Home warranty

Pros and Cons

For most people, a home warranty offers peace of mind in the instances of unforeseen problems. A home warranty can also reduce the frustration that often comes with attempting to find the best service company for the problem. Read on for tips on how you can help your clients determine if a home warranty is right for them. 

Home warranties are designed to protect homeowners from unexpected repair costs for major appliances. Generally speaking, home warranties are ideal for homes with appliances over four years old. Warranties for new homes are supplied by builders and will typically cover any structural defects for up to a decade. Other items such as air conditioners, drywall, paint, plumbing, and electrical work may be covered anywhere from six months to two years.

For existing homes, warranty coverage options vary but include things such as interior plumbing, heating, electrical systems, water heaters, dishwashers, stoves, washer/dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, garage door openers, pool equipment, garbage disposals and spa equipment. 

Agents beware: Not all home warranties are beneficial; there are a number of limitations and exclusions which may apply. Claims have been denied because the company says the problem was pre-existing or because the consumer couldn’t prove that the broken item was properly maintained.

Make sure to encourage your clients to research top companies with the most reliable and trustworthy track records. 

Home warranty research tips to deliver to your clients: 

• The Better Business Bureau recommends that consumers verify a company’s licensing by contacting your state’s real estate commission.
• Read documents thoroughly. Some providers hide their exclusions and limitations in the fine print. Read every word of the contract and understand the pros and cons of the policy.
• Ask specific questions regarding what is and what is not covered in the warranty.
• Understand the coverage limits. You will be able to select which appliances and systems you want covered, but there will be exclusions on these items.
• With older homes, many warranties exclude routine problems that have occurred because of improper maintenance.

• Do the math. Consider the deductible and any additional service fees attached to repair 
• calls and contractors.
• Source the contractors. Most warranty companies utilize their own network of service contractors while others allow you to hire your own. If you hire your own service contractor, you will want to know if you will be reimbursed for that work.

What to look for when choosing a home warranty company:

• Options in coverage plans. Most companies will offer a basic plan and an enhanced plan. If a company offers a hybrid plan, consider that a positive.
• Customizable and specialized add-on plans (including pools and septic systems) are even bigger perks.
• Customized service and deductible fees allow consumers to control the cost of their plan.
• 24-hour claims department
• Ease of claim quote process
• Licensed

Home warranty plan prices depend on properties and what items your clients choose to have covered. Basic plans typically range from $350 to $650 a year. Additionally, there will be deductible and/or service fees to consider.

To help determine whether a home warranty is right for your clients, make sure they read every word of the contract before signing. Home warranty policies are meant to protect homeowners from having to pay big bucks for unexpected repairs. After understanding the pros and cons your clients may find that a home warranty is worth the peace of mind.

Karen Pelkey

REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                    

612-414-2888

www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

Training

Keller Williams, the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, was recognized by Training magazine, the leading business publication for learning and development professionals, as the No.1 training organization across all industries worldwide.
For the fourth consecutive year, Keller Williams placed in the Top 5 on the Training 125, which ranks companies’ excellence in employer-sponsored training and development programs.


“We are incredibly honored by this recognition because of what it means for our people,” said John Davis, president, Keller Williams. “All of our training is focused on helping our agents grow their businesses and help their clients.”
“World-class training is the foundation of providing our agents with the resources and tools they need to fund their lives and create opportunities for their families,” said Davis.”
On January 30, Keller Williams received the No. 1 ranking at Training magazine’s annual awards gala in San Diego, California. With the honor, Keller Williams becomes eligible for induction into the Training Top 10 Hall of Fame for 2018.
“The 2017 Training Top 125 winners don’t just set the bar for employee training and development, they vault over it,” said Lorri Freifeld, editor-in-chief, Training magazine. “They are champions of learning and ensure their employees have the skills to succeed in this competitive, ever-changing world. They insist on training tied to corporate strategic goals, and they have the results to show for it.”

