Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
So I just lost a round in this game with a 7 year old fridge that was failing to cool but was clearly not the compressor. Failed $200 repair vs $700 to replace. I thought I knew what I was doing, that compressor problems aren't worth repairing but controls were. Basic washers and dryers are not worth paying someone to repair if I can't figure it out, I can get them on CL for under $100.
Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
8y
@Johann Jells
If the applIance Is really old Id replace with budget appliances at a box store . Yeah you could find something on Craigslist or at a used appliance store but if your like me you don’t want phone calls on a Sunday night that the fridge is dead .theres no sense In buyIng used outdated archaic junk wIth a questIonable servIce when new at just a couple hundred more , you get a warranty Its a wrIte off Its more effIcent and It Isnt lIkely to fail .
Sterman, MI · Member since 2017 · 378 posts · 306 votes
8y
Yep, if it's running and not cooling it probably needs to be cleaned. I don't buy $100 appliances, too risky. If it's more than 5 years old, no thanks. I want something that will last longer. And yes the new ones can die too. I buy low end from the box store. The renters are happy they got a new fridge or whatever. I just replaced a 1984 model with no ice maker and wire shelves, the guy was thrilled.
Rental Property Investor · Jersey City, NJ · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 876 votes
8y
Interesting responses. I don't hold with "never repair", that's throwing out money in many cases of easy, even DIY repairs. As for buying used, again, case by case. I don't buy used fridges, they're too complicated to repair and too heavy to DIY haul up 3 flights! The other end is dryers, really simple to repair and relatively light to move. One of my laundries I just installed is on ground level, it was ridiculously easy to pick up a washer & dryer for <$150 and throw it in there.
The fridge problem is definitely not dirty condenser coils. It's something in the control and defrost system, even after the timer and sensor were replaced.
Rental Property Investor · South shore, MA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
8y
@Matthew Paul how do you replace an electric burner on a stove? I have appliances in the rental I just bought, the fridge I’m going to give a good clean. But I’m debating on the stove since one burner is out.
Any suggestions?
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
8y
@Brian Ellis if its just one burner , just pull it out and buy a new one at home depot . I would also buy new trays that go underneath , its easier than cleaning . If you have another one on the stove the same size that works , swap it with the one that doesnt to check .