Suzi, I don't think I said it before but congratulations! I'm so happy for all of you!

sarameg and I swear by our home warranties. My premium is $540 for the year, which was no change from the premium the sellers paid the year prior. I saved that much and more in three calls last year. This year? I pulled the trigger too early and ended up paying my $75 trade fee for a $20 water supply line repair on my master bath toilet. In my defense it was leaking below the shutoff valve so I thought it was a bigger problem than it turned out to be. My house is 115 years old and I'm more comfortable keeping the coverage. Pay very close attention to the coverages and add-ons. The basic plans cover almost nothing. I have American Home Shield and I've been very happy with them. I can request service online and I get a call back from the provider in 24 hours or less to schedule the appointment if it's not an emergency.

American Home Shield is one of the companies my realtor recommended. The other is a Colorado company that also sounds great. Their website details what they do and do not cover, which is very nice.

I told the inspector that I needed homeowner level 101 information. K-Bug wants me to find a Home Maintenance for Dummies type book.

I also have AHS and since I don't have an external clean out, it will continue to pay for itself every year ( standard fee is $500, I pay $450 to AHS and expect at least once a year, plus annual boiler maintenance which is a $200 visit without warrantee. Plus if my water heater explodes. Or any other plumbing.) Do choose on coverage vs cost and timely response. AHS has been good for cost, but their definition of emergency and mine don't always line up. (I can't flush my toilet, sewage, I think you need emergency plumbers response. Also, major leak RIGHT NOW.)

AHS does that too. I have the Core Coverage plan with the ServicePlus and CoveragePlus packages.

That kind of book exists--sarameg has one. YouTube is also awesome.

since I don't have an external clean out

In homeowner 101 language this is?

In my city, if you have a sewage cleanout drain outside the house, city has to come out to clear the line if you have a clog. External cleanouts are usually a few feet out from the foundation, but they can snake into the house lines too.I don't have one, the job has to be done inside the house from the cleanout access there. It's my responsibility. Varies by locale, your realtor will probably know. Newer construction generally has external sewage access, but it all depends on local code. 1931, they didn't think of that.

Suzi, in modernity, externals usually manifest as thus [link]

Huh, Gris, didn't realize you knew Seanan, too. I enjoy her immensely.

Let us know how the schmancy dinner was!

We have a home warranty through State Farm, and it's been pretty awesome when our basement flooded, and when we just had to get the AC and furnace fixed up for the selling process.

At yoga tonight, a mellow candlelight Yin class, some wench's phone went off TWICE, a loud, full-on ringing. RUDE. WTF? It's like, basic courtesy.

What the shit? She didn't turn it off after the first time? Rude.

I think the sewer is covered by the HOA - I haven't gotten their documents yet and that is one thing I know I'm looking for.