Home Warranty
Kansas City Home Warranty Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Homeowners
Furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and appliances do not last forever. Sellstate Heartland Realty works with America's Preferred Home Warranty to help Kansas City-area homeowners, buyers and sellers understand home warranty options and prepare for unexpected covered breakdowns.
Home Warranty Information: 913-701-6911
What Is a Home Warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that may help pay toward the repair or replacement of certain covered home systems and appliances when they break down because of normal wear and use.
A home warranty is not the same as homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance generally addresses covered property losses such as fire, storms, theft and liability. A home warranty generally focuses on certain covered mechanical systems and appliances.
Why Consider a Home Warranty?
Help Protect Your Budget
An unexpected HVAC, water-heater or appliance breakdown can arrive at the worst possible time. Eligible warranty coverage may help reduce the financial impact of certain covered repairs.
A Repair Process Already in Place
Instead of starting from scratch after something fails, a home warranty gives you a defined process for requesting coverage on eligible items.
Useful for Buyers & Existing Owners
Warranty coverage can be worth considering when purchasing an older home or when several major systems and appliances are approaching typical replacement ages.
AMERICA'S PREFERRED HOME WARRANTY
Your Home. Your Contractor Choice.
One feature that distinguishes America's Preferred Home Warranty is its contractor-choice approach. For approved claims, APHW allows homeowners to choose a licensed contractor rather than requiring the homeowner to use only a predetermined contractor network.
Choose a Licensed Contractor
You can select a licensed contractor you know, trust or have had recommended to you, subject to APHW's claim procedures.
24/7/365 Claims Service
APHW says its claims-service team is available around the clock to assist homeowners when covered systems or appliances break down.
Repair or Replacement
Coverage determinations and approved amounts depend on the warranty agreement, diagnosed failure, exclusions, limits and applicable contract terms.
Why Might a Homebuyer Want a Home Warranty?
A professional home inspection can tell you a great deal about a home's current visible condition, but it cannot predict exactly when a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or appliance will eventually fail.
That can make a home warranty worth considering when buying a Kansas City home with older mechanical systems or appliances.
✓ Provides a process for certain covered breakdowns after closing
✓ Can help when several systems or appliances are older
✓ May help reduce exposure to some unexpected repair expenses
✓ Complements — but does not replace — a professional home inspection
Can a Home Warranty Be Useful When Selling a Home?
Yes. A home warranty may also be considered as part of a real estate transaction. Buyers and sellers can negotiate warranty coverage as part of the purchase agreement.
✓ Can provide buyers additional reassurance after closing
✓ May be useful when major systems or appliances are no longer new
✓ Can be negotiated as part of the overall real estate contract
✓ Seller/listing coverage options may also be available through APHW
How Long Do Home Systems and Appliances Typically Last?
Knowing the approximate age of your home's major systems and appliances can help you plan for maintenance, replacement costs and potential home warranty needs.
Average Appliance Lifespans Are Estimates — Not Expiration Dates
Appliances and home systems do not automatically fail when they reach a certain age. These figures are general planning ranges based on industry experience and historical life-expectancy data.
Maintenance, installation quality, usage, climate, manufacturer, model and previous repairs can all influence how long a system or appliance lasts.
For Kansas City homeowners, age can still be useful information. If your furnace, air conditioner, water heater and several appliances are all approaching their typical lifespan at the same time, it may be smart to prepare financially before multiple replacement expenses arrive together.
Range: About 13–15 Years
Typical Planning Range: 13–15 YearsGas and electric ranges are among the longer-lasting kitchen appliances. Regular cleaning and avoiding buildup around burners and controls may help keep the appliance functioning properly.
✓ Clean stovetop surfaces and grates regularly
✓ Follow manufacturer directions when cleaning the oven
✓ Watch for failing controls, burners or ignition components
Refrigerator: About 10–15 Years
Typical Planning Range: 10–15 YearsRefrigerators operate continuously, making ventilation, clean condenser coils and good door seals especially important.
