less. And part of having a great homeownership experience is having good neighbors. We can’t think of a group of people—active-duty military and veterans, first responders, teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses—who do more to make our neighborhoods great places to live.

As our CEO Ryan O’Hara said, “2-10 takes pride in supporting those who make our communities great places to live. We’re offering these incredible neighbors a good-neighbor discount on a 2-10 Home Service Plan when they purchase an existing home to celebrate and show our appreciation for all the good they do.”

Offer All Your Buyers the Coverage They Deserve

Help your eligible Buyers take advantage of this rare discount today. And even if your Buyers don’t qualify, be sure to offer them a chance to purchase 2-10 Buyer Coverage on their home today. It’s a great strategy to protect their biggest investment against unexpected, expensive breakdowns.

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*Discount applies to homes purchased by active-duty military, veterans, first responders, teachers, police, firefighters, and nurses, but not to friends or family members of those individuals. To obtain discount, Buyer must be able to provide proof of eligibility (e.g., military ID, school/hospital ID). Offer is only available to new customers with the purchase of a v8X plan, does not apply to renewal or DTC products, and cannot be combined with other offers.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Some trees, shrubs, and plants are just about ready for fall pruning. But not all plants require you to prune them in the fall. Here are some do’s and don’ts for your fall pruning to give your plants a head start for next year.

What You’ll Need

• Handheld pruning shears for smaller branches
• Two-handed pruning shears or a Sawzall/chainsaw for larger branches
• Work gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Big garbage bag for disposal

DON’T Prune Everything

Most plants don’t need to be pruned in the fall. Generally, the best fall pruning tip is: Don’t.

The reason is that lots of times, pruning plants encourages the pruned plant to start growing even more. So, pruning a plant in the fall could encourage it to start growing just in time for winter, which can harm the plant, make it susceptible to disease, or even kill it.

Instead, focus on pruning branches that are obviously dead, and save most of your pruning for early spring.

DO Prune Dead Branches and Foliage

Now is a good time to start pruning any dead branches you see on your trees, shrubs, and plants. If there’s no growth on the limb and the branch looks brittle, it’s likely dead.

There are two important things to do when pruning dead branches from trees:

1. Cut the branch about 2 to 4 inches from the trunk, as this will prevent you from cutting into the collar, which is an extension of the trunk.
2. Make your cut as flat as possible to avoid tears, which could cause disease.

When pruning dead shrub branches, here are two things to do:

1. Trace dead branches to the stem/truck and cut them out close to the stem
2. Cut out up to one-third of the shrub, if necessary, to remove as much deadwood as possible.

Pruning dead branches can help you reduce damage and disease to the plant, cut down on yard waste that can clog A/C units and gutters, and avoid weather-related damage.

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DON’T Prune When It’s Wet or Cold

Pruning during damp or cold (lower than freezing) weather can expose your trees, shrubs, and plants to diseases and make it more difficult for them to heal the wounds from pruning.

Additionally, pruning in the cold can cause branches to snap. This could harm both the plant and you if the branch snaps unexpectedly.

DO Wash Your Tools Often

It’s a smart idea to rinse off your pruning tools between each plant you prune, especially if your plants show signs of disease like powdery mildew. This helps reduce the spread of microbes and diseases.

Cleaning your tools is as easy as wiping the blades down with 70% rubbing alcohol, letting them dry about for 30 to 60 seconds, and then reusing them.

DON’T Trim Bushes

It might be tempting to trim and shape your bushes in the fall, but if you can, try to avoid it. Trimming your shrubs and bushes in the fall can expose them to the cold, which can harm the entire plant.

Unless you notice dead patches, let any branches you planned to trim act as insulation over the winter. Then, in the spring, you can shape or trim them as needed.

DO Stay Prepared

Extreme weather is becoming more common, which could make it harder to predict when to begin your fall pruning. Take advantage of days with good weather by removing dead branches to avoid bigger problems down the road.

In addition to getting your plants ready for winter, make sure your home is ready too! A Home Service Plan (aka home warranty) from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can protect important things like your furnace against the big costs of breakdowns.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Building a strong online reputation can be the difference between growth and stagnation, especially in a world where people will drive to go to a higher-rated chain restaurant rather than walking to the lower-rated one around the corner.

Your online reputation is often the first impression that potential customers will have of your business. For home builders, building a strong online reputation requires a dedication to three overlapping responsibilities:

1. Providing positive in-person experiences
2. Maintaining an authentic, easy-to-navigate online presence
3. Offering exceptional post-closing solutions

Here are several ways you can dedicate yourself to these responsibilities and how 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can help.

Providing Positive In-Person Experiences

Though prospects will first look online to learn more about you, they’ll learn a ton from how others describe your in-person interactions with other clients. This is the cornerstone of building your online reputation.

After all, what people say about you online is often a direct reflection of how you treat them in person. When you offer good in-person experiences, they often translate to good online reviews. On the other hand, when people have bad in-person experiences—such as finding multiple issues with their home and then dealing with a builder who doesn’t take care of those issues—they make sure other people know all about it.

A few examples of providing good in-person experiences include things like:

• Offering timely responses
• Answering questions patiently and empathetically
• Being honest and transparent about the homes you build and the sales process

You can go the extra mile to offer exceptional in-person experiences by enrolling your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program, which provides industry-leading solutions to unexpected structural issues, along with clear performance standards related to the workmanship and distribution systems in the homes you build.

Building an Authentic, Easy-to-Navigate Online Presence

In many cases, the first impression your prospects will have of your business—whether they’re potential buyers, vendors, or subcontractors—will be online. This means that you need to create an online experience that’s both authentic and easy to navigate.

Consider two worrisome facts:

• 94% of people would avoid a business based on a bad review.
• The cost of poor customer service is $75 billion a year.

Creating an authentic online presence can help show your prospects that working with you is in their best interest. Here are four ways to do that.

1. Presenting your company’s values in ways that resonate with your prospects

Every company tells prospects about their values. The most successful companies show prospects how they live their values in ways that resonate with customers. When you show people how you live your values, it’s usually more authentic than just paying lip service.

For instance, nearly every builder values building homes that are safe, sanitary, and livable. And these aspects are an important part of buying a home. Showing customers precisely how you ensure that the homes you build meet these criteria, beyond just saying so, is one way to build trust and speak authentically to why your homes are the right choice for potential buyers.

2. Offering third-party validation of your work

When someone else vouches for your work, it makes you look even better, more trustworthy, and more authentic in the claims you make.

When you enroll your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program, you’re offering third-party validation that if something unexpected makes the home , you have an industry-leading solution: 2-10’s Warranty Booklet clearly defines what these terms mean, which positions you to address such issues properly.

A 2-10 New Home Warranty includes language that gives you and your homeowners solutions to major structural issues, such as issues caused by uncontrollable soil movement. This helps protect your homeowners’ budgets and futures, along with your reputation.

3. Setting clear expectations

Giving people what they expect shows that you’re dedicated to fulfilling their needs. It’s much easier to fulfill those needs when everyone is working off the same set of clear expectations.

For example, someone who buys a new home from you might expect there to be absolutely no cracks in any concrete at any point, which is an unrealistic expectation. By establishing certain facts early in the process—such as the fact that houses settle and cosmetic cracks may appear—you can better prepare homeowners for what they can expect in their new home and explain how you can help them address issues you’re responsible for.

Additionally, with the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide, you can prepare homeowners to perform the maintenance required to get the most out of their 2-10 New Home Warranty.

Enrolling your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program gives you an edge in setting clear expectations. The 2-10 Warranty Booklet offers a comprehensive view of what homeowners can expect from their new home, such as what’s considered a defect and what isn’t, which can keep you and your homeowners on the same page.

4. Making it easy for prospects to interact with you online

One of the most effective ways to build authenticity is to make it easy for people to interact with you online. Whether it’s on your company’s website, social media posts, or personalized communications like emails, making it easy for people to find what they’re looking for is an essential element of providing good customer service. You can accomplish this by using clear language that avoids fluff, jargon, and cliché.

If things are too difficult to find or understand, prospects may interpret it as a lack of dedication to serving their needs. This may lead them to choose someone else.

There will inevitably be things you can’t control when strengthening your online reputation. For example, some people may write inaccurate reviews about your business despite your best efforts to provide good service. In these cases, don’t be afraid to respond to these reviews using the facts you have about the issue. Be cordial but also be confident.

Offering Exceptional Post-Closing Customer Support

When builders don’t have the time and resources to address post-closing customer issues, it could hurt their reputation and bottom line.

That’s why 2-10 created 2-10 NewHome Care℠.

Perhaps the biggest post-closing challenge for builders is offering answers to customer questions about the home’s workmanship, distribution systems, and structural integrity. Answering these questions often takes more time and resources than many builders can realistically dedicate.

With 2-10 NewHome Care, builders can regain time and more efficiently address service requests in ways that provide effective solutions for themselves, their contractors, and their homeowners, giving them access to an easy-to-use online system that guides them through their service requests.

This is especially helpful when homeowners approach builders with incorrect assumptions about a builder’s responsibilities.

Granite countertops are a perfect example of this challenge. As granite countertops have become more popular, more homeowners have attempted to file service requests for things like color differences in the granite. While they may think this is a defect, it isn’t, and 2-10 NewHome Care can help educate them on these misunderstandings while saving you time.

With 2-10 NewHome Care, builders can rely on 2-10’s unique combination of human expertise and easy-to-use software to address numerous warranty claims. With detailed explanations for homeowners about what’s covered and what to expect, 2-10 NewHome Care helps builders foster trust with homeowners, which positions builders to get glowing reviews from satisfied customers.

See How 2-10 NewHome Care Helps You Strengthen Your Reputation

Are you ready to try 2-10 NewHome Care, the revolutionary new way to offer post-closing customer experiences that could lead to an even stronger online presence? See more about 2-10 NewHome Care and then email us at NewHomeBusinessSolutions@2-10.com to schedule your walkthrough today.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Even in the hottest temperatures, air conditioners can freeze. Frozen air conditioners can prevent your home from reaching your desired temperature, raise your utility costs, and increase the risk of expensive breakdowns. Here’s how to identify a frozen air conditioner and a few ways to address it.

Signs of a Frozen Air Conditioner

There are two major signs tat you have a frozen air conditioner.

1. Ice in and around your outdoor air conditioner
2. The air blowing from your inside vents is warm, not cold

The most obvious sign of a frozen air conditioner is when ice forms in and around the unit. But during the hottest summer days, many homeowners don’t think to themselves, “I should check my air conditioner for ice despite the fact that I might very well melt myself if I go out there.”

So, you might find that your air conditioner is frozen only because the air circulating in your house is warm.

If your air conditioning is blowing warm air, check the unit for built-up ice. If you notice any ice, you have a frozen air conditioner.

What to Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Frozen

There are three big things to do when you realize your air conditioner is frozen.

1. Turn it off
2. Thaw it out
3. Contact a professional

The most important thing to do when you have a frozen air conditioner is to turn the unit off and thaw it out. Usually, it takes a day or two to thaw out a frozen air conditioner on its own.

Just make sure you don’t continue to run the air conditioner if you see it’s frozen. Running a frozen air conditioner can damage major components and end up costing you a boatload of money to fix.

Most importantly, be sure to contact a professional HVAC contractor to identify the underlying problem. Air conditioners don’t freeze for no reason.

With a Home Service Plan (aka Home Warranty) from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), you can access a network of local HVAC contractors who know how to fix the causes of frozen air conditioners. Plus, you can get ahead of problems that cause frozen air conditioners with the 2-10 Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up option. This option allows you to access the 2-10 Contractor Network to have an HVAC professional check your air conditioner in the spring or fall. It’s great way to get your air conditioner professionally examined right before or after high use.

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Quick Solutions for Thawing Frozen Air Conditioner

Summer heat is getting worse and more dangerous, so you might not have time to wait for the air conditioner to thaw on its own. Here are a few quick solutions that could get your air conditioner running.

Just remember that these solutions are quick fixes, not necessarily a replacement for having a professional come out and fix the underlying issue.

We also recommend that you take pictures of everything before and after your take these steps to help the contractor see what the issue could be.

Run just the air conditioner fan

Running the air conditioner fan, but not the air conditioner itself, could help thaw out the components more quickly, due to the fan circulating warm air over the ice. This process usually takes an hour or two.

As you’re thawing the air conditioner, be sure to file a claim with 2-10 to have a professional come out to address the underlying issue. Simply thawing the air conditioner is unlikely to solve the real issue, but it will make it easier for your technician to begin addressing the issue.

Melt the ice with a blow dryer on low

An even quicker way to thaw the unit is with direct heat. A blow dryer can quickly melt any ice on your frozen air conditioner within a couple minutes. But you have to make sure you’re doing it the right way.

The right way to use a blow dryer to thaw out a frozen air conditioner is to set it on LOW and hold it at least a foot away from the ice.

Don’t set the heat too high or put the blow dryer too close to the ice. This can damage key components of the air conditioner and cause even more problems down the line.

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Things NOT to Do for a Frozen Air Conditioner

There are a couple of things to avoid doing for your frozen air conditioner.

Don’t pick the ice off

Avoid using a screwdriver, ice pick, or other sharp object to pick the ice off. Sharp objects can puncture and damage key components of the air conditioner, which could create even bigger, more expensive problems.

Don’t use high heat or a flame

Using a high setting on a blow dryer or worse, an actual flame, to thaw your air conditioner is a recipe for disaster. Direct heat can do irreparable damage to the air conditioning unit and it could also hurt you in the process.

Don’t ignore the problem

Ignoring a frozen air conditioner won’t make it go away, even in the hottest of heat waves. The longer you wait to address it, the more damage the underlying problem that caused the air conditioner to freeze can do.

Rather than wait, take advantage of a 2-10 Home Warranty before you have an issue. A 2-10 Home Warranty not only gives you a solution to problems like frozen air conditioners but also gives you access to preventative coverage options, such as the Pre-Season HVAC Tune-Up option, that can help you find problems before they turn into a burden.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Homeownership is full of new experiences, including maintenance and addressing breakdowns. In fact, one of the biggest adjustments homeowners need to make is no longer relying on a landlord for maintenance and solutions to breakdowns.

Here are some common maintenance items and breakdowns you should expect as a new homeowner.

Heating & Cooling Maintenance & Breakdowns

One of the easiest pieces of maintenance is also one of the easiest to overlook, especially if you’ve never owned a home before: changing your HVAC filter.

Changing your HVAC filter regularly can go a long way in reducing HVAC breakdowns. If you don’t change it regularly, it could cause your HVAC system to work harder than it has to, which can lead to costly breakdowns. Here’s how to change your HVAC filter.

Different kinds of filters and different kinds of systems have different requirements, so it doesn’t hurt to search online for your specific system’s information. But generally, you should change your HVAC filter every 1–3 months. HVAC filters usually cost anywhere between $10 and $50.

On the other hand, HVAC breakdowns can be extremely expensive. On average, an HVAC replacement could cost between $5,000 and $12,500. And many HVAC breakdowns aren’t something you should try to fix on your own, due to the complexity of these systems.

Another easy step to take is hosing off any dirt or debris that has built up along the sides of the unit. This could help the system run more efficiently and discourage animals from building nests.

In addition to changing your filter regularly and hosing your air conditioner down occasionally, you can protect against expensive breakdowns with a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10). A 2-10 Home Service Plan can give you a powerful, cost-effective solution for HVAC breakdowns.

Plumbing Maintenance & Breakdowns

Did you know that you should drain your water heater once a year and that it’s pretty easy to do? Draining your water heater helps remove mineral deposits that can make your water heater less efficient and more prone to breakdowns.

Check out our guide on how to drain your water heater like a pro. All you need is a sturdy hose and a couple hours.

Of course, during the course of homeownership, you may face more complicated plumbing problems. And water damage can turn into serious problems over time. With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you can access a trusted network of independent plumbing contractors that diagnose and solve plumbing issues and save money doing it.

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Electrical Maintenance & Breakdowns

There are a few simple things that you can do to maintain your home’s electrical system without needing a multimeter. Here are a few electrical system maintenance items to consider:

• Dust any pluggable appliances regularly to prevent overheating
• Install surge protectors
• Use LED lightbulbs over incandescent
• Check light switches regularly

For example, if you notice that a light switch plate feels hot to the touch, you may have a serious problem with the switch itself or the wiring.

It is possible to replace a light switch yourself, and when done correctly, it’s a low-risk replacement. (The guy who wrote this article managed to do it and he can barely operate a flathead screwdriver successfully.) However, if you aren’t 100% confident that you can change it, don’t try.

Instead, consider a 2-10 Home Service Plan, which can give you access to quality electricians who can address serious electrical issues professionally.

Kitchen Appliances Maintenance & Breakdowns

A simple way to maintain your major kitchen appliances—like your oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher—is by keeping them clean.

For example, if you have an electric oven, the baking element—which is the metal part that gets hot— may have food drip onto it and cake onto it. This can eat away at the element and cause it to disintegrate.

With refrigerators, the condenser coil, which helps keep everything cool, can gather dust and pet hair over time. This can make it work harder to keep things cool, which can also cause breakdowns. Keeping the condenser coils clean is an easy way to prevent this issue.

For dishwashers, it’s a good idea to clean out the filter every month with soap, water, and a soft-bristled brush.

But even with regular cleaning, appliances will eventually break down. With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you can find an effective contractor to fix the issues.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

A daunting part of homeownership is finding the right person to help you address major breakdowns. Minutes of research could turn into hours or days. Comparing prices and services can be complicated. The stress of a breakdown can make you feel rushed. And what happens if you pick wrong?

The challenge of finding a good contractor is a big reason why 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) Members trust the 2-10 Contractor Network.

Make Addressing Breakdowns Easier for Yourself

The four words homeowners in a pinch love to hear is “I know a guy.” 2-10 knows a guy nationwide because we built a network of trusted, local, independent contractors that we’ve carefully vetted for customer satisfaction.

This means that when a covered item breaks down, 2-10 can help you find the right person to address your breakdown and get them to your door as quickly as possible.

How 2-10 Helps You Find the Right Guy

The 2-10 Contractor Network contains local contractors that 2-10 consistently monitors and updates for cost performance and customer satisfaction using a ranking equation unique to 2-10.

In other words, we rank local contractors based in part on minimizing your costs and maximizing your satisfaction.

Then, we go even further to help you have an outstanding experience while addressing your breakdown. Within the 2-10 Contractor Network, we have a special set of Preferred Contractors who have proven their excellence and reliability. We make every effort to dispatch Preferred Contractors to address as many breakdowns as possible.

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2-10 Members Love the Service They Get

For years, the 2-10 Contractor Network has grown stronger. According to customer reviews, 2-10 consistently scores above a 4.5/5 for service.

Homeowners consistently tell us that finding the right person to fix the problem is a huge benefit of being a 2-10 Member. This is why we take special care to properly vet independent contractors to fulfill the needs of our Members.

“It is a joy to have a company like 2-10. The man who came to my home was very professional, efficient and did a very good job.”

Sylvia

“This is a first class home warranty company. I received superior service throughout my experience.”

Ernest

“You get more for your money with this warranty. I appreciate the honesty of the technicians that come out. I’m glad to have this warranty.”

Lori

“It was easy to file the claim, and I had an excellent service experienced with the plumbing company they partnered with to take care of my claim.”

Juan

Can I Recommend a Contractor?

Yes! 2-10 is always looking to expand the 2-10 Contractor Network with quality contractors. If you know a contractor who does outstanding work, we welcome you to suggest your contractor to us.

