Is a Home Warranty Worth It for First-Time Buyers in the Greater Tulsa Area?

A home warranty can be worth it for a first-time buyer, especially when the home's systems and appliances are older. But a home warranty isn't insurance, and it doesn't cover everything. It's a service contract that helps pay to repair or replace certain systems and appliances that fail from normal wear. Read what's covered, what's excluded, and the fee for each service call before you decide.

Whether you're buying in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Collinsville, Coweta, Glenpool, or Catoosa, the same questions apply.

I'm Christina Shortsleeve, a REALTOR® with REMAX Results, and I help first-time buyers across the Greater Tulsa Area buy with a clear plan.

Plans vary, but many cover major systems and appliances, such as:

• Heating and air conditioning
• The water heater
• Plumbing and electrical systems
• Kitchen appliances, like the oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator

Most plans last a year, and you pay a service fee each time a technician comes out.

• Problems that existed before you bought the home.
• Damage from storms, fire, or accidents. That's what homeowners insurance is for.
• Items left out of the plan, or covered only with an add-on.
• Costs above the plan's limits for a repair or replacement.
• Systems or appliances past an age limit. Some warranty companies won't cover items like the air conditioning or water heater beyond a certain age.

Read the contract before you choose a plan, so you know exactly what you're getting.

Homeowners insurance covers sudden damage, like a storm or a fire. Your lender requires it. A home warranty covers repair or replacement of certain systems and appliances that wear out over time. It's optional.

• The big systems are older. An older HVAC system or water heater is more likely to need repair.
• Your budget after closing is tight. A warranty can soften a surprise repair in your first year.
• The seller offers one. Sellers sometimes include a home warranty, and you can ask for one in your offer.

My article on what a home inspection covers explains how the inspection tells you the condition of those big systems.

• Is there an age limit on covered items? Some companies won't cover the air conditioning, water heater, or other units beyond a certain age.
• Can you choose your own contractor? Some companies let you pick, and others require you to use their contractors.
• What is the service fee for each visit?
• What are the limits on a repair or a replacement?

• Treating it like insurance. It doesn't cover storm or fire damage.
• Not reading the exclusions. Know what's left out before you need it.
• Forgetting the service fee. You pay it each time a technician comes out.
• Skipping the inspection because there's a warranty. A warranty doesn't replace an inspection.

Is a home warranty worth it for a first-time buyer?

It can be, especially when the home's systems and appliances are older or your budget after closing is tight.

Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?

No. Insurance covers sudden damage like storms and fire. A home warranty covers certain systems and appliances that wear out.

Can the seller pay for a home warranty?

Yes. Sellers sometimes offer one, and you can ask for it in your offer.

Does a home warranty cover pre-existing problems?

Usually not. Problems that existed before you bought the home are usually excluded.

If you're starting to think about buying, start with my page for first-time buyers in the Greater Tulsa Area. When you're ready, send me a message. I'll walk you through the Purchasing Pathway, so you know what each step looks like before you reach it, including whether a home warranty fits the home you choose.

Christina Shortsleeve is a REALTOR® with REMAX Results in the Greater Tulsa Area, helping first-time buyers, homeowners ready to upgrade, and downsizers buy and sell with a clear plan. She has sold 127 homes since 2020.