✓ Clean condenser coils periodically
✓ Check door seals for air leakage
✓ Leave adequate ventilation around the appliance
Garbage Disposal: About 8–12 Years
Typical Planning Range: 8–12 YearsGarbage disposals perform demanding work in a wet environment, and misuse can shorten their useful life.
✓ Avoid grease, bones and hard or fibrous foods
✓ Pay attention to leaks, frequent jams and unusual noises
✓ Turn off power before attempting any cleaning or inspection
Microwave: About 6–9 Years
Typical Planning Range: 6–9 YearsMicrowaves often have shorter expected lifespans than many other major kitchen appliances.
✓ Wipe food splatter from the interior regularly
✓ Never operate the microwave while empty
✓ Replace damaged doors or unsafe units rather than continuing to use them
Oven: About 13–15 Years
Typical Planning Range: 13–15 YearsOvens are generally durable appliances, though heating elements, igniters, controls and seals may require service during the appliance's life.
✓ Clean according to manufacturer recommendations
✓ Watch for uneven heating or temperature-control problems
Dishwasher: About 9–10 Years
Typical Planning Range: 9–10 YearsHeavy use, clogged filters, drainage problems and mineral buildup can influence how well a dishwasher performs over time.
✓ Clean the dishwasher filter regularly
✓ Remove food debris that may clog drain areas
✓ Watch for standing water or poor drainage
Water Heater: About 10–15 Years
Typical Tank Water Heater Range: 10–15 YearsWater-heater lifespan varies by type, water quality, maintenance and installation. Tankless systems may have different expected lifespans than traditional tank units.
✓ Watch for rust, moisture or leakage around the tank
✓ Follow manufacturer maintenance recommendations for sediment
✓ Have aging units evaluated before an active leak develops
Washing Machine: About 10–11 Years
Typical Planning Range: 10–11 YearsOverloading, excess detergent and water-hose problems can shorten a washing machine's useful life.
✓ Avoid overloading the machine
✓ Use the correct amount and type of detergent
✓ Inspect water-supply hoses for wear, leaks or kinks
Clothes Dryer: About 13 Years
Typical Planning Range: About 13 YearsDryer performance and safety depend heavily on proper airflow and keeping lint from building up.
✓ Clean the lint screen after every load
✓ Inspect and clean the exhaust vent regularly
✓ Address unusually long drying times promptly
HVAC System: About 15–20 Years
Typical Planning Range: 15–20 YearsHeating and cooling systems are among the most expensive mechanical components in a home. Kansas City's hot summers and cold winters can put significant seasonal demand on HVAC equipment.
✓ Replace or clean filters on the recommended schedule
✓ Schedule routine professional HVAC maintenance
✓ Keep outdoor equipment clear of vegetation and debris
✓ Address unusual noises, weak airflow or performance changes early
Quick Home Appliance Life Expectancy Guide
• Microwave: approximately 6–9 years
• Garbage disposal: approximately 8–12 years
• Dishwasher: approximately 9–10 years
• Washer: approximately 10–11 years
• Refrigerator: approximately 10–15 years
• Water heater: approximately 10–15 years
• Range: approximately 13–15 years
• Oven: approximately 13–15 years
• Dryer: approximately 13 years
• HVAC: approximately 15–20 years
These are general planning estimates rather than guaranteed service lives. Actual lifespan varies based on equipment type, quality, maintenance, installation, usage and operating conditions.
Why Appliance Age Matters When Buying a Kansas City Home
A house can look beautiful while several expensive systems are approaching the later years of their typical life expectancy.
When evaluating a property, your Sellstate buyer agent can help you look beyond cosmetic finishes and consider the available information about major components.
✓ Approximate age of the furnace and air conditioner
✓ Approximate age and condition of the water heater
✓ Age of appliances included with the home
✓ Information available from seller disclosures
✓ Findings from your professional home inspection
How Does an America's Preferred Home Warranty Claim Work?
