Seller’s Side: Insurance-Friendly Features Can Help Sell Your Home

In some cases, insurance risks can drive up the overall cost of a home. Features like pools or outdated or damaged roofs can increase premiums. Since many lenders roll home insurance premiums into monthly mortgage payments, that can be a stumbling block for some buyers.

Conversely, some home features can save buyers in the long run because they can result in lower home insurance premiums. Learning about such savings could be just what a hesitant buyer needs to hear. If your home has these features, be sure potential buyers understand the beneficial impact they can have on lowering insurance costs:

– Location isn’t just important to your buyer; it’s also important to insurance carriers. – How close is the home to a fire department?

– How far away is it from a risky floodplain?

You’ll want to point out these to a buyer because they could lower the insurance cost. Security systems are a bonus in any home because they make the home safer. Items such as burglar alarms, deadbolt locks, and smoke alarms can lessen the likelihood that your home and family will suffer an adverse claim.

Another plus? These security items can earn discounts of up to 10% or more on home insurance. Green homes aren’t just earth-friendly; they also can be insurance-friendly. Some insurance providers offer discounts for LEED-certified homes because they are considered safer and more sustainable than traditional homes.

Qualities such as sturdy aluminum or steel roofs and low-flow plumbing are considered during the quote process because they lower the risk of hail, wind, and water damage. It’s not bad to point out that while your buyer is reducing their carbon footprint, they also could qualify for lower home insurance premiums.