Real estate technology and services company Orchard announced Thursday its adding both home insurance and warranty services to its product offerings. The move comes on the heels of Orchard raising $69 million in funding with a stated goal to become the real estate industrys Amazon.

Court Cunningham | Photo credit: Orchard

Orchards home insurance and warranty services join its existing suite of products, which include a home loans division, title insurance and search tools, all integrated into its consumer-facing dashboard, which launched in September.

At Orchard, were radically simplifying the way people buy their homes, bringing the entire experience, from start to finish, into the 21st century, Court Cunningham, the CEO and co-founder of Orchard, said in a statement.

Cunningham added that Orchards customers have expressed a desire to integrate more parts of the homebuying process into the Orchard platform. Adding home warranty and insurance allows those consumers to have the option to get everything they need to buy a home with Orchard, according to Cunningham.

Orchards insurance offering isnt direct-to-consumer, rather the platform will allow consumers to find the plans that work best for their needs. Consumers fill out an online application within the Orchard platform and receive an email with a side-by-side comparison of options.

Through Orchards warranty platform, customers can buy a protection plan to shield them from many major expenses.

All of the services, as well as associated documents required, are all integrated within the Orchard platform, making tasks like providing proof of insurance so the home loan can close on-time more seamless, according to the company.

Orchard aims to serve dual-track consumers both buying and selling a home at the same time. The company operates in essentially three phases: a modern search platform, enabling customers to buy before they sell with a guarantee, and an all-digital close.

Orchard, which is headquartered in New York City, currently serves customers in Colorado, Georgia and Texas.

Email Patrick Kearns

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Orchard adds home warranty and insurance to product offerings - Inman

Today we are introduced to David Seruya, CEO of Total Home Protection. A Home Warranty company prized for its innovative solutions and excellent customer service. Continue reading to learn how this company was able to get ahead and become one of the most respected home warranty providers in the industry from the perspective of one of its leaders.

When did you get your start in the home warranty industry?

David Seruya: That would be in 2005. I was still working as a mortgage broker back then, but the company that I was working for had begun to decline. And, ultimately, before the year ended, it shut down completely and everyone was laid off.

Thankfully, a college friend of mine had also been looking to get into a new business at the time. So, we decided to partner up and work on this new venture of ours together. At that point, we honestly didnt know much about the home warranty service industry. But, we knew that it had some room for competition. And, there was little online about offering home warranty plans directly to consumers, so we saw an opportunity that we just could not miss. So, we took it. Knowing that it would allow us to get ahead of the competition and disrupt the industry from the very beginning.

And how did this first venture work out for you?

David Seruya: Success did not come easy, thats for sure. Despite our confidence in our plan to disrupt the industry with innovative marketing, we did not make a single sale for almost six months! Still though, rather than throw in the towel, we continued to push forward with a tentative but persistent trial and error approach to test our limits.

Personally, I find that this kind of approach is what allowed us to succeed in the end. You learn pretty quickly that, in business, if you want any kind of success, youll need to push forward despite the fear of failure. Because, as clich as it may sound, it is with these very failures that you will find a lesson learned.

Who is Total Home Protections ideal customer?

David Seruya: The ideal Total Home Protection customers are homeowners that are age 35+ with an annual household income worth around $150,000. Of course, we service homeowners of all ages and all budgets too. But, weve found it most successful to target those in this particular age and income bracket.

And what kind of benefits can your customers expect by signing up with Total Home Protection?

David Seruya: Total Home Protection offers home warranty plans that cover approximately 20 home appliances and systems. The coverage applies when they wear out no matter their age, make, or model. And, if we cant fix them, then well replace them with the exact model or offer an alternative solution if a complete replacement is not available.

For full transparency, covered items must be in good working condition when the coverage is activated, and there are dollar amount caps that may apply. In addition to this, Total Home Protection reserves the right to offer cashback in place of repair or replacements.

If youre a current or prospective home warranty policyholder, I recommend that you read our sample contract to make the most of your policy. There, youll be able to discover all the great benefits that our home warranty service has to offer.

How has Total Home Protection been doing in such turbulent times? And how have you dealt with any of the issues that occurred?

David Seruya: I believe that a lot of our success comes from our leadership team. No matter how crazy or incomprehensible the times were living in are, the THP leadership team is always innovating, implementing new technologies, and just growing along with whatever changes are happening in our economy.

What do you find most satisfying whilst working for THP in recent times?

David Seruya: We recently released our new proprietary CRM. It was outfitted with the latest AI technology to create a custom platform for THP policyholders that would allow us to reduce operation costs, generate sales, and provide insights as to how we can grow and improve from this point on. With this on our side, were more confident than ever to compete and stay ahead in such a competitive industry. This, as you can probably guess, is an incredibly satisfying experience.

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[Interview] How Total Home Protection Stays Ahead of the Competition in the Home Warranty Industry with CEO David Seruya - Seekers Time

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Product Warranty Insurance Market is poised to experience spend growth of more than USD 27.75 billion between 2020-2024 at a CAGR of over 4.40%. The report also provides the market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Request free sample pages

Read the 120-page research report with TOC and LOE on "Product Warranty Insurance Market Procurement Intelligence Report, Pricing Outlook in Geographies that include APAC, North America, South America, and MEA, and insights into best practices to optimize procurement spend."

SpendEdge's reports now include an in-depth complimentary analysis of the COVID-19 impact on procurement and the latest market data to help your company overcome sourcing challenges. Our Product Warranty Insurance Market procurement intelligence report offers actionable procurement intelligence insights, sourcing strategies, and action plans to mitigate risks arising out of the current pandemic situation. The insights offered by our reports will help procurement professionals streamline supply chain operations and gain insights into the best procurement practices to mitigate losses.

