The online validation process launched October 20th, 2014 by Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) and HOME of Texas (HOME) is, by all accounts, a success! Billed as the next step in the home warranty companies’ modernization plan, the online home enrollment validation system streamlined the process to save time for home warranty members and their homebuyers.
Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), a leading provider of insured home warranties to the building industry nationwide, and HOME of Texas, RWC’s Lone Star State affiliate, have been fairly busy lately enhancing the quality of their home warranty programs and the efficiency of their systems for members. This trend continued as RWC and HOME moved to an online process for home enrollment validation.
Previously, the process had buyers sign paperwork at closing. After RWC/HOME received the signed copy and warranty fee, a validation sticker on a postcard was sent via regular “snail mail.” Depending on how quickly RWC/HOME received the information back from the closing, how timely the enrollments were processed, and how quickly the mail was delivered, it could take several weeks before a validation sticker arrived in the buyer’s mailbox.
Now, homeowners can simply go online to confirm their home warranty coverage. For convenience, homeowners can either print their warranty documents or save these documents as PDFs on their computer. They no longer need to wait for any confirmation to arrive in the mail and are spared the hassle of having to request a duplicate if the original gets lost. Also, and probably best of all, homeowners will enjoy a much speedier confirmation of their new home warranty whenever they choose to login via Warranty Express to retrieve their documentation (warranty book, closing document with info including validation number, effective date of warranty, term of coverage, and any applicable addenda). What’s more, they are able to view the warranty book online that was issued for their home in the future.
For more information on Warranty Express and its benefits, click here.
Alfred “Freddy” Pesqueira has just completed his training at RWC’s corporate office in Harrisburg, PA. Freddy is now representing our home warranty company as an Account Executive for Alabama, Florida and Georgia. We want to welcome Freddy on board our team of new home warranty experts!
A Little About Freddy...
Freddy is a graduate of Georgia Southern and was both a 4-time All-American and All-Conference football selection. He signed with the Canadian Football League in 2003 before returning to Georgia. Freddy is married with two children, a son and a daughter, and coaches wrestling, baseball and softball in his free time.
He comes to RWC from State Farm Insurance where he was a top producer, selling insurance and financial products for the last 5 years. His experience in insurance, building client relationships and business development combined with RWC’s 30+ years in the home warranty business and over 3 million homes warranted, makes for a successful team.
Freddy will be reaching out to prospects and members in the near future to introduce himself and to learn more about your company. Please take the opportunity to meet and talk with him. At any time, please feel free to contact Freddy at 678-276-6013 or freddy.pesqueira@rwcwarranty.com.
Thank you for your continued patronage and loyalty to RWC, as we continue to lead the way in new home warranties. Your alliance is very important to us.
All of RWC’s home warranty programs feature mandatory binding arbitration of Unresolved Warranty Issues.* RWC and its builder members have been very successful at persuading courts to recognize and enforce the warranty’s mandatory binding arbitration provision. Courts across the country have removed cases from the courthouse and directed them to arbitration under RWC’s Limited Warranty Program.
A good example can be found in this case study. RWC had issued a warranty on a home that was in Year 1 of home warranty coverage, and the homeowners filed a lawsuit against the builder. The builder was well-equipped to defend himself with the warranty book, the application for warranty and his own contract, which included language that made the RWC builder warranty, including the warranty’s binding arbitration language, applicable to any alleged warranty defects in the home. Even though the homeowners argued that RWC’s warranty should not be enforced in that state, the court endorsed RWC’s warranty, and the motion brought by the Builder to compel arbitration and dismiss the homeowners’ lawsuit was granted in its entirety.
Consequently, the homeowners initiated a request for home warranty performance with RWC. Prior to arbitration, the warranty provides for informal mediation. The parties agreed to use RWC’s mediation to try to settle the disputes about the alleged house warranty defects. RWC became actively involved mediating between the homeowners and the builder. Through this mediation, communication between the homeowners and the builder has improved and several items have been amicably resolved. We are encouraged that most, if not all warranty items, will soon be resolved in the same way. At the conclusion of mediation, if any items remain unresolved, the homeowners and builder will proceed to binding arbitration under the terms of the warranty.