The Training Top 125 ranking is based on a myriad of benchmarking statistics such as total training budget; percentage of payroll; number of training hours per employee program; goals, evaluation, measurement, and workplace surveys; hours of training per employee annually; and detailed formal programs.
"At Keller Williams, we’re not only an open-books company, we’re an open-learning company," said Dianna Kokoszka, CEO, KW MAPS Coaching. "The leaders of our company have fostered a culture of collaboration because we know that together everyone achieves more."

The Training Top 125 ranking is also determined by assessing a range of qualitative and quantitative factors, including financial investment in employee development, the scope of development programs, and how closely such development efforts are linked to business goals and objectives.

“This is an exciting time in training and technology,” said Chris Heller, CEO, Keller Williams. “A decade from now, the way consumers search for and buy homes will be almost unrecognizable from the process today.”

“Our success at keeping our agents at the forefront of this evolution, helping them differentiate themselves in their local markets, and providing an extraordinary customer experience will be determined by how well we train our people, said Heller.”
 In-depth profiles of each of the top five companies will appear in the January/February 2017 issue of Training magazine. For more information on the Training Top 125, visit www.trainingmag.com.

Karen Pelkey
REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                   
612-414-2888
www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

Holiday Stress

Wellness

The holidays are here! For many people, this is a time for family gatherings and festivity. It is a joyous and beautiful time of year. But it is also a period when people tend to overeat, stress about budgets, worry about lack of time, and neglect taking care of themselves. Therefore, we have a few tips to help you keep the cheer up and the stress down.

Make the holidays your own. They don’t have to be perfect to be great. Be realistic about your expectations and focus on what makes you happy.

Set a budget for gifts and entertainment. Before you get knee-deep in holiday debt, sort out what you can realistically afford and stick to it. A few alternatives could be to make homemade gifts or donate to a charity in a friend or relative’s name. As for holiday gatherings, consider a potluck or BYOB for your party to help alleviate some of the expense.

Respect your time. If you can’t make it to a party or activity, politely decline and move on with it – don’t feel guilty about not going. There is only so much a person can do, and learning to say “no” is important. This will help you preserve your resources when you are too tired or busy to participate and keep you chipper for the events you are able to attend.

Don’t completely abandon your good eating habits, but also, don’t stress about a few extra calories either. Eat some healthy snacks on the way to a party so you are not grasping at food on an empty stomach. And be sure to stick to your exercise routine this time of year. 

Take some time to escape. You are not the only person who is stressed during the holidays – your friends and family may also be a bit pressured. Recognize that everyone may be a little more taxed than usual and allow yourself time to escape for a few moments. Taking a few deep breaths and reflecting on the joys of the holiday will help you stay calm when you return to the crowds.

If you are currently sad or grief-stricken, you don’t have to pretend to be cheerful. Acknowledge your feelings and accept them. You can tell your friends and family how you are feeling and ask them for a little space when you need it.

Remind yourself what you are thankful for. There is no better time of year to check your gratitude perspective. While this may be a time of extra stress, it is also a time to celebrate all the goodness in your life and share smiles with the people you love. 

Happy holidays from all of us at Keller Williams Realty NW!

Karen Pelkey

REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                    

612-414-2888

www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

Home Inspections

How Listing Agents Help Sellers Prepare for the Home Inspection

Most sellers understand that there are at least a few things that need to be done to prepare their home to go on the market. Staging and cosmetic improvements may be some of the issues that come to mind first, but in order for the selling process to go smoothly, sellers should also consider preparing their homes for the inspection.

The inspection can play a pivotal role, with buyers taking the opportunity to use issues that arise as leverage to negotiate for a lower price. In some cases, the deal may fall apart because of the results of the home inspection.

As the listing agent, you can help mitigate the need for these negotiations by helping your seller properly prepare for the home inspection. One way to make this easier for your client is to provide guidance for preparing the home for inspection as well as a list of repairs that must or should be completed prior to the inspection.

Preparation

-Ensure inspector has easy access to all areas of the home, including attics, basements and crawlspaces.