Information on Latest Trends and Supply Chain Market Information Knowledge centre on COVID-19 impact assessment

Insights into the Market Price Trends

Insights to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Product Warranty Insurance Market requirements. This procurement report answers the following questions:

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Insights into strategies that will help buyers optimize their category management practices. The report answers the following questions:

Some of the top Product Warranty Insurance Market suppliers enlisted in this report

This Product Warranty Insurance Market procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies.

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Analysis | Product Warranty Insurance Market Procurement Intelligence Report Forecasts Spend Growth of Over USD 27.75...

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Dec. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL) (www.TollBrothers.com), the nations leading builder of luxury homes, today announced results for its fourth quarter ended October31, 2020.

FY 2020s Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights (Compared to FY 2019s Fourth Quarter):

Full FY 2020 Highlights (Compared to Full FY 2019)

* All references to home sales gross margin, adjusted home sales gross margin and SG&A, whether for the fiscal fourth quarter, the full fiscal year or with respect to future periods, reflect a reclassification of third-party brokerage commissions from cost of home sales revenue to selling, general & administrative expense (SG&A) for all periods presented. The reclassification resulted in an increase of approximately 2 percentage points to home sales gross margin and adjusted home sales gross margin, and an increase of approximately 2 percentage points to SG&A as a percentage of revenue for all periods presented. For a detailed reconciliation of the impact of this reclassification, see the Form 8-K and related exhibits filed by the Company on December 7, 2020.

FY 2021 Financial Guidance:

Douglas C. Yearley, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, stated: In these challenging times, our team delivered on all fronts in our fourth quarter, exceeding our expectations for sales, revenues, margins and earnings. I am tremendously proud of how we have adapted to a rapidly changing environment.

We are currently experiencing the strongest housing market I have seen in my 30 years at Toll Brothers and we continue to increase prices in nearly all of our communities as we focus on driving profitability and managing growth. The strong demand began for us in mid-May and has continued through today. In our fourth quarter, net signed contracts of 3,407 homes and $2.74 billion were the highest totals for any quarter in our history, up 68% in homes and 63% in dollars compared to one year ago. In FY 2021s first six weeks ended December 6, demand has remained very strong compared to one year ago, with our non-binding reservation deposits, which are a precursor to contracts, up approximately 48%.

We attribute the strength in demand to a number of factors, including historically low interest rates, an undersupply of new and resale homes, and a renewed appreciation for the home as a sanctuary. The work-from-home phenomenon is also enabling more buyers to live where they want rather than where their jobs previously required. And since most of our customers have a home to sell, the tight resale market gives them confidence they can sell their home quickly at an appreciated value that can then be re-invested in their new home.

The Toll Brothers build-to-order model is particularly well-suited to this moment as Americans place more importance on home than ever before. With the upgrades and choices we offer, our customers can personalize their homes to reflect their lifestyles with features such as home offices, fitness rooms, multi-generational living suites and stunning indoor/outdoor living areas.

With our highest year-end backlog in 15 years and continued strong demand, we expect to deliver the most homes in our history in FY 2021. In addition, our strong land holdings and presence in over 50 markets position us well for 10% community count growth by the end of FY 2021. Based on the pricing power that has accompanied our strong sales since May, we expect gross margin to improve over the course of the fiscal year as we deliver those homes. And as we continue to focus on more capital efficient ways to acquire and develop land, we expect improvement in our return on equity in FY 2021. With our well-located land holdings, luxury brand and distinctive home designs that appeal to move-up, empty-nester and affordable luxury home buyers, we are strategically positioned for continued growth in FY 2021 and beyond.

Toll Brothers Financial Highlights for the FY 2020 fourth quarter ended October31, 2020 (unaudited):

Toll Brothers financial highlights for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 (unaudited):

Additional Financial Information:

(1) See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures below for more information on the calculation of the Companys net debt-to-capital ratio.

Toll Brothers will be broadcasting live via the Investor Relations section of its website, investors.TollBrothers.com, a conference call hosted by Chairman & CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. at 11:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, December 8, 2020, to discuss these results and its outlook for FY 2021. To access the call, enter the Toll Brothers website, click on the Investor Relations page, and select Events & Presentations. Participants are encouraged to log on at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the presentation to register and download any necessary software.

The call can be heard live with an online replay which will follow.

Toll Brothers, Inc., A FORTUNE 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company began business over fifty years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TOL. The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, affordable luxury and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. It operates in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia.

Toll Brothers builds an array of luxury residential single-family detached, attached home, master planned resort-style golf, and urban low-, mid-, and high-rise communities, principally on land it develops and improves. The Company acquires and develops rental apartment and commercial properties through Toll Brothers Apartment Living, Toll Brothers Campus Living, and the affiliated Toll Brothers Realty Trust, and develops urban low-, mid-, and high-rise for-sale condominiums through Toll Brothers City Living. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and land sale, golf course development and management, and landscape subsidiaries. Toll Brothers operates its own alarm monitoring company through TBI Smart Home Solutions, a complete home technology division. In addition to providing security monitoring, TBI Smart Home Solutions offers homeowners a full range of low voltage options, allowing buyers to maximize the potential of technology in their new home. The Company also operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. Through its Gibraltar Real Estate Capital joint venture, the Company provides builders and developers with land banking, non-recourse debt and equity capital.

