Author: C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty Wants to Know: Why Do You Renew?

Why Do You Renew? Tell Us!

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty Wants to Know: Why Do You Renew?Why do you renew? What is it that makes you say, “I’m signing up for that again!” for a service? We’ve had our fair share of renewals here at America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW), but we want to hear from you: Why do you choose to renew with APHW?

Here are some reasons our customers have given us in the past:

  • “It was a huge positive knowing I could renew, especially because it can be a monthly payment instead of having to pay up front. On top of that, APHW is very, very easy to work with. Everyone is so personal and kind. I’ve never had any problems or been put off—I wish everything was this easy!” ~C. McKinch, Michigan
  • “I called at 7 o’ clock on a Friday night, and there’s someone to answer the phone. I didn’t have to wait for a company-approved contractor to come over and tell me what’s what—I can call my own guy to come and look at it and fix it right away. I stick with APHW because it’s great, and I’ll keep renewing it year after year.” ~D. Anaya, Minnesota
  • “It was all just so much faster and smoother than I thought it was going to be. Once we understood the process and how easy it was, we can’t imagine not having a home warranty.” ~C. Perkinson, Alabama

Is it the customer service? The value? Is it the 24/7/365 availability, or that you can choose any licensed contractor for claims? Is it something else entirely?

Tell us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram: Why do you renew with America’s Preferred Home Warranty?

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sales, Blair Bishop, Ohio

Personality? CHECK.

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sales, Blair Bishop, OhioBlair Bishop is a true people person. Both her personality and sheer joy at life draw people in, which is exactly how she got started in the real estate business. “I just really enjoy building relationships with real estate agents and all of the office staff,” said the America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) West Central Ohio Area Sales Manager.

Some History

Blair’s first forays into the real estate community came through family—a team leader at a real estate agency, a market center analyst (now loan officer), and a title company associate—but Blair made her own waves.

“I worked at my mom’s Keller Williams (KW) offices a lot after college (when I wasn’t substitute teaching), and I made a lot of connections,” Blair said. “Between meeting people like title agents and loan officers, and going to real estate functions, getting to know everyone is just fun for me!”

Why APHW?

So why did she choose sales with APHW over becoming an agent? “Because here I get to meet and really get to know more people,” Blair explained. “I was looking for a more social role because I’m just not one to sit and stare at a screen all day, and I like to be autonomous and communicate with a lot of people. Plus, as a licensed Spanish teacher, I also enjoy the teaching aspect. A huge part of my role is educating REALTORS® on what a home warranty really is, and how they can help their clients and grow their business while working with APHW.”

Beyond these aspects, Blair focuses on developing a relationship with her clients. “I can relate to most people, and that connection is important to me – I genuinely care about people and what they’re going through. I like to help whenever possible, because what goes around definitely comes around,” she said. Blair also likes talking to people to learn from them. “Every time I go to a restaurant, I ask what the servers’ favorite menu items are, because they’re the experts,” she explained. “And that’s what I do with sales: Be the expert for my clients. I’m ‘nitty gritty;’ I like to dot my i’s and cross my t’s. Because if you know how to take care of people—and you actively choose to do so—then they’ll take care of you.”

Contact

West Central Ohio real estate agents can reach Blair and her personality for more information at 614.570.2562 or bbishop@aphw.com. For agents in other parts of the country, visit APHW.COM or call 800.648.5006 ext. 179 for information about your local area sales manager.

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APHW Raises $48.3K for Relay for Life

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty Relay for Life 2020America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) closed out the 2019/2020 Relay for Life fundraising year this week with a total of $48,379.19 raised, placing first out of 53 Jackson County, Michigan teams. And APHW’s fundraising team captain started out the year nervous to take on the challenge.

Commitment

“Our company takes Relay for Life fundraising seriously,” said Team Captain Hannah Robbins. “So I was a little nervous—I wanted to do a good job. But I was also mostly excited because my family has been affected by cancer, and captaining the team was a nice way to show I care.”

She did better than good. Hannah and APHW’s fundraising committee developed regular events that the whole company enjoyed. “We had lots of events when we were in the office—raffles, food events, and more—and we had a virtual Bingo night after COVID-19 hit too. Our committee was incredible at every turn.”

