After you buy a house in the Lowcountry, you will need to take care of it as time goes on. One way to ensure that your home's systems and appliances are kept up is by purchasing a home warranty. Yet home warranties may not the right choice for every homeowner.

Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if buying a home warranty is the right choice for you in Beaufort and the surrounding areas of the Lowcountry.

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is separate from insurance, which helps cover damage to your home from things like fire or a windstorm.

In contrast, a home warranty protects your home's major appliances and systems as they age. It can be used to save you money if your water heater breaks unexpectedly or if your dishwasher suddenly stops working.

How a home warranty works

A home warranty is similar to insurance in that you pay an annual premium. Usually, homes of up to 5000 square feet are covered by the standard warranty. If your home is larger than that, you must pay for additional coverage.

If something that's covered by the warranty breaks down, you pay a deductible that will range from $50-$125 to have the item fixed or replaced.

The benefits of a home warranty

A home warranty can give you peace of mind. If something expensive breaks, it will be fixed by a professional or replaced. It can also be beneficial to new homeowners who are still learning how their new house's system works.

With a home warranty, you will be protected from unexpected costs, making managing your finances easier. You will know how much the premium costs upfront, and how much the deductible will be for any covered repairs, making it easier to handle the unexpected.

The drawbacks of a home warranty

An extended warranty does not cover everything in your home. To be sure the right items are covered, you need to carefully review the details before signing the contract.

One of the major pain points of most warranties is that they will not cover items that have not been properly maintained. This is a subjective clause and often leads to disputes with the warranty companies. This is particularly true if the previous homeowner neglected the appliance and left the new homeowner hanging.

Another issue for some is that each year money is paid upfront under the assumption that repairs will need to be made, regardless of whether they are necessary. Sometimes, things work perfectly, but you'll have paid for the insurance premium, regardless.

Making the decision

A home warranty certainly can be a help for some of your maintenance issues, but it's not the perfect solution. In the end, you're the one who needs to decide if it's right for your home.

Are you planning to buy or sell a home in Beaufort and the surrounding Lowcountry? Contact Sonya Reiselt today to find the latest homes for sale in the Lowcountry. And make sure to visit our blog every week for more Beaufort area real estate information.