Author name: nhsca

Consumers to Benefit Say Industry Leaders (OLATHE, KS – July 10, 2008) Until recently any contractor licensed in the state of Arizona could sell a homeowner a home service contract that covered items such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, and heating and cooling systems. It doesn’t sound like a problem until you realize that many of these smaller contractors weren’t financially stable or qualified to provide the service they were marketing. That has now changed. Adopted and signed into law on May 8th, 2008, House Bill 2224 has eliminated a major exemption in the Arizona Service Company Act, further protecting consumers. The Act licenses and regulates all companies within the state offering home service contracts. For an annual fee, these contracts provide service, repair or replacement of major built-in household appliances and home systems that become inoperable due to normal ear and tear. Contracts generally cover items such dishwashers, ovens, disposers, wiring and plumbing systems and major systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). The home service contract industry and Realtors™ often refer to these contracts as home warranties. Unfortunately for consumers, when the Act was initially adopted, it provided an exemption for licensed contractors – plumbers, electricians, etc. This meant that these individuals could offer consumers contracts without being subject to regulation. “We believe that this legislation helps ensure consumers in the state of Arizona receive a quality product while maintaining integrity for our industry,” said Mark Lightfoot, president of the National Home Service Contract Association. “The NHSCA worked closely with the Arizona House, home service contractors, The Arizona Association of REALTORS® (AAR), former Insurance Commissioner David Childers, as well others, to enact this legislation,” These previously exempt contractors will now have to comply with regulations required by the Act such as financial regulations, consumer disclosures and enforcement by the Insurance Director. The National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) is a non-profit 501(c) (6) industry trade organization of member companies serving home service contract providers and consumer interests throughout the United States. Visit online at www.homeservicecontract.org

When the market shift to sellers, buyers need to change their approach. (Lenexa, KS) When the sellers market turns hot, buyers need to be ready to pull the trigger. We recently  interviewed Mitch Miller, an experienced REALTOR with Better Homes and Garden Real Estate. He indicates many home shoppers are often slow to fully comprehend when the market shifts. The laundry list of a demands for perks and accommodations that buyers get used to demanding can just can disappear overnight.  He offers the following tips when a sellers market hits: Don’t be too picky over painted walls and the front door. You can change all the painted colors and put your own mark on the home with a new front door fairly inexpensively. If the house meets most of your needs, make a an offer. The perfect house will not come along and this one will go to another buyer tomorrow.  Location, Location, Location. You can update the house or add on, but you cannot change the location. Never forget that. Get pre-qualified for the loan you can afford. Nothing gets a sellers attention like a ready to go buyer. Be flexible on closing date and possession. Sellers will prefer you as a buyer if you know their needs as well. Your agent can inform you. The one thing you can still ask for is a home service contract. This is the one request you can make because it benefits and protects not only you, but the seller and their agent as well. The National Home Service Contract Association (NHSCA) is a non-profit 501(c) (6) industry trade organization of member companies serving home service contract providers and consumer interests throughout the United States. For more great industry, media and consumer information, visit  https://homeservicecontract.org or call 913-871-5600. #09b