In 2020, Toll Brothers was named Worlds Most Admired Home Building Company in Fortune magazines survey of the Worlds Most Admired Companies, the sixth year in a row it has been so honored. Toll Brothers has won numerous other awards, including Builder of the Year from both Professional Builder magazine and Builder magazine, the first two-time recipient from Builder magazine. The Company sponsors the Toll Brothers Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network, bringing opera to neighborhoods throughout the world. For more information visit http://www.TollBrothers.com.

Toll Brothers discloses information about its business and financial performance and other matters, and provides links to its securities filings, notices of investor events, and earnings and other news releases, on the Investor Relations section of its website (investors.TollBrothers.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

Information presented herein for the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2020 is subject to finalization of the Company's regulatory filings, related financial and accounting reporting procedures and external auditor procedures.

This release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly historical or factual nature and generally discuss or relate to future events. These statements contain words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, may, can, could, might, should, likely, will, and other words or phrases of similar meaning. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding: the impact of Covid-19 on the U.S. economy, the markets in which we operate or may operate, and on our business; our strategic priorities; our land acquisition, land development and capital allocation priorities; market conditions; demand for our homes; anticipated operating results and guidance; home deliveries; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in margins; changes in accounting treatment; cost of revenues, including expected labor and material costs; selling, general, and administrative expenses; interest expense; inventory write-downs; home warranty and construction defect claims; unrecognized tax benefits; anticipated tax refunds; sales paces and prices; effects of home buyer cancellations; growth and expansion; joint ventures in which we are involved; anticipated results from our investments in unconsolidated entities; our ability to acquire or dispose of land and pursue real estate opportunities; our ability to gain approvals and open new communities; our ability to market, construct and sell homes and properties; our ability to deliver homes from backlog; our ability to secure materials and subcontractors; our ability to produce the liquidity and capital necessary to conduct normal business operations or to expand and take advantage of opportunities; and the outcome of legal proceedings, investigations, and claims.

Any or all of the forward-looking statements included in this release are not guarantees of future performance and may turn out to be inaccurate. This can occur as a result of incorrect assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The major risks and uncertainties and assumptions that are made that affect our business and may cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

Many of the factors mentioned above or in other reports or public statements made by us will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from our forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the captions Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

TOLL BROTHERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands)

TOLL BROTHERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except per share data and percentages) (Unaudited)

TOLL BROTHERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (Amounts in thousands) (unaudited)

Inventory at October31, 2020 and October31, 2019 consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

Toll Brothers operates in two segments: Traditional Home Building and Urban Infill ("City Living"). Within Traditional Home Building, Toll operates in five geographic segments. As previously reported, during the first quarter of FY 2020, management realigned certain of the states falling within its five home building regions. Within Traditional Home Building, the Company operates in the following five geographic segments, with current operations in the states listed below:

The realignment did not have any impact on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations, earnings per share or cash flows for the periods presented. Prior period results have been recast to conform with the Companys current segments in the tables below:

Unconsolidated entities:

Information related to revenues and contracts of entities in which we have an interest for the three-month and twelve-month periods ended October31, 2020 and 2019, and for backlog at October31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

This press release contains, and Company managements discussion of the results presented in this press release may include, information about the Companys adjusted homes sales gross margin and the Companys net debt-to-capital ratio.

These two measures are non-GAAP financial measures which are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP financial measures, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies in the home building business.

The Companys management considers these non-GAAP financial measures as we make operating and strategic decisions and evaluate our performance, including against other home builders that may use similar non-GAAP financial measures. The Companys management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in understanding our operations and leverage and may be helpful in comparing the Company to other home builders to the extent they provide similar information.

Adjusted Home Sales Gross Margin The following table reconciles the Companys homes sales gross margin as a percentage of homes sale revenues (calculated in accordance with GAAP) to the Companys adjusted homes sales gross margin (a non-GAAP financial measure). Adjusted homes sales gross margin is calculated as (i) homes sales gross margin plus interest recognized in homes sales cost of revenues plus inventory write-downs recognized in home sales cost of revenues divided by (ii) homes sale revenues.

Adjusted Home Sales Gross Margin Reconciliation (Amounts in thousands, except percentages)

The Companys management believes adjusted home sales gross margin is a useful financial measure to investors because it allows them to evaluate the performance of our home building operations without the often varying effects of capitalized interest costs and inventory impairments. The use of adjusted home sales gross margin also assists the Companys management in assessing the profitability of our home building operations and making strategic decisions regarding community location and product mix.

Forward-looking Adjusted Homes Sales Gross MarginThe Company has not provided projected first quarter and full FY 2021 homes sales gross margin or a GAAP reconciliation for forward-looking adjusted homes sales gross margin because such measure cannot be provided without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis, since inventory write-downs are based on future activity and observation and therefore cannot be projected for the first quarter and full FY 2021. The variability of these charges may have a potentially unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on our first quarter and full FY 2021 homes sales gross margin.

Net Debt-to-Capital Ratio The following table reconciles the Companys ratio of debt to capital (calculated in accordance with GAAP) to the Companys net debt-to-capital ratio (a non-GAAP financial measure). The net debt-to-capital ratio is calculated as (i) total debt minus mortgage warehouse loans minus cash and cash equivalents divided by (ii) total debt minus mortgage warehouse loans minus cash and cash equivalents plus stockholders equity.

Net Debt-to-Capital Ratio Reconciliation (Amounts in thousands, except percentages)

The Companys management uses the net debt-to-capital ratio as an indicator of its overall leverage and believes it is a useful financial measure to investors in understanding the leverage employed in the Companys operations.