When you suggest a contractor, you could help them expand their footprint and grow their business.

What If a Contractor I Want Isn’t in Your Network?

First, suggest them to us!

But if you’re a 2-10 Member and you have a preferred contractor who’s not in our network, it is possible to use them. However, you may miss out on an opportunity to minimize your costs by using your own out-of-network contractor.

That’s because we negotiate rates for parts and services, including labor costs, with the contractors in our network. This helps you Protect More and Pay Less.

When using your own contractor, 2-10 may be able to reimburse you for a portion of the cost. However, it would be at a rate that we would have paid a Service Contractor in our network using equipment supplied by 2-10. Since it’s likely that your contractor will charge retail rates, any additional costs would be your responsibility.

Check out our guide for more information about how the out-of-network contractor system works.

And remember, 2-10 does the work of vetting contractors for you. Take advantage of our hard work for maximum savings. And always recommend your favorite contractors to us!

Life Is Better as a 2-10 Member

Breakdowns to important home systems and appliances keep getting more expensive and complex to address. As a 2-10 Member, you can access a trusted network of high-quality contractors that know how to get the job done the right way.

With 2-10, you always know a guy.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

A new law in Florida regarding warranty coverage for new homes will soon affect Florida home builders. See how you can prepare for this change to protect your business, along with how 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10)—the industry leader in new home warranty administration—can help you.

What Does the Law Change?

Florida House Bill 623 (HB 623), which will be codified as Fl. Stat. § 553.837 and which you can read in full here, will create a mandatory 1-year warranty for all newly occupied single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes, including any manufactured, modular, or factory-built structures.

This change means that if you are the builder who contracts and oversees construction of a permitted project like a new home, you are responsible for supplying this warranty. Subcontractors that you use are NOT attached to this warranty—it will be your sole responsibility. [See Fl. Stat. 553.993(2) for the full definition of a “Builder” responsible for the warranty.]

When Does the Law Go Into Effect?

The law goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

How Does This Law Affect Me?

If you’re a current 2-10 Builder Member, rest assured that this law will not impact your 2-10 warranty products. There are three important things to note about how this law could affect you as a Florida builder.

1. Must address material violations

This new law requires you to fix material violations of the Florida Building Code at your expense.

A material violation, as it relates to this law, is defined as “a failure to comply with the code in a manner that may reasonably result, or has resulted, in physical harm to a person or significant damage to the performance of a building or its systems.”

2. Things you don’t need to address under the law

However, the law does NOT require builders to warrant against other issues, such as the following:

• Normal wear and tear
• Normal settlement
• Defects caused by third parties the builder did not employ or contract with
• Acts of God

2-10’s warranty products also exclude these conditions.

3. Transferability

According to the new law, the 1-year warranty must be transferable to any subsequent purchaser of the home for the entire year. So, if you build a home for Jim that he buys on January 1, and then Jim sells that house to Mary on June 1, the warranty must still apply to Mary until January 1 of the next year.

What Can I Do to Address This Change?

Coupled with Senate Bill 360 passed in 2023, the Florida legislature is clearly taking a more direct interest in the home-building industry. The good news is that HB 623 expressly states that builders can satisfy the requirements of this law by providing home buyers an express written warranty.

As the industry leader in express written warranty administration, 2-10 offers express written warranties to help builders meet the law’s requirements. This means that when you enroll your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program—like 1 in 5 new homes in the US—you can effectively address the new law without having to reinvent the wheel on the warranty side of your business.

The warranties that 2-10 administers are already fully transferable, which addresses a major change the law creates.

Additional ways to protect yourself

Additionally, a 2-10 New Home Warranty provides coverage against structural defects that render a home unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise unlivable. This can be a major help to Florida builders because it shifts many of the risks and responsibilities created by the new statutory warranty away from you when you elect 2-10’s insurance-backed structural warranty.

Even better, a 2-10 structural defect warranty helps builders address structural defects under the full 7-year statute of repose in HB 360, with up to 10 years of coverage via 2-10’s core 10-year structural defect warranty. When choosing a 2-10 structural defect warranty, builders can use 2-10’s workmanship and systems construction performance guidelines to further refine and clarify home buyer expectations. Combining a 2-10 warranty with additional language that your counsel recommends provides you with a powerful strategy for satisfying the needs of the new law.

Finally, if the warranty you provide is longer than a year, the law requires that you must advise the home buyer of the warranty term and whether the warranty is transferable after the initial year. When you enroll your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program, the warranty terms are clearly defined on the certificate of warranty the homeowner receives.

Final Thoughts

You should always consult with your insurance agent and Florida counsel to help ensure you mitigate your risks and responsibilities from all possible angles.

For example, your legal counsel may advise that it’s a prudent decision to insert a clause in your contracts stating that you will remedy issues in a situation where the 2-10 express written warranty does not provide coverage for a “material violation” under HB 623 for one year after the home is sold. Although many items will be captured under the express written warranty, your insurance agent and legal counsel can advise you how to best cover all possible situations that might arise under this new law.

By becoming a 2-10 Builder Member and enrolling your homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program, you have access to our experienced warranty administration team to help resolve any disputes that arise while shifting a significant portion of your risks—and the headaches they create—off your plate, giving you more time to focus on building homes and expanding your business.

Disclaimer: 2-10 is not a law firm and is not providing legal advice. The information provided in this article is subject to the terms and conditions of this website. It is only intended to be used for informational purposes and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. This information is related to a new law, and is subject to ongoing interpretation and analysis by Florida courts and legal professionals. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this information or any of the links contained herein does not create any obligation or relationship between you and 2-10.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Summer is a great time to kick back, relax, and have fun around the house. Here are a few fun things that we at 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) like to do this summer when we don’t plan to travel.

Local Music Festivals

From farmers’ markets to state fairs, live music is a great way to enjoy the summer without having to plan an itinerary. Plus, local music tends to not require you to take out a second mortgage to attend, unlike bigger music festivals like Lollapalooza or Coachella.

Backyard Movie Night

Summer is a perfect time to watch a movie outside. Bluetooth projectors are relatively inexpensive these days and can allow you to access your favorite streaming services outdoors.

Whether you purchase a projector screen or simply project movies on the side of your house, this is a quick and easy way to spend time outside having fun around the house.

Block Party

Block parties are an American summertime staple. Bouncy houses, games, piñatas, drinks, and live music give you a great chance to meet your neighbors in a group setting.

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Scavenger Hunt

Neighborhood scavenger hunts are all the rage. Many families develop their own scavenger hunts as a fun and interactive way to get their kids outside and familiar with the neighborhood.

Some cities even have coordinated and themed scavenger hunts in their downtown areas, sometimes for free. This is a great way to get familiar with your neighborhood and maybe even meet your next new friend.

Backyard Campout

One of the amazing perks of homeownership is having a secure outdoor space to do as you please. A backyard campout is a fun way to enjoy your privacy. Double the fun with some s’mores and stargazing. You might even see some neat animals you don’t normally see, like owls and bats!

Lemonade Stand

If you have kids, the classic lemonade stand is an outstanding way to get them active while teaching them important lessons about working hard and managing money.

Depending on their age, you may need to supervise and help out with counting money and making change. This is a great way to help your kids learn about interacting with neighbors.

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Farmers’ Markets

Visiting a local farmers’ market can open up an entirely new world for you and your family. Many local businesses set up booths at farmers’ markets, giving you can chance to support your community businesses while indulging in foods, crafts, and clothes you may not be able to find anywhere else.

Many farmers’ markets also have interactive events, such as climbing on firetrucks, petting zoos, and live music.

Car Wash for a Cause

Another great way to introduce younger folks to the concept of giving back to the community through hard work is a car wash for a cause.

Whether it’s for a charity, to raise money for a sports team, or another worthy cause, car washes are a classic summertime activity for the whole family.

Flashlight Tag

Take advantage of more comfortable temperatures at dusk and night with a game of flashlight tag! This is a good way to have a fun time staying active while staying safe, and all you need are a few flashlights.

(Plus, this is a great way to do inventory of your home’s flashlight and battery supply for when you need them for emergencies.)

If you have children who want to play flashlight tag, consider a buddy system or setting hard boundaries in which to play.

Stargazing

You’d be amazed by how much you can see just looking up at the night sky. The best way to stargaze is to find a spot with minimal light and let your eye adjust to the dark for a out 30 minutes. You’ll begin to see stars and planets you may have never seen before. You might even get lucky to see a shooting start or, in really rare cases, an aurora!

Even if you live in a city with lots of light pollution, you can still catch a glimpse at several planets, in addition to the moon.

There are several stargazing apps that can help your find and identify neat things in the night sky, too. Check out some of the most effective stargazing apps from space.com to get started.

Maximize Your Enjoyment With 2-10

It’s so much easier to enjoy fun times around your home when you have fewer things to worry about. With a 2-10 Home Service Plan (aka Home Warranty), you can maximize your enjoyment by minimizing the risk of a major breakdown ruining your plans.

From HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems to important kitchen appliances and more, 2-10 helps you protect your budget, work with local and independent contractors, and find solutions to common breakdowns around your home.

Protect more and pay less with 2-10, so you can make the most out of fun summertime activities around your house!

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

When you have a Home Service Plan (aka Home Warranty) from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), you have access to so many incredible things.

• Budget protection against expensive breakdowns to important systems and appliances
• A trusted Contractor Network of independent, local technicians to serve you
• Additional benefits that make your homeownership experience even better

Here are the most popular added benefits you can access with your 2-10 Home Warranty.

Refer-a-Friend Rewards Program

When you refer a friend to 2-10 and they purchase a 2-10 Home Warranty, you can both get rewarded with a $100 Amazon gift card.¹

Referring a friend to 2-10 is easy:

1. Refer a friend to 2-10
2. They purchase a 2-10 Home Warranty
3. You both earn a $100 gift card

Getting rewarded for helping your friends protect their budget against breakdowns is a good feeling. Get started today.

The 2-10 Appliance Discount Program

The 2-10 Appliance Discount Program goes further to help you Protect More and Pay Less.

When you’re a 2-10 Member, you can access special discounts on many of the most trusted names in home appliances, including GE and Whirlpool, through the 2-10 Appliance Discount Program.

With the 2-10 Appliance Discount Program, you can purchase major appliances like refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, and washers and dryers—along with countertop appliances and even garage solutions—at discounted rates.

This is a great way to protect your budget and find the right appliance for your home, all while you enjoy your 2-10 Home Warranty protection. Learn more about the 2-10 Appliance Discount Program today!

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Ways to Simplify Homeownership

Homeownership is a big responsibility, but what if you could make it easier?

We thought we should help make homeownership easier, which is why we’re working with vipHome.app to help simplify homeownership.

With the easy-to-use, intuitive vipHome.app, you can better organize, maintain, and improve your home. The vipHome.app helps you:

• Get personalized maintenance reminders
• Keep all your documents and info in one secure location
• Protect your home and reduce costly repairs
• Keep your home in great shape by reminding you about important home maintenance tasks
• Discover new ways to
• Prepare for major storms and other seasonal events with weather alerts specific to your property

Plus, it’s FREE for 2-10 Members for a limited time only.²

ADT Security System Discounts From SafeStreets

What’s better than the high-quality home and budget protection you get from your 2-10 Home Warranty? More protection at a discount.

2-10 Members can access a $500 voucher on an ADT home security system courtesy of SafeStreets, an authorized ADT provider. Plus, select 2-10 Home Warranty plans may cover your new ADT alarm system for a 1-2 punch of protection.³

Protection & Support for Your Home Technology

2-10 works with Asurion to offer Asurion Home+, which can help you protect your home technology.

From TV breakdowns to spills on laptops, Asurion Home+® covers your eligible devices. That means that you can get coverage:

• No matter where you bought the item
• No matter the brand
• Regardless of how old it is
• Even without receipts

All for less than a dollar a day.⁴ If you’re a 2-10 Member, get started today!

2-10 Does More to Make Homeownership Better

You deserve an outstanding homeownership experience. That’s why 2-10 does more to make homeownership better for you.

From budget protection and trusted solutions to breakdowns to additional benefits, it’s no wonder why 2-10 is the Most Trusted Home Warranty Company of 2024 according to Best Company.

Take advantage of exceptional 2-10 Member benefits today!

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¹Restrictions apply. See amazon.com/gc-legal for info. For details about 2-10’s referral program, please read our terms and conditions.

²Free membership good for 1 year from date of sign up with vipHomeLink. This offer is fulfilled and operated solely by vipHomeLink. vipHomeLink is responsible for any and all statements made regarding its application and services and is not an entity or affiliate of 2-10. The election by you to use the application offered is solely between vipHomeLink and you, subject to their applicable terms of use and privacy policy. Free trial offer ends 8/31/2024.

³With $99 installation charge and new monitoring agreement. Early termination fee applies. See terms for details^. Review your Home Service Plan for specific coverage details. This offer is fulfilled and serviced exclusively by SafeStreets. All ADT and SafeStreets trademarks and logos are the property of each respective company. All rights reserved.

⁴Limitations and exclusions apply. See Terms and Conditions for complete plan details. All eligible products are covered for mechanical or electrical breakdowns caused by manufacturer defects; power surge; normal wear and tear; or dust, heat, and humidity. Most eligible portable devices are also covered for Accidental Damage from Handling, including drops, spills, and cracked screens. A low service fee of $0, $49, or $99, plus tax, applies to each approved claim. Click Get Offer for plan details. Asurion Home+ is an offer fulfilled and serviced exclusively by Asurion. The Asurion and Asurion Home+ trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Home buyers need real estate agents more than ever to lay the groundwork for a happy homeownership experience. This National Homeownership Month, combine your expertise with support and services from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) to help your clients achieve their dreams and help yourself stand out in the market.

Set Expectations for Your Clients

According to a 2024 survey from Clever Real Estate, 82% of home buyers have regrets about their purchase. Many of these regrets revolve around mismatched expectations:

• The upfront and ongoing costs of homeownership
• Compromising on their home purchase
• Feeling like their agent isn’t doing enough to help them

To address these issues, you need to set clear expectations for your clients right off the bat.

For example, many buyers underestimate how much they’ll end up paying for a home. Educating them on the reality of your individual market can help them prepare for what’s ahead.

Once you’ve prepared them for what may be a tougher road than they expected, you can guide them toward a more successful pursuit of homeownership with help from 2-10.

Addressing the Money Issue

Affordability is still a huge challenge. However, there are some ways you can help buyers address some affordability issues with help from 2-10.

For example, according to the Clever survey, more than 80% of buyers asked for a seller concession, including a lower price and funds for repairs.

While it may not be possible to get a lower price for the home, you can help buyers address repair costs with a Home Service Plan (Home Warranty) from 2-10.

In fact, a home warranty is the #1 home-selling incentive of 2024. Sellers are willing to offer Buyers a home warranty, which can help reduce the costs of breakdowns to major systems and appliances.

You can help your home buyers address a common financial pain point by bringing a 2-10 Home Warranty to the closing table.

Coverage your clients deserve

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Enhancing Your Reputation With a 2-10 Home Warranty

Your reputation is a big part of your success. So, the fact that 54% of buyers claimed that their agent cared more about making a deal than representing their best interests may be jarring.

Agents who go the extra mile in representing their clients’ interests can stand out among home buyers. With 2-10, you may be able to help them address one of the biggest sources of buyer’s remorse: the ongoing costs of maintenance and addressing unexpected breakdowns.

When a major system or appliance breaks down, everything grinds to a halt. When it happens to someone who already just spent a huge sum of money to buy a home, it can make home buyers desperate for help.

A 2-10 Home Warranty can help offer home buyers the help they need. It gives them access to local, independent contractors to diagnose their problem. It also could help vastly reduce the costs of addressing breakdowns when they need it most.

Offering a 2-10 Home Warranty can help you stand out as an agent that goes the extra mile. Proving a proactive solution to a major pain point is a powerful way to show that you’re representing your clients’ bests interests while still helping you close deals successfully.

Celebrate National Homeownership Month With 2-10

As the Most Trusted Home Warranty Company of 2024 according to Best Company, 2-10 is dedicated to helping you position your clients for the most success possible as they pursue homeownership. During National Homeownership and beyond, 2-10 can help you stand out, protect your transactions, and enhance your reputation.

Coverage your clients deserve

Add the industry-leading home service plan to your agent tool kit.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Owning a home is incredible. But between maintenance, upkeep, and unexpected breakdowns, keeping that experience incredible can be tough. Since June is National Homeownership Month, you deserve ways to keep homeownership as exciting, fun, and relieving as the day you bought your home.

As the most dedicated and most trusted home warranty company in the industry, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can help you do just that.

Addressing Your Breakdowns, Protecting Your Budget

“We have used [2-10] for the entire 26 years we’ve owned our house. Fast, easy, reliable service.” –Dimas P., Gaithersburg, MD

Protecting your home and budget against expensive, inconvenient breakdowns is a huge part of enjoying homeownership.

In our experience, there are three ways that you can do that most effectively:

1. Setting a strategy to address expensive, unexpected breakdowns
2. Having a trusted and vetted Service Contractor who can do the job right
3. Getting proactive support and advice to keep your home humming

Whether you’re new to a 2-10 Home Service Plan or, like many 2-10 Members, have been a Home Service Plan user for decades, 2-10 helps you do all three, which could give you more freedom to spend your time and money on the moments that really matter.

Setting Your Strategy for Breakdowns

The hard part about preparing for expensive breakdowns is that they’re hard to predict. And if something like your air conditioner breaks down, it can leave you in a lurch, spending hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars upfront and out of pocket to address.

With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you have a strategy that helps you expect the unexpected, protect more, and pay less to do it. Because when a Covered Item breaks down, a click or call could solve it all, helping you address the breakdown, save money, and get back to enjoying homeownership during National Homeownership Month and beyond.

“It is absolutely imperative that if you buy a home, especially an existing home, you have 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. It’s just been a wonderful thing for me.” – Anissa, Bellevue, NE

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Finding You the Right Expert

If you’ve ever had a big breakdown—like an A/C in the summertime—you know how difficult it can be to find an available expert to fix it. (And if you haven’t had that experience, we’ll tell you that it’s . . .  not fun, to put it politely.)

When 2-10 Members experience breakdowns, we find the right expert for them. Our network of independent, local, vetted Service Contractors puts you in touch with the right expert for your issue, giving you the confidence that you’re getting a quality fix.

“It is difficult to find someone who will come to our area, but 2-10 can always find someone. We suggest everyone have 2-10’s home warranty service.” -Jeffrey, Red Hill, PA

Offering You Proactive Support and Advice

Happy homeownership takes some work, but you shouldn’t have to figure it all out by yourself. That’s why 2-10 is here to help you create the happiest home possible.

From how to drain your water heater and find your home’s water main to how to keep your lawn looking good and control annoying garden pests, we offer you tips and guides to help you keep your home happy and healthy.

Plus, for a limited time, 2-10 is offering 2-10 Members . With home maintenance tracking, severe weather alerts, important document storage, home health/safety metrics, and more, vipHome.app goes far in improving your experience of homeownership.

More Ways to Save

Having a 2-10 Home Service Plan to address breakdowns could help you save big and avoid huge, surprising out-of-pocket costs. And for 2-10 Members, the savings could go even further.

For example, 2-10 Members can always access the Happy Homeowner Program®, which includes the 2-10 HBW Appliance Discount Program. This program allows you to access special pricing on appliances from Whirlpool, GE, and more with discounts that could reach 30% or more off retail pricing!