Leadership

The support from APHW leadership really helps the numbers as well, Hannah said. “They’re always willing for us to try new fundraising events, even when it involves embarrassing them,” she joked, adding how the leadership pie-in-the-face fundraiser raised over $200. “This year has really shown that they’re all in, as long as it’s going toward the cause.”

Giving

Individual staff donations built more than $13,000 of the overall total, with the last $35,000 sponsored by the company itself. “Karaoke night was one of our highest fundraising events, and I really enjoyed Taco Tuesday,” Hannah said. “I feel like these events are a real value to our company, too—we all come together like the family we are, and everyone has a really good time.”

Hannah was also touched by how the giving continued even after COVID-19 hit. “It’s really nice to know that even when we’re struggling, the people we work for and the staff are all willing to give what they can,” she said. “And APHW will continue to raise money for Relay for Life in the future.”

Donate Today

Click here to donate to Relay for Life.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Termites, Termite Control

TERMINATED: Keeping Termites at Bay

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Termites, Termite ControlDid you know that America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) now offers optional coverage for Termite Control? Of course we hope you never need it, but we also did some research to help keep the little buggers away from your home. And let me tell you: Nothing quite gets your skin crawling like reading about termites.

We all know that termites like to chew up wood (to the tune of $5 Billion in property damage every year). But did you know that cool, moist wood is their favorite snack? Or that they can build “mud tubes” across your foundation to the wood paneling?

There’s a lot you can do to keep the little buggers away though! So check out these 13 Must-Know Tips for DIY Termite Control* to keep your prevention practices in check.

If you do find a termite infestation, we strongly recommend calling in the professionals to make sure every last one is evicted—the last thing you need is for them to come back! But we may be able to help with the cost with our new optional Termite Control coverage at APHW. Call 888.351.3681 for details today!

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Family Handyman in any capacity.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, USA Today, Charity

APHW Featured in USA Today Special Edition: America Responds

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, USA Today, CharityAPHW is honored to be featured in USA Today for our commitment to giving back to those in need, especially during these uncertain times.

To learn about our mission to help local charities and communities, check out page 57 of the USA Today article here.

For more info or to get involved, visit APHW.com/charity—Together we can make a difference!

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sprinkler System Maintenance

Love That Perfect Yard? Maintain Your Sprinkler System

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sprinkler System MaintenanceMy husband takes enormous pride in his yard. The hedges must align, the grass must be cut in perfect rows, and above all, each blade must be a lush, dark green. So you can imagine how he’s less than enthused when summer comes along and cooks it down to a crispy brown. He does his best with a hose sprinkler, but if you have a sprinkler system installed, you can be sure he’s a little green himself. So enjoy it! And maintain it, so you can keep that lushness going as long as feasibly possible.

Check out these 10 Practices to Maintain Your Sprinkler System* to learn where to install your sprinklers, when and how long you should run them, how often you should inspect them, and when to call in the professionals.

If you’ve run into some issues and you’re a DIY homeowner, here are some Do-It-Yourself Solutions to Irritating Irrigation Problems* that could save you a buck or two.

Visit APHW.COM for more home maintenance tips, and call 888.351.3681 to get peace of mind with a home warranty on your home today – now featuring coverage options for lawn sprinkler systems!

*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with K-Rain Manufacturing or Family Handyman in any capacity.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Customer Service, APHW Customer Service Cares

What Does an APHW CSR Do? We Care

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Customer Service, APHW Customer Service CaresAnyone can take a phone call and enter data into a computer. But America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) customer service representatives (CSRs) are different, according to APHW CSR Supervisor Patty. “We aim to be heroes for our homeowners and REALTORS®,” she said. “We care — and that’s what we’re best at.”

From the Root

It all starts with the family-style atmosphere, which is visibly apparent throughout the home warranty company. “We have absolute support from all around,” Patty said. “Normally you might be intimidated to go speak to the president or VP of a company, but that’s not the way here. They welcome you, and they want to help you be the best you can be.”