This is a real case and a great example of how RWC’s mandatory binding arbitration provision is an effective tool in preventing litigation. It also supports the value of using RWC’s mediation process to resolve disputes about alleged warranty defects in the homes you build.
*Note that the mandatory arbitration provision is removed by the HUD addendum, and thus mandatory arbitration does not apply to home warranties placed on HUD homes.
The RWC website is chock-full of home warranty resources and more! For easy reference, we’ve listed some of the more frequently asked questions and where you can uncover the answers.
I WONDER...IS THERE A WARRANTY FOR THAT?
RWC has more home warranty plans than you may realize. Hover over “Builders” to see, at a glance, all the home warranty programs and features available. To go to the list of warranty options available, select “Warranty Products.”
HOW DO I RECEIVE A GL INSURANCE QUOTE?
The RWC Insurance Advantage can meet many of your commercial insurance needs. Get a quote by clicking on the “RWC Insurance Advantage” link and selecting “Get Insurance Quote.”
HOW DO I ENROLL A HOME?
In the top right corner of any page on our site, see the link to “Warranty Express.” Sign in to Warranty Express with your registration number and password. Select “Warranty Express” to begin the enrollment process.
HOW DO I CHECK ON THE ENROLLMENT STATUS OF A HOME?
Once logged into “Warranty Express,” you will see options for items like “Order History” and “Report.” From there, you can order an enrollment report or check the status of a specific home.
FREE MARKETING MATERIALS!? HOW? WHERE?
From the main menu, once you are logged into “Warranty Express,” go to “Order Supplies” to request sample home warranty books and marketing pieces.
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
RWC provides a list of “FAQs” for builders regarding builder warranties and more. See the link in the “Builders” supermenu. If you need additional information, all our contact information and helpful contact forms can be found in the “About Us” section.
WHERE’S MY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE?
From any page, hover over either “Builders” or “About Us” in the navigation bar and click “Find Your Account Executive.” Simply select your state.
MY CLIENTS HAVE QUESTIONS….HOW CAN I BEST ANSWER?
Hover over “Homeowners” in the navigation bar at the top of any page and find links to “FAQs” for homeowners, seasonal maintenance checklists, and additional resources that convince why a new home warranty from RWC is valuable to your buyers.
LOOKING FOR A FORM YOU NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION OR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL?
Check out our “Forms Library”.
RWC’s new home warranties are packed with “value added” features – features that provide heightened security, resale value, and an important measure of peace of mind for homeowners.
Yes, it’s essential that you have a strong home warranty under your belt to ensure home protection; but don’t just stop there. There are additional ways to ensure your home holds up over time, including seasonal maintenance inspections.
A part of being a responsible homeowner is checking on things before they go haywire. Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is one of the surest ways to keep your home happy all year long. Plus, these regularly scheduled seasonal maintenance inspections can help prevent costly problems from occurring.
If you haven’t completed your fall maintenance inspection, there’s no time like the present! Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which is often the most grueling season for your home.
There are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to complete each fall. 'Tis the season to service your heating system, check your chimneys and electrical systems, clean your chimneys, gutters and ridge vents, fortify your home’s exterior, check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and so on. Though tempting, it’s important that you do not overlook these important tasks. If you do, you are likely to pay…literally. Plus, many of these items left undone can be major safety hazards.
For a complete fall maintenance checklist, we invite you to take a look at our handy resource.
And remember, if you don’t have the time or energy to conduct these periodic home maintenance inspections yourself, there’s always the option of paying someone to do the dirty work! Either way, it’s in your home’s best interest to get these seasonal items checked off your list of to-dos.
