Jonathan LopezShould I Offer a Home Warranty to Buyers When I Sell My Woodland Hills Home?
Woodland Hills sellers often ask whether to offer a one-year home warranty to buyers. A warranty is a service contract that covers repair or replacement of certain systems and appliances, usually for a monthly or annual fee plus a per-visit service fee. It is not homeowners insurance and it is not a home inspection.
What it costs
NerdWallet (updated March 2, 2026) reports an average of $73 a month, or $876 a year, with monthly plans ranging from $28 to $191 and an average service call fee of $108.45. Opendoor's 2026 article, citing Consumer Reports, gives $300 to $600 a year for basic plans and $500 to $1,500 for comprehensive plans. Opendoor sells homes, so treat its figures as one view.
What to know before offering one
NerdWallet notes every plan has exclusions, payouts have limits (the owner pays the difference if a repair exceeds the cap), claims can be denied for reasons such as unapproved work, and depreciation can leave the owner paying part of a replacement. Add-ons for pools, spas and septic systems cost extra.
What I could not find
I found no source showing a seller-paid warranty raises the sale price or shortens time on market. Treat it as a goodwill gesture, not a pricing tool.
Local context
Movoto (updated October 22, 2026) shows a Woodland Hills median sale price of $1,299,000 for September, 377 active listings with 72 price-reduced, and homes averaging 50 days on market versus 44 a year earlier. At $876, a warranty is about 0.07% of that median price, my own arithmetic. Whether it beats a credit toward closing costs or a repair depends on your home.
A free market analysis from me can compare options for your specific home.
This is general information, not tax, legal or investment advice. Figures are averages or examples and may not apply to a specific property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a home warranty cover?
Repair or replacement of covered systems and appliances, subject to exclusions and payout limits (NerdWallet).
How much does one cost?
NerdWallet averages $876 a year, with $28 to $191 a month. Opendoor, citing Consumer Reports, gives $300 to $1,500 depending on the plan.
Who pays at closing?
It is negotiable between buyer and seller. I did not find a source on how common seller-paid warranties are.
Does it raise my sale price?
I found no source showing that it does.
Is it the same as insurance or an inspection?
No. It is a service contract.
What else could I offer instead?
A closing-cost credit, a pre-listing repair, or a price adjustment. A free market analysis can compare them.
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