-Create a clear path to mechanical items, such as the furnace, electrical panel and water heater.

-Move furniture away from exterior walls so they can be assessed for cracks.

-Clear closet clutter so all walls inside a closet can be seen and examined.

Must-Fix

-Remove all ceiling stains. Regardless of origin, ceiling stains make people think of water damage, whether or not the source of the issue has been taken care of.

-Check the attic for mold. Improper venting for bath or exhaust fans can create a breeding ground in the attic if not properly vented to the outside.

Should-Fix

-If the seller has done any electrical work on their own, hire an electrician to ensure all electrical work is up to code and includes the appropriate GFI outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms while eliminating hazards such as double-tapped electrical breakers.

-Repair leaky faucets, slow drains and running toilets.

-Locate, repair and paint any rotting exterior wood. Even if it isn’t a structural defect, it may give the appearance of one.

Karen Pelkey

REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                    

612-414-2888

www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

24437 Superior Drive, Rogers, MN Presented by Karen Pelkey.

Karen Pelkey

REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                    

612-414-2888

www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

Yoga at Work

Be more productive and healthier in just 20 minutes a day. No gym required.

Even though yoga has been around for 5,000 years, it has grown in recent popularity. And for very good reason. It used to be that scientific studies proving the benefits of yoga were scarce and unaccepted. That isn’t the case anymore. Research is more prevalent, proving that yoga is an effective way to improve both physical and mental health.Workout fads come and go, but no other exercise program is as enduring as yoga. What makes it even more popular is that anyone of any age can do it. Dogs are even known to do “doga.”

Yoga is a total mind and body workout. While strengthening muscles, it helps to relax the mind. There are many styles of yoga ranging from fast paced and intense to gentle and relaxing.

Here are some of the more popular styles:

Hatha. The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of basic movements with breathing.

Vinyasa. A series of poses that flow smoothly into one another.

Power. A faster, higher-intensity practice that builds muscle.

Ashtanga. A series of poses, combined with a special breathing technique.

Bikram. Also known as “hot yoga,” it’s a series of 26 challenging poses performed in a room heated to a high temperature.

Iyengar. A type of yoga that uses props like blocks, straps, and chairs to help you move your body into the proper alignment.

Tip: If you are new to yoga, try a few different studios, teachers and styles. This way you’ll find a style and teacher that resonate with you!

Most people begin with hatha yoga – it’s the most popular, and it’s good for beginners because of its slow pace.

Another benefit of yoga is that it can be practiced almost anywhere. Its only equipment requirement is a mat, and even that is not mandatory. Just 20 minutes of yoga practice is enough to reap exercise benefits. This fact alone makes yoga a popular option for workplace exercise.

At Keller Williams Realty, our associates are family. And to us, that means fulfilling our mission to help build careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living. We realize a life worth living has to be a healthy one, which is why we developed our all-encompassing wellness plan. Learn more about KW Wellness.

20 Minutes of Yoga at Work

Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of yoga followed by conscious breathing and meditation can improve concentration and memory.

By taking time out of your day to practice yoga, you can return to your tasks with a fresh mind and even be able to focus better and process information more quickly.

Some of the many health benefits of yoga include:

• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Improved posture
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality
• Balanced metabolism
• Weight reduction
• Cardio and circulatory health
• Improved athletic performance
• Protection from injury
• Increased immunity
• More focused
• More relaxed

Yoga can be done at home, in a studio, at work, at the beach, at a park or just about anywhere. There are even yoga apps that can be downloaded to your phone! The key to yoga is practice – it is not about what you do but how you do it. Find a quiet place at the office and give yourself 20 minutes to sync in with your body and mind.

Karen Pelkey

REALTOR®  Keller Williams Classic Realty Northwest                    

612-414-2888

www.KPelkey.com

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Minneapolis Metro, let me be your expert!

 

1110 Flintwood Street Southwest, Isanti, MN Presented by Karen Pelkey.