Start Your Claim
Check your warranty agreement and contact APHW online or by phone to open a claim and receive a claim number.
Choose a Licensed Contractor
After obtaining your claim number, arrange for a licensed contractor of your choice to diagnose the problem.
Get Approval Before Work Begins
The contractor provides the diagnosis to APHW so coverage and the approved amount can be determined before repairs are performed.
Important: Don't Authorize Repairs First
APHW states that it must receive the contractor's diagnosis and provide approval before covered repair work is performed. Opening a claim by itself does not guarantee coverage.
Home Warranty vs. Homeowners Insurance
Home Warranty
Generally addresses eligible breakdowns of specifically covered home systems and appliances caused by normal wear and use, according to the warranty contract.
Homeowners Insurance
Generally protects against specified property losses such as fire, certain weather events, theft and liability according to the insurance policy.
Many homeowners have both because they serve different purposes. A home warranty does not replace homeowners insurance.
Does a Home Warranty Replace a Home Inspection?
No. They serve different purposes.
Professional Home Inspection
A home inspector evaluates visible and accessible components of the property and documents observed conditions at the time of the inspection.
Home Warranty
A home warranty is a service contract that may help with certain future covered failures after the warranty becomes effective.
A Home Warranty Doesn't Replace Regular Maintenance
Proper maintenance can help home systems operate efficiently and may extend useful service life.
HVAC
Change filters and have equipment serviced according to manufacturer recommendations.
Water Heater
Watch for corrosion or leakage and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
Appliances
Clean filters, vents, seals and serviceable components as recommended by the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Warranties in Kansas City
What is a home warranty?
A home warranty is a service contract that may help pay toward repair or replacement of certain covered home systems and appliances when eligible breakdowns occur.
Is a home warranty the same as homeowners insurance?
No. Home warranties and homeowners insurance generally cover different types of events and should not be treated as substitutes for one another.
Can I choose my own contractor with America's Preferred Home Warranty?
APHW states that customers may choose their own licensed contractor for approved claims, subject to the warranty's procedures and terms.
How do I file an APHW claim?
Start the claim online or by phone, obtain a claim number and then schedule a licensed contractor. The contractor's diagnosis should be provided to APHW before repair work begins.
Does a home warranty cover every breakdown?
No. Coverage depends on the contract, selected plan, covered items, exclusions, limitations, cause of failure and claim procedures.
Does a home warranty cover old appliances?
Age alone does not determine whether a claim is covered. Eligibility depends on the applicable warranty contract, covered item and cause of failure.
How long does an HVAC system typically last?
A typical planning estimate is approximately 15 to 20 years, although maintenance, installation, equipment type, usage and operating conditions can significantly affect actual service life.
How long does a water heater typically last?
Traditional tank water heaters are commonly planned around roughly 10 to 15 years, although actual lifespan varies by equipment, maintenance and water conditions.
How long does a refrigerator usually last?
A planning range of approximately 10 to 15 years is common, although refrigerator type, usage, maintenance and model can change the actual lifespan.
Does a home warranty replace a professional home inspection?
No. A home inspection evaluates the property's condition at a point in time. A home warranty is a separate service contract for certain future covered breakdowns.
Who can pay for a home warranty in a real estate transaction?
Depending on the negotiated purchase agreement, a home warranty may be purchased by the buyer, seller or another party.
Can a current homeowner purchase a home warranty?
Home warranty options may be available outside a real estate transaction. Current pricing, eligibility, waiting periods and coverage should be confirmed directly with the warranty provider.
Who do I call about home warranty options through Sellstate?
Call 913-701-6911 for information about home warranty options associated with your Kansas City real estate transaction.
Other Sellstate Preferred Real Estate Services
Buying or selling a home usually involves more than one service provider. Explore additional Sellstate Heartland Realty partner resources.