And during from June 17 through June 30, you can save even more if you’re a 2-10 Member. We’re working with Whirlpool to give 2-10 Members an additional 5% off purchases made via our alliance with Whirlpool Inside Pass®.** So, keep your eyes on your inbox for this incredible offer, 2-10 Members!

Join Thousands of Happy 2-10 Members

[Conc. Pic]

2-10 is the Home Service Plan provider that goes the extra mile to protect your home, budget, and dream of homeownership, and it shows in our customer ratings.

I have been with 2-10 for about three years. They exceed expectations. I would give them ten stars!!!! I will never go back to American Home Shield. –Kimberly J., Atlanta, GA

We care about making sure you enjoy your experience of homeownership. We’ve worked hard to improve the experience of homeownership for more than 40 years.

Let 2-10 make your National Homeownership Month celebration one to remember with exceptional coverage, outstanding service, and special savings, all with you in mind!

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* Free membership good for 1 year from date of sign up with vipHomeLink. This offer is fulfilled and operated solely by vipHomeLink. vipHomeLink is responsible for any and all statements made regarding its application and services and is not an entity or affiliate of 2-10. The election by you to use the application offered is solely between vipHomeLink and you, subject to their applicable terms of use and privacy policy. Free trial offer ends 8/31/2024.

**Offer starts 06/17/24 and ends 06/30/24 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Discount taken off regular price excluding taxes, shipping/delivery, install/uninstall, and haul-away. Only valid for new orders on whirlpoolinsidepass.com. While supplies last.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Creating competitive advantages is how builders stand out and pursue more success over their competition. In the spirit of National Homeownership Month, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is working with home builders to create competitive advantages in both traditional and new ways. Here’s how.

Traditional Support: Industry-Leading New Home Warranty Program

The expectations homeowners have for their new homes continue to rocket higher every day. High quality, clear performance standards, and post-closing support could be what separate successful builders from the rest.

To address these expectations, more builders have trusted 2-10 and our industry-leading New Home Warranty Program more than any other third-party warranty administrator. Currently, 1 in 5 new homes in the US is enrolled in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program.

When builders enroll their homes in the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program, they’re differentiating themselves by showing potential buyers their dedication to quality, offering clear performance standards, and providing post-closing solutions to unexpected issues.

New Support: 2-10 NewHome Care℠

Managing post-closing expectations is challenging for many home builders. A big reason why is because, according to 2-10’s research, new homes have an average of 10 post-closing items of concern.

To help builders more effectively address these challenges, 2-10 has introduced 2-10 NewHome Care, the newest evolution of 2-10’s post-closing warranty management solution.

2-10 NewHome Care will be the successor to 2-10’s popular Front Line Warranty Service. In addition to the excellent post-closing support that 2-10 Builder Members could access through Front Line Warranty Service, 2-10 NewHome Care will include additional tools to help builders provide exceptional post-closing experiences, such as:

• Mobile-Friendly Request Intake that allows homeowners to effortlessly submit requestswith easy photo uploads
• Customizable Workflows that process homeowner requests in ways that work for you
• Contractor Assignment to designate contractors, whether internal or external
• Convenient Scheduling where contractors handle the scheduling so you can focus on building
• End-to-End Communication for assignments, tasks, appointments, confirmations, reminders, completion notifications, and more
• Robust Reporting spanning trending defects, operational statistics, processing times, and task aging
• Tailorable Dashboards & User Views so all parties always know who’s doing what, where, and when

To get a personalized walk-through of this astounding new solution, email NewHomeBusinessSolutions@2-10.com.

Traditional Support: New Home Warranty Booklet

For more than 40 years, builders have trusted the 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet to protect their profits, promote their quality, and plan for a successful future by controlling what’s behind them. To further support these needs, 2-10 released updated Warranty Booklets in Fall of 2023.

The enhanced 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet offers three huge benefits to builders, buyers, and homeowners:

1. Improved Experiences for Builders & Homeowners: 2-10 is dedicated to continuous improvement to ensure that coverage and processes are as easy to understand as possible. This could create better expectations, which could create even better customer experiences.
2. New Design for Better Experiences: The 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet is designed using builder feedback to be easier to use, with the aim of creating better experiences for you, your prospective buyers, and homeowners.
3. Enhanced Maintenance Section: Homeowners can take pride and have confidence in maintaining their homes, and increase their knowledge and awareness of their responsibilities as homeowners.

See all the outstanding things you can access as a 2-10 Builder Member via the 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet.

New Support: 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide

We’ve learned that builders have an increasing need for a way to improve the expectations builders and homeowners have and clarify their responsibilities. To fulfill this need, we created the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide, which you and your homeowners can leverage to take full advantage of the 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet.

From Quick Guides that help homeowners do the most important maintenance to detailed guides and checklists, the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide helps you and your homeowners stay on the same track toward happy homeownership and exceptional experiences, which could bolster your reputation and increase referrals.

After all, clients tend to refer others to the businesses they have good experiences with. Check out the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide to see how 2-10 goes the extra mile to support you.

Celebrate National Homeownership Month With 2-10

2-10 never stops innovating to support builders in protecting their profits, promoting their quality, and planning for a successful future. During National Homeownership Month and beyond, you can count on 2-10 to Do the Right Thing to provide the strategies, solutions, and service you need to succeed.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Are you prepared for air conditioner breakdowns this summer? Get ready with maintenance and claims tips from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10).

Start With Maintenance

The best way to deal with breakdowns is to avoid them in the first place. With some easy maintenance, you can decrease the chances of your air conditioner breaking down this summer.

• Change your furnace filter regularly, especially if you have pets or live in areas with wildfires.
• Clear your air conditioner of any debris, such as lawn clippings, yard waste, and animal nests. (If you see an animal nest or are uncomfortable doing any clearing yourself, consider calling a professional to remove it.)
• Check for any visible leaks around the unit’s hoses.

These simple tasks can go a long way toward keeping your air conditioner running well throughout the summer.

However, if your air conditioner breaks down and you have a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you’re in good shape. Here are some important things to do when your air conditioner breaks down.

File Your Claim Online

A fast and effective way to address an A/C breakdown in the summer is to file your claim online using your 2-10 Homeowner Portal account.

Using your 2-10 Homeowner Portal account gives you the power to have a local, independent Service Contractor diagnose your breakdown for the mere cost of a Service Fee.

The 2-10 Contractor Network lets you leverage our buying power and relationships with local, independent contractors, which can save you a big chunk of money when your A/C breaks down.

Summer is the busy season for A/C breakdowns. While 2-10 makes every effort to address claims calls timely, the Action Center in Homeowner Portal is an effective way to not only file your claim but also see the status of your claims and more.

Using Your Own Contractor

2-10’s Contractor Network can provide exceptional value by putting you in touch with local, independent contractors that can help you address all sorts of breakdowns. This also helps you save the most money possible with your 2-10 Home Service Plan due to our relationships within the 2-10 Contractor Network.

But if you need to use your own contractor, 2-10 helps you do that too. Here are some things to consider when using your own contractor.

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You might pay more

Using your own contractor may cost more for you out of pocket.

When you use a contractor in the 2-10 Contractor Network, you can take advantage of the rates we’ve negotiated with parts suppliers. However, an out-of-network contractor will likely charge retail rates, which are typically higher.

If you choose your own contractor when 2-10 has independent Service Contractors in your area, 2-10 will only cover what we would have paid an in-network contractor. You would be responsible for any remaining costs.

You must follow 2-10’s instructions

When you choose to use your own out-of-network contractor, 2-10 will send you a list of instructions that you must follow.

View the full list of instructions here.

The important thing to note when choosing your own contractor is that you need to get express authorization from 2-10 first if you’d like 2-10 to cover a portion of the work. You can’t have them do the work and then request authorization after the fact.

2-10 Is Ready for Your Summertime Needs

If your A/C breaks down this summer, 2-10 will be ready to help. We strongly encourage you to use your Homeowner Portal account to file claims and take advantage of our exceptional network of independent Service Contractors. This can help you get the most efficient solution at the lowest cost.

But if you need to use an out-of-network contractor, 2-10 is ready to help you there, too. Just make sure you understand what you need to do to use an out-of-network contractor through 2-10 so you can do so most effectively.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) recently published important insights about the post-customer support landscape for home builders in BUILDER Online.

For builders, post-closing support is essential to success. Homeowners have higher expectations for service that can be difficult for builders to meet without the right tools and support.

To address this important challenge, 2-10 created 2-10 NewHome Care℠, the newest evolution of Front Line Warranty Service specifically designed to help builders address post-closing needs quickly and efficiently.

Read this important article, featuring Sr. Vice President Kevin Miller’s thoughts on the shifting post-closing paradigm.

Read It Now

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Production builders will focus on improving their top and bottom lines at the 2024 Zonda Builder 100 Leadership Summit, and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is sponsoring this event. This is the premier building event of 2024, and 2-10 will be there to contribute to the conversations that are shaping our industry.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Success at Builder 100

The theme for this year’s summit is “Shaping Tomorrow’s Success.” And there are two big trends for builders that 2-10 can help you pursue successfully.

First, new homes have become a preferred choice over pre-owned homes in recent years. This preference, coupled with aggressive competition in the pre-owned space, gives production builders an advantage to grow their businesses while providing a pathway to the American Dream.

Second, post-closing support is becoming so important to new-home buyers. But many builders are struggling to find a post-closing solution that supports their financial and operational business goals. Without a powerful post-closing solution, reputations and future successes could be at risk.

AI & Home Buyer Trends: How 2-10 Supports You

2-10’s mission—to improve the quality of housing and the experience of homeownership—aligns with this year’s theme. Our industry-leading New Home Warranty Program is a big reason why production builders prefer 2-10.

It’s also a big reason why more builders trust 2-10 than any other structural warranty administrator.

• 1 in 5 new homes in the US is covered by a 2-10 New Home Warranty.
• 2-10 has supported builders for more than 40 years.
• 2-10 offers solutions for many building strategies, including retail, Build to Rent, and commercial.

The themes of artificial intelligence and decoding home buyer trends will take the stage at the Builder 100 Leadership Summit. In both areas, the ability to offer strong post-closing customer experiences will undoubtedly play an important role in shaping your future success.

At the Builder 100 Leadership Summit, two of 2-10’s experts—Jeanine Jones and Daniel Smith—will be available to speak with you about 2-10 NewHome Care, the latest evolution in post-closing excellence. 2-10 NewHome Care leverages smart technology and 2-10’s industry-leading expertise to allow builders to offer streamlined a post-closing competitive advantage that protects profits, supports operational efficiencies, and enhances builder reputations.

Where & When

The Builder 100 Leadership Summit is in Dana Point, California, May 6–8. Speakers will include Phillippe Lord, Patrick Zalupski, Liesel Cooper, and many more.

As a proud sponsor, 2-10 will contribute to the important conversations about the home-building industry at this summit.

The home-building industry continues to evolve with the needs and demands of builders and buyers. 2-10 is dedicated to evolving with the industry and providing the products and services builders have trusted for more than 40 years.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Success With 2-10

Like all successful builders, 2-10 aims to improve the quality of housing and the experience of homeownership.

As affordability, inventory, and higher homeowner expectations continue to pose challenges to builders and buyers, production builders will play a key role in addressing these issues.

With 2-10, builders can protect their profits, promote their quality, and access the support they need to plan for a successful future with confidence.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

The third Friday in April is National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day. Whether you’re observing the day or just want to clean yours out, there’s a right way and a wrong way to clean out your medicine cabinet.

The Wrong Way

Throwing everything in the trash or flushing it down the toilet is the wrong way to clean out your medicine cabinet.

There are so many negative consequences of throwing old medicine away improperly.

• Water and soil contamination
• Harm to fish and wildlife that come in contact with it
• Potential for drug abuse

While it’s true that you can flush certain medicines down a toilet and throw some medicines in the trash, there’s a right way to do it.

The Right Way to Throw or Flush Medicines

First, you should only flush medications that specifically say, “Flush this down the toilet.” The FDA has a list of flushable medicines, but the containers these medicines come in will also explicitly say that it’s safe to flush.

If the container doesn’t say you can flush it, don’t flush it.

Likewise, there’s a right way to throw medicines in the trash. The FDA recommends a four-step process for tossing most medicines.

1. Take the medicine out of the container and put it in a resealable bag.
2. Add something gross—like old coffee grounds, cat litter, or food waste—to the bag to hide the medicine and make it unattractive to pets or kids.
3. Seal the bag and throw it out.
4. Remove all identifying information of the original container and throw that out too.

Take It to an Authorized Collector

A better way to dispose of old medicines is to take them to an authorized collector. There are usually a couple options for you here.

• A DEA Drug Takeback Day location
• A local drug drop-off location

Some hospitals, pharmacies, and businesses will also take old drugs back and dispose of them properly for you.

Don’t Forget About Pet Medications

Double-check on any old pet medications you may have around the house as well. You can usually bring these medicines to the drug drop-off locations mentioned above.

Some, but not all, veterinarians will take drugs back—ask your vet if they offer these services. If they don’t, they can point you in the right direction.

A Special Note About Fentanyl Patches

With the United States in the middle of an opioid crisis led primarily by the misuse of fentanyl, it’s super, super important that you treat the disposal of fentanyl patches with extra care.

Because they look like stickers, these patches can be enticing to kids. And even used patches still contain enough fentanyl to kill or seriously injure a child (or pet) who touches it.

According to the FDA, used fentanyl patches should be folded, sticky sides together, and immediately flushed down a toilet. This is one of the medicines where it’s less harmful to flush it than to run the risk of someone accidentally touching it.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Replacing an air conditioner can cost thousands of dollars. Here are some average costs, along with ways to prevent and address breakdowns more effectively.

$5,850: The Average Air Conditioner Replacement Cost

A brand-new centralized air conditioner replacement costs $5,850 on average, according to Costimates.

However, those costs could range between $3,700 and $7,275, depending on a few different factors:

• Your location
• Air conditioner efficiency (SEER rating)
• Brand and quality of the air conditioner
• Permitting

Additionally, you may also end up replacing your entire HVAC system, rather than just the air conditioner. This can raise the costs by another few thousand dollars.

How Much to Repair an Air Conditioner?

If you’re looking at that replacement cost and thinking, “OK, maybe let’s just repair the thing,” you’re not alone.

The average cost to repair an air conditioner is between $150 and $650.

Repair costs are a little trickier though. Factors like parts, labor, and the component that needs fixing all affect the overall repair price. And sometimes, when one component breaks down, it can cause damage to other components, which increases the costs.

And of course, there’s the big challenge of refrigerants. The EPA has banned the use of common refrigerants like Freon, with more bans on the way. That could make it even more expensive to repair an older air conditioning unit.

For example, say your air conditioner uses a banned refrigerant like Freon and springs a leak. Your HVAC technician may need to charge extra to address the problem because the only Freon they’d be able to recharge with would be from whatever supply they have in reserve, which may not be much.

In fact, they may need to retrofit your entire unit to take a different kind of refrigerant in this case!

(If your unit uses banned refrigerants, don’t worry about whether you’re breaking the law—you’re not. It’s just illegal to make or import these refrigerants, not to use them with a system you already have. So, as long as you aren’t acting like this guy, you’ll be in good shape . . . at least until you have a refrigerant leak.)

Is There a Less Expensive Option Than Repair or Replace?

You could just get rid of your air conditioner and sweat it out. (We’re kidding. Summers keep getting hotter. No way you’re not having an air conditioner.)

But if that doesn’t sound like a good idea (it doesn’t), there’s a better solution: a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10).

A 2-10 Home Service Plan can vastly reduce the cost of an air conditioner repair or replacement. And you can even access unlimited refrigerant recapture and recharge, along with SEER matching, with certain plans and options.

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How Much Less Would I Pay With a 2-10 Home Service Plan?

Depending on the plan you have and the limits that come with it, you could pay as little as a Service Fee, which is usually less than $150.

And even if you exceed your limits—2-10 would obviously tell you that this is happening before we approved any work—a 2-10 Home Service Plan can still save you thousands.

How Do I Know 2-10 Covers My A/C Breakdown?

Your 2-10 Home Service Plan includes all the details about what’s covered and what isn’t, and you can always access it through your Homeowner Portal account.

But generally, here are some guidelines about what’s covered:

• The air conditioner must be in good working order at the time the Home Service Plan goes into effect.
• The breakdown must be caused by routine wear and tear—not weather, lack of maintenance, or hitting it with a bat over and over because it’s not making the house cool enough quickly enough.
• You must properly maintain your air conditioner.

How Do I Maintain My Air Conditioner?

Proper maintenance is an important part of using your 2-10 Home Service Plan. For an air conditioner, there are a few things you need to do to maintain it.

• Change the air filter regularly
• Keep the outdoor unit free of debris
• Check for obvious leaks
• Keep windows and exterior doors closed while it’s running

These simple tasks can keep your air conditioner in good working order. They also allow you to use your 2-10 Home Service Plan when your air conditioner breaks down from normal wear and tear.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

The weather is getting more extreme every year. No matter whether you’re on the coast or smack in the middle of America, you need to be prepared for extreme weather. Here are eight steps to take to prepare for bad weather, especially in the spring.

Store Water and Non-Perishable Food

Having enough food and water is crucial to preparing for extreme weather. Between severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods, the likelihood of damage to roads and potable water supplies increases. And as anyone who lives in a hurricane-prone area can tell you, the rush to stock up before a major storm can be a nightmare.

The challenge with extreme spring weather is that it can be sudden and unpredictable. Trying to collect enough food and water in the middle of extreme weather can be dangerous or impossible, so it’s a good idea to do some advance preparation.

Generally, try to have enough bottled water and non-perishable food to last you between two and five days. And if you have pets, make sure you keep a mini kit of food and water for them, too!

Stay Warm With Blankets

Extreme weather often comes with cold fronts. And when they damage the electrical grid, you’ll need ways to keep yourself warm. This is especially true as sudden snowstorms tend to creep deeper into spring, sometimes as late as mid-May in some areas of the country.

Keep a supply of clean, warm blankets to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

Get a First Aid Kit

Extreme weather can cause injuries. Things like bandages, sterile gloves, and over-the counter pain medication could save your life if you or others are harmed by extreme weather events.

And of course, be sure to pack any prescription medications you may require as well.

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Get Battery-Powered Flashlights, Radios, & Batteries

Having two or three battery-powered flashlights is a good idea, just in case one gets lost or damaged. In addition to flashlights, consider a battery-powered or crank-powered radio to stay informed about what’s going on in your immediate area.

And don’t forget to have extra batteries for everything. Purchase several packs of batteries of appropriate sizes for your battery-powered items, and don’t be afraid to overdo it. It’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Make a List of Important Information

When disaster strikes, having access to important information can give you a head start on recovery. Keep copies of the following information in a safe place, and consider having physical and digital copies.

• Identification, like a driver’s license or passport
• Medical information
• Insurance information
• Banking information
• Property information
• Telephone numbers and emails for family, neighbors, and utility companies

Have an Evacuation Plan

The previous steps are all helpful for if you plan to hunker down during extreme weather. But in some cases, you’ll need to evacuate as quickly as possible.

Your evacuation plan should include the following:

• Maps with evacuation routes
• Checkpoints for where everyone should meet following the extreme weather event
• Hard copies of phone numbers in case your phone storage is lost or destroyed
• A go bag that includes food, water, clothing, blankets, and medication

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Make a Car Emergency Kit

If you need to leave your home, make sure you have an emergency kit for your car. This should include the following:

• Food and water
• Blankets
• Clothes and hi-vis vests
• Flashlights
• Tools and jumper cables
• Whistle and flares to call and signal for help

Download vipHome.app

Knowing what’s coming can keep you ready to execute your extreme weather plan. With vipHome.app, you can get push notifications with property-specific weather alerts that help you prepare for any kind of extreme weather that’s on the way.

