In the spirit of full disclosure, I am admitting that I have a home protection plan issued by American Home Shield.

I renew my policy every year, and I ask sellers to pay for a home protection from American Home Shield for my buyers, too. Why do I do this? Because one never knows what might go wrong in a home. For example, when I bought my home six years ago, it came with a stacked washer and dryer. The appliances at that point were about ten-years-old.

Sure enough, a year ago the washer konked out. I called American Home Shield, and it sent out a washer repair guy. He examined the washer and said it needed a new computerized board, which the manufacturer didn't make anymore. So, he offered to replace it with a brand new stackable washer and dryer unit. For free. That's what American Home Shield does. If it can't repair an item, it will replace it for free.

Except I didn't want a stackable washer and dryer. My husband yearned for one of those new-fangled front loaders on a pedestal. Turns out American Home Shield buys appliances at wholesale. So it offered me a generous credit for the new stackable unit, then bought and installed the front loaders at a fraction of the price new. Since my husband does the laundry, he owes me big-time . . . read more about American Home Shield.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub, click below:

• Home Warranty Plans
  
• How to Install a Remote-Controlled Ceiling Fan Yourself
  
• 12 Safety Tips for Women Home Buyers

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