WARRANTY EXPRESS LOGIN

Nobody likes paperwork but sometimes it’s a necessity. RWC requires a signed Application for Enrollment* to finalize the warranty and to validate coverage. A home cannot be warranted with RWC until that signed Application for Enrollment is returned with both the homeowner’s and the builder’s signature. Also, payment must be remitted to RWC if not already paid on Warranty Express.

Many builders, and you may be one of them, rely on the closing agent or an attorney to send in the signed application. Unfortunately, sometimes this gets lost in translation and the signed application and maybe even payment is not received by RWC. Sometimes RWC does not receive anything back from the closing agent; sometimes we receive the signed application but no payment; and sometimes we receive payment without the signed application. In these cases, we are not able to validate coverage for your homeowner. Please keep in mind that the signed Application for Enrollment should be sent to RWC within 10 days of settlement.

Why is it so important to return the application signed? In most states signing the Application for Enrollment binds the signees to the terms of the Limited Warranty. Agreeing with the terms of the Limited Warranty means that everyone agrees to binding arbitration. Binding arbitration is a cost effective and efficient resolution process and is preferred by RWC to resolve disputes. Arbitration helps all parties avoid those expensive lawsuits that can eat into profits. RWC and its affiliates are always looking out for the best interests of our builder/members. It is critical that you provide RWC with the settlement date as well as the full final sales price of the home. As you know, some warranties are flat fee (CSW) but some are based upon your rate and the final sales price.

There are a few unique state requirements depending upon where you build. Please note that additional initials are required in Georgia & Tennessee. For California, Minnesota, Missouri and Vermont an additional Addendum is required for the CSW (Customized State Warranties). In New York, a supplemental enrollment form is required for the full 1-2-10 warranties. A contract or deed is required in New Jersey to release the warranty documents.

As the builder you can monitor the progress of your enrollments by running reports on Warranty Express. By going to the “Reports” tab you can see your “Open” enrollments as well as the “Closed” ones. The “Open” enrollments represent those homes that have not been finalized, so they are missing something. You can always call RWC if you have questions, and you can request an open enrollment report. We are happy to assist. RWC is developing improvements to our website to alert you of open enrollments. You should be able to see these upgrades soon.

If the homeowner’s email address is provided, they will be sent an email once the warranty is finalized with instruction on how to secure a copy of their confirmation page and warranty book.

I hope that this provides you with a better understanding of this important document. Please call RWC at 800-247-1812 with any questions. We are eager to help.


By Ron Sweigert, Manager - Member Services Department

*Not applicable for National Accounts.

Life can be funny, and by “funny” we don’t necessarily mean comical. We mean that life can be difficult to explain or understand at times. Life’s road is riddled with unexpected twists and turns. We can be set in a comfortable pattern that we think will last forever, but when we stay that course, and the road unexpectedly twists this way or that, we need to find the better way forward or risk disappointment, sadness, or even calamity.

This truth does not apply just to individuals but also to businesses and specifically to home builders. At RWC, we have a sister company that has been building homes for fifty-three years. Over more than half a century that company has generally thrived but sometimes twists in the road presented challenges that required changed plans, innovative approaches, or simply patience. There were mortgage interest rates exceeding 18% in the eighties. In the nineties the dot.com bubble expanded then burst, causing a feast for builders and then famine. In the first decade of the new century money was easy to borrow. McMansions, like so many mushrooms, popped up in developments across the American landscape. But then came the crash of 2008 and the meltdown in the real estate market.

Just as the homebuilding industry was feeling “normal” again, the Covid pandemic hit, and the market dried up. When the pandemic eased and normalcy returned, builders faced delays, shortages, and price increases in their supply chains. Some builders did not make it through, while others adapted to the new normal and found a way.

Government money paid to people who had lost their jobs or their customers during the pandemic soothed some fears but also triggered another round of inflation. The market stalled. When people regained the mood to start building and buying, builders again faced supply chain problems, and good labor was hard to find at affordable prices. Those problems were mostly resolved, or at least improved, but then interest rates rose, and the market cooled down.

With the start of 2025, the homebuilding industry was poised to prosper. But as we write this, the stock market is tanking, economic uncertainty is gripping the world, and builders are preparing for yet another twist in the road, this one caused by the expected inflation, the possible higher interest rates, and whatever other problems might develop from a prolonged trade war. We don’t have a crystal ball, and maybe these issues will be resolved without affecting the homebuilding market. But even if these concerns disappear, at some time there will certainly be more obstacles, curves, and detours on the road ahead for America’s homebuilders. The question we should always be asking is, “What’s next?” so we can anticipate coming obstacles and react to them early if we want to beat the competition and continue to thrive.

We recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting conducted by John, a builder friend of ours, who talked about how his company is preparing for whatever the future brings. He broke his company’s business down into four parts: getting leads; getting contracts; building the house; and servicing the home and customer after the sale. John recognized the importance of the RWC warranty and our warranty resolution staff in making that fourth part successful no matter what the future holds.

For nearly four decades RWC has provided warranty protection on more than four million homes. We offer a wide variety of warranty options like our standard ten-year warranty, our Day 1 coverage warranty, our extended appliance and system warranties, and our specialty warranties for remodeling projects, detached garages, and commercial construction. Only RWC has developed and offers its members a customized state warranty that mirrors each state’s statute of repose and accommodates other state specific issues. All RWC warranties provide clear performance standards that help create realistic homeowner expectations and provide a road map to resolve even the stickiest customer complaints.

At RWC, every guarantee our warranties make is backed by Western Pacific Mutual Insurance Company, RRG. Western Pacific has an A- rating from A. M. Best and only insures home warranty and similar new home construction risks, like builders’ general liability, which can be offered through the RWC Insurance Advantage program to RWC members. No other warranty company has an insurer with this kind of strength solely dedicated to covering builders and their homes.

Life is funny, you know, and life’s road can be twisted and bumpy. And we are never sure of what challenge is coming next. You will be better able to navigate the road your company is on no matter how that road twists or turns if you take RWC along for the ride and place a RWC warranty on every home you build.

Have a great summer!

Adapted from articles on builderonline.com and nahb.org

Data collection and organization. Design changes. Smart home automation. To be competitive in this challenging market, builders need to make the most of every project opportunity, and artificial intelligence could be a game changer. The possibilities associated with artificial intelligence (AI) are endless as various industries search for ways to implement it into daily tasks. The home building industry is no exception as developers create various solutions to common home builder issues. From the juggling of paperwork and data storage to securing material bids or design plans, startups are arriving with answers to everyday stresses and challenges.

While AI can certainly be a valuable tool, human touch is still needed to not only develop these technologies but see each solution through to completion. Below, learn six ways AI can improve the new-home construction process for builders and their teams.

  1. Creating a Home’s Digital Copy
    AI can help organize the build process through room segmentation and data association by ingesting messy build documentation (selections, change orders, etc.), then collecting and organizing everything to create the most accurate representation of the home. AI-enriched file management enables builders to work more efficiently and easily hand off each home’s information to homeowners in a highly organized and interactive digital copy. Users can drop files onto a space on a floor plan enabling spatially associated selections for each room. Additionally, users can store files, that will then be associated with the correct room (e.g., bathroom #1) on the floor plan.
  2. Streamlining Bidding and Sourcing
    Procurement software can help builders gather bids, find materials and niche suppliers—including sustainable, minority-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned businesses—order materials on a predictive schedule, and make change orders with a click of a button.
  3. Supporting Customers and Sales
    In terms of customer service and sales, AI can help new-home sales teams answer questions through chatbots at all hours of the day. Chatbots (also refered to as digital assistants) can meet buyers wherever they are in their journey—without the pressure of live chat solutions. Home buyers are two to three times more likely to engage with a chatbot versus live chat because of the ability to immediately get answers to their questions. Builders can implement a chatbot to operate autonomously, guiding a buyer until they have indicated that they are interested, at which point a live representative could take over the process.
  4. Keeping Jobsites Safe
    AI also plays a significant role in enhancing on-site safety. Construction sites can be monitored in real-time, identifying safety hazards such as workers not wearing protective gear or machinery operating outside safe parameters. AI systems can then alert site managers immediately, helping to prevent accidents and improve overall safety compliance. AI object detection can also recognize specific vehicle types and license plates, handle access control, and verify deliveries for management. AI proximity advisories are also sent when workers are close to energized equipment keeping workers aware of their surroundings and allowing in-person safety site visits the option of remote inspection.
  5. Simplifying Interior Design Choices
    To envision how an area will look, AI systems such as Planner 5D can simplify interior design projects by allowing builders or architects to brainstorm ideas without investing excessive time or effort. By uploading a picture of an area, users receive multiple options for a potential space, and it can serve as a collaboration tool between builders, designers, and clients. Once an image is uploaded, users are asked to specify the type of space: a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, or children's room. Builders or designers can experiment with various formats and see how the space could potentially appear if its functionality were changed. The end results might even inspire users to reconsider the room's layout unexpectedly.
  6. Automating Smart Home Tech
    As builders continue adding and prioritizing smart-home solutions in their new-build packages, there’s an increased focus on smart-home technology automation and how AI can help. Some industry professionals foresee “smart power” becoming a bigger part of what drives the smart-home market. It is believed that AI will significantly influence the next wave of smart-home technology. Where current products require manual programming in order to be automated, AI and machine learning have the potential to enable solutions that provide true home automation. This has the potential to be an exciting development in the industry that can adapt and offer efficiencies based on a customer’s habits, usage, and preferences.

