When explaining the value of a First American home warranty, Austin area manager Julie Mikeska shares this example, “Shortly after a person buys a home, the air conditioning system fails. It costs them several thousand dollars,” she said. “But with a home warranty, their out-of-pocket costs would have been much less.”

 

The risk of unexpected, expensive repairs can be even greater for first-time home buyers. “They’re often putting all their cash into buying a home,” Julie said. “Maybe they’ve waived the inspection or waived the appraisal to get in. And then, after closing, a major system goes out.”

 

With home warranty coverage, they could potentially save thousands of dollars when they most need it. “A home warranty is an opportunity for buyers to protect their pocketbook,” Julie said.

 

Julie has been with First American Home Warranty for just two years, but her wealth of experience in lending, sales, project management, and client services, gave her a strong foundation for successfully serving the home warranty market in Austin and its suburbs.

 

“When this opportunity at First American Home Warranty came up, it was a natural move to collaborate with people in my own backyard,” she said.

 

Julie has lived in Texas for more than 20 years and is deeply involved in her community north of Austin. “I was excited, and I still am, to continue establishing connections,” she said. “People here appreciate having someone local they can count on.”

 

First American Home Warranty is a well-established, trusted company in the Austin area.

“The company is strong and stable, and having that behind you is important,” Julie said. “Homeowners and real estate agents can put their trust in me knowing that I will work hard to take great care of them.”

 

Julie describes a home warranty as an important part of a homeowner’s overall plan for household expenses. It can help give a homeowner peace of mind knowing that their budget is protected from unexpected expenses when covered items fail.

 

A First American home warranty is a renewable service contract that protects a home’s systems and appliances from unexpected repair or replacement costs due to a breakdown. When a covered item breaks, First American will send an independent service contractor to the home to diagnose and repair or replace the item.

 

Home warranties generally cover systems, such as heating, air conditioning and plumbing, and specified appliances, including dishwashers, ovens, clothes washers and dryers, and refrigerators – with upgrades and options available.* In contrast, homeowners insurance does not cover mechanical failures, so a home warranty can help bridge that gap in protection.

 

While Julie’s last name may sound unusual to some, she said it’s essentially the “Smith” of the Czech language, and fairly common across Texas. “The Mikeskas are a big barbeque family and very well-known in the area for that. If I had a dime for every time someone asked me if I am a barbeque Mikeska, I could have retired 10 years ago,” she jokes.

 

Away from work, Julie enjoys 'glamping’ and zip-lining with her daughters. She also volunteers with the local school district, mentors youths, and helps at chamber of commerce and real estate industry events.

 

She treasures the personal side of her work.

 

“I’ve been in the area a long time and have built a lot of connections within the local community,” she said. “Personal relationships mean a lot in the real estate industry.”

 

For Julie, one of the most important aspects of her job is educating customers about what a warranty covers. Agents often gift a home warranty to their clients during a purchase and, in Texas, the option to purchase a home warranty must be presented to residential home buyers of resale homes, so Julie has multiple opportunities to answer questions like “Is there an age limit to the home or appliances you cover?” (No, there aren’t age limits.)

 

“First American Home Warranty does a great job of explaining our coverage, and I’m here to help customers find the right coverage for their needs,” she said. “It’s important to make sure home buyers and agents understand how valuable a warranty can be when an appliance or home system fails. It is such a great risk-reduction tool.”

 

*Home warranty coverage varies by location, plan, and selected options.