Frederick N. Cooper (215) 938-8312 fcooper@tollbrothers.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2eddea4-b247-45af-9bae-1d9e08170de5

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Toll Brothers Reports FY 2020 4th Quarter Results - GlobeNewswire

Being a homeowner is one of the most excitingachievements, as very few things beat this feeling. As much as it is anexhilarating time, there is a need to ensure your home is protected.

There are various ways to ensure you have acomfortable and secure living space. From beefing up security to purchasing ahome insurance plan, the real estate industry offers a myriad of ways to makeyour stay in your new home worthwhile.

In this article, we are going to focus on one ofthe ways to protect you and your family investing in a home protection plan.

A home protection plan is a contract between ahomeowner and a home protection company that covers the cost of maintaining andreplacing household appliances.

It is not uncommon for people to confuse homeprotection plans for home insurance.

Home insurance is different from home protectionplans. Home insurance covers the house and all its contents from unprecedenteddamages caused by fire, floods, or other calamities. Home protection plans, onthe other hand, protect your home appliances if it malfunctions, maintainingtheir functionality.

There are various types of home protection plans.The best thing is that there are not many restrictions and homeowners cancustomize these plans according to their needs.

There are various reasons why you need a homeprotection plan.

Let us delve into specifics.

A home warranty is an all-inclusive coverage thatcovers various home appliances and systems in the house. However, sincehomeowners are constantly upgrading their appliances and buying newer ones tomake house chores easier, some of these appliances might not receive coveragefrom home warranties. A home protection plan goes a long way in offeringcoverage for such appliances. That way, you receive maximum coverage for allyour household appliances.

Home appliances can be expensive. For instance,refrigerators and washing machines cost hundreds of dollars, which is on thelower side. AC units and boilers, on the other hand, can cost thousands ofdollars. When these appliances fail or malfunction, repairs can cause deepfinancial strain.

However, by investing in a home protection plan,your service provider caters to costs in case a covered household item needsrepair. Even if the repairs costs are very high, the service provider willcater to a larger portion of the costs, leaving you to top up a few dollars.

What makes home protection plans very attractiveis the fact that they offer free routine maintenance to ensure your homeappliances serve you for longer periods.

Malfunctioned household electrical appliances area source of stress. Whats even more stressful is getting a reputable handymanto repair it. Home protection plan service providers relieve these stresses asthey have technicians who possess the necessary knowledge and experience towork on these items. That way, you are spared the stresses of finding acontractor or falling into the hands of untrustworthy repairmen.

It may come a time when you want to sell yourhome. Considering that homebuyers are very articulate in the condition of thehouse before they can make a decision, having a home protection plan mighthelp.

In some cases, home protection plans for certainitems are transferrable. That way, you gain a competitive advantage againstother sellers, allowing you to sell your home fast and at a better askingprice.

Home warranty plans cover a variety of appliancesincluding HVAC units, refrigerators, garbage disposal, dishwashers, microwaves,ovens, water heaters, washers, dryers, and many others.

Additionally, you might have add-on options suchas roof leak protection, swimming pool equipment, additional refrigerationunits, and many more. However, the equipment covered in home protection plansdiffers from one service provider to the other.Before paying for one, you need to first understand what appliances willbe covered in the plan.

Deciding to go for a home protection plan is aserious decision as it involves the investment of your hard-earned money. It isfor this reason that it is advisable to make careful considerations beforesettling for a home protection plan service provider.

Below are some of the things to consider whenchoosing the right plan for you.

As a homeowner, you may need to re-evaluate thekind of plan you want. If you are moving to an older home, a home protectionplan is definitely worth it. Additionally, since appliances tend to break downwhen you least expect it, even homeowners moving to newer houses need theseprotection plans.

Finding the right protection plan requiresresearch. The insurance industry has a myriad of options when it comes toservice providers. What you need to do is come up with a list of homeprotection plan companies. Call or visit them and ask for free quotes. Next,you can scrutinize these quotes to gain a solid knowledge of how much money youare required to pay.

As you look at the pricing, remember to alsocounter check the services they offer. If you are unsatisfied with the coverageoffered, ask the company if they are open to making adjustments or includingadditional services.

Out of the many quotes you receive, narrow themdown to two or three. To ensure you receive your ideal coverage, visit each ofthese companies and ask questions in regards to their service provision,customer support, the contractors they use, as well as the companies terms andconditions for the contract. Do not be afraid to ask these questions as some ofthe information you may receive may not be readily available on social mediaplatforms or in the companys brochures.

Once you have done this, you can then decide thehome protection plan service provider best suited for you.

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Are You A New Homeowner? Learn About Getting A Home Protection Plan - Hill Country Breaking News

Ok, I will never not share funny things from local law enforcement because it shows that they are just like everyone else. Including, getting those pesky calls about your vehicle's extended warranty. This is a video you don't want to miss.

This video is honestly brilliant. We have all been there and you know, 2020 might actually be the year that the police actually start asking you about that extended vehicle warranty. Ha! Of course, I am kidding, but it does feel like these people are EVERYWHERE!

This video is relatable on so many levels. How many times do you get this phone call a day? A week? A month? Sometimes I start getting text messages about my extended warranty on a vehicle I never had a warranty for.

And again, I love when police show their human side and make people realize they are just like everyone else. They have a sense of humor, they have fun with people, they have families and friends and they aren't the bad guys.

In the grand scheme of things, police, sheriffs deputies, first responders, law enforcement, they all just want to do their jobs and make it home safely.

Though admittedly, if I got pulled over and this was a cop's response to me speeding, I would die laughing after I got nervous for no reason. Thank you for making my day with such a short clip and relatable laughter.

The rest is here:
WATCH: Twin Falls Sheriff's Office Got Jokes; About That Warranty - kezj.com

You want the best price to sell your home and you want to sell it yesterday, right?