The continued development of AI technologies presents an opportunity for the construction sector to fundamentally reimagine its processes and operations. As more companies recognize the value of these tools, the industry will likely see a shift toward more data-driven, efficient, and innovative ways of working, ultimately benefiting both businesses and their clients.

Your client has saved and budgeted and finally pulled the trigger on financing their brand-new home construction. It’s all smooth sailing from here, right? Perhaps not, as “life happens” even when things are brand new.

That’s where a warranty – and Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) – come in!

RWC offers a comprehensive array of products to help you choose the right solution for your company and in turn, your clients. But even with all that is in place to protect them and their home, it is important to make sure there is transparency regarding what exactly is and isn’t covered.

Some new homeowners may call for help regarding a nail pop, a faulty door hinge, or some other issue that is beyond the scope of the warranty coverage. Others may have unrealistic expectations regarding the natural wear and tear that occurs to a structure over time, or damages that are a result of improper maintenance on their part. This is where the clarity of a written warranty is crucial, as it indisputably outlines what you as a builder are responsible for and what you are not. When buyers know what to expect, they’re less likely to ask you to address issues that aren’t truly issues at all, and that can save you unnecessary stress, time and money. Beyond that, a well-educated client will be a happier client, which will enhance your reputation as a builder.

Even with the detailed explanations of coverage that are in each RWC warranty, situations may still arise where the homeowner does not see eye-to-eye with you regarding a problem. If you are at an impasse, you can still turn to the warranty book. It clearly outlines the responsibilities of the builder, homeowner, and the warranty company; and provides instructions on how to handle the matter at hand. And RWC offers neutral third-party mediation at no cost to help reach a fair and reasonable agreement.

Establishing and defining expectations is crucial to your success, and an RWC Warranty is an excellent way to do so. It provides a clear solution to qualified structural defects, which gives your buyers confidence in you and peace of mind for their home, and the future of their family.

The past few years have been tough on homebuyers, with soaring prices, rising interest rates, and a limited supply of homes making the dream of homeownership feel out of reach. Many are left wondering if and when they’ll ever be able to buy or build their dream home. According to recent surveys, most Americans believe the market is more challenging than ever, yet determined buyers remain hopeful for better opportunities ahead.

Home builders can help overcome these challenges by offering more affordable and flexible home designs, working with lenders to provide financing incentives, and streamlining the construction process to reduce costs. Expanding inventory in high-demand areas, offering energy-efficient features to lower long-term expenses, and providing transparent pricing can also make new construction more appealing.

By addressing affordability concerns and emphasizing the benefits of a brand-new home, such as lower maintenance costs, modern amenities, and customizable options, builders can attract hesitant buyers and encourage them to move forward with their dream of homeownership.

 

Source: Builderonline.com & Nerd Wallet

In a city where dreams go to die and wallets go to empty, the RWC sales force excelled at everything (except at the bowling alley).

The RWC sales team recently returned from Las Vegas with heads held high after a productive showing at the International Builders Show 2025. While Vegas might be designed to separate fools from their money, our team managed to separate potential clients from their contact information with impressive efficiency.

STACI COOL: OUR DESERVING CHAMPION

In a well-earned recognition that surprised absolutely no one who works with her, Staci Cool claimed the National Account Executive of the Year award. Cool, who represents the company across multiple facets including as our national account executive for manufacturers, continues to demonstrate why she's such a valuable asset to both the team and company. Her contributions are genuinely appreciated, and this award simply confirms what we already knew.