And you get so much more with vipHome.app. With home maintenance tracking, important document storage, home health/safety metrics, and more, vipHome.app goes far in improving your experience of homeownership.

As a bonus, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) Members get FREE* access to this powerful preparation tool, but only for a limited time. Take advantage of this limited-time free offer today!

*Free membership good for 1 year from date of sign up with vipHomeLink. This offer is fulfilled and operated solely by vipHomeLink. vipHomeLink is responsible for any and all statements made regarding its application and services and is not an entity or affiliate of 2-10. The election by you to use the application offered is solely between vipHomeLink and you, subject to their applicable terms of use and privacy policy. Free trial offer ends 8/31/2024.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Home Service Plan (home warranty) coverage can protect Sellers, Buyers, and real estate agents throughout the home sales process. Once the sale closes, converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage is an easy, efficient way for real estate agents to keep their clients protected. Today, we’ll look at why converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage is important. We’ll also look at how real estate agents can convert it easily.

What Is Seller Coverage and How Does It Work?

Seller Coverage from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is simple for real estate agents to provide. Where allowed by law, it’s complimentary (except in Florida, where it’s $60 and includes A/C and Heat Pump coverage). Seller Coverage reduces repair or replacement costs for the home’s major systems and appliances throughout the listing period.

Say a Seller has 2-10 Seller Coverage and their heater breaks during the listing. All they have to do is contact 2-10 and pay a Service Fee to a local contractor that 2-10 dispatches. The contractor assesses the breakdown and if it’s a Covered Item, they repair or replace it. This can prevent delays or markdowns throughout the sales process. It also protects the Seller’s budget as they try to sell their most valuable asset.

In short, Seller Coverage can make agents look like heroes when their Sellers need protection most. We recommend that agents present a 2-10 Home Service Plan to both the Seller and the Buyer before closing.

Why Convert Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage?

There are three reasons to convert coverage from Seller to Buyer.

1. Incentivizing Buyers: A home warranty is the #1 home selling incentive for 2024.
2. Reducing Post-Closing Disputes: In addition to establishing that all Covered Items are in good working order, converting coverage gives Buyers a solution to unexpected breakdowns, which can reduce time-consuming post-closing disputes for you, allowing you to move to the next transaction with confidence.
3. Reducing Buyer’s Remorse: The unexpected cost of breakdowns is a big reason for buyer’s remorse. Offering a home warranty provides a solution that protects your reputation and helps you stand out as an agent who cares.

Converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage can help you avoid these challenges and position you for more success.

How to Convert Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage

Once the home closes, there are three ways to convert Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage.

1. Sellers purchase and transfer coverage to Buyers

When a Seller’s home includes Seller Coverage, the Seller can convert it to Buyer Coverage for the Buyer as an incentive. This can help a Seller’s home stand out, as systems and appliances protection is valuable to new homeowners.

Additionally, converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage can help reduce post-closing disputes related to system and appliance breakdowns. This can help agent reduce risks and move on to their next transaction with more confidence, since 2-10 takes over in the event of a covered breakdown.

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2. Buyer’s agent buys Buyer Coverage and presents it as a gift

A common way to convert coverage is for the Buyer’s agent to purchase it for their clients. Doing so solves a big problem for many Buyers, especially first-time Buyers.

Many Buyers spend most of the money they have on a down payment. If a major system (e.g., HVAC) or a major appliance (e.g., fridge) breaks down, they may not have the money to address the problem. This can make the initial stages of homeownership difficult. It can force you to field calls from your clients about what they should do about breakdowns, which makes it more challenging to move onto the next deal.

Purchasing Buyer Coverage can reduce this risk. Buyer Coverage protects Buyers against major system and appliance breakdowns for one year, starting the day it’s enrolled (agents have 30 days after closing to enroll the home). This can make the first year of homeownership less expensive for Buyers. It can also lead to happier clients who are more willing to recommend you to other Buyers. And it saves agents time, because instead of fielding calls, you can focus on your sales goals.

3. The Buyer converts Buyer Coverage themselves

If the Seller or real estate agent don’t convert coverage, the Buyer can purchase coverage for themselves. The last thing homeowners want right after purchasing a home is for a major system or appliance to break down. 2-10 Buyer Coverage can reduce the costs of homeownership when Buyers need it most.

Help Your Clients Succeed With 2-10

Converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage is a great way to differentiate yourself in a competitive market. It helps protect the transaction, could create a smoother sales process, and may improve the homeownership experience for clients. And when clients are happy, they’re more likely to refer their agents to others.

Coverage your clients deserve

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

February 10 is National Home Warranty Day. It’s little wonder why National Home Warranty Day falls on 2/10—2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is the name real estate agents trust for high-quality Home Service Plan (Home Warranty) coverage. As we celebrate this special day, we especially want to celebrate the support we provide real estate agents across the country, today and every day!

Protecting Agent Transactions Every Day

Protecting transactions is crucial to an agent’s success. Unfortunately, unexpected breakdowns to important systems and appliances can put transactions in danger. But with 2-10 Buyer and Seller Coverage, agents can have more confidence that their transactions are protected against the unexpected.

There are three big ways a 2-10 Home Warranty helps protect agent transactions:

1. 2-10 Seller Coverage helps reduce the chances of a breakdown derailing a sale by providing an effective solution that could keep the deal moving forward.
2. Converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage could help Sellers offer a valuable incentive without reducing the sale price of the home.
3. Presenting 2-10 Buyer Coverage could improve your reputation. When agents provide a solution to a problem that many homeowners eventually face before it happens, that shows commitment and dedication to happy homeownership. Happy homeowners tend to refer their agents.

When agents have fewer risks to worry about, it can help them move on to the next transaction while showing their clients that they’re always looking to protect their interests.

Giving the People What They Want

In 2024, a home warranty is the #1 incentive Sellers can offer to Buyers. Obviously, Sellers recognize the value of a home warranty as an incentive to Buyers. Likewise, Buyers appreciate the added budgetary protection a home warranty provides so soon after what’s likely to be a large down payment.

When agents offer a 2-10 Home Warranty, they’re going above and beyond expectations. That’s because a 2-10 Buyer and Seller coverage stand out among the competition.

• Seller Coverage is complimentary (where allowed by law).
• 2-10 offers industry-leading HVAC protection—including unlimited refrigerant recharge and recapture, along with SEER matching—which can save Buyers and Sellers a lot of money.
• Buyer Coverage includes additional benefits, such as Happy Home Lock & Hardware, which offers Buyers a reimbursement for changing or rekeying their locks within 45 days.

On top of all that, agents who enroll homes in 2-10 Buyer or Seller Coverage give their client access to a trusted network of Service Contractors. This can help expedite the repair/replacement process with trusted and vetted service.

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Providing Peace of Mind

Real estate transactions can be stressful. With a 2-10 Home Warranty, agents can offer peace of mind throughout the transaction.

For Sellers, 2-10 Seller Coverage provides assurance that if a Covered Item breaks down, they won’t have to scramble for a solution. They simply contact 2-10, and we get the ball rolling on addressing the issue.

A 2-10 Home Warranty also says to Buyers, “This home’s major systems and appliances are in good working order.” This, along with a professional inspection, can help a home stand out as more move-in ready than other homes on the market.

For Buyers, purchasing a home is likely to drain their nest egg. That means less potential money to address breakdowns. In fact, the unexpected cost of breakdowns is one of the leading causes of buyer’s remorse, which can have a negative impact on an agent’s reputation.

A 2-10 Home Warranty can protect Buyers’ budgets in the aftermath of a huge purchase. It also provides a cost-effective solution to a common problem before the problem occurs, which can show Buyers that you truly care about their experience of homeownership after the sale. And Buyers tend to refer agents who take good care of them.

Celebrate National Home Warranty Day by Choosing 2-10

For agents who want to protect their transactions, give their clients what they want, and offer peace of mind during a stressful time, 2-10 is the company they trust.

This National Home Warranty Day, do the right thing for you and your clients by offering a 2-10 Home Warranty for all your transactions.

Coverage your clients deserve

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Heavy snow can cause roof damage. However, removing snow from your roof can also be dangerous to do. Here are a few Do’s and Don’ts to help you safely remove snow from your roof and reduce the chances of roof damage.

Do Plan Ahead

Check your positioning before you start removing snow. See where the snow might fall and what they consequences might be. Always give yourself ample room to retreat if more snow comes off the roof than expected.

Don’t Do It Alone

Always have someone acting as your spotter when removing snow from your roof. They can keep an eye out for drifts, sudden snow slides, and icicles, which are hard to see (and hear) when you’re focused on removing snow.

Do Use a Roof Rake

A roof rake is the safest way to remove snow from your roof. It allows you to stay on the ground and off ladders, which can be especially dangerous in the cold. Roof rakes can also extend to give you more reach.

Don’t Try to Get All the Snow

It’s not necessary to remove all the snow from your roof. You just want to remove enough to prevent collapses or dangerous snow slides. It’s OK to leave a couple inches of snow on the roof.

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Do Go Slow and Take Breaks

Especially when snow is heavy, you should take your time and take breaks. Removing snow can be strenuous work, which can cause muscles strains. You may also break a sweat, which can be a dangerous combination in the cold. In the worst cases, overworking to remove snow could cause heart attacks.

Don’t Go on the Roof

Going on a roof is dangerous in even the best conditions. Avoid going on the roof to shovel or otherwise remove snow. The risk of slipping is too great to risk.

Do Check Gutters and Downspouts

Make sure your downspouts aren’t blocked after removing snow. Blocked downspouts can cause ice dams, which can in turn cause damage to your roof and gutters, or even seepage into your house.

If you notice that your gutters have lots of big icicles, it could be a sign that your gutters are clogged. You should call a professional at this point. Avoid the temptation to knock the icicles off! They could cause damage to the house or harm to you and your snow-removal partner.

Don’t Use Direct Heat

Whether it’s a hair dryer, blowtorch, or other heat source, never under any circumstances apply direct heat to snow on the roof. Doing so could cause many problems, such as:

• Fires
• Avalanches
• Flooding

Do Be Safe

When clearing snow off your roof, safety is the most important thing. If you aren’t sure about whether you can do the job yourself, call a professional.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Clutter and lacking counter space can make a home feel cramped. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are a few tips you can use to increase your home storage without having to renovate your entire house.

First, Declutter

The hardest part of increasing your home storage space is decluttering. Many homeowners find that once they start thinning out the stuff they’ve accumulated, it’s much easier to make more space.

To make the decluttering process less overwhelming, try two things.

First, dedicate a few hours to your most clutter-heavy rooms. For example, you might dedicate two hours to each of your bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom (six hours total). Having a plan on which rooms to tackle and for how long will prevent you from taking too much time thinking about what you need to do.

Second, consider making three separate piles for each room’s clutter.

1. Things you use at least once a month
2. Things you can’t remember using in the last six months
3. Items that have sentimental value

Pile 1 will contain everything you’ll store away in the next few steps.

Pile 2 will have everything that you can safely donate or toss. If you have any doubts about throwing it out, ask yourself—when will I really use this again? Keeping things you likely won’t use is a huge cause of clutter.

Pile 3 will contain things that you may not use regularly but have a special meaning. Think things like old photos or special articles of clothing. Again, the key question to ask yourself is “Why am I holding onto this?”

If you can’t justify keeping it, toss it. If you can justify keeping it, make a memorabilia pile, and get ready to group like with like.

Group Like With Like

After separating the keep pile from the junk pile, start grouping like with like. One of the biggest causes of clutter is haphazardly storing things out of sight. While that might be a quick solution for hosting unexpected guests, it’s not a sustainable way to maximize your home storage.

Instead, designate certain spots for certain, similar items. For example, keep your small appliances in the same cabinet. Consider using separators in your closet to separate heavier clothing like jeans and sweaters from lighter clothing like dresses or robes. (You can do the same to separate casual wear and formal wear.)

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Consider a Storage Bed for the Bedroom

Storage beds let you put items either comfortably under the mattress or in the included drawer space at the base of the bed. Though it’s more of an investment, a storage bed can do wonders for maximizing home storage space.

Take Advantage of Wall Space

Running out of closet and cabinet space is frustrating for many homeowners. A good storage solution for these cases is to use wall space to store items.

You can start by installing floating shelves on bare walls. These shelves often come pre-built from your local hardware store. All you have to do is find an appropriately sized shelf, make sure it’s level, and screw it into the wall.

You can use these shelves to store small appliances like coffee makers or blenders. You can also use them as decorative pieces, with small houseplants or books (be careful not to overweigh shelves with heavy books).

Give Everything a Home

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is consistently putting items in their proper home. This often starts in the kitchen. You might take a small appliance out to use on a counter to prepare a meal. Then, it sits on the counter, taking up space and creating claustrophobia, because other things come up.

When you have a dedicated home for all items (remember: like with like), you’ll be more likely to put them away. This includes items like dirty dishes. For instance, if you have a dishwasher, make that the home for dirty dishes, rather than letting them sit in the sink.

Prevent Breakdowns From Cramping Your Style With 2-10

Making space around the house has another indirect effect. It can help keep your systems and appliances running well. When you don’t have clutter on things like your stove or air conditioning and heating vents, it lets those items maximize their output. On the other hand, clutter can cause them to overwork or even break down.

Fortunately, by following these steps, you can reduce that likelihood. Even so, your home’s systems and appliances will still eventually break down. A home warranty from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can take the stress out of that situation. Rather than having to pay big bucks out of pocket to fix or replace your breakdown, a Home Service Plan can take care of it for you, vastly reducing the cost and time it takes to remedy the problem. See which Home Service Plan plan is best for you today.

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pay less with 2-10

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Every year, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) awards our Builder Members for their incredible contributions to the home-building industry. We’re excited to announce the Builder Achievement Award Program Winners for 2023!

Check out the full list of winners here!

How Does This Award Program Work?

Every year, 2-10 selects builders who demonstrate skilled craftsmanship and construct inspired homes while improving the quality of housing. The 2023 Annual Builder Achievement Awards Program period ran from Nov. 1, 2022, through Oct. 31, 2023. The Builder Achievement Awards Program recognizes builders in three different tiers: Platinum, Premier, and Select.

In addition to the Builder Achievement Awards Program, 2-10 recognizes builders with a long-standing tradition of providing exceptional customer service and protection to their home buyers. We’ve reserved the Foundation Builder Awards for builders who have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving the housing industry. This Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes builders who display a tenured devotion to doing things the right way and building a business based on integrity, trust, and reliability.

Platinum Builder Award

We dedicate the Platinum Builder Award to acknowledge leadership in new construction. This includes builders who introduce innovative home designs, marketing strategies, and construction technologies. Winners combine their innovative skills with a personal touch that helps buyers connect with their newly built home communities.

Premier Builder Award

The most versatile builders in their markets receive the Premier Builder Award. These builders successfully respond and adapt well to changing market conditions.

These winners have mastered growing their businesses to their full potential. They also demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of homeowners’ expectations in their homes. With so many sudden changes in what homeowners want, this is truly an admirable achievement.

Select Builder Award

Finally, we dedicate the Select Builder Award to builders proficient in building relationships with buyers. In addition to building high-quality homes, these winners excel at providing unmatched customer service and high customer satisfaction. These builders focus on making the home-buying experience personal instead of simply transactional.

Congratulations to Our Winners

Winning an award is a good thing. Winning an award from an industry leader like 2-10 is even better because it can help you build trust with prospects through third-party validation.

The first step to winning one of these prestigious awards is becoming a 2-10 Builder Member. For more information on the membership process, contact us today.

Congratulations to our 2023 winners. The race for 2024’s award winners has already begun!

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Buyers often need to make concessions to get their dream home. For example, Buyers may pay more than the asking price and sometimes go over their budget. But is waiving a home inspection a concession your Buyers should make? Let’s look at some of the implications of waiving a home inspection and whether it could be a strategy for your Buyers.

Should Buyers Waive Inspections?

No. Waiving inspections typically introduces avoidable risks that Buyers may regret down the line. In the worst case, they may try to blame their real estate agent for not warning them of the consequences of waiving an inspection.

What Does a Home Inspection Do?

A home inspection helps Buyers uncover less obvious issues in a home they’re considering for purchase. It can also give Buyers the option to back out of a deal and recover their earnest money if the inspection reveals such problems.

Why Do Buyers Do Home Inspections at All?

Buyers do home inspections to protect themselves and their budgets against unforeseen problems. Many homes appear to be in good shape. But sometimes, homes have underlying issues, some of which can be serious. Problems like mold, water damage, and roof issues can be costly to fix and even make the home unsafe.

An inspection can give Buyers important information about the home before they’re contractually obliged to put a large chunk of money down. It can also show Sellers issues that could prevent a sale.

For example, say an inspection discovers that the home’s HVAC system is faulty. The Buyer can request that the Seller replace it or credit them for a replacement through a price reduction. Keep in mind that the inspection doesn’t require Sellers to do anything at all. However, many Sellers don’t want to put their home back on the market based on reasonable inspection issues, as it tends to raise red flags.

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Why Would a Buyer Waive One?

A Buyer might waive an inspection to make their offer look stronger to Sellers. Without an inspection, the Buyer agrees to purchase the home as is. That means the Seller has no obligation to invest any money into the home or offer a credit for improvements to make it more sellable.

What Happens When a Buyer Waives a Home Inspection?

Though waiving an inspection can be a strategy Buyers use to make their offer look stronger, it comes with plenty of consequences. For instance, if a Buyer waives an inspection then discovers that some of the electrical outlets don’t work, it’s the Buyer’s problem. The Buyer may need to hire an electrician and pay for permits to rewire the house. That can cost a lot of money and put Buyers in a tough spot so soon after making their down payment.

Similarly, if a Buyer waives a home inspection and signs a purchase agreement, there’s often no going back. Even if a major problem, like a large crack in the foundation, appears after a Buyer signs a purchase agreement but before the sale is final, the Buyer is still responsible for abiding by the terms of the agreement. That could mean massive repair costs on top of a down payment.

In short, waiving a home inspection can be a huge gamble for Buyers.

Conclusion

Unless Buyers have the financial means to address the house as is, waiving the home inspection is probably not a good strategy.

Though it may be tempting for Buyers to waive an inspection in a Seller’s market, Buyers agents can help them reconsider. Educate your clients about the consequences of waiving the inspection. Inform Buyers that a home inspection protects them while they consider one of the biggest investments of their lives. But also stress to your Buyers that a home inspection isn’t a means to get a better deal.

You may also consider letting Buyers know that Sellers aren’t eager to put their homes back on the market. If a home inspection comes back with issues, many Sellers will be motivated to address them within reason. An inspection that uncovers issues isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, and you can help your Buyers understand this.

As your clients approach the home inspection phase, consider recommending a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10). Even if everything is in good working order, systems and appliances breakdowns can occur in the future. Buyer’s Coverage can help your clients pay for unexpected repair and replacement costs. This can protect their budgets when they need it most and turn happy homeowners into your greatest advocates.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Helping your buyers know what to expect from their new home can be challenging. For many buyers, every cosmetic crack or perceived flaw in design is the builder’s responsibility. In reality, you know that’s not always true, but how can you explain that to your buyers before it becomes an issue? How can you properly set customer expectations?