Regardless of your home's listing price and all the pretty pictures online with expensive staging, Realtors still show your house live with buyers. And this is when too many deals fall apart or the offer you receive is way below what you expected.

Why? Because the home is not clean and appears not to be maintained with care. And this is the responsibility of both the homeowner and your Realtor.

Consistently, we read about surveys and horror stories about how little effort sellers invest in how their property shows. Dirt, rotten food in the fridge, pet odors (cats have caused more deals to go south than any animal on the planet), water leaks, mold on walls, dead mice behind washing machines--the list goes on. If your home looks, smells, feels unmaintained, the home inspector will not be on your side and the offer--if it ever is written--will not be what you expect.

As a former homebuilder, investor buying and selling and consulting on how to sell properties, I, like you, realize what critical areas in a home can cause heartburn and trepidation in buyers not wanting to have to fix/replace broken stuff in your house for sale.

If you're selling now or thinking about selling, here's a checklist to insure your home is looking it's best to secure the best offer. And if you're a Realtor, it's your responsibility to hold your client accountable to present a home that shows respectfully, and doesn't hamper your reputation of presenting a good product. If the homeowner doesn't realize what's important--it's your job to coach them, pure and simple. No excuses.

1.Clean the house to an inch of its life. Hire a crew if need be, but clean it. Every single corner should shine. No cobwebs, bugs, dirt, pet hair, soap scum, or grime under/behind appliances, tops of cabinets or under sinks. Show pride in the home.

2. If it smells like cat urine, get rid of the carpet that stinks and find a place for the cat to live for a while. Cat urine kills every deal. If it smells like cigarette smoke, do what is needed to eliminate it. Listen to your Realtor.

3.Dirty carpet gives the perception you don't care about how you take care of your home. True or not, that's the impression. Clean sells.

4.Dirty windows, screens and tracks need attention. Clean, lubricate and make them sparkle.

5.Front door damage, scratched, threshold dirty? Entries tell what condition the home will be in what pride a owner takes. Paint it, clean it.

6. If something is broke, fix it. Invest a little now or get a lowball offer later.

7.Utility rooms: Wipe and shine up the furnace and water heater like a new car! New furnace filter, clean behind it, wash the floor, add a brighter light bulb, clean the dryer vent and make sure it's hooked up properly. Wipe the washer and dryer too, clean the shelves of supplies and wipe out the utility sink. If your mechanicals are not spotless, they look like they don't work properly. Does the water softener even work? Is there salt or a dead body in the salt tank?

8. Sump pump pits: Spray paint the cover to make pretty, clean out the pit, wipe the discharge pipes to look white again.

9. Window wells: Have you looked in window well in the past 10 years? It's a jungle and cemetery in there. Clean out the bones of mice and frogs, clean the window and well cover so the sunlight can actually get through. Add more stone to level the area to look clean.

10. If there is any leaking faucets, drains under sinks, shut off valves, get them fixed now. If a shut off valve is frozen, this dangerous and it will cost you a lower offer. Run drain cleaner in every sink and clean out the hair balls hanging from tub and sink drains. Make sure drains run properly.

11. Label every shut off valve, every breaker, damper, etc. with a fresh, bright label to show you care and make it easy for the owner to see where things are. It shows you are aware of these simple things. This scores points with home inspectors.

12. Clean out ceiling vents and return air grills. Wipe the dirt, replace rusty ones and level every outlet cover to make things look crisp and well kept.

13. Crawl spaces. Clean out junk and add a fresh plastic liner to keep moisture and odors to a minimum and to show you take care of your home. Add a brighter bulb and remove any old dirty insulation hanging from the ceiling or side walls.

14. Check for mold in your attic. You can't hide it and if you don't fix it now, you'll have to fix it later. Bite the bullet and repair it.

15. Replace toilet seats that are ancient. Clean the caps and rinse out the water tank with bleach so it looks cleaner, working order and smells better.

16. Fix sink drains and dripping faucets. Secure towel bars.

17. Re-caulk bath and shower tile. Filthy scummy, hard water stained fixtures are not appealing.

18. Kitchen: Clean and level every door, every hinge and wipe out under every cabinet and make it shine and get rid of anything that is not pretty or clean. Run vinegar thru the dishwasher and clean the fried interior like your mother-in-law was going to inspect this weekend.

19. Closets: Clean it, deodorize it and your 30 pair of shoes too.

20. Vacuum under the beds and make sure closet doors work.

21. Clean the fireplace and make sure the damper works, the hearth is clean and the doors are clean, working and are safe. Make it appealing, not look like a fire hazard.

22. Do bath and bedroom door locks work? Are they loose, sticking or missing? Fix them now. Door bumpers broken? Holes in the wall? Closet pull chains not working?

23. The garage: if it looks like a disaster, buyers presume it will take too long for you to get out after closing. Clean it out, paint the walls and brighten the lite bulb.

24. Clean your gutters and downspouts, trim bushes from windows and clean the sidewalks and outdoor light fixtures. Does the front door lock work easy? Does the doorbell work? Make it look inviting, clean and safe.

25. Information accessible: Have warranty cards, instruction booklets, HOA info all neatly placed in a folder. Make it easy for buyers to see you care.

The cost and investment in completing these items is far less than what the offer on your home will be discounted to when you see it.

Show buyers you take pride, take care and are proactive in maintaining your home. Realtors don't like being embarrassed showing properties that are not kept up and they won't work hard to get you the best offer either. Realtors don't want to make excuses for a poor looking property and won't bring their best customers to show your house. They're paid and incented to sell the sellable houses for the best price. Don't blame the realtor if you home doesn't look as good as it could. Tough love conversations, but no one else is going to tell you the truth you already know.