Buying or Selling a Kansas City Home?
Sellstate Heartland Realty can help you navigate the entire transaction — from finding or marketing the property to inspections, financing, title, home warranty decisions and closing.
Have Questions About a Home Warranty?
Whether you're buying a Kansas City home, selling one or simply looking for additional protection for the home you already own, we can help you understand the home warranty options available through America's Preferred Home Warranty.
Sellstate Heartland Realty
19310 E 50th Ter S, Suite E
Independence, MO 64055
Brokerage: (913) 379-3892
Appliance and home-system lifespan figures shown on this page are general planning estimates and do not guarantee how long an individual item will operate. Actual service life varies based on equipment type, manufacturer, installation, maintenance, usage, climate and other conditions.
Home warranty coverage is subject to the applicable service contract, including covered items, exclusions, limits, deductibles, eligibility requirements and claim procedures. Always review the complete warranty agreement before purchasing or relying on coverage.
America's Preferred Home Warranty requires applicable claims to be properly submitted and authorization received before covered repair work is performed. Starting a claim does not guarantee coverage.
Sellstate Heartland Realty is a real estate brokerage and is not the home warranty provider or claims administrator. America's Preferred Home Warranty is responsible for its contracts, coverage decisions and claims administration.
Testimonials
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Charles, was very professional, calm, living in the present moments, aligning me in correct thinking when I'm prostrate.d. He was not just my realtor, but my friend and my teacher towards my journey of selling my house. His very knowledgeable of whatever ups and down in realty business. Thank you Charles!
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- Hilda Coleman
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Charles has assisted me in several real estate transactions, both selling and buying. We've purchased/sold properties in 3 different cities, both in town and rural. One very convenient tool of his business is a system that sends us emails of available properties that fit our specific criteria. Charles takes his time in photographing the properties - he's a professional photographer, so he knows what he's doing there! All the rooms are very well lit, and he uses spotlights on top of natural light, so the shadows are minimal. He is very skilled in hosting open-house showings; advertising, signage, flyers, property attraction, etc. All of our closings have been without incident - timely and smooth! I would highly recommend Charles for any type of real estate needs or questions.
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- Annie Fontanez
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So glad to have my own home we appreciate you all for making that happen
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- Dana Brown
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Charles was great to work with. Fantastic service.
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- William
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Going through the process of both selling a house & purchasing a new house was extremely stressful. I can't think of a better human being to aid us through the process than Charles. Not only was he extremely positive & courteous throughout the process, but his devotion the finding us the right house (after literally walking through 18) & immediate responsiveness is like nothing I've ever experienced. We didn't have high expectations going in, regarding an agent. I can't imagine ever going a different route in the future. Even weeks after the deals are done, he continues to stay in touch and help us with advice on repairs & renovations; his extensive knowledge in remodeling & industry contacts were just icing on the cake.
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- Dan Jones
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Charles responded to our needs promptly and always helped advise us as needed. As first time home buyers it was important to find someone who was knowledgeable and patient— Charles filled all the boxes for us! Highly recommend him and his team!
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- Nicole Heims
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Charles was a fantastic realtor for my husband and I! As nervous first time homebuyers, he was knowledgeable, kind, and approachable every step of the way. With his help we found a perfect first home. I couldn’t recommend him more!!
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- Nicole Heims
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My wife and I were looking for an inexpensive "flip" house and were connected with Charles thru luck. After a few minutes of listening to us he knew what we were hoping to do and was working for us. He has experience with income properties and provided us with a lot of great advice and some additional resources that really made a huge difference. He was always available and never left was waiting for answers. We've been involved in the sale/purchase of 5 properties over the past 10 years and Charles is the best realtor we've worked with bar none. Don't miss an opportunity to let Charles work for you. He's awesome.
