Home Insurance and Home Warranty for Austin Buyers: Lined Up Before You Close
You've found the house. The offer's in, or about to be. And there are two things buyers often don't think about until the last minute: homeowners insurance and a home warranty. Think of them as the two items nobody puts on the vision board.
I'm Felix, a Texas Realtor here in Austin. Before you finish this page, I'll show you two things: the date I put on the calendar the day your contract starts, and the one difference between insurance and a warranty that I explain to every buyer. Stay with me. First, a plain word about what this page is not.
What this page is not
I'm a Realtor, not an insurance agent and not a warranty company. So I don't name companies, I don't quote prices, and I don't promise what any policy or plan will cover. Coverage and price come from the insurer or the warranty company, in writing, and the written contract is what counts.
Who is this page for?
Home buyers in Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown and the surrounding area who are looking, under contract or getting close to closing.
What do I actually do?
- I listen first. Where you are in your purchase, your closing date and what you'd like in place by then.
- I'll help you find licensed ones to talk with. Insurance agents and warranty companies, if you'd like that. Have your own? Bring them. It's your call.
- I get the process started early so you aren't scrambling in the final days.
- I share what I see on the home. I have experience in building homes and large commercial projects, so I notice the roof, the age of the systems and anything that stands out. I've been a lead part of many multimillion-dollar building projects, including in downtown Austin, with examples that include work on projects for Google, Facebook, Indeed, the military base in Killeen, Dell Children's hospital and Seton hospital, plus bars and residential installations. You decide what to pass along to your agent or warranty company.
- I keep the calendar. Your closing date drives everything, and I watch it with you.
- I'm at your closing. I attend every closing, and I'm there at the table with you.
It's your choice
You are free to choose any lender, insurer or warranty company you like. Nothing on this page requires you to use anyone I mention, and nothing here is an endorsement of any company. It's your decision, every time. I have no referral, marketing or affiliate arrangement with any lender, insurer or warranty company. I encourage you to shop around for the best rates and terms.
My services are fiduciary in nature, so I can only work for clients. When you open a file, I work for you, and I go over my fee with you in writing before we tour anything.
The date I put on the calendar first
Here's the first thing I promised you.
The day your contract starts, I count back from your closing date and put a date on the calendar to get your insurance quotes started. Your lender will typically want proof of homeowners insurance before closing, and quotes can take time to come back. I'd rather you hear any surprise with weeks to spare than in the final days.
Insurance and a warranty are not the same thing
Here's the second thing I promised.
Homeowners insurance is a policy you buy from a licensed insurer, usually through an insurance agent. A home warranty, which a purchase contract calls a residential service contract, is a service plan from a warranty company. They are different products from different companies, and each one spells out what it covers and what it doesn't in its own written contract. That answer comes from the company, not from me, and I make sure you have time to read it before closing.
Whether you want a home warranty at all is your decision. Your purchase contract can address it, and we'll look at that together early.
What goes in your file?
Open a file and tell me the basics. Just enough that I know how to help:
- Where you are in your purchase, and your closing date if you have one
- Whether you want help with insurance, a warranty or both
- Whether you already have an insurance agent or a warranty company in mind
- The best way to reach you
Please don't send payment details, your Social Security number or account numbers through the form. Those go to the company you choose, through their own process.
How does it work after that?
- You open a file. I text you and send my agreement today.
- We talk by phone. Your closing date, what you'd like in place and what you already have lined up.
- You choose. I'll help you find licensed ones to talk with, or you can bring your own. Shop around for the best rates and terms. The decision is yours.
- The companies do their part. Prices, coverage and terms come from the insurer or warranty company, in writing. I don't quote them and I don't promise them.
- I keep the calendar. I watch your closing date and the dates ahead of it, and you hear from me about anything that could affect them.
- Closing. I'm there, at the table with you.
The quiet win here is simple: nothing about insurance or a warranty becomes a last-minute scramble. That's my job.
Questions I get from buyers
Are you an insurance agent?
No. I'm a Texas Realtor. I don't sell insurance or warranties, and I don't quote prices. I'll help you find licensed ones to talk with, and I keep your closing calendar on track.
Which insurance or warranty company should I use?
That's your decision. You are free to choose any lender, insurer or warranty company you like, and I don't name companies on this page. I'll help you find licensed ones to talk with, or you can bring your own.
How much will it cost?
I can't say. Prices come from the insurer or warranty company, in writing, for your specific home.
Do I need a home warranty?
That's your decision. Your purchase contract can address it, and we'll look at it together early. What a plan covers is spelled out in the warranty company's own written contract.
Do you get paid for sending me to an insurer or warranty company?
I have no referral, marketing or affiliate arrangement with any lender, insurer or warranty company. I encourage you to shop around for the best rates and terms.
When should we start?
Early. The day your contract starts, I count back from your closing date and put a date on the calendar to get your insurance quotes started.
Will you be at my closing?
Yes. I attend every closing, and I'm there at the table with you.
Who do you work for?
My clients. My services are fiduciary in nature, so I can only work for clients. I go over my fee with you in writing when you open a file.
Why now
The earlier your file is open, the earlier your date is on the calendar. Open a file today, and I'll text you and send the agreement today. Then we talk about your closing date.
Important: I'm a Texas Realtor, not an insurance agent, insurer or warranty company. Prices, coverage and terms come from the company you choose, in writing. Nothing on this page is an insurance quote, a coverage promise or a recommendation of any company. You are free to choose any lender, insurer or warranty company you like. I have no referral, marketing or affiliate arrangement with any lender, insurer or warranty company.
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Open My File
Tell me where you are in your purchase and what you’d like help with. I’ll text you and send my agreement today. Please don’t send payment details, your Social Security number or account numbers here.