Questions regarding RWC’s home warranties? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Discover the value of an RWC homeowner warranty today!
RWC’s been around for over 30 years and we have 3 million home warranties under our belt. We think we know a thing or two about the home warranty industry and we don’t really lose sleep over what “the other guys” are doing. That’s because our home warranty programs are so successful that we don’t have to copy them. But we always get a chuckle when we see those other guys “copying our homework.”
Take our name for instance. There’s one competitor out there that tries to get leads by pretending to be “Residential Warranty Company.” Nice try. There’s only one RWC and we’re it. When we run a membership drive…the other home warranty companies run membership drives. At RWC, we strive to innovate…not imitate.
Want a home warranty company that’s been around for a while?
RWC’s been in business since 1981. That’s 33 years of experience…without name changes, company buyouts or corporate restructuring. Just us…for 33 years and counting.
Want a home warranty company that’s experienced and not a “newbie” when it comes to warranty resolution?
RWC’s administered more than 3 million home warranties. Not every home has claims but when issues arise, don’t you want a company behind you that truly understands what they are doing?
Want a home warranty company that’s on solid financial ground?
RWC’s new home warranties are backed by an insurer that has been rated “A-(Excellent)” since 2001. Think about what our housing industry went through during that time frame and in spite of it all, our insurer maintained its exemplary rating. What’s more, neither RWC nor any of our Principals have ever been under supervision or receivership. In fact, our insurer boasts a surplus equity of over $100 million dollars. Ask the other guys what skeletons are in their closets!
Want a home warranty program that gives you choices?
RWC issues over 80 different types of warranties. From the standard FHA-approved variety to the customized state version to the specialty warranties for remodelers, building systems manufacturers, commercial contractors, and even detached garage builders, RWC has what you need.
Want a home warranty company that provides you with FREE FULL-COLOR marketing materials?
RWC wants the warranty program to work for you, not only for risk management, but also as a marketing tool. Check out our full-color warranties and we think you’ll agree.
Want a home warranty company who’s willing to let you be rewarded for your own good claims experience?
RWC’s exclusive Incentive program has rewarded builders with over $20 million in incentive distributions!
Don’t be fooled by the “pretenders.”
Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve - the best value for your dollar, and that’s RWC!
So go ahead and look at the other guys. We’re patient. We’ll wait for you.
RWC…We’ve Got Warranties NAILED!
The vast majority of RWC builders utilize our online enrollment system, Warranty Express: a unique membership feature of our home warranty company. But did you know that if you also pay for your homes online, you will SAVE MONEY, too? Enroll your homes on Warranty Express and pay for them online by credit card or I-check, and RWC waives the $6.95 processing fee* for each one. Think about it: if you enroll 100 homes per year, that $6.95 fee morphs into a nifty $695.00 pretty quickly!
If you still enroll your homes manually, switch to Warranty Express and take advantage of this online method for enrollment and payment of home warranties. The system is secure, your closing documents are ready for you quickly, but best of all, you save not only the $6.95 per home, but also a lot of time!
What else can you do on Warranty Express besides enrolling a home?
- Order marketing materials including sample home warranty books
- Get your enrollment history
- Get duplicate copies of closing documents
- Print FHA Acceptance Letters or State Required Affidavits
- Renew your warranty membership
Need more details about this special builder warranty program? Contact RWC - a leader in new home warranties - today!
* Does not apply to Building System Manufacturers, Remodelers, Commercial Builders, or HUD-Code (Manufactured) Manufacturers.
As a real estate professional, why should you care about new home warranties? What’s in it for you?