The answer lies in 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty’s (2-10) New Home Warranty Booklet. Here’s how 2-10’s Warranty Booklet helps you set customer expectations clearly and assures that you and your buyers are on the same page throughout your relationship.

Simple, Easy-to-Understand Language

Many warranty documents currently on the market were written years (if not decades) ago by attorneys and engineers. This often makes those documents difficult for the average homeowner and construction team to understand, in addition to sounding dated.

2-10’s Warranty Booklet is easy to understand for all parties.

• Homeowners can clearly see and understand what’s covered.
• Construction managers have an objective standard to work with.
• Your warranty department gains clarity about responsibilities.
• Your sales professionals benefit by having a clearly articulated guide to explain the immense value of a structural warranty, which helps them build trust.

When it’s easy to explain the warranty document and what it covers, it helps set customer expectations clearly. When clients understand what you’re trying to help them do, they gain even more trust in you as a builder.

The 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet provides clear overviews of each aspect of the warranties we provide (workmanship, distribution systems, structural). That helps establish common ground around customer expectations.

Easy to Use

At their core, warranty documents are legal documents, which can be extremely hard to use if you aren’t a lawyer. 2-10’s Warranty Booklet simplifies the technicalities and has an intuitive layout, so you and your buyers can find and understand specific coverage more easily.

In addition, the Warranty Booklet includes more imagery and graphs so homeowners can more clearly understand their coverage. This helps answer common homeowner questions, create positive experiences between you and your clients, and limit unnecessary calls homeowners direct toward you.

When the warranty document is intuitive, it’s much easier to show your value and build trust.

Transparent

The 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet minimizes jargon in favor of transparent language. The best example of this is how we’ve defined what a structural failure really is.

In the structural warranty space, a failure is defined as anything that makes the home “unsafe, unsanitary, or unlivable.” But ask 10 different people to define those terms and you’ll likely get 12 different answers.

We help builders and their teams take the mystery out of the meaning by defining those terms in measurable and objective ways. Because the 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet provides clear definitions of coverage, there’s much less interpretation about what’s covered.

That way, if there is a dispute between you and your client, it’s much easier to come to an agreement without involving attorneys. That creates a much better experience for you, your construction managers, your warranty department, and most importantly, your buyers.

Clear Expectations

Setting clear expectations for your clients positions you as trustworthy, which goes a long way in bolstering your reputation and helping you sell more homes. But sometimes, expectations change as time goes by. Fortunately, 2-10 has your back in these situations.

Consider granite countertops. Not too long ago, granite countertops were much less common than they are today. However, as they became more popular, builders ran into trouble explaining which, if any, granite countertop defects their warranties covered.

2-10’s Warranty Booklet took the guesswork out of it by stating that things like color differences and seams may exist and are not defects, while cracks and chips that exist during the original walkthrough and exceed a certain size are defects.

We added this section based on builder feedback. In turn, it helped homeowners better understand what their expectations should be, because they could reference their contract.

We believe that as floor plans and home building evolves, so too should warranty documents. When you have the most up-to-date information for your buyers, it’s yet another way to foster your relationship with them.

Saves Time and Reduces Confusion

When everyone’s using the same performance standards and has the same expectations, you spend less time trying to demystify confused homeowners.

One of the challenges of setting customer expectations is that not all homeowners understand that they won’t be able to see certain structural components in their completed homes. Another is that sometimes, homeowners misinterpret normal things, such as cosmetic cracks, as structural issues.

When you cover all of your homes with a 2-10 New Home Warranty, you get clear guidance on how to handle these issues. And because these standards come from the industry leader, it adds the credibility of third-party validation to your sales repertoire.

When there’s less confusion, it gives you more time to do what you do best—build quality homes. Let 2-10 back you on all the homes you build with a clear, valuable, easy-to-understand warranty book to properly set customer expectations.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Home builders, real estate investors, and property managers have accelerated their engagement with the Build to Rent (BTR) market, for several reasons.

• The BTR community housing market could be worth billions of dollars.
• Single-family homes are in short supply despite crushing demand.
• Affordability challenges make single-family rentals (SFRs) and rent communities a more realistic path to enjoying the perks of living in a single-family home.

Plus, lessees expect certain amenities and a particular lifestyle, like big backyards and a sense of community, as they pursue their path toward the American Dream.

With so much at stake, everyone needs confidence in their strategies for success in BTR. That’s why builders and investors choose 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), the industry leader in BTR warranty coverage.

Tenant-Occupied Structural Warranty

For more than 40 years, 2-10 has led the industry in BTR coverage. As the BTR market continues to expand, 2-10 has tailored its industry-leading products and services to further complement the industry’s most-trusted risk-management tools for builders, investors, and lessors.

Introducing: A first-of-its-kind tenant-occupied structural warranty

With a 2-10 tenant-occupied structural warranty, builders and investors can:

• Protect their reputation and bottom line on every SFR they build and invest in.
• Safeguard investments in the rental market.
• Support rental property managers, whether internal or external.

Plus, thanks to 2-10’s robust experience in the BTR space, no one understands the risks of BTR and how to address them better than 2-10. For more than 40 years, 2-10’s traditional structural warranty products and services have provided the guidance and protection that builders have needed when acting as general contractors in the BTR space.

Now, 2-10’s new BTR product allows investors—along with builders looking to build and hold their homes as lessors—to access the highest-quality risk-management solution in the BTR market.

Risk Management

2-10 has always led the charge in the BTR space, and we continue to be the only structural warranty administrator who can speak fluently to addressing risk in BTR. Our fluency in risk management provides three key benefits that no one else can match.

• A differentiator: 2-10’s expert guidance in warranties, agreements, and risk mitigation differentiates you and helps prevent future unforeseen losses. We tailor solutions to meet the needs of the deal based on risk adversity, exit strategy, geography, and more.
• Front-to-back support: Warranty administration, flexible warranty terms, and pose-closing support let you build your portfolio with confidence.
• Investment protection: 10 years of structural coverage, which protects builders, real estate investors, and potential exit strategies against the outlandish costs of unexpected structural defects.

Coverage Tailored to Your Needs

Each BTR situation is unique, and 2-10 understands this better than anyone. We work to create a program that fits the deals you have in your pipeline. Whereas other providers may slap a “BTR” sticker on their products and sell you a service that stops when its sold, 2-10 sticks with you from the moment ground is broken to the end of your obligations regarding statues of repose.

Customizable coverage, unmatched support, and clear definitions regarding your responsibilities help you protect your profits and investments, bolster your reputation, and plan for a successful future by controlling what’s behind you.

Conclusion

In BTR, there will be countless pretenders who claim to know what they’re doing and how to help you. None has the experience, track record, and trustworthiness of 2-10 .

You deserve the best in BTR. You deserve 2-10 . Get started today.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Agents who can provide added value to Buyers and Sellers stand out. When you stand out, it can have a cascading effect of more success, stronger reputation, and more referrals. Here’s how 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) helps agents stand out in the real estate market.

2-10 Helps Protect Your Transaction

Few things are more frustrating than when an important system or appliance breaks down and derails the sale. It can lead to complaints and questions about why this happened, from both Buyers and Sellers. Often, those complaints and questions will fall on you, which could take you away from helping your next client.

With 2-10, you can offer coverage against major breakdowns on both the Buyer and Seller side. 2-10 Buyer and Seller Coverage provide several assurances for Buyers and Sellers:

• The home’s Covered Items are in good working order.
• If a Covered Item breaks down, there’s a solution.
• The home has access to the 2-10 Contractor Network.

These assurances can go a long way in helping you stand out. When you can offer peace of mind that important home items are both in working order and have a solution for unexpected breakdowns, it can keep the transaction moving along more smoothly. That’s especially true when you combine a 2-10 Home Service Plan with a professional home inspection.

2-10 Seller Coverage Is A Popular Incentive

In many markets, Buyer incentives are beginning to become more popular. While there are several different incentives your Sellers might consider, none is more popular than a Home Service Plan. In fact, a Home Service Plan is the #1 incentives Buyers look for in 2024.

For Sellers, there are two routes to take in terms of offering a 2-10 Home Service Plan.

The first is by having their agent enroll them in Seller Coverage. This provides protection while the home is on the market for important items like the home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, along with major kitchen appliances. This can show Buyers that the home’s important systems and appliances are in working order, which is a good way to entice Buyers.

The second is by offering to convert Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage at closing. This can be a great way to stand out while providing affordable protection for the Buyer. That’s because if a Buyer has a solution for an unexpected breakdown after the sale, it’s less likely that they’ll have to pay a large amount out of pocket to address the issue. That’s a big deal for Buyers, especially so soon after making what’s likely to be a large down payment.

Converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage can also be an attractive alternative to reducing the sale price for Sellers, since the cost of converting coverage can be rolled into closing costs.

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2-10 Can Help Reduce Buyer’s Remorse

One the other side of the transaction, 2-10 Buyer Coverage can be a powerful weapon against buyer’s remorse. Reducing buyer’s remorse is incredibly important because study after study shows that a vast majority of Buyers experiences buyer’s remorse. And whether it’s fair or not, they may take that remorse out on their real estate agent.

Offering 2-10 Buyer Coverage can help address a major cause of buyer’s remorse: the cost of maintenance and other unexpected issues in the home. With Buyer Coverage, your Buyers can greatly reduce their out-of-pocket costs to address unexpected breakdowns. Additionally, it gives your Buyers access to the trusted 2-10 Contractor Network, which can be especially valuable to Buyers who may not have a grasp on the lay of the land so soon after moving.

Give Yourself Every Advantage With 2-10

Standing out in the real estate market requires special skills and added value. You bring your skills to the table every single day, and 2-10 allows you to offer exceptional added value for all of your clients.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Homeowners want to know whether a Home Service Plan will cover older appliances. After all, older appliances are generally more likely to break down. And with the costs of breakdowns being a key driver of buyer’s remorse, agents who can protect their clients can really stand out. Here are the important answers to whether a Home Service Plan covers older appliances.

Older Appliances Are Often Covered, but Maintenance Is Key

After you’ve successfully helped your client buy a home with a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) they may be wondering whether those older appliances are covered.

Well, are those appliances covered? With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, the answer is YES!

No matter how old an appliance is, 2-10 can cover it as long as it’s in good working condition before your clients begin their Home Service Plan term.

Does It Matter That the Home Systems and Appliances Are Very Old?

No. As long as covered systems and appliances are operating properly when the Home Service Plan term begins, they will be eligible for repair or replacement when they break down.

So as long as the appliances are in working order when the Home Service Plan is purchased, your homeowner can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a 2-10 Home Service Plan.

Even better, 2-10 offers outstanding HVAC coverage and SEER matching, including unlimited refrigerant recapture and recharge. That can be a huge differentiator for agents, especially with how hot summers are getting nationwide.

Read more about our industry-leading HVAC coverage and how it helps agents.

Coverage your clients deserve

Add the industry-leading home service plan to your agent tool kit.

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The Importance of Maintenance with Home Service Plans

Even if a Home Service Plan covers older appliances, that doesn’t mean that homeowners can skimp on regular maintenance.

A Home Service Plan does help protect homeowners from financial catastrophe if a home’s most important systems and appliances break down or need to be replaced. However, a Home Service Plan isn’t very helpful if the issues were caused by a lack of proper maintenance. That’s why it’s so important to remind your Buyers that they still need to take great care of their HVAC system, dishwasher, refrigerator, and all other major systems and appliances.

Suggest that Buyers Create a Home Maintenance Schedule

Creating a home maintenance schedule is a great way to stay on top of things, so be sure to recommend that homeowners create their own calendar. Our guide to creating a preventative home maintenance schedule is linked above, and it’s an excellent resource for homeowners looking to create their own house health routine.

Choose 2-10

When it comes to protecting home systems and appliances, age is just a number for a 2-10 Home Service Plan. And when it comes to reducing risks, offering exceptional customer experiences, and protecting clients against major causes of buyer’s remorse, agents trust 2-10.

Our industry-leading HVAC coverage is a huge differentiator in a competitive market. Plus, where allowed by law, agents can offer complimentary Seller Coverage that can provide the peace of mind Buyers and Sellers need to avoid a breakdown derailing a sale.

Best of all, 2-10 Members love the service 2-10 provides. When you can offer your clients the industry’s most loved Home Service Plan, it can have a halo effect on your reputation. When you can turn your clients into raving fans of your expertise by protecting them throughout the sale and beyond, it could lead to more referrals, which are extremely valuable in challenging real estate markets.

Do what’s right for yourself and for your Buyers and Sellers. Enroll all of your home in 2-10 coverage and support their dreams of homeownership today!

Coverage your clients deserve

Add the industry-leading home service plan to your agent tool kit.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Incentives have become a common reality again for new home buyers. Here are some do’s and don’ts if you decide to offer incentives to buyers.

Do: Make Incentives Attractive

It may seem obvious, but you can do more harm than good if the incentives you offer aren’t attractive. The buyers you’re likely to work with will be savvy—it’s one of the reasons they can be in the market at all. This means the incentives you offer must truly incentivize them, rather than just having the appearance of an incentive.

For example, if the homes you build already include option and upgrade incentives before you even build the house, consider offering closing cost incentives with preferred lenders or another kind of incentive.

Don’t: Let Incentives Cut Into Your Top-Line Prices

The goal of incentives is to avoid cutting your top-line (gross) price. Though the market is shifting toward buyers, it doesn’t portend to be an all-out buyer’s market. So, there’s simply no reason to lower your top-line price to attract buyers.

The incentives you offer should be gravy. As you’ve likely experienced, if one buyer balks or even cancels despite incentives, you’ll probably have another waiting in the wings.

Do: Know the Market to Determine Incentives

Certain markets favor certain incentives. According to Zonda’s chief economist, Ali Wolf, here are the most popular kinds of incentives:

• Closing costs with preferred lenders
• Option and upgrade incentives

But when you dig deeper in the data, it becomes clear that certain markets have certain preferences.

For example, the Dallas and Washington, D.C., markets tended to prefer closing cost incentives—whereas Denver, Atlanta, and Las Vegas showed no signs of closing cost incentives.

Don’t: Use Blanket Incentives

Piggybacking on “know the market,” it’s crucial that don’t treat every buyer the same when offering incentives.

For instance, wealthier and cash buyers have typically not felt the pressures of price appreciation, inflation, and higher interest rates as much as entry-level buyers.

While this doesn’t mean you should only offer incentives to entry-level buyers, it does mean that you’ll need to consider your audience when offering incentives. For instance, entry-level buyers may be more interested in incentives like rate locks and buydowns, whereas those incentives may ring hollow to more well-heeled buyers.

Do: Become a 2-10 Builder Member

Structural warranty coverage is an obligation. Offering the most-trusted name in structural warranty administration is an incentive. With 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10), you can offer the most-trusted structural warranty administration on the market and fulfill your obligations.

In fact, buyers want a 2-10 New Home Warranty:

• 94% of prospective home buyers are more likely to purchase a new home from a builder who offers a structural warranty.
• Four of five buyers value a third-party, insurance-backed structural warranty.

Whether you’re a volume builder, a luxury home builder, multifamily home builder, or are in the midst of succeeding in the build to rent space, 2-10 can help you protect your profits, promote your quality, and plan for the future by controlling what’s behind you.

Don’t: Not Protect Yourself With 2-10

You can’t have a “do” without a “don’t.” But seriously, why choose another structural warranty administrator when you can choose 2-10? Our national footprint, four decades of experience, and clearly stated guidelines have allowed us to constantly lead the pack in structural warranty coverage.

With coverage that begins on Day 1, coverage that fits your needs, and exclusive programs that cut down on the long tail of liability, it’s no surprise that builders trusted 2-10 more than anyone else.

Give your buyers and yourself the incentive of the most comprehensive structural warranty administration on the market. Become a Builder Member today.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Weather is becoming more extreme every year. That means higher risks of flash floods and storm surges, even in places normally not used to it. Today, we’ll give you some guidance on how to find your home’s water main (shutoff valve). Knowing where your water shutoff valve is can prevent catastrophic flood damage, longer-term plumbing damage, and help you stop plumbing leaks. It’s also something that’s just good to know.

Where Is Your Home Water Main (Shutoff Valve)?

There’s no standard location for a water shutoff valve. Generally, there are four different places where your water shutoff valve is likely to be.

1. Inside your house, likely on a wall on the street side of your house
2. In warmer climates, outside your home near an outside faucet
3. Outside your house, near your curb, under a plastic or metal lid likely marked water
4. Outside your house, near your private well pump and/or near your pressure tank

The first three options apply if you use municipal water (i.e., city water). The fourth option applies if you use well water. So, the first step in finding your main water shutoff valve is figuring out whether your water supply is municipal or well. In general (but not always), if you pay a water bill, chances are you use municipal water.

Now, let’s look at some specific tips for finding each kind of water shutoff valve. The best time to do this is before you need to. So, take a few minutes on a nice day to look for your shutoff valve, instead of waiting until you need to know where it is.

Where to Look INSIDE Your House for the Shutoff Valve

First, start by going outside to the front of your house. Look for a faucet that comes out from the wall on the outside. This will help you narrow down where your indoor water shutoff valve might be.

Next, go back inside and to the lowest part of your house (basement or first floor). Recall where the outdoor faucet was. Walk to the location on your inside wall, about where the outside faucet appears on the outside. If you see either a lever or a wheel valve connected to metal pipes, you’ve likely found your water shutoff valve. (If not, go to the next section.)

Then, turn the valve clockwise (to the right) until it stops. If it’s a lever-style valve (i.e., ball valve), you’ll turn it a quarter turn so that the valve is perpendicular (i.e., like a cross) to the pipe it’s connected to. If it’s a wheel-style valve (i.e., gate valve), turn the wheel clockwise until it stops.

IMPORTANT: When you want to turn your water back on, GO SLOW. If you go too fast, you can damage your plumbing or even cause pipes to burst. So, slowly turn the valve counterclockwise to turn it back on.

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Where to Look OUTSIDE Your House for the Shutoff Valve

There are three places outside your house where your shutoff valve may be.

1. Near an outside faucet

If you live in a warmer climate, check the faucets connected to your house. You’ll likely see that one of your faucets has either a lever or wheel valve right next to it. That’s your shutoff valve.

Turn the valve clockwise (to the right) until it stops. It it’s a lever-style valve (i.e., ball valve), you’ll turn it a quarter turn so that the valve is perpendicular (i.e., like a cross) to the pipe it’s connected to. If it’s a wheel-style valve (i.e., gate valve), turn the wheel clockwise until it stops.

REMEMBER: When turning the water back on, GO SLOW. If you go too fast, you can damage your plumbing or even cause pipes to burst. So, slowly turn the valve counterclockwise.

2. In the ground near your curb

If you didn’t find your main water supply inside or connected to your house, check your street-side curb. Your shutoff valve may be housed in a cement box with a plastic or metal lid that says water. You’ll need a water meter key, which you can buy at a hardware store, or sturdy pliers for this.

First, you’ll first want to remove the lid. If the lid is locked, you’ll need to call your municipal water service for instructions on how to open it.

If there’s dirt or sand inside, remove it and put it to the side. You’ll need to put it back when you’re through, as the dirt or sand prevents freezing.

Next, you’ll likely see two valves. Only use the valve that is closest to your house. The other valve is the city valve, which you don’t want to fiddle with. (You likely won’t be able to, since it requires special tools, but just steer clear of it entirely.)

Using the water meter key or your pliers, turn the valve clockwise to close it. Reverse the process to turn it back on. But remember: When turning the water back on, GO SLOW with your counterclockwise turn.