This support extends sideways as well. “I can ask other CSRs, a supervisor—we’re really just like a family,” said CSR Nelson, who previously worked at a restaurant claiming the same, but with no follow-through. “Nobody really cared about anybody there,” he said. “At APHW it’s totally different. When I was brand new, Unique sat nearby and asked every day how it’s going, and how my wife is doing down in Cuba. You just feel it here.”

“The camaraderie amongst CSRs and everybody in the company here is crazy,” Patty said. “We all help each other to be better, because we care.”

Direct to You

That mentality directly translates to what APHW customers experience on the phones. “I never feel alone on a call. I always have team members to help me,” said Customer Service Support Team Member LaShonda. “And this isn’t a job where you could ever just get your daily agenda and go work alone—there are questions every day. My team is here to help, and it feels really good to let our customers know they don’t have to worry about a repair themselves, because we’re here to help them, too.”

“We get a lot of very positive feedback from our homeowners and the technicians speaking to us,” Patty said. “And we’re very proud of that.”

Call 800.648.5006 ext. 179 or visit APHW.COM for more information.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sales, College Grad In Sales

College Grad Finds His Way at APHW

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Sales, College Grad In SalesFresh out of college and looking for a career, Colton Williamson found good footing in sales with America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) last August. Now he’s closing in on his first full year, and he’s certain it was the right decision.

“When I got to Georgia Tech, I originally wanted a degree in business with a concentration in marketing and a minor in industrial design,” Colton described. “But then I started taking college classes in real estate, and that’s when everything fell into place. I put everything else on hold to pursue it.”

The Paths Multiplied

What Colton didn’t know, however, was how many different ways those classes could lead him. It was only when his friend (and now fellow Area Sales Manager) Ted Fithian suggested APHW that he started researching it.

“I came to really like the company more and more, between what I saw on the website and what people told me through interviews,” Colton said. “I also noticed they had a really big Christian base, and that everyone seemed very lively, like they really enjoy what they do—which is something you definitely want in a work environment. It also interested me because it sounded like a good opportunity to build relationships with new people, which I honestly just enjoy.”

The easy-going Georgia Area Sales Manager continues to grow every day at APHW, and with a love for the good southern food and hospitality of his state, he definitely plans to stick around. “Let’s get to know each other,” he said. “I believe in this company—and I’d love to show you why.”

Want More Info?

Southeast Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida real estate agents can reach Colton at 912.660.5312 or cwilliamson@aphw.com. Otherwise, call 800.648.5006 ext. 179 to find your local Area Sales Manager, or visit APHW.COM today for more information!

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Start a Claim Online

Start a Claim Online Is Here!

Posted on | by C. Baker

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Start a Claim OnlineHEY! Did you know you can now Start A Claim Online with America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW)? You did? Okay, alright… it’s been here for a minute, true. BUT! Did you know about…

All the benefits that come with it:

  • NO LINES: We know you love our award-winning customer service, but sometimes you just don’t have the time to talk! Whether you’re at work, out with the kids, away on a business trip—how convenient would it be to fill out three little things on a form and instantly get a claim number?
  • EASY TRACKING: Just log in, and from the moment you complete our simple online form, your claim number immediately arrives in an email—along with the ability to track all sorts of useful things, including any active warranties, all claims, claim status and updates, authorized contacts, payments, and more.
  • PERSONAL UPDATES: Need to update your contact phone or email? How about authorized users on your account (like a property manager or your parents if you’re out of town)? With Start a Claim Online, you have easy access to update these details on your account from any device, giving you the freedom to maneuver when you need it.

“It’s easy information and an easy registration process, with all your instructions right there,” said APHW Technology Administrator Tim Henderson, who led the design of the program. “You can validate all your information, add authorized contacts, and even dig deeper to get more detail about your claim. And you can see exactly what has been approved all the way through. We’ve actually gotten a lot of compliments on it,” he said.

“We want to ensure that our customers can always quickly and easily start a claim at any time, and get their contractor appointment set,” said APHW Vice President of Operations Mike Sadler. “Start a Claim Online can be especially useful to you during times with higher call volumes.”

Need more info?

Visit APHW.COM and click Start a Claim to get started, or call 800.648.5006 for more information.

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