Washer & Dryer Hook-Ups in a Bedroom?

[Hope Taylor]

Ok, so I have a question about bedrooms. I'm looking at investing in a 1080 sq ft home that is advertised as a 2/1, but when looking through it I noticed the washer and dryer hook ups were in the 2nd, smaller bedroom. Should this be considered a 1/1 and using that, negotiated down to a lower price? 

[Max T.]

Originally posted by @Chris Turner:

I would definitely tell them that the second room is unusable as a “bedroom” because they have chosen to put the washer and dryer in there.

I’d say something along the lines of, if you put the washer and dryer back (wherever it’s really supposed to go) and turn the room back into a practical bedroom then I will offer “X” amount of dollars. Otherwise my offer will be “X” because I’m going to have to spend “X” to pay someone to turn it back.

Then tell them that a 1/1 in their area goes for “X” and that is where your offer came from.

Just use “kid gloves” because it’s possible that some sort of disability (i.e. going up/down stairs) led them to chose that location.

Good advice and makes sense, but in my area (and other sellers' markets with low inventory) that could cost you the deal on a listed property. If it is priced right it will likely be getting a lot of attention, possibly multiple offers even with that defect. We have a lot of smaller 2 bedroom 2 story rowhomes here where the 2nd bedroom is pretty small. Hookups in there would be seen by many as an upgrade. If a buyer didn't like them they would be easy to cap and machines could be run in the basement (the norm).