Don't Buy Home Warranty Plans

Accepting a home warranty plan that was purchased by the homeowner makes sense and could provide a small amount of peace of mind. But don't purchase a plan for yourself. Home warranty plans tend to have significant limits on what they will cover, can be a hassle to collect on (since a contractor or other expert may need to come out and assess the problem before repairs can be made), and may not be worth the cost.

If the homeowner does not offer a warranty, no problem: Have a home inspection performed to uncover potential problems before you make the purchase. Then, either require the homeowner to make necessary repairs or negotiate a lower purchase price that covers the cost of repairs. In fact, have a home inspection done even if a warranty is offered, since many home warranties do not cover every possibility.