In my first renovation and wanted an opinion

[Walmsley Gedeon]

Hi Guys, Just wanted to ask you guys do you use stainless steel appliances in a c-class neighborhood rentals? My contractor is urging me to go with black appliances which was my original choice but I want to attain a certain price point so I figured the better the rental looks the better the chance. I've been told not to do stainless steel because of the high possibility of damage to more expensive appliances. I'm not sure I totally agree with the concept but it's not my neighborhood. I almost feel inclined to go with what the natives suggest. Had anyone done this in a c-class neighborhood and was confronted with horrific situations after the fact, extreme damage, mishandling of the appliances or even theft? I just wanted some investors and property manners take on the topic. I'm in Irvington, NJ if that helps. Thanks BP Family.

[Alexander Felice]

Originally posted by @Andrew Johnson:

@Walmsley Gedeon I've never gone for SS but my units are all apartments.  I've stuck with plain ol' boring white.  They're the cheapest and there's no risk that it darkens the kitchen.  With a smaller spaces you want to preserve that open/airy feeling the best you can.  I've never had any horror issues with tenants abusing them or theft.  I think the primary issue is that you can't really increase rent because of them.  So if it's $1500 for SS and $1200 for 'plain white/black' there's really no way to recapture the $300.  I also think that @Alexander Felice is on the right track with 'scratch and dent'.  You can end up with some clearance, old stock, "Sears Outlet", floor demo, etc. appliances that will still come with a warranty but at a discount.  And for lazy folks like me, they'll still deliver them.  As long as you keep them consistent (white vs. black vs. SS) I don't think it will matter in the least if the brand name is the same.

By the way, I'd love to be proven wrong on this one.  It would be great to hear any experiences where someone has put in SS appliances and been able to raise the rent by $50/month compared to another identical unit.  If I can pay a little more for appliances, recapture the expense through slightly raising rents, and get more deprecation I'm all for it.

I was not able to increase rent because of SS by any means. I remember being at the store and doing the math and seeing there was less than $200 between the black and the SS set. for $200 I will do it everytime just in speculation that I will find a tenant faster and they will like the place better. While there is no way to calculate that, nor would I bother LOL, it's a cheap known cost and a much higher albeit unknown upside.

again, for <$200 delta