The accolades were spread across the table, including Freddy Pesquera who edged out Logan Canby for most new applications in a friendly but determined competition. Both representatives showed exceptional skill in connecting with potential clients, though Freddy ultimately claimed the top spot by a narrow margin.

BOWLING: OUR HIDDEN TALENT GAP

Las Vegas is never for the faint of heart, especially when it comes to after-hours activities. While our sales team approaches the bowling lanes with unbridled enthusiasm, we've never claimed to be particularly skilled at the game. What we lack in bowling technique, however, we more than make up for in team spirit and good-natured competition.

This year, the team may have collectively decided to focus on "enjoying the weather and company" after previous gambling adventures left certain unnamed team members explaining suspicious ATM withdrawals to their significant others. Sometimes the best Vegas experiences happen away from the casino floor.

THE NUMBERS: GENUINELY IMPRESSIVE

The show statistics reflect a team firing on all cylinders:

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Our team successfully connected with key representatives for productive conversation with builders from across the country, laying groundwork for future collaborations.

Competition maintained a modest presence this year with RWC taking the lead in presence in the New Home Structural Warranty field.

LOOKING AHEAD: ORLANDO AWAITS

Next year's show will be relocated to Orlando, providing a fresh venue for industry engagement. Our booth operations ran smoothly this year, though we're considering refreshing our giveaway items to maintain interest and engagement.

As we reflect on what was genuinely "one of the most efficient and well-executed experiences to date," the RWC sales team returns home with valuable connections, industry insights, and tangible opportunities for business growth. The coming months should reveal the full impact of our successful showing at this year's International Builders Show.

While some trends can be hard to predict, experts say there’s no doubt that 2025 is shaping up to be all about “Japandi” kitchens. If you haven’t heard of this style before, here is a good way to sum it up: Japandi is a fusion between the design philosophies of Scandinavian design, which is characterized by simplicity and functionality, and Japanese design, which is all about elegance and warmth. When brought together, it’s a beautiful fusion of clean lines, natural materials, and minimalism. The result? A kitchen that feels both serene and functional.

What makes Japandi ultra-appealing is how it creates an inviting vibe while keeping things simple and clutter-free. Japanese and Scandinavian styles both have an aesthetic with an overall ideology that less is more, taking the design and stripping it down to its essentials. Japandi is all about form and function without distraction. With people looking to make their spaces feel peaceful and promote wellness, Japandi’s mix of soft, neutral colors, nature-inspired materials like wood and stone, and carefully chosen decor really hits the mark.

What Does Japandi Look Like?
A shared element across both Scandinavian and Japanese design is nature: natural materials, colors found in nature. Materials in a Japandi-inspired kitchen lean toward organic elements like high-quality wood cabinets in light natural hues, rattan, bamboo, and even metal. This focus on nature gives the space a calm, grounded feel — something both design styles really emphasize separately. It’s all about striking the perfect balance between warmth and minimalism.

How to Incorporate the Japandi Trend into Your Kitchen
Aside from organic materials, there are plenty of other ways to add warmth and natural beauty to your space. The overall goal here is to create a cozy, peaceful kitchen that feels sophisticated and intentional — here are a few other expert ways you can do that.

Kitchen Colors
When it comes to color palettes for Japandi kitchens, neutrals are the key to nailing the style. Think: soft whites and grays, beiges, and other warm earth tones often found in nature. If you want to add some depth and contrast, try mixing in darker shades like charcoal or muted blues — they help ground the space without being too distracting. What’s great about this color palette is how versatile it is.

Cabinetry and Storage
Look for sleek, minimalist cabinets that seamlessly blend into the design. Japandi cabinetry is all about smooth and clean lines, but it also focuses on the functionality of the room. You will usually see this with flat panel doors in natural wood finishes, which have become super popular with this style. Open shelving will also be popular, but it’s not used quite as much. For additional storage, consider hidden compartments or soft-close drawers that’ll keep clutter hidden.

Kitchen Appliances and Hardware
Look for appliances with integrated designs or matte finishes in black, white, or stainless steel. This, when used with hardware in brushed brass, black, or brushed nickel, will work beautifully in this style, making the room feel elegant but not too bold. As for hardware, it’s all about simplicity and subtle elegance. Popular finishes like stone, textured tiles, light wood, and brushed stainless steel all give off a natural, earthy vibe — and would be great if you want to make an easy kitchen swap.