3. Near your private well’s pump and pressure tank

If you have a private well, you may have two valves to turn off.

Check near your well’s pump and then near the pressure tank. Turn both (or just the one if there’s only one) clockwise to turn the water off. And remember: When turning the water back on, GO SLOW with your counterclockwise turn.

For Outstanding Protection, Consider 2-10

Knowing how to turn off your home water main can save your budget, your house, and your life. Use these tips to find your main and turn it off when necessary.

Another way to protect your budget is with a Home Warranty Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. A 2-10 Home Warranty can cover systems like your plumbing when they break down from routine use. We also offer coverage for well pumps as an additional option.

While a 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan won’t cover flood damage, it can still provide coverage for major items you use every day, like your plumbing, water heater, and refrigerator.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

The most important Build to Rent conference of the year, hosted by Zonda, is in Dallas, Texas, and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) wants to see you there to show you how we can help you capitalize on Build to Rent in 2024.

Anticipating Build-to-Rent Trends

This conference is where the best of best in the building community will come together to discuss the future of Build to Rent.

The Build to Rent industry is bursting with potential for three big reasons.

1. Affordability is at all-time lows and apartment rents are skyrocketing.
2. People are yearning for any path to homeownership they can find.
3. Builders and investors want to capitalize while providing a real solution to the American housing crisis.

At this conference, you can access the most effective strategies and thought processes to pursue Build to Rent more successfully.

The Future of Build to Rent

The Build to Rent industry has billion-dollar potential and could vastly improve the quality of housing and the experience of homeownership.

As the industry leader in new home warranty administration, 2-10 has a vested interest in helping builders protect their Build to Rent investments and provide high-quality Build to Rent homes.

Additionally, Build to Rent is shaping up to be a differentiator within the current housing market.

At the Future of Build to Rent conference, builders can get the information they need to:

• Understand Build to Rent market trends
• Create business strategies that navigate the current Build to Rent market
• Improve Build to Rent customer experiences
• Network with industry leaders, including 2-10

Where, When, and How to Register

The Future of Build to Rent conference is at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, January 29 & 30, 2024.

To register, visit https://www.buildtorentconference.com/

We’ll See You There!

Like all successful builders, 2-10 aims to improve the quality of housing and the experience of homeownership.

As affordability and inventory continue to pose challenges to builders and buyers, Build to Rent may unlock a solution to the housing crisis.

With 2-10 , builders can protect their investments, prevent unforeseen losses, and access the support they need to build their portfolios with confidence.

Join us at the most important Build to Rent conference of 2024. We look forward to seeing you there.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Winter can be difficult for builders, especially in regions with bitter cold, harsh winds, and heavy snowfall. While some choose to close up shop during the coldest months of the year, others opt to press on through all but the worst conditions. And with new homes playing an ever increasing role in addressing the housing shortage, builders may find competitive advantages to building in the winter. To better assess your options, it pays to weigh the benefits against the costs.

The Pros of Winter Home Building

Generally, there are three pros of building homes in the winter.

1. More chances to sell homes

Building homes throughout the winter can give you more opportunities to sell homes all year. By staying active throughout the winter months, builders may be able to complete projects faster, enabling them to ride a productivity wave throughout the entire year.

2. Less competition and more serious buyers

There’s also less competition during the winter, since many builders either can’t or don’t want to work through the coldest months. Having a stock of available homes in the wintertime can help builders stand out among their competitors.

Additionally, though spring and summer are traditionally the most active times for home buyers, winter may be a chance for your building company to work with only the most serious buyers. Many potential buyers use the warmer spring and summer weather to window shop. People who are braving the elements to look for a home may be more committed to making a purchase as soon as they can.

3. Shorter potential wait for permits

Though it may be a fool’s errand to expect that government agencies will be efficient, in theory, there are fewer requests for permits in the winter. This could allow you to access permits more quickly, since there are fewer permit requests to process.

The Cons of Winter Home Building

On the other hand, winter construction can also bring a number of headaches that put a dent in a builder’s productivity and profitability.

1. Cost

There are several extra costs that go along with winter construction, including temporary heat inside a building, heating for concrete, and snow removal. Slow digging through frost and other encumbrances can also reduce worker productivity.

2. The elements

Frost, ice, snow, and sleet can be a big frustration, especially during the foundation digging and setting stages. That said, as long as you employ proper roof truss storage on the job site, snow can actually be easier to combat when compared to spring rains.

3. Efficiency and productivity

Cold weather and diminished daylight take a toll on productivity. Equipment needs longer to warm up. It takes more time and effort to set up temporary lighting and heating equipment. Cold weather can also slow productivity by dampening worker morale.

Making a Sound Decision

When it comes to winter construction, there are different schools of thought. For some, increased costs and lengthened construction times outweigh potential benefits. On the other hand, sitting on a permit is an expensive prospect, as well.

In the end, there’s no universal right or wrong. Since every business and every project is unique, builders must weigh the specific advantages and disadvantages. If you have the budget and experience to push through trying conditions and unexpected delays, there’s no reason you can’t remain productive 12 months a year.

Whether you choose to build in the winter or not, remember that 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is here to back you up. With our industry-leading New Home Warranty, you can access the performance standards, profit protection, and local support you need to fulfill your warranty obligations.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

With new homes becoming more and more popular among younger buyers, builders have a great opportunity. But what, exactly, do homeowners want, and how can you provide it? Let’s look.

Kitchen Upgrades

A modern kitchen is a huge draw for buyers, and builders have a built-in advantage of building kitchens that they want. Things like granite countertops and kitchen islands are especially important to buyers. Other things to consider include USB charging outlets and up-to-date appliances. As laws and tastes change, be sure to consider whether gas or electric stoves are the way to go as well.

Outdoor Features

A close second to kitchen upgrades is outdoor features. Particularly, exterior lighting is important to buyers. It makes sense, given that their new home will likely be in newer suburban developments that don’t have the glut of lighting urban centers do.

But exterior lighting makes even more sense when you consider the other popular outdoor amenities buyers want. These include a front and back porch, a patio, and a deck. Being outdoors from the comfort of your home is crucial for home buyers, day and night.

Energy Efficiency (Just Don’t Make Buyers Pay More for It)

Energy efficiency is important to homeowners. Buyers tend to expect ENERGY STAR windows and appliances in their homes. Ceiling fans—a traditional energy-saving cooling method—also appear high on buyers’ want list.

Interestingly, though buyers say they want greener homes that have a smaller environmental impact, they simply aren’t willing to pay much more for it. That tracks consistently with past data, which showed that only 16% of millennial buyers would be willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly home.

However, there is a caveat. Buyers said that they are willing to pay more if energy-efficient items will lower their utility costs.

A New Home Warranty Is Always Popular

Finally, buyers of new construction have an overwhelming want for a new home warranty. According to a joint survey from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) and NAHB, 94% of prospective buyers said that they’d be more likely to purchase a new home from a builder who offers a structural warranty.

As the industry leader in new home warranty administration, 2-10 can help you easily fulfill this want.

On top of giving your homeowners something they really want, a 2-10 new home warranty benefits you greatly in three ways.

1. Protects your budget by transferring structural liabilities from your books and giving you access to our administration teams
2. Promotes your quality by providing third-party validation of your work
3. Lets you plan for your future by decreasing the risks involved with every home you build.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

New homes have become more popular in recent years. Knowing why they’re growing in popularity is important to your overall strategy for success. And much of this knowledge starts with knowing your audience. Here are a few reasons why new homes are popular and how to capitalize on it, with help from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10).

Millennials Love New Homes

Millennials are the biggest share of the home-buying market. Even with the various challenges they face (e.g., affordability, student loan debt), millennials are indeed buying homes, albeit a bit later in their lives than past generations.

Accommodating this group of new-home buyers isn’t a gigantic mystery, either. Here are a couple things millennial home buyers look for, along with ways to capitalize on them.

A Sense of “Mine-ness”

A huge differentiator among new homes for millennials is a sense of “mine-ness.” In other words, no one has ever lived in it, they have more say in how it looks and flows, and there’s more peace of mind that comes from the very fact that it’s new.

That last part is especially important to builders like you. One of the leading causes of buyer’s remorse is the cost of unexpected breakdowns. Even though it’s possible for newer home items to break down, homeowners perceive it as less likely to happen to newer items. This gives your millennial buyers a larger sense of ownership, which is increasingly important.

Asking for a Friend

You likely know how important third-party validation is to your success.

Third-party validation is especially true among millennial buyers, since “83% of those who had already purchased a new-build home said they would recommend it to their friends.”

So, it’s safe to say that for the millennial crowd, you aren’t just selling to one client at a time—you’re also selling to a large swath of their friends.

This means it’s smart to give them what they’re looking for as much as possible.

Build to Rent Is Exploding

On the other side of the coin are millennials who can’t afford to buy but want some semblance of the experience of home ownership. Though the assumption has long been that millennials want city life, that’s simply not true. So, how can you provide an experience of home ownership to those who can’t afford it?

Enter build to rent (BTR). The BTR market is booming, especially among younger home buyers. In the coming years, you may find that BTR is a comfortable medium between outright home ownership and renting an apartment. This means that you’ll likely need to cater not only to the folks living in BTR communities but also the investors looking to purchase and rent them out.

Navigating the BTR Market

BTR homes will obviously need to appeal to millennial and Gen Z home buyers. But they’ll also need to appeal to the people investing in them.

One of the best ways to appeal to both crowds is to provide much-needed peace of mind. And nobody can provide that better than 2-10 in the BTR space.

With 2-10, you can continue to protect your profits, promote your quality, and plan for the future by controlling what’s behind you. You can also provide the peace of mind that investors and renters need in a challenging market.

Learn more about how you can take advantage of 2-10’s expertise in the BTR market.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Why wait for a bad smell to start cleaning out the refrigerator? Cleaning out your fridge is a good way to keep things organized and can even extend the life of your refrigerator. Use these tips for a successful fridge clean out.

Toss the Old

It’s easy to accrue a lot of old stuff in the fridge. Condiments, leftovers, and containers that you know have stuff that’s gone bad but you’ve put off doing anything about it because it’s going to be really gross can sneak up on you.

Now is the time to toss it out!

Here’s an easy process you can use to make tossing the old easier.

1. Take out all the condiments

Condiments are easy to accidentally horde. You might think you need some while you’re at a grocery store, only to find when you get home that you actually already had two containers of mustard. This is usually how it begins.

So, to start, simply take all the condiments you have off the door and set them on a table. This will help you find duplicates.

Check the Use By dates and open each condiment. If it looks or smells funny, toss it. If it looks good, combine duplicates and write the date you combined them on the container in Sharpie, somewhere that’s easy to see.

Writing the date you opened a condiment on can help you figure out just how often you use that condiment going forward. This can help you downsize on things you may buy too much of.

2. Take out all the leftovers

A big benefit of cleaning out leftovers is that it prevents overloading the fridge. If there’s too much stuff in the fridge, it can block air flow, which can cause the fridge to breakdown or make food go bad quicker.

If you can’t remember what it is, toss it. If it’s obviously something rancid or gross—like 2022’s Christmas ham leftovers—you can even throw the container it’s in away.

Just like with the condiments, if it looks good and you can identify what it is, put today’s date on it. That’ll encourage you to either eat it or get rid of it before it starts to stink.

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Gather Cleaning Supplies

For the inside of the fridge, soap and water, a cloth, and some paper towels are likely all you’ll need.

For the outside, you’ll need also need a vacuum and an old toothbrush.

Remove Items Shelf by Shelf, Starting at the Top

Once you’ve gotten rid of the old stuff, take everything off your top shelf. Wipe down the glass with soap and water.

If there’s caked-on gunk, remove the glass from the shelf and clean it in the sink. Don’t try to force the gunk off while it’s on the shelf. It can cause cracks.

Once the shelves are clean, dry them with a different cloth or paper towel.

Then, wipe down everything that goes back on the shelf with a damp cloth before putting it away.

Repeat for all shelves and the refrigerator door.

Clean the Coils

Your refrigerator’s condenser coils are what keep the refrigerator cool. Over time, they can get dirty with dust or pet hair. So, you should clean them every so often to prevent breakdowns.

The condenser coils will likely be either at the bottom or on the back of the refrigerator. Locate them on your refrigerator.

Then, unplug your refrigerator to prevent shocks.

Use your old toothbrush to scrape off dust and vacuum. Repeat this process until your condenser coils are clean.

Finally, plug the refrigerator back in.

Protect Your Fridge and More With 2-10

Keeping your refrigerator clean both inside and out can help if run more efficiently. That can reduce the likelihood of breakdowns.

But even with good cleaning habits, your refrigerator may still break down from routine use. That’s where a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can help.

A 2-10 Home Service Plan can help you reduce the costs to address refrigerator breakdowns. Even better, 2-10 Home Service Plan coverage goes beyond refrigerators. Your coverage can include other major kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, and more.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Decluttering is a great way to make more storage space and help your home feel more spacious. And February is “Declutter for a Good Cause Month.” But no matter the time of year, decluttering and donating is a great way to feel good and do good. Here are a few places around the home to declutter, along with where you can donate it for a good cause! For tips on how to declutter and make more space around your home, read our article!

Closet & Clothes to Goodwill & Shelters

Whether because of New Year’s resolutions, lots of new clothes, or just a new style, your closets and dressers likely have clothes you can declutter.

There are several great places you can go to donate clothes that are still in decent shape.

• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Arc
• Dress for Success & Career Gear
• Vietnam Veterans of America

There are only a few items of clothes you shouldn’t donate, other than clothes that are falling apart: anything wet, mildewed, or covered in hazardous materials.

If you have things that normally go in pairs (e.g., shoes, gloves) but can only find one, donate them anyway.

Non-Perishable Food to Local Shelters

There are many local food banks across the US that urgently require restocking of non-perishable items. As you’re cleaning out your pantries, check the expiration date on items you haven’t used.

If they’re still within code, consider donating them to a local food pantry or place of worship. You can find food banks in your area here.

Books to Libraries or Little Libraries

Books that are in decent shape are easy to donate and a great way to support literacy. You can donate them directly to your local library, school, or day care, or even create a little library for your neighborhood. Some libraries will also take educational magazines if they’re in good condition.

Toys to a Number of Places

There are many places that will take toy donations.

• Charities like Salvation Army and Toys for Tots
• Police and Fire Stations
• Hospitals
• Shelters
• Day Care Centers

As long as the toys aren’t broken, you can brighten someone’s day with a toy donation.

Another way to declutter old toys is through Nextdoor’s Sell for Good Program. This program allows you to sell items, support a nonprofit of your choice, and receive a potential tax deduction.

Furniture to Charity

Charities such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Arc will gladly accept furniture donations.

Another great place to consider donating old furniture is Habitat for Humanity. They accept not only household furniture but also building supplies and household appliances that are in good working order.

Do the Right Thing, Like 2-10

At 2-10, one of our values is to always do the right thing. That’s why many of our employees donate their time and talents to local charities every single day.

Whether you’re starting your spring cleaning, are cleaning up for the summer, or want to make space for the holidays, there are so many people who would love and benefit from a donation after you declutter.

Reach out to any of these wonderful charities to help others and give the items you ma no longer need a second life with someone who does need it. It’s the 2-10 Way.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

The 2024 housing market will likely be full of surprises, but one thing is clear: Buyers want one particular incentive from Sellers. Let’s look at what that incentive is, why it’s in high demand, and how 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can help you provide it.

Home Warranties Are the #1 Incentive Buyers Want in 2024

According to HomeLight, a home warranty is the #1 incentive to attract the best Buyers and the best offers in 2024.

HomeLight’s most recent survey (download it here) says that 51% of agents recommend that Sellers offer a home warranty to alleviate the biggest concerns Buyers have.

Why Are Home Warranties So Powerful for Home Sellers?

There are three reasons why home warranties are a powerful incentive for Sellers.

1. A home warranty can address affordability challenges

The biggest reason that home warranties are a powerful incentive is that they help Buyers address affordability challenges.

It’s no secret that Buyers face immense challenges in buying a home, from the high cost of the home itself to high interest rates. While both have come down from their historic highs as of this writing, affordability is still a huge challenge for Buyers, which means Sellers really need to stand out.

Because of affordability issues, Buyers are looking for ways to protect themselves as much as possible.  A 2-10 Home Warranty is a powerful tool in protecting Buyers from unexpected breakdowns to the home’s systems and appliances for two reasons.

1. 2-10 Seller Coverage offers assurance that the home’s systems and appliances are in good working order.
2. 2-10 Buyer Coverage provides a cost-effective solution in the event of unexpected breakdowns after the sale.

When Sellers leverage 2-10 Seller Coverage while the home is on the market and then convert to Buyer Coverage at closing, it provides an enticing incentive to Buyers that helps the home stand out. This can help Sellers sell their homes more quickly and for the value they’re looking for.

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2. A home warranty can reduce buyer’s remorse

Buyer’s remorse goes hand in hand with affordability issues. Many Buyers drain their nest eggs to purchase a home, which doesn’t leave them with much—if anything—to address unexpected and expensive breakdowns to home systems and appliances.

In fact, one of the biggest sources of buyer’s remorse is dealing with unexpected breakdowns.

A 2-10 Home Warranty can address one of the biggest causes of buyer’s remorse and help a Seller’s home stand out by offering a solution to breakdowns before they become a problem.

3. A home warranty can reduce disputes

Buyers need a lot of things to go just right to achieve the dream of homeownership. Sellers want a quick and lucrative closing. An unexpected breakdown can throw a wrench in these desires and lead to disputes.

With a 2-10 Home Warranty, it’s much easier to reduce the likelihood of disputes caused by unexpected breakdowns. This can make the home more attractive to Buyers because they know that when the Seller purchases Buyer Coverage for them as an incentive, they have a proven solution to breakdowns.

Additionally, a 2-10 Home Warranty can benefit you as an agent in three ways.

1. 2-10 Seller Coverage can reduce the likelihood of a breakdown derailing a sale because it provides an effective solution that could keep the deal moving forward.
2. Converting Seller Coverage to Buyer Coverage could help your Sellers offer a valuable incentive without reducing the sale price of the home.
3. Presenting a 2-10 Home Warranty could improve your reputation. When you provide a solution to a problem that many homeowners eventually face before it happens, that shows commitment and dedication to happy homeownership. Happy homeowners tend to refer their agents.

Why a 2-10 Home Warranty?

Real estate agents prefer a 2-10 Home Warranty for three big reasons.

1. Excellent HVAC coverage: 2-10 offers unlimited refrigerant recapture and recharge, which can save your clients big if they experience an HVAC breakdown. 2-10 also offers SEER matching that aligns with the EPA’s continuously changing requirements.
2. Outstanding customer service: 2-10’s representatives are local to their communities, which allows them to offer service tailored to the needs of agents and their clients. Read more about it here.
3. Complimentary Seller Coverage*: Seller Coverage, which can provide assurance that everything is in good working order while the home is on the market, is complimentary where allowed by law.

Access the #1 Selling Incentive With 2-10

There’s no doubt that offering a home warranty is the #1 incentive Sellers can leverage. As an agent, you can give your Sellers access to a 2-10 Home Warranty, which includes industry-leading HVAC coverage, exceptional customer service, and complimentary Seller Coverage.

Providing a trustworthy home warranty is just the start of your relationship with 2-10. We help you go the extra mile for your clients because it’s what you want and what you both deserve.

Your clients need a hero to guide them toward happy homeownership. And you want a way to protect your transactions and reputations. A 2-10 Home Warranty can be a powerful way to address these desires.