Read more:
And They Want How Much For This Place?: Home Selling Tips Realtors Need To Reinforce & Owners Need to Hear. - Chicago Daily Herald

Today only, as part of its Special Buy of the Day, Home Depot is offering up to 45% off select tools from DEWALT, Milwaukee, and more. Free shipping is available for all or you can opt for in-store pickup. Our top pick is the RYOBI 18V Cordless Combo Kit for $349. Thats down from the usual $450 price tag and $20 under the last deal we tracked. As a comparison, this bundle holds over $530 worth of value. Looking to build out a complete tool kit? This bundle checks all of the boxes with eight tools in all, including two drills, multiple saws, a sander, light, and more. Youll also receive two 4Ah batteries plus an additional 1.5Ah power pack, along with a wall charger. Two carrying cases are also included to help you keep everything nice and organized. Rated 4.7/5 stars by over 5,600 Home Depot reviewers. Head below for more top picks from todays sale.

Update 12/7 @ 7:7 PM: CPO Outlets via eBay Daily Deals is offering the SKILSAW 15A 7.25-inch Corded Circular Saw for $42.49 shipped with the code PWRTL15 at checkout. Originally $80, and still going for as much at Home Depot, todays deal is the best available. Rated 4.6/5 stars and ships with a 2-year warranty.

Another standout is the RYOBI 18V ONE+ AirStrike Nailer for $199. Thats down 20% from the regular going rate and matching our previous mention. Ideal for tackling various tasks around the home, such as trim and detail work. It also ships with a1.5Ah battery and a charger alongside a 3-year warranty.Rated4.6/5 stars.

Browse through the rest of todays sale for more deals on tools from DEWALT, Milwaukee, and other big names. This promotion is good for today only and some listings are beginning to sell out, so act now if something catches your eye.

Building out a toolbox for the first time?Check out our DIY essentials guidefor a step-by-step guide to putting together a toolbox.

Enter the RYOBI ONE+ 18V System with the PCK600KN Cordless 8-Tool Combo Kit with 3 Batteries, a Charger, and 2 Tool Bags. The PCK600KN features a 1/2 in. 2-Speed Drill/Driver, 1/4 in. Impact Driver, Reciprocating Saw, 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw, Multi-Tool, Jig Saw, 5 in. Random Orbit Sander, LED Light, 1.5 Ah Battery, (2) 4.0 Ah Batteries, 18V Charger, and 2 tool bags. The (2) included 4.0 Ah batteries and (1) 1.5 Ah battery feature lithium-ion cells for longer overall life. The 18V Charger is compatible with all ONE+ 18V Lithium-Ion Batteries. Best of all, this kit is part of the RYOBI ONE+ 18V System of over 175 cordless tools that all work on the same battery platform.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

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Today only, Home Depot discounts DEWALT, Milwaukee, and others by up to 45% - 9to5Toys

The Top Home Warranty Companies of 2020

The best home warranty plan will cover expensive repair and replacement costs when a major system or appliance, such as an air conditioning or refrigerator, breaks down due to normal wear and tear. Because there are a variety of home warranty providers to choose from, this guide will allow you to compare different home warranty companies and help you find the right home protection plan.

We chose American Home Shield as the best overall home warranty company because of its customizable plan options, nationwide coverage, simple claims process, generous coverage caps, flexible service fees ($75$125), and nearly 50 years of experience in the home warranty industry.

Get a free quote from American Home Shield:

American Home Shield (AHS) is the best home warranty company available. A veteran in the home warranty industry, AHS has been in operation for almost 50 years, making it one of the most trusted home warranties on the market. AHS has three plans and allows customers to choose the service fee$75, $100, or $125they want to pay (note: a higher service fee will likely come with a lower monthly premium and vice versa).

While there are more than 45 active home warranty companies, almost one in two customers buys an American Home Shield policyAHS is far and away the most popular provider available. Read more: American Home Shield review.

Our Score Breakdown for American Home Shield

Get a free quote from Choice Home Warranty:

Choice Home Warranty (CHW) offers two plansBasic and Totalthat provide comprehensive coverage for both appliances and systems. CHW doesnt restrict coverage based on the age of your home or its appliances, as long as youve properly maintained them, and it offers a generous 90-day repair guarantee. Read our full Choice Home Warranty review for more details.

Our Score Breakdown for Choice Home Warranty

Get a free quote from Amazon Home Warranty:

Amazon Home Warranty has one of the most robust contractor networks in the home warranty industry and covers major systems and appliances regardless of their age. Not to mention, Amazon Home Warranty provides an extensive list of add-ons and offers customers one month free of coverage when signing up for a home warranty plan. Read more: Amazon Home Warranty review.

Our Score Breakdown for Amazon Home Warranty

Get a free quote from Select Home Warranty:

Select Home Warranty is a great option for people looking for an affordable home warranty. This company offers plan premiums at around $36$38 a month, whereas the median cost in the industry is $50 per month. Select Home Warranty also provides two free months of coverage to customers who sign up for a plan along with free roof leak coverage, which isnt typically offered by companies. Read more: Select Home Warranty review.

Our Score Breakdown for Select Home Warranty

Get a free quote from Americas First Choice Home Club:

Americas First Choice Home Club (AFC Home Club) is one of the best home warranty providers for customizable coverage and comprehensive plans. It allows customers to choose their own service technician and has the longest work guarantee in the industry (guaranteeing parts and labor for as long as youre a member). Additionally, they offer benefits like emergency alert network services, free credit monitoring, and discounts on maintenance-related supplies.

