Homebuyers are always looking for added value with their purchase. They're also deeply concerned about buying a money pit that starts falling apart soon after they move in. Sellers who offer a home warranty give buyers peace of mind.

Most home warranties require a deductible, paid by the new homeowner, and they have limits on coverage. Basic warranty plans, which sell for a few hundred dollars, covers most, but not all, systems in the home. For a few dollars more, sellers can offer an extended warranty that covers just about everything that can go wrong during the first year of ownership by the buyer.

In these litigious days, a home warranty can reduce a seller's liability should the furnace break down or the hot water heater start leaking a week after escrow closes. Who will pay for the repair or replacement? With a good home warranty, it's already taken care of.