Give your clients and your business the protection they need. Attach a 2-10 Home Warranty to every transaction.

*Where allowed by law. Seller Coverage is $60 in Florida and includes A/C and Heat Pump coverage. See Home Service Plan for details.

Coverage your clients deserve

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Regardless of individual tastes or preferences, everyone loves saving money. If you still have someone to shop for who owns a home, give the gift of peace of mind with a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10).

Why a Home Service Plan?

A Home Service Plan can help homeowners reduce the costs of breakdowns to important home items. Because when systems or appliances break down, it can be really expensive.

With a Home Service Plan, you can help your friends and family address major breakdowns for a much smaller Service Fee per breakdown. That’s a major gift that just keeps on giving.

What Can a Home Service Plan Cover?

2-10 offers several different plans. For instance, our Simply Kitchen plan provides coverage for important kitchen appliances like the following:

• Refrigerator
• Oven and stovetop
• Built-in microwave
• Dishwasher

But with a more comprehensive plan, like the Complete Home plan, you can give the gift of coverage for kitchen appliances and more, such as:

• Heating and cooling
• Plumbing systems
• Electrical systems

And for the people in your life you truly love, the Pinnacle Home plan provides Complete Home coverage and more! That includes things like handles and hinges, faucets, and attic fans.

And on top of all that great coverage, you can add options, like the following:

• Pre-season HVAC tune-up
• Washer and dryer
• Extended pipe leaks
• Additional refrigerators
• Stand-alone freezers
• Wine coolers
• Septic systems
• Roof leaks
• Pool and/or spa equipment
• Well pumps
• Water softeners

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What About Perks & Programs?

In addition to high-quality coverage, a 2-10 Home Service Plan provides exclusive perks and programs to homeowners.

The Appliance Discount Program is an incredible perk for homeowners. It provides discounts on GE and Whirlpool brand appliances. That can save homeowners a lot of money when they’re ready to replace an older appliance with something newer.

Additionally, the Appliance Replacement Offer can provide an opportunity after a major appliance breaks down. If an appliance breaks down, homeowners can skip a service request (and Service Fee) and get a $150 check toward a brand-new replacement appliance.

Finally, there’s the Even If Service Fee Guarantee. If it turns out that a claim isn’t covered, we’ll refund the Service Fee at homeowner’s request. Plus, if the same part breaks down again during the agreement, we won’t charge another Service Fee to fix it.

This Year, Give the Gift of Quality Coverage

Homeownership can be expensive. With quality coverage from 2-10, you can give a gift that provides peace of mind all year-round. Finish your shopping the right way by purchasing 2-10 coverage for a friend or family member today.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

If you’re looking to freshen up your house this year, try some of 2024’s most popular paint color trends!

What’s the Top Color of 2024?

Photo from Benjamin Moore

According to Benjamin Moore, Blue Nova 825 is 2024’s Color of the Year. Blue Nova is a combination of violet and blue described as “sumptuous.” Unlike 2023’s bold palette, 2024 leans toward softer, calming hues.

The color blue has a calming effect on people, while violet evokes feelings of relaxation and imagination. As a combination of blue and violet, Blue Nova is a fitting color for a tranquil start to the new year.

All these aspects of Blue Nova are perfect if you’re looking for a soothing start to 2024. With 2024 slated to be a year full of excitement and change, have a refuge from the noise will be invaluable.

Other Color Trends to Set the Tone for 2024

In addition to Blue Nova, Benjamin Moore created an entire palette to complement their color of the year. You can check out each color below.

Palette image from RealSimple.com

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A 2-10 Home Service Plan Can Add Peace of Mind

Another way to bring a sense of calm to your life is to have a solution for when something important in your house breaks down, like your furnace or water heater. With a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) Home Service Plan, you can get the care and budget protection you need to unlock the peace of mind you deserve in 2024.

Control the unexpected

With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you give yourself more control over the unexpected. A 2-10 Home Service Plan protects you against the big costs of breakdowns to your home’s major systems and appliances, which can cost thousands of dollars to address out of pocket. Breakdowns never happen when you expect them, and it can be challenging to find solutions when they do happen. In fact, increased appliances use has led to more breakdowns than ever before. With a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you have an answer to the question, “Now what do I do?”

Add peace of mind

A 2-10 Home Service Plan provides peace of mind in a couple of huge ways.

First, it gives you access to our approved, high-quality, local Contractor Network. That can take a lot of the pain of researching, vetting, and choosing a technician out of the equation, because we’ve done it for you. With so much to do and so many more responsibilities for you, reducing the time it takes to address unexpected breakdowns is a relief.

Second, a 2-10 Home Service Plan helps you cover big out-of-pocket repair and replacement costs, which could cost thousands. With a Home Service Plan, you could pay a much smaller Service Fee to address the problem.

Purchase a 2-10 Home Service Plan

The 2024 color palate can be a great way to inject some calmness into your home and start 2024 on the right foot. These colors provide a sense of soothing hopefulness and care. When combined with a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you can breathe easier with a newfound sense of control.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

2024 is likely to be a challenging year for people searching for a new home. Low inventory and high interest rates may make it difficult to move, especially if you locked in a low interest rate. On the bright side, this makes 2024 a great chance to do some home remodel projects you’ve always wanted to do. Plus, this can make your home even more ready when the time is right to move.

Here are a few projects to consider, from easiest to hardest.

Paint Doors & Walls (Difficulty: Easy)

A new coat of paint can do wonders. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your home feel more like your dream home.

When painting rooms inside your house, try not to skimp on the quality of your paint. High-quality paint tends to last longer and look better. Additionally, choose the right finish for the right room. For example, you’ll likely want to avoid flat and matte finishes for walls in places like your kitchen.

If you paint your door, use an exterior paint. Decide whether you want your front door to be a showstopper or would rather have it blend into the home’s general exterior theme.

Replace Bathroom Fixtures & Faucets (Difficulty: Easy)

Over time, bathroom fixtures and faucets can get tarnished, worn, or simply go out of style. Replacing the fixtures and faucets is a pretty easy task with the right tools and a little time.

Most faucet hardware kits come with easy-to-follow instructions and require few, if any, tools to complete. Check out this video for an example of how easy it can be to replace your bathroom faucets.

Revamp Your Yards (Difficulty: Medium)

There are so many different ways to revamp your yard. Planting flowers along your walkway, growing a strong lawn, and xeriscaping are just a few great ideas for updating your front yard and backyard.

Before you go out and purchase plants, soil, and decorative elements, create a plan. You’ll want to ask yourself questions like:

• What kinds of plants will survive in my climate?
• How much time, effort, and money will it cost me to maintain my ideal yard?
• If digging is required, how quickly can the utility company be out to mark my electrical, gas, and sewer lines to avoid damaging them and hurting myself?

If you live in an HOA, you’ll likely need to double-check that the things you want to do are things you’re allowed to do, too.

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Retile Your Shower (Difficulty: Challenging)

Retiling a shower is a big but fulfilling project. It can modernize your bathroom and add value to your home if done well.

It is indeed a project that you can do yourself, but it does require a lot of time and plumbing know-how. If you choose to retile a bathroom yourself, here are just a few things to consider:

• You may need to replace the shower pan, which often deteriorates over time.
• You may need to repair or replace behind-the-wall plumbing, which can require soldering.
• If your tile doesn’t come precut, you’ll need to rent or purchase a tile saw.

If you’d rather not try to retile your bathroom yourself, you can certainly hire someone to do it. The challenging aspect of hiring someone is that it can be costly.

Purchase or Renew Your 2-10 Home Service Plan (Difficulty: Super Easy!)

One of the easiest ways to give yourself peace of mind in 2024 is with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) Home Service Plan.

A 2-10 Home Service Plan protects your budget against unexpected breakdowns to systems and appliances caused by routine use. It also gives you access to local, trusted contractors who can help you diagnose and solve breakdowns, which provides peace of mind all year. Plus, when you purchase a 2-10 Home Service Plan, it stays with the house after you move, which can be a valuable selling tool!

Additionally, when you refer a friend to 2-10 and your friend purchases a 2-10 Home Service Plan, you can both receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card code 30 days after their purchase!

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Get a head start on the New Year by doing 10 simple home maintenance tasks that’ll make your home feel like new! Best of all, they’re easy to do.

Replace Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries

The beginning of the year is a great time to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s easy to remember and could save your life.

Even if the old batteries don’t expire for several years, replace them with brand-new ones. Remember: Carbon monoxide is impossible to see, taste, or smell. Having fresh batteries is much, much more valuable than saving a few bucks.

You can use the older batteries in something else if you’d like, but it’s simply not worth risking your life just to squeeze the most out of a couple of batteries.

Replace Old Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors Entirely

Most detectors have a manufacture date on them, so be sure to check their age when you change the batteries.

• If your smoke detectors are 10 years or older, replace them entirely.
• If you use combination Smoke/CO detectors, you should replace them entirely every 7 years or so.

Again, don’t try to extend the life of these detectors. Doing so could put your life at risk, and your life is worth more than the $50 you’d save by not replacing these detectors.

Drain Your Water Heater

Draining your water heater is important for preventing sediment buildup. Sediment buildup can reduce the life of your water heater by forcing it to work harder.

Use the 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) guide to draining your water heater to lengthen its life today!

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Unstick Door Locks With Graphite

If you have sticky door locks, use graphite to lubricate them. There are two easy ways to do this.

1. Simply rub a pencil’s “lead” (which is really graphite) on the lock surface. Then, insert the key and turn it a few times to distribute the graphite.
2. Purchase graphite powder spray and squirt some into the lock. Then, insert the key and turn it a few times to distribute the graphite.

 Avoid using WD-40 in a lock. WD-40 is great for lots of other small projects, but it’s more likely to gum up locks by collecting dust than to lubricate them.

Caulk Windows & Weather-Strip Doors

Over time, the caulking around your windows and weather-stripping under your exterior doors will degrade. When you feel drafts near a window or door, it may be time to recaulk or install new weather-stripping.

Use the comprehensive guides from Energy.gov to choose the right caulk and weather-stripping for your needs.

Clean HVAC & Fridge Coils + Replace Filters

Some of your home’s most important systems and appliances need their coils and filters cleaned or replaced regularly.

Make sure you’re changing your HVAC filters according to your system’s maintenance manual (generally, every 1–3 months). Get guidance on how to change your HVAC filters here.

Your refrigerator’s condenser coils also need maintenance. Over time, dust, grime, and pet hair can accumulate on the coils, making it work harder to keep things cool. That can lead to breakdowns.

To clean the coils, take the following steps:

1. Unplug the fridge.
2. Locate the coils. They’ll likely be on the back of the unit or on the bottom.
3. Vacuum the coils to remove loose debris.
4. Use a condenser coil brush or old toothbrush to remove caked-on debris.

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Prevent Drain Clogs

There are several ways to prevent drain clogs. The most important is knowing what you should never put down a drain. Check out our guide, 10 Things to Never Put Down Your Garbage Disposal, for tips on things to never put in your drain.

Here are a few other things you can do to prevent drain clogs.

1. Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drain to remove debris.
2. Clean your sink regularly.
3. Pour hot—not boiling—water down your drain to melt congealed fats and greases.

A note on hot water: Be sure to avoid pouring boiling water down the drain, especially if you have PVC pipes. Boiling water can melt the PVC and cause problems down the line.

Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter

If your refrigerator dispenses drinking water, you should change the filter every six months. Different refrigerator models have different filters and methods for changing, so consult your model’s maintenance manual.

Check Your Washer & Dryer

There are a couple of things to check on your washer and dryer.

For your washer, make sure it’s level and balanced. Check for any damage to the hose lines, and replace as necessary.

For the dryer, clean out the duct, which is different from the lint trap. The dryer duct is usually attached to the back of the dryer. Detach it and vacuum the entry and exit points.

Purchase or Renew Your 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan

If you haven’t already, the New Year is a great time to purchase or renew your 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan.

A 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan protects your budget against unexpected breakdowns to systems and appliances caused by routine use. It also gives you access to local, trusted contractors who can help you diagnose and solve breakdowns, which provides peace of mind all year.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) is proud to announce our enhanced New Home Warranty Booklet. For more than 40 years, 2-10 has been the name builders trust for industry-leading structural warranty administration—with 1 in 5 new homes in the US being part of the 2-10 New Home Warranty Program. And now, the New Home Warranty Booklet builders know and love is even better. Here’s how.

Improved Experiences for Builders & Homeowners

2-10 is dedicated to continuous improvement to ensure that coverage and processes are as easy to understand as possible. This could create better expectations, which could create even better customer experiences.

Being the industry leader requires dedication to improvement. The enhanced 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet is our most dedicated effort to address the needs of our clients in the current market.

2023 has been a monumental year for 2-10’s product enhancements, and we’re immensely proud to continue innovating our products to offer the most cohesive and comprehensive coverage.

Enhanced Maintenance Section for Homeowners

We talked to many builders about how we could improve the expectations builders and homeowners have and clarify their responsibilities. One of the biggest requests was an actionable and clear maintenance guide for homeowners.

You asked, we acted. The 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet includes important maintenance guidance for your homeowners to increase their knowledge and awareness of their responsibilities, along with access to a comprehensive digital Home Maintenance Guide.

Here’s what the digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide includes.

• Quick Guides
• Detailed Maintenance Guides
• Maintenance Checklists

A great benefit of the digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide is that it’s quick and easy to access, 24/7, for your homeowners.

Get more information about the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide today.

User-Friendly Design

The 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet is designed to be easier to use and understand, keeping builders moving forward while 2-10 protects what’s behind them.

In addition to an enhanced design, 2-10 has also made the New Home Warranty Booklet easier to navigate. This could help your homeowners increase their understanding and knowledge of their coverage and responsibilities more effectively.

Join the Home-Building Elite

Builders can access the enhanced 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet by becoming a 2-10 Builder Member.

2-10 Builder Members can improve their ability to set expectations with their homeowners. When homeowners know what to expect, it can create better experiences—and better experiences mean happier clients.

The enhanced 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet lets you offer clearer coverage language and create the experiences they expect from you. Learn more about it today!

2-10 has always led the charge in meeting the moment, and our enhanced warranty booklet reflects our dedication to excellence. As client expectations change, builders, buyers, and homeowners can rest assured that 2-10 evolves to address those needs and deliver America’s most trusted new home warranty program.

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

We talked to many builders about how 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) could improve the expectations builders and homeowners have and clarify their responsibilities. One of the biggest requests was an actionable and clear maintenance guide for homeowners.

We delivered with the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide, which you and your homeowners can leverage to take full advantage of the 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet.

What the 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide Does

The 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide allows builders to offer exceptional guidance to homeowners regarding their responsibilities as homeowners. This, in turn, allows homeowners to take the fullest advantage of their industry-leading 2-10 New Home Warranty.

Homeowners can take pride and have confidence in maintaining their homes, and increase their knowledge and awareness of their responsibilities as homeowners. The digital Home Maintenance Guide is available 24/7 and is designed for maximum usability. Here’s what’s inside!

Quick Guides

The digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide includes the most common questions and most important maintenance items right up front. From moving in to top maintenance tips, you can offer your homeowners more peace of mind and education about home maintenance.

Detailed Maintenance Guides

In addition to answering common questions, the digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide provides more detailed explanations about home maintenance. Organized by location of maintenance, season, and how to address issues, these deeper dives could give your homeowners more confidence and a deeper understanding of their responsibilities

Maintenance Checklists

Many homeowners like to track their progress. The digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide includes a Quality Assurance Checklist, a Walkthrough Checklist, and a System & Appliance Make & Model Checklist to help homeowners track where they’re at.

Easy to Use

A great benefit of the digital 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide is that it’s quick and easy to access, 24/7, for your homeowners.

The 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide can help you enhance happy homeownership by giving your homeowners the guidance and confidence they need to properly maintain their new home. Show them how it’s done with 2-10—and for extra support, add 2-10’s Front Line Warranty Service for next-level post-closing customer experiences.

Meeting the Moment for Builders & Homeowners

Expectations have been changing quickly in the new home market. To meet the moment, 2-10 listened to builders about how a clear maintenance guide could set expectations for their homeowners.

2-10 is always striving to make excellence even better—and that’s a big reason why we created this exceptional 2-10 Maintenance Guide. Now, it’s time for you to join the elite and access the benefits of being a 2-10 Builder Member.

When your homeowners know what to expect, it can create better experiences—and better experiences mean happier clients. The new 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide is yet another outstanding tool 2-10 has created to help builders create exceptional experience for homeowners.

Check out the new 2-10 Home Maintenance Guide today, and learn how you can leverage it in tandem with the Enhanced 2-10 New Home Warranty Booklet by becoming a 2-10 Builder Member today!

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Homeownership is expensive. Once you’ve completed the home-buying process and moved in, home maintenance and the associated costs become your responsibility. What do you do and who do you call when something major breaks down, and how can you afford it? Today, we’ll show you how a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) answers these questions and more.

What Is a Home Service Plan?

A Home Service Plan is an annual service contract. Home Service Plans help homeowners protect their home’s systems and appliances against routine breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. A system is something like your plumbing and water heater, electrical system, or air conditioning. An appliance is something major like your dishwasher, refrigerator, or oven, not something like a juicer or blender.

In short, a 2-10 Home Service Plan can reduce the upfront costs of breakdowns, connect you with trustworthy local contractors, and give you peace of mind that you have a solution for breakdowns.

What Does a Home Service Plan Cover?

Different Home Service Plan companies cover different things. However, one consistent part of coverage across most Home Service Plan companies is that coverage applies to items that break down from normal wear and tear.

For example, if your refrigerator broke down and the cause was a fire, your Home Service Plan wouldn’t apply (but home insurance might—more on that later). Likewise, if you misuse or abuse a covered item—such as by not maintaining a system or appliance properly—coverage wouldn’t apply, since misuse and abuse preclude normal wear and tear.

While we can’t speak to what other Home Service Plan companies cover, we can give you an overview of what some of 2-10’s most popular plans cover. You can get a personalized, no-obligation quote on these plans via our Pricing and Plans page.

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Simply Kitchen: 2-10’s Most Affordable Plan

With the Simply Kitchen plan, you can cover your kitchen’s most important appliances. Simply Kitchen includes base coverage for the following kitchen appliances:

• Built-in microwave
• Dishwasher
• Oven, range, and cooktop (electric and gas)
• Refrigerator with ice maker/crusher and beverage dispenser

This plan does an excellent job of keeping your home appliances protected against routine breakdowns. Plus, it’s 2-10’s most affordable plan.

However, this plan doesn’t cover things like plumbing systems, electrical systems, or air conditioning. But if you’re looking to protect kitchen appliances, this plan is a great option.

Complete Home: 2-10’s Best-Value Plan

When you need protection for more than just kitchen appliances, 2-10’s Complete Home plan gives you more. Complete Home includes coverage for appliances (see Simply Kitchen above) in addition to your most important home systems.

• Heating and cooling: Includes coverage for one centrally ducted electric or gas heating and cooling system, all thermostats, and interior gas lines (when applicable)
• Plumbing: Includes but isn’t limited to water, drain, waste, and vent pipe leaks and breaks; gas and electric water heaters; and tankless, power, and direct vent units
• Electrical: Includes wiring, switches, outlets, panels, and doorbell systems

Complete Home provides fuller coverage for common breakdowns. That means more comprehensive coverage for your home’s systems and appliances, and more time enjoying homeownership.