The Parmer Group has celebrated the start of 2025 by adding The Zigmund Company to its family of operations. The Zigmund Company is an independent insurance consulting business that, for over forty years, has provided its clients with analysis, advice, and risk management assistance related to their property, liability, professional, and workers compensation insurances. The Zigmund Company is now located at 5300 Derry Street, Harrisburg, and Courtney Scamardella, a long-time Zigmund consultant, will head up the operation.

The Parmer Group owns and/or operates Fine Line Homes, Residential Warranty Company, HOME of Texas, and Eastern Atlantic Insurance Company among other companies associated with the home building, warranty and insurance industries. The Parmer Group continues to expand its footprint in these industries and has found that each newly acquired company has made its sister companies and the overall operation stronger.

This is the fifth company the Parmer Group has acquired in the last fifteen months. Other recent acquisitions include Delaware Valley Plumbing of King of Prussia, PA, West End Hardware Supply Company of Voorhees, NJ, Musser Home Builders of Dillsburg, PA, and LTS Homes located in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania.

At Residential Warranty Company, we know that home isn’t just about four walls: it’s about everything inside it, including your identity and even the title to your home. That’s why we’ve partnered with Iris to offer home title, cyber-attack, and identity theft early warning systems to our members.

One of the biggest threats homeowners face today is home title fraud where criminals forge documents and place liens against your home! Recovering from title fraud can be an expensive legal battle, and many homeowners don’t realize they have been victimized until it’s too late. That’s where RWC DataShield Protection comes in.

For just $10/month, RWC DataShield Protection provides:

Beyond title protection, RWC DataShield offers additional security benefits like Scam Assist and Personal Cyber Protection Services, giving homeowners a comprehensive defense against modern digital risks.

With our identity theft protection partnership, you get total peace of mind. We’re proud to help bring this essential layer of security to eligible RWC homeowners*, because protecting your home should also mean protecting the title to your home and your identity.

Curious to know more? Go to RWC DataShield to learn how to keep your assets protected.

*Not all builders are participating in this program.

The 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) is in Vegas from Feb 25 – 27. After a long day at the show and before evening social events, take a culinary journey through the hottest and newest dining destinations to hit the area.

#1 Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant

Michelin-starred chef Shaun Hergatt offers the latest dining spot to hit Resorts World, Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant. Dine like a high roller as you order from an extensive menu ranging from caviar and antipasti to entrees and more.

#2 Beerhaus

Whether you’re a beer nerd or casual drinker, Beerhaus, inside New York New York, is a fresh take on a classic beer hall. With a promise to find your favorite beverages, grab your choice cold and order savory sausages, sandwiches or snacks with hormone-free meat and locally sourced produce. Participate in trivia or watch the biggest game of the year indoors or on the outdoor patio.

#3 Canteen Food Hall

Canteen Food Hall inside the Rio Hotel & Casino is an upscale adult food court with six eateries, including Southland Burrito Co., Shogun Ramen, Tony Luke’s (a cheesesteak chain), Tender Crush (a chicken tender concept from the people behind Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer), Nama Nama (a sushi spot) and Attaboy Burger.

#4 Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant

Send your tastebuds south of the border at Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant to immerse yourself in the diverse flavors of coastal Mexican cuisine and spirits. Mijo puts an unconventional twist on prime meats, fresh whole fish, decadent desserts and elevated street food favorites. Explore Mexico’s most beloved spirits with Mijo’s one-of-a-kind tequila and mezcal program guided by “catadores,” tequila experts, and find hidden gems in tequila lockers.

#5 Ole Red Las Vegas

Country star Blake Shelton has begun his restaurant residency at Ole Red Las Vegas in the Horseshoe. Dine on delicious food or catch some live entertainment with a fun music-venue-meets-restaurant vibe. It’s also the venue for the IBS Young Pro Party for our industry pros under 40.

#6 Orla

Chef Michael Mina combines timeless flavors and textures to create culinary genius in his brand-new Mediterranean restaurant, Orla, inside Mandalay Bay. Embark on a dining journey with seafood, charcoal-roasted meats and zesty vegetables.

#7 Vic’s

Vic’s downtown is where jazz club meets supper club. Socialize, drink, dine and enjoy music by national and local jazz artists. Vic’s is a culinary experience like no other – adding new twists and eclectic flavors to Italian and American favorites.

After the Builders’ Show ends for the day, explore, indulge and savor the flavors of Las Vegas, where dining is not just a meal but a culinary adventure.