AFC Home Club also provides twice as many plans as most home warranty companies do, allowing customers to choose from four plan options instead of two. Read more: AFC Home Club review.

Our Score Breakdown for AFC Home Club

Get a free quote from First American Home Warranty:

First American Home Warranty (FAHW) offers two easy-to-understand plans with solid coverage and flexible payment options for customers. What makes First American Home Warranty a stand-out is its optional First Class Upgrade, which protects systems and appliances that were improperly maintained, modified or installeda rarity in the home warranty business. Read more: First American Home Warranty review.

Our Score Breakdown for First American Home Warranty

Get a free quote from Liberty Home Guard:

Liberty Home Guard has only been in the home warranty industry for a few years, but it provides a variety of plans at affordable prices and offers 24/7 customer service. Not to mention, Liberty Home Guard offers 20 add-onswhich is more than what most companies typically offerand provides coverage regardless of the age of your systems and appliances. Read our full Liberty Home Guard review for more details.

Our Score Breakdown for Liberty Home Guard

Before purchasing a home warranty, you want to make sure youre considering all the necessary factors to get the best plan for you and your home. Here are just a few questions you should keep in mind during the home warranty buying process.

1. What type of home warranty plan do I need?

Most home warranty companies offer three different levels of coverage: systems plans, appliance plans, and combination plans. Systems plans cover major home systems such as your air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing system, while appliance plans protect important items like your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven. Combo plans protect both systems and appliances.

In addition to these plans, home warranty companies will generally offer coverage for optional add-ons, such as a swimming pool or spa, second refrigerator, well pump, septic system, and roof leaks.

2. How much can I afford to spend every month?

On average, a home warranty costs $25$50 every month, or $300$600 a year. You may be able to bring that cost down slightly if you enroll in a multi-year plan upfront or if you get quotes from multiple companies and ask for price matching.

Additionally, customers will have to pay a service call fee, a one-time fee that is paid every time a contractor comes to your home to assess the broken item and make a repair or replacement. Service fees typically range between $75$125, but there are some companies, like Choice Home Warranty, that have service fees as low as $60.

While a home warranty does have its costs, know that a lower monthly premium may be more affordable than unexpectedly paying for a $400 air conditioning repair or a complete system replacement, which could cost thousands of dollars.

Note: We consistently see that home warranty companies adjust their pricing depending on the size of your home and where you live, so use our general cost estimates as a guide, but confirm them with each provider based on your actual address and square footage. The price of your home warranty will depend on where you live, the type of plan you choose, how many add-ons you include on your plan, and the home warranty company you select.

We recommend getting at least three quotes, then asking your favorite company to match the best offer you receivedin doing so, you may save one to two months off your overall payment.

3. How does the claims process work?

When you file a claim with your home warranty company, they should get a technician out to you within 48 hours. While this is a guarantee for most companies, some dont promise work within this timeframe and will instead send a technician within 72 hoursand sometimes even later.

Companies like American Home Shield and Choice Home Warranty guarantee a technician will come to assess your covered item within 48 hours of you making a service request. We recommend going with one of these companies so youre not stuck at home with a broken system or appliance.

Get a free AHS quote customized to your zip code.

4. Are there limitations in the service contract?

Before you buy a home warranty, its a good idea to read the companys sample contract. In this contract, youll be able to see if there are any coverage caps (these are coverage limits placed on certain items that tell you how much the company will pay before you have to pay any dollar amount out of pocket). Youll also find information about a companys item replacement policy and if a home inspection is required before home warranty coverage begins.

Not only do home warranties protect you in the event that a major item breaks down due to normal wear and tear, they also save you hundreds of dollars on home repairs or replacements. Additionally, home warranties offer peace of mind that if something were to break, a trusted expert will be at your door within a few days to fix the problem.

Though we would recommend any of the seven best home warranty companies in this article, here are our top three suggestions. As mentioned above, American Home Shield is the best home warranty company available, with Choice Home Warranty and First American Home Warranty following close behind. We encourage you to get quotes from all three providers to help you compare coverage, negotiate a price that works for you, and secure the best home warranty for you and your home.

The home warranties listed in this article are some of the best home warranties in the industry. Excellent customer service, comprehensive coverage, and affordable pricing are all qualities that these companies exhibit. Though we recommend American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, and First American Home Warranty as top picks, we think any of the seven companies in this article merit attention.

This Old House plans to publish detailed reviews of theseand other prominent home warranty companiesin the next month, so keep checking this review as we roll out new details!

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty is an annual service contract that protects systems and appliances in the home when they break down or malfunction due to normal wear and tear.

Whats the difference between a home warranty and homeowners insurance?

A home warranty is different from homeowners insurance in that it covers damage on systems and appliances only, whereas homeowners insurance covers structural damage on your home due to theft, natural disasters, or fire.

How long do home warranties last?

Home warranties typically last for a year, but some companies allow customers to enroll in three- or five-year plans for a more affordable price.

What does a home warranty cover?

A home warranty typically covers both systems and appliances, however, some companies split their coverage options into systems plans, appliance plans, and combination plans. The most common systems and appliances covered under a home warranty include air conditioning, heating, electrical, plumbing, ductwork, refrigerators, water heaters, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, ovens, clothes washers, clothes dryers, and garbage disposals.

How much does a home warranty cost?

A home warranty costs around $300$600 per year and comes with service fee deductibles that range between $65$125.

How does a home warranty work?

