Use a Home Warranty?  They can tell you how to unplug your drain!!!

Most Realtors are SOLD on home warranties for their listed properties.  We've all had the horror stories of the home inspection a few weeks after contract is accepted and the heat exchanger cracked or a water heater blows...and the seller who has just sold as is not wanting to invest any more money in the property or wants to "fix it himself"...Home warranties can smooth over a myriad of escrow challenges like these and many more.

BUT have you thought about a home warranty for your rentals, your clients rentals or your client's or senior citizen parents own homes?  You can get a home warranty today for any home, mobile home, duplex or apartment.  And it protects you in the same way.  Here is what my home warranty of choice does when you place an online claim (perfect for tracking and accountability as you have a receipt of what you said, and when you said it...and don't have to check to see if the input person who took your phone call put in what the problem in accurately and/or got the note to call your tenant first or to bill you for the deductible.) 

Old Republic Home warranty has the feature that as I put in the information about the clog in the washer line, backing into the sink, it pops up with suggestions for perhaps solving the problem before they come out, thereby avoiding the $55 deductible fee, or getting the tenant relief more quickly.  I did have a recent instance where the tenant had a plugged sink and I relayed this exact info, (see below recipe for slow drains) and she called me back within an hour saying it was a  miracle and had worked.  My client was happy, the tenant was happy and it was such a proactive little thing.  I love this company and put all my property management client warranties through them as well as my mother's home and a couple of senior clients who need to limit their repair costs.  They renew year after year and have peace of mind about their home being in good order. 

We may have a Quick Fix solution that you can try to resolve your problem quickly and without the expense of paying a trade call fee.

Try liquid drain cleaner
Slow drains are typically caused by 'sludge' buildup that can be cleared by a liquid drain cleaner. A 1/2 gallon container is about $3 - $4 at your local grocery or hardware store.

Try our home recipe for slow drains
You will need the following ingredients: -1 cup baking soda -1 cup salt -1 cup vinegar -1 pot boiling water Pour baking soda & salt into drain, immediately followed by vinegar. Let it sit for approximately 15-20 minutes. Pour the pot of boiling water down the drain to flush the pipes out. NOTE: DO NOT try this remedy if you have already used a store-bought remedy in the same drain.

Best of all is our local rep.  Riz Nauman... mailto:RizN@orhp.com if you are in the San Francisco East Bay, is #1 for customer service and realtor service.  She takes care of my problems before they become big problems, she laiasons with my clients to be sure they feel taken care of and I can't thank her enough.  OH I just did.  Riz, this blog's for you.  THANKS from the bottom of my heart for making my real estate business less stressful in so many way.  I appreciate your professionalism and the company that stands behind you. 

THANKS Old Republic, a very satisfied Realtor...

Terrylynn