• Lightning, smoke, and even angry squirrels (okay, maybe not squirrels) Pro tip: If your mortgage includes an escrow account, the bank will pay your insurance bill for you using your monthly payments. If you’d rather handle it yourself, pay upfront and flex that financial independence. Some lenders will allow this and some will not. Home Warranties: For When Your Water Heater Has Trust Issues A home warranty isn’t required, but it is the comfort blanket every adult secretly wants. It covers major systems and appliances in case they betray you—like your dishwasher flooding the kitchen during Thanksgiving dinner. The good news: a home warranty typically runs $350–$600 p $350–$600 per year. The even better news? Sometimes you can convince the seller to pay for it. (Who says negotiations aren’t fun?) Just make sure to read the fine print. Some warranties are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Appraisal vs. Inspection: Apples and Wrenches Let’s clear this up: an appraisal is your lender’s way of asking, “Is this house actually worth what you’re paying?” An inspection is your way of asking, “Will this house try to kill me with electrical fires or collapsing decks?”
Appraisers focus on value (comps, square footage, location).
Inspectors focus on function (plumbing, HVAC, spooky mold). Both are important. But only one will stick their head in the crawl space.
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