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- Robert Wheeler
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Sir Charles is awesome! He was very patient, consistent and had enough compassion to make me feel he was sincere about finding me the right home for my unique need. Charles and I both gave each other a gift at closing which showed true appreciation. Great person,, great customer care!!!!!!!!! Thank you Charles
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- Karen Davis
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I lived 2000 miles away, was moving to a new state, and was a first time home buyer. I didn't really know how or where to begin, and Charles called me after I expressed interest in a house online. From that moment on, he was like an angel that fell into my life to help me get through the process. Before I even arrived to Missouri, he had me set up with emails about houses that fit my criteria, and when I arrived to the state, he was quick to set up tours of multiple homes for me. He was friendly, super responsive to messages, amazingly informative, and made the stressful process of buying a home easy and smooth. I would highly recommend Charles to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!
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- Devin Orvis
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Charles, was very professional, calm, living in the present moments, aligning me in correct thinking when I'm prostrate.d. He was not just my realtor, but my friend and my teacher towards my journey of selling my house. His very knowledgeable of whatever ups and down in realty business. Thank you Charles!
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- Hilda Coleman
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When we began the process of selling/buying our home Charles reached out and set an appointment with us. He was always respectful, prompt, and was excellent at communicating with us. His completed an analysis of the home we wanted to sell and his suggested selling price was identical to the price we got for our home - he absolutely nailed it. Charles listened carefully to type of home we were interested in and within two weeks we had on offer out on a home. Notably, this was a showing that Charles set for us. We didn't select this home. In my opinion, this indicates that Charles had a strong understanding of our desires from our conversations. Charles did a great job negotiating on our behalf as well. Every aspect of the sell/buy was easy with him because his communication skills are tremendous. We would absolutely work with Charles again!
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- Jeanette Stein
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Charles is on top of everything from the first phone call to the closing on your home, always answered all of our questions promptly, had a lot of resources and honestly made it our home buying experience a great one. Very professional
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- Kimberly Inmotto
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Charles worked with us to sell our previous home. He was very actively connected to us every step of the way. He marketed our home via radio and several other avenues. Our home did not stay in the market for long due to his proactive marketing skills. We are very grateful for his expertise, advice, and many skills.
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- Marjorie Crowe
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Charles gilbert was great. It was my first time buying a house, so I didn’t know what to expect. He took his time to explain well how the whole process works and what to expect. He was very patient with me and gave me an idea how to start. Even without knowing what I would get approved for we took a lucky guess and started looking at houses in a certain price range which workout good because it was right in my price range. Almost everyday he sent me houses available and took his time to show me every house I was interested inand he explained the good and bads of the houses we looked at which was very helpful. He worked around my schedule . He also recommended me to a better bank after seeing the rates I was getting with the bank I went with originally. He made sure the sellers fixed what needed to be done before officially closing. He also already had great inspectors I could use.
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- Alex lerma
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Charles is amazing! He took a stressful situation and made it easy. He has alot of knowledge and resources to help the home buyer. He keeps good communication with his clients. I would recommend him for your next home purchase. 😀
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- Kim Ridgley
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Charles is the best realtor agent we have worked with. We were nervous about the sale of our home, because of Covid. Charles was very knowledgeable, professional and explained everything to us every step of the way. We highly recommend him if you are a first time buyer or seller.
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- Paula Jones
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Charles was amazing. He sold our home before having to list it, at a ridiculous amount over asking! We needed it gone as soon as possible for our Mother's senior care. He didn't hesitate to get the job done.
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- Matilda Reed
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Charles was the best to work with! He went above and beyond to help us find the perfect home at the right price. He answered all of our questions and even went out of his way to help us with things that didn’t fall under the umbrella of “realtor.” His extensive knowledge of the industry really helped us understand the buying/selling process and even helped us find contractors to do work on our old and new homes. 10/10 would recommend!
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- Lexi Meinke
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Charles sold a house for me recently. He was polite, courteous, and always had the information I needed to jump over whatever hurdles appeared on the road to getting it done.
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- Sean
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