Pinnacle Home: 2-10’s Most Comprehensive Plan

Finally, 2-10’s most comprehensive plan is the Pinnacle Home plan. Pinnacle takes Complete Home coverage and adds even more protection to it.

When you purchase the Pinnacle Home plan, you get 2-10’s Supreme coverage, which provides deeper protection for the things that matter most in your home.

For example, with Pinnacle Home, you get coverage for your appliances plus coverage for things like clocks, racks, dials, springs, and handles and hinges. For a fuller list of things that Supreme offers, check out our article on our Pinnacle Home plan.

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Do These Plans Cover Anything Else, Like Roof Leaks?

They can! For every plan 2-10 offers, you have the opportunity to add optional coverage. For example, if you wanted to make sure that you have coverage for roof leaks that occur over your home’s living space, you could add our roof leak coverage to your Home Service Plan.

You can see a complete list of available options on our Pricing and Plans page. You can also see some of our most popular options and what they do in our article about plan options.

Doesn’t My Homeowners Insurance Do the Same Thing?

No. This is common misconception that often catches homeowners by surprise.

Homeowners insurance usually covers instances like fire, theft, weather damage, and vandalism. It can also protect you if someone gets injured or dies on your property. It does not cover routine breakdowns to your home’s systems and appliances. Virtually every mortgage lender requires you to have this kind of insurance to obtain a home loan.

Home Service Plans, on the other hand, do cover routine system and appliance breakdowns. However, they don’t cover damage or breakdowns to your systems and appliances that are caused by things like weather. While mortgage lenders don’t require a Home Service Plan to obtain a loan, many homeowners and real estate agents choose to purchase a Home Service Plan to complement homeowners insurance coverage.

What’s an example of the difference in coverage?

Let’s use an easy example of a breakdown and collateral damage the breakdown causes to point out the difference in coverage.

Say you have a refrigerator that you use properly and maintain well (e.g., you vacuum the condenser coils regularly and don’t overload it). One day, after working well for years, it breaks down. Even worse, the water it leaks causes damage to your kitchen floor. Fortunately, you have a 2-10 Home Service Plan with refrigerator coverage, and homeowners insurance. But which covers what?

In this instance, your Home Service Plan would cover the breakdown of your refrigerator. However, for the damage to your kitchen floor, you’d need to reach out to your insurance company to see whether they cover that.

Check out our article about the differences between Home Service Plans and homeowners insurance for more information.

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How Much Does a Home Service Plan Cost?

The cost of a Home Service Plan depends on your coverage. Because your home and needs are unique, the best way to determine what a Home Service Plan may cost is to get a quote.

What’s a Service Fee?

A Service Fee is a relatively small payment you make to the contractor when you submit a service request. When you choose 2-10, you’ll typically pay $100 or less to have a contractor service your breakdown. Then, 2-10 covers the rest of repair or replacement cost, up to the clearly stated limits in your service contract.

Why Do Home Service Plans Have Limits?

Another big question that homeowners have is “Why are there limits on my coverage?”

Before we answer that, it’s important to know that all Home Service Plan companies have coverage limits and exclusions. There is no such thing as limitless coverage. However, 2-10 clearly states our limits and exclusions in each of our Home Service Plans.

The biggest, simplest reason that limits exist is to provide the most robust coverage at a reasonable price. If Home Service Plans were limitless, their price would be astronomical.

As you’ve seen, the cost to repair or replace systems and appliances can get very expensive for the average homeowner. 2-10 helps you by having an extensive network of contractors. This network lets us leverage cost discounts on repairs and parts, often below wholesale price. And that’s how we can provide you affordable coverage at a fraction of the retail cost.

Am I Likely to Go Over My Limits or Can I Raise Them?

If you’re like 95% of homeowners, it’s unlikely that you’ll exceed your limits. While it does sometimes happen, it’s generally a rare occurrence. We’ve designed our Home Service Plan coverage to address the kinds of breakdowns that 95% of homeowners face. These limits protect the majority of homeowners from feeling the pain of unusually expensive claims other homeowners may face.

However, you can raise your limits in certain cases. 2-10 provides you with an industry-exclusive opportunity to raise some of your limits through our Luxury Package. For more information about limits, check out our comprehensive article on Home Service Plan limits.

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Doesn’t My Manufacturer’s Warranty Do the Same Thing?

Manufacturer’s warranties are indeed similar to Home Service Plans in some ways. However, a Home Service Plan has several advantages over a manufacturer’s warranty.

The most obvious advantage a Home Service Plan has is that it’s generally more flexible than a manufacturer’s warranty. A manufacturer’s warranty typically covers one specific item and is brand specific. However, a Home Service Plan can cover several items and various brands. So right away, a Home Service Plan gives you a wider range of coverage.

Second, because manufacturer’s warranties only cover one specific item, you’d need to purchase multiple extended warranties to keep them covered. With a Home Service Plan, you can save money because it covers more things.

Third, manufacturer’s warranties aren’t always non-transferable, whereas a Home Service Plan is transferable. That’s a big deal.

Say you buy a house that includes new appliances that the old owner purchased, and those appliances have a manufacturer’s warranty. If an appliance broke down after you bought it, the manufacturer’s warranty may not apply to you. It may only apply to the original purchaser.

On the other hand, a Home Service Plan could cover that appliance breakdown regardless of who bought it.

For Comprehensive Protection, Choose 2-10

We’ve gone through quite a bit of information about Home Service Plans. To sum it all up, a 2-10 Home Service Plan makes protecting your home more affordable.

• 2-10 can help you reduce upfront, out-of-pocket costs when things break down from routine wear and tear.
• Our network of technicians makes finding the right person to call super easy, because we do it for you.
• You can request service, renew and review coverage, and access perks 24/7 through 2-10’s online Homeowner Portal.

Owning a home should be a good experience overall. But system and appliance breakdowns can turn homeownership into a hair-tearing experience. With coverage from 2-10 , you can better protect your budget, knowing that 2-10 is with you at every stage of your homeownership journey.

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This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Neighbors can make or break your experience of homeownership. Here are a few tips for how to be a good neighbor and influence others.

Be Kind, Be Polite, Introduce Yourself

Being kind and polite is the easiest way to establish yourself as a good neighbor. Whether you’re moving in or are watching new neighbors move in, being kind and polite is entirely within your control.

This means briefly introducing yourself when the time is right. Here are a few times you might consider introducing yourself:

• A couple of days after the move in by ringing your neighbor’s doorbell
• While your neighbor is doing a light chore, like watering the lawn or sweeping their porch
• During a walk

Consider this experience a homeowner had with a good neighbor when he moved in.

A couple days after our closing but before we moved in, I went to the house to plan move-in day. There was some debris on the driveway, so I started sweeping it.

My next door neighbor came over to introduce himself. When he found out I was the new owner, he offered to let me use his leaf blower to clear off the driveway. It made me feel welcome.

Offer to Help When You Can

Nothing makes a neighborhood good like helping hands. This is especially true if you notice new neighbors moving in. Here are a few ways to be helpful, whether you’re moving into the neighborhood or have lived there for years.

How to offer help as an ESTABLISHED neighbor

You don’t necessarily need to offer to help your neighbors move in—that might be a bit too up front. However, there are some small ways you can help, such as the following:

• Lending tools to make work around the house easier
• Informing new neighbors of what a normal day in the neighborhood looks like
• Telling new neighbors about restaurants and entertainment spots you like

These small gestures can be both meaningful and helpful to new neighbors. It’s a good way to establish rapport and build trust as well.

How to offer help as a NEW neighbor

While established neighbors may not expect help from you right away, there are some things you can do from the start to help.

• Don’t outright reject all help. Your neighbors likely want to help you so they can get to know you, in addition to providing assistance. Rejecting all help can send the wrong message.
• When borrowing tools, always return them. If you think you’ll need them for longer than expected, ask for permission.
• Be willing to trust. Unless there’s good reason to think otherwise, you should trust that your neighbors have your best interests in mind. It’s key to building relationships and being a good neighbor.

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Keep the Noise Down

One of the biggest causes of neighbor disputes is noise. Often, it’s consistent and unexpected noise that causes problems.

Most people understand basic noise etiquette, such as:

• Not blasting music late into the night
• Mowing the lawn at a reasonable hour (i.e., after the sun comes up)

And many times, simple communication can nip noise complaints in the bud. Here are some noise-related issues to let your neighbors know about on your way to being a good neighbor:

• If you’re having a party
  • Invite your neighbors if it’s appropriate!
  • If it’s more personal, a kind heads up can help your neighbors know what to expect.
• When planning bigger projects
  • Things like concrete work, tree cutting, roof repairs, and other projects that typically include loud and consistent banging or scraping.

You don’t need permission from your neighbors to live your life. But helping your neighbors anticipate noise can show that you’re thinking about them and are trying to do the right thing.

Be Courteous During Confrontations

Even the best neighbors occasionally have conflicts. It’s natural. The key to addressing neighborly conflicts is in how you handle confrontation.

The best way to handle conflicts is directly, courteously, and calmly.

Lots of times, your neighbor won’t even know that they’re doing something bothersome. Many people assume that if they’re doing something wrong, someone will tell them! So, approaching them directly, courteously, and calmly can raise their awareness without making them feel foolish or threatened.

Consider another example from a homeowner about the proper way for a good neighbor to confront issues.

In the spring, my neighbor approached me about one of my pine trees. It was shedding needles near his shed, which made a mess that was hard to clean up.

He asked if I’d be willing to trim the tree, and offered to split the cost to do it.

We talked it out, and we agreed to cut the tree down and split the cost to do it. Now, he doesn’t have pine needles on his property, and I have a new space for gardening. Win-win!

On the other side of the coin, it’s important to avoid passive-aggressive communication if you want to be a good neighbor.

Passive-aggressive communications to avoid

1. Notes on doors and windshields. There’s no real good reason to ever do this. It shows you aren’t willing to treat neighbors like adults. Additionally, doing so could cause neighbors to dig in and escalate the conflict.
2. Vague complaints on social media. This is the modern version of leaving a note on a door or windshield. It’s immature, patronizing, and can hurt your relationships.
3. Shoveling snow/debris onto a neighbor’s property. While it might make you feel good in the moment, making life harder for your neighbors is a bad play in the long run. Eventually, you’ll get caught, and a minor annoyance could flare into a full-fledged fight.
4. Calling the police for minor issues. Unless someone is outright breaking the law or has threatened you in the past, calling the police because your neighbor is doing something you don’t like is a surefire way to become that homeowner.

Do the Right Thing, Because It’s the Right Thing to Do

There are some things you can control to be a good neighbor, and others you can’t. Regardless of whether your neighbors are good or bad, doing the right thing is the surest way to be a good neighbor.

From helping older neighbors shovel to showing younger neighbors the basics of homeownership, doing the right thing pays off in the long run.

It’s much easier to shout about issues, leave snide and anonymous notes, or ignore your neighbors. But these things often make homeownership more of a nightmare than a dream.

Doing the right thing, on the other hand, often leads to better relationships with neighbors, which is an important part of homeownership.

Bonus: Buy Them a Home Service Plan

OK, we’ll level with you—buying a Home Service Plan for your neighbor is probably a bit over the top. We just figured we’d have some fun with our pitch.

Because a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) can truly be a helpful thing to have. It helps homeowners protect themselves against routine household breakdowns, which can be extremely expensive.

Sometimes, sharing information is a great way to be a good neighbor. So let your neighbors know about 2-10. And if you purchase a Home Service Plan from 2-10 and refer a friend, you can both get rewarded for it!

Protect more,
pay less with 2-10

Low-cost home service plans.

Learn More

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Your clients rely on you to help them navigate the home-buying process. One of the most overlooked aspects of buying a home is what happens when things break down. Many Buyers will turn to you with this question. You can help them before they need the answer, rather than after, with a Home Service Plan from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10).

What Is a Home Service Plan?

A Home Service Plan is a service contract that can help homeowners reduce repair and replacement costs when major systems and appliances break down from normal wear and tear.

Now, there’s a lot going on in that explanation. Here’s how you can help your clients understand what that all means, why it’s important, and how you can help.

First, help them understand the definition of a system and appliance in this context. Major systems include HVAC (heating and cooling), plumbing including water heater, and electrical. Major appliances include things like the fridge, dishwasher, and oven, but not a countertop blender.

Next, explain the idea of “breakdowns from normal wear and tear.” For example, if their furnace were to stop working, even though they changed the filters and maintained it regularly, a Home Service Plan could cover the problem. But if they never changed their filters or maintained the unit, they likely wouldn’t qualify for coverage.

In short, a Home Service Plan could help homeowners reduce unexpected costs when a major, covered item breaks down from normal wear and tear.

How This Can Help Agents

Your Buyers have a lot to deal with as and after they close. They’ll likely call on you to help them solve problems they didn’t foresee.

As an exceptional agent, you want to help. But as an exceptional agent, you have limited time.

A Home Service Plan can help you handle calls about breakdowns more effectively. That’s because your clients can request Service 24/7 through their online account. Additionally, 2-10 finds the right technician for their breakdown, which can take some of the guesswork out.

Even better, recommending or offering a Home Service Plan can bolster your reputation. When you provide a solution to a problem that many homeowners eventually face before it happens, that shows commitment and dedication to happy homeownership. Happy homeowners tend to refer their agents.

Coverage your clients deserve

Add the industry-leading home service plan to your agent tool kit.

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What Might Not Be Covered

Home Service Plans are a powerful tool for protecting a budget. However, they aren’t all-inclusive.

For specific coverage details, it’s important to closely review the Home Service Plan prior to discussing the coverage with your clients. For example, if your clients had an air conditioner that stopped working due to hail damage, the Home Service Plan wouldn’t cover it. Homeowners insurance might, though.

Doesn’t Homeowners Insurance Cover All This?

It’s common for homeowners to assume that a Home Service Plan isn’t necessary if they have homeowners insurance.

This simply isn’t the case, and it’s often surprising to homeowners.

Read our article for a deep dive into helping your Buyers understand the difference between a Home Service Plan and homeowners insurance.

The short version is that these coverages usually don’t overlap. Instead, they complement each other. That can give homeowners more protection and fewer surprises when they experience unexpected problems.

Make yourself stand out by offering a 2-10 Home Service Plan.

Coverage your clients deserve

Add the industry-leading home service plan to your agent tool kit.

Learn More

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

Did you know that in addition to several base Home Service Plans, which protect your important systems and appliances, you can add coverage options? 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) always wants you to have the power to get the coverage you want at an affordable price. Here are five of the most popular Home Service Plan coverage options we offer.

Washer & Dryer Coverage

One of the perks of homeownership is the freedom to wash and dry your clothes in private. When your washer or dryer breaks down, it takes that freedom away from you. Fortunately, 2-10’s washer and dryer option protects you against those unexpected breakdowns.

When you add washer and dryer protection to your Home Service Plan coverage, you get a couple of perks.

First, we plug you into our network of local contractors. That means less searching for someone trustworthy and more time solving your problem.

Second, we help cover the costs of repairing or replacing a broken-down washer or dryer. Repairs and replacements can costs hundreds or thousands of dollars Home Service Plan coverage with the washer/dryer option from 2-10 can reduce that to a mere Service Fee.

Roof Leak Coverage

Roof leaks are annoying at best and dangerous at worst. Home Service Plan coverage with 2-10’s Roof Leak option gives you protection against this common problem.

According to Forbes, the average cost to repair a roof is $950. Adding Roof Leak coverage costs just a fraction of that price. Plus, it can reduce the cost of qualified repairs. No matter how you slice it, Roof Leak coverage is an incredible option for responsible homeowners.

Service Fee Save Up or Buy Down

Every Home Service Plan company has a Service Fee. But not every Home Service Plan company gives you the option to adjust it. With 2-10’s Service Fee Save Up and Service Fee Buy Down options, you can do just that.

If you choose the Buy Down option, you can lower your Service Fee by paying a little bit extra upfront in your annual or monthly payment.

Choosing the Save Up option lets you pay a little less upfront by raising your Service Fee.

Thanks to our transparent pricing, you can find the Service Fee that’s right for you. That means less wondering about what it could cost to address a major home system or appliance breakdown. And that kind of knowledge can give you the power to plan your future more accurately and comfortably.

Protect more,
pay less with 2-10

Low-cost home service plans.

Learn More

Extended Pipe Leak Coverage

Sometimes, you’ll have plumbing that extends outside of your home’s foundation, beyond covered items like your water heater. If that plumbing broke down, you’d normally be on the hook for repair or replacement costs. With extended pipe leak coverage, you can expand your protection.

Though this coverage doesn’t cover things like sprinkler systems, it can cover external pipe leaks and exterior hose bibbs. When your piping runs deeper than you think, that can be a budget saver. So, if you have pipes or a main shutoff value that extend past your foundation, this option is a great addition to your home warranty coverage.

Garage Door Opener Protection

Few things are more frustrating than a garage door opener that won’t work. And if your garage is attached to your house, it can sometimes lock you out (ask anyone who’s had problems with their electrical system after returning from running errands)! Regardless, you always expect your garage door opener to work. When it breaks down, this option can really help.

With garage door opener protection, you get coverage for up to two units. That includes hinges, springs, and remote sending units (but not the door itself).

Conclusion

These five options can give you even more comprehensive coverage on top of your base coverage and homeowners insurance. Even better, these aren’t the only options we offer! To get a complete look at what the best Home Service Plan coverage and options are for you, just get a free quote. You’ll be glad you did.

Protect more,
pay less with 2-10

Low-cost home service plans.

Learn More

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.

A home warranty (or Home Service Plan as we call it) is a powerful budget-protecting tool for homeowners. Learn more about why a Home Service Plan is a smart investment below.

Why a Home Service Plan Is Important

A Home Service Plan is an annual service contract that can provide coverage for things that homeowners insurance doesn’t.

For example, if your furnace or A/C were to break down from routine use, homeowners insurance wouldn’t cover it. Without a Home Service Plan, you could be on the hook for the costs.

With a Home Service Plan, you could lower those costs to a smaller, more manageable Service Fee.

A Service Fee is a small, out-of-pocket expense you pay to your Service Contractor to diagnose the issue upon arrival.

How Does a Home Service Plan Work?

Here’s a quick, five-step rundown of how a Home Service Plan works.

1. Purchase coverage/set up account

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10) offers several plans. After purchase, you create an account. Your account lets you review coverage and update info, among other things

2. Request Service online when needed

When a Covered Item breaks down, you can request Service right from your account.

3. 2-10 assigns contractor

We assign a contractor, and they work with you to set an appointment to diagnose the Failure.

4. 2-10 reviews your coverage

We review the diagnosis, determine your coverage eligibility, and authorize a repair or replacement.

5. Enjoy homeownership

You get back to living.

Additional Perks & Benefits

On top of quality coverage, 2-10 offers additional perks and benefits.

For instance, you can get big discounts on GE and Whirlpool brand appliances through 2-10’s Appliance Discount Program.

Another great perk is the Appliance Replacement Offer. If a covered appliance breaks down and is eligible for replacement, you have two options:

1. Pay a Service Fee and have it replaced
2. Use the Appliance Replacement Offer

The Appliance Replacement Offer lets you buy and install a new appliance on your own. Then, you can request reimbursement of up to $150 on your new appliance. Combined with the Appliance Discount Program, you get a real one-two punch toward savings.

Purchase Your Coverage Today

Homeownership is expensive as it is. Don’t let breakdowns bust your budget. Purchase a 2-10 Home Service Plan to protect more and pay less!

Protect more,
pay less with 2-10

Low-cost home service plans.

Learn More

This blog post is originally from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty and written by John Pullega.