When a home system or appliance breaks down due to normal wear and tear, you can call your home warranty company to file a claim or submit a service request online. Your company will send a trusted technician to your home within 48 hours or allow you to choose an approved contractor of your choice. In your home, the contractor will assess the issue and recommend a repair or replacement. Before they leave, youll pay the service fee set by your company.

Is a home warranty necessary?

A home warranty isnt mandatory to have, but we recommend getting coverage as an extra layer of protection on your important home systems and appliances. For example, if you have completely new appliances that are all under manufacturers warranties, you may not need a home warranty. However, when those manufacturers warranties run out, having home warranty coverage could protect you if one of your systems or appliances breaks down.

How can I cancel my home warranty?

Typically, you can cancel your policy and receive a full refund within the first 30 days of coverage. After the first 30 days, you may still be able to cancel, but youll likely receive a prorated amount based on how much of your contract you have remaining. Check your policy to figure out what the cancellation process looks like.

The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. With that in mind, we spent time creating an objective rating system to score each home warranty company. Heres what that review process looks like:

With all of that data, we created a rating system to score each home warranty company. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale on the following factors:

In summary, the This Old House Review Team reviewed 45 companies to select this list of the seven best home warranty providers. To keep our ratings and data current, we have a full-time researcher who collects (and regularly updates) more than 100 specific data points from each company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, cost, service, and dependability.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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7 Best Home Warranty Companies of 2020 - This Old House

Claressa Shields already reigns over boxing with two Olympic gold medals and professional titles in three weight classes.

Her next world to conquer is mixed martial arts.

Shields has signed with the Professional Fighters League in a quest to become the first woman to hold simultaneous titles in both MMA and boxing, she told The Associated Press on Monday. She will make her debut next year, and she hopes to have two or three MMA fights along with two boxing matches during 2021 before she attempts to win the PFL title in 2022.

Im not trying to do this for show, Shields told the AP. Im really taking this seriously. Im not thinking that just because my hands are better than everybody else that Ill win. Im really going to strengthen the things that Im weak at.

Shields realizes she faces a steep learning curve as she prepares to fight as a 155-pound lightweight in the PFL. She is still relatively new to jiu-jitsu, wrestling and kickboxing: Ive never kicked anybody in my life, not even in a street fight! she said.

But Shields is a singular athlete with a work ethic to match, and she is confident in her ability to master other forms of hand-to-hand combat with the proper training.

Im not going in here knowing Im going to beat these girls just because I can outbox them, Shields said. Im going to have to get away from takedowns. Take some kicks. Make some kicks. Take some knees. I have to get used to getting grabbed, because in boxing, when a girl grabs me, I dang near want to slam her.

I really feel that me against any other woman, no matter what it is, shes not going to be able to beat me.

Many fighters have tried the move Shields is making in both directions. Champion boxer Holly Holm famously changed sports and knocked out Olympic judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey to win a UFC belt, while Conor McGregor parlayed his UFC success into one wildly lucrative boxing match with Floyd Mayweather.

Olympic champions in judo (Kayla Harrison) and wrestling (Henry Cejudo) authored successful MMA transitions.

Story continues

Shields interest in trying MMA has been rumored for years, and she also expressed interest in taking on UFC champions Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg Justino in a boxing ring. Now that the talk is real, Shields is eager to do the work necessary to make her bold dreams into reality.

I just want to be great at everything, she said. I hate losing. I havent lost a fight since I was 17 years old. Im not here for a good time. Im here to make my presence known to everybody I get in the cage with. Youre not getting in there and just fighting against a boxer. Youre getting in there against one of the greatest womens combat sports athletes to ever live.

Shields family reacted with varying degrees of disbelief when she told them about her decision over Thanksgiving. Her mother didnt believe it, and her sister angrily warned Shields against trying to fight men (thats not happening) but her father and boyfriend both were excited for her.

Shields, from Flint, Michigan, hasnt settled on a training regimen or a home MMA gym, but she wants to train with some of the best MMA fighters and coaches (to) speed up my process, she said.

She has spoken to former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones about training with him in Albuquerque, and she will talk to other MMA stars about training dates. Shields said she will rely on her trainers to tell her when shes ready to step into a cage.

Shields intends to work her way up in competition level in 2021 with a series of one-off PFL fights. The promotion normally conducts a yearly tournament with a $1 million grand prize, and Shields hopes to be in the 2022 field.

Shields last boxing match was in January, but she isnt quitting that sport: She plans to announce a new date soon for her postponed junior middleweight world title fight with Marie-Eve Dicaire in which she will attempt to unify four 154-pound championship belts.

Shields is already the undisputed middleweight champion, and she wants to become the first female boxer to hold that distinction in two weight classes. Shields is 10-0 as a pro boxer, and she isnt worried about the time shell spend on MMA interfering with her boxing career.

I can box in my sleep, she said with a laugh. Thats what I was born to do. Boxing is just in me. Ill never forget how to box. Even when Im 80 years old, a girl better not try me, because shell still be in for a whole heap of trouble. When you get older, you learn how to train smarter, not harder. To train smart will be what I try to do throughout my whole MMA career.

Shields insists her primary motivation is to win belts in both sports, but she has acknowledged frustration with the boxing industrys inability to make her a star on the level of her male counterparts or MMAs top female athletes.

Im not upset with boxing, but boxing has always been a sexist sport, Shields said. Until they start treating the women fairly, womens boxing will never go to where were supposed to go. Even mens boxing is at a standstill right now. Thats because they just wont be fair, and the boxing gods see that.

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Claressa Shields begins MMA career: Ive never kicked anybody in my life originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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Claressa Shields begins MMA career: Ive never kicked anybody in my life - Yahoo Sports