Here’s 5 perks of having a solid RWC home warranty in place - perks that benefit both you, the builder, and the potential buyer:
- It Just Looks Good
As a Real Estate Agent, you know the market for new home construction sales is both competitive and complicated. Not only are builders competing against each other for sales, but also against the resale and foreclosure markets. A new home warranty is a distinguishing feature that makes a new home even more attractive to potential buyers. - Quality
Obviously, the home buyer must qualify under today’s rigid requirements, but the builder may also need to meet certain criteria. Whether a home is financed by a conventional, FHA or VA loan, be assured that a home built by an RWC member is constructed with quality. - Buyer Peace of Mind
Written, insured warranties provide recourse for repairs for your buyers. If the builder is unable or unwilling to correct warranted defects, the Warranty Insurer steps in. Without a warranty, in these uncertain times, a homeowner might be forced to “go it alone” in a time when the average major structural defect exceeds $30,000. - Protection
Real Estate agents benefit directly from the warranty in the event a defect does occur. The warranty ensures that either the builder or the home warranty company will rectify warranted defects. - Assurance
Warranty members have passed stringent screening criteria for professional building ethics, financial stability, and technical competence. As a result, agents are better assured that the home is built by a more qualified builder.
And the benefits of RWC’s home warranties for real estate pros don’t stop there! Discover additional reasons to secure home warranty coverage with RWC.
Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) and its affiliates, HOME of Texas and MHWC, continue to make strides in streamlining the application process for builders joining the group’s elite builder warranty programs. The latest step is to eliminate the inspection requirement* for homes being ‘grandfathered’ (homes that are either under construction prior to membership approval or completed, but not occupied) into the program. Previously, the home warranty companies required that up to 3 homes be inspected prior to membership approval at a cost to the builder of $150 per inspection. By eliminating this requirement, RWC, HOME & MHWC are able to save potential members up to $450 in inspection/application costs.
Joining RWC’s elite builder warranty program is the best way for today’s builders to deal with customer service and risk management issues. Offering a wide variety of unique home warranty options, RWC understands that just one warranty rarely meets everyone’s needs. RWC's “menu” of warranties and services creates comprehensive coverage and effective risk management for the greatest long-term stability.
RWC’s mission is to provide a level of security to builders and their customers and has devoted over three decades to that purpose across the country. Being able to provide a variety of services to members is the result of much hard work and due diligence along the way. RWC has established itself as a rock solid leader in providing home warranty protection. When a builder becomes a member, they benefit from 30+ years of leadership and experience that is unrivaled in the warranty industry.
*Homes over $1 million in sales volume may still need to be inspected. Prospective members may contact the home warranty company for further details.
Residential Warranty Company, LLC is one of the nation’s oldest and largest providers of written insured builder warranties. Builders seeking options in coverage, sensible home warranty protection, and assistance in dealing with customer service, choose RWC. In business for over 30 years, RWC has warranted over 3 million homes and its Insurer is rated “A- (Excellent)” by A.M. Best. An extensive “menu of choices” in both home warranties and general liability insurance is available, enabling builders to reduce their liability and increase the marketability of their homes.
RWC’s new home warranties are packed with “value added” features - features that provide heightened security, resale value, and an important measure of peace of mind for homeowners.
Yes, it’s essential that you have a strong home warranty in place to ensure home protection, but don’t just stop there. There are additional ways to ensure your home holds up over time, including seasonal maintenance inspections.
A part of being a responsible homeowner is checking on things before they go haywire. Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is one of the surest ways to keep your home in tiptop shape all year long. Plus, these regularly scheduled seasonal maintenance inspections can help prevent costly problems from occurring.
If you haven’t completed your summer maintenance inspection, there’s no time like the present! There are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to complete each summer including repairing walkways and steps, painting, checking your chimney and roof, etc. Though tempting, it’s important that you do not put these important tasks off. If you do, odds are, you will pay...literally.
For a comprehensive summer maintenance checklist, we invite you to use this handy resource.
And remember, if you don’t have the time or energy to conduct these periodic home maintenance inspections yourself, there’s always the option of paying someone! Either way, it’s in your home’s best interest to get these periodic inspections done.
Questions regarding RWC’s home warranties? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Discover the value of an RWC homeowner warranty today!