Hot Tub: new vs. used

Most Popular Reply

Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor 路 Tennessee Florida 路 Member since 2016 路 4k+ posts 路 5k+ votes
3y

I would never put my guests in a used hot tub. Needs to be nice and new! 

Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
7Reply
See this reply in the discussion

53 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor 路 Tennessee Florida 路 Member since 2016 路 4k+ posts 路 5k+ votes
    3y

    I would never put my guests in a used hot tub. Needs to be nice and new! 

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
    7Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor 路 Greer, SC 路 Member since 2014 路 13k+ posts 路 17k+ votes
    3y

    Maybe a used one if it were only a couple years old and in perfect condition otherwise I'd just get a new one.

    1Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    @Luke Carl That is the direction I am leaning for sure, but cannot help but think to myself: after the first guest uses it, isn't it technically used? After a couple of years, it for sure is. 

    5Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL 路 Member since 2022 路 3k+ posts 路 3k+ votes
    3y

    Most of our hot tubs are built into pools here in FL, however some non pool homes have added hot tubs to have something.  I think here in FL they are not huge selling points like they are in cabins, so maybe we could get away with a used one in good shape.  If we were in a place where they are major selling factors, I would not recommend it unless like-new.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor 路 Greenville, SC 路 Member since 2015 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y

    In that market, if its used I would be concerned.  There is a reason they are selling it.

    2Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    @Ken Boone My market is not quite like Gatlinburg. Most houses are not STR's, but the homes of locals. So, many people have hot tubs they are selling simply because they are not using them. The one I found retails for 8400 new, is a 2019 version, and the seller wants 4700.

    0Reply
  • Neil Patel
    Investor 路 Roselle Park, NJ 路 Member since 2015 路 27 posts 路 13 votes
    3y

    @Kyler J Sloan also if you buy use your will prob have to transport it which is not that easy with hot tubs. 

    1Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    @Neil Patel Not in this case -- the owner has offered to deliver as well. 

    0Reply
  • Brian Barch
    Member since 2022 路 272 posts 路 253 votes
    3y

    I would go used, but depends on the local market. I bought a turnkey STR that came with a hot tub, people rave about the hot tub (despite it being older)

    0Reply
  • Mark F.
    Rental Property Investor 路 Northern NJ 路 Member since 2019 路 672 posts 路 677 votes
    3y
    Used, because I hate to burst your bubble for those who said new, it's only new for the first guests. I would not be concerned why someone's getting rid of it. They're like treadmills, we buy them thinking we'll use it all the time then get rid of it heavily discounted because we lied to ourselves and we never use it.

    Funny as my best friend has an airbnb in Maggie Valley.
    6Reply
  • Bud Gaffney
    Rental Property Investor 路 Boston, MA 路 Member since 2019 路 2k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y

    @Kyler J Sloan new.

    0Reply
  • Ken Boone
    Investor 路 Greenville, SC 路 Member since 2015 路 1k+ posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kyler J Sloan:

    @Ken Boone My market is not quite like Gatlinburg. Most houses are not STR's, but the homes of locals. So, many people have hot tubs they are selling simply because they are not using them. The one I found retails for 8400 new, is a 2019 version, and the seller wants 4700.


     I wouldn't be too concerned in that situation then, however, you can get a brand new Dr Wellness X-3 Spa that is a 6 seater with 51 jets brand new for $4699.. right up the road in Johnson City.  Of course you have tax and shipping and setup to deal with.. But that is brand new with warranty.

    0Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    @Mark F. Those were the thoughts I conveyed above. 

    For those who are going to insist on a new tub, they better plan on purchasing a new one for each turnover. 

    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA 路 Member since 2016 路 8k+ posts 路 7k+ votes
    3y

    Isn't there a warranty on the new unit? What is that worth vs used?

    I like the question. You really have decided to go used but wanted some opinions.

    1Reply
  • Mitch Davidson
    Lender 路 Asheville, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 463 posts 路 507 votes
    3y

    @Kyler J Sloan, I'd only buy used after confirming that a local, reputable spa service company can service it. If they tell you they can't get parts, etc., I'd buy new instead. In your region, The Hot Tub Store in Waynesville is great. Their service manager, Travis, has answered my questions at 10:30 on a Friday night. 

    2Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    I wonder if the better business model would be to buy new but resell something like 5 years later and put that towards a new model. 

    They lose about 8 percent of their value per year, so selling at half price later down the road, it is as if you bought half price to begin with.

    The savings are simply deferred. 

    0Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    @Mitch Davidson Thanks! I will for sure do that if I find a great used model. 

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant 路 San Diego / Phoenix 路 Member since 2021 路 12k+ posts 路 15k+ votes
    3y

    New. Or at least 'newer'. Old spas are a major turn-off......

    0Reply
  • Brooklyn McCarty
    Investor 路 Member since 2022 路 1k+ posts 路 754 votes
    3y

    Buy new. 

    In an area like Maggie Valley, a hot tub is a main amenity. Guests day dream about sitting on your deck in that hot tub while they are on vacation. If it quits working, you鈥檙e loosing money. Always buy new for things like this, appliances, etc. 

    2Reply
  • Kyler J Sloan
    OP
    Investor 路 Maggie Valley, NC 路 Member since 2020 路 284 posts 路 85 votes
    3y

    I am almost certain to buy new now. Setting aside the impression it makes on your guests, there are some great warranties as @Michael Baum mentioned, which expire in about 5 years, at which point you can resell them for over half of the price you paid for them, and then reinvest that into the next tub.

    It avoids the need for maintenance, eliminates time wasted searching for a good deal on FB marketplace, craigslist, etc., and puts you in a better position when it comes time to get rid of the tub, since it is still fairly new and capable of being resold.  By contrast, a tub purchased used is likely going to the junk yard when you are done with it.

    1Reply
  • James Hamling
    Real Estate Broker 路 Minneapolis, MN 路 Member since 2011 路 5k+ posts 路 6k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kyler J Sloan:

    What is your opinion on whether it is more cost effective to buy hot tubs new as opposed to used, or vis versa? 


     I tend to categorize this into "underwear". Would you prefer new, or used, underwear....... 

    0Reply
  • Leslie Anne Morris
    Real Estate Agent 路 Smoky Mountains, TN 路 Member since 2022 路 1k+ posts 路 984 votes
    3y

    New!  Peace of mind for you on actual life span.

    0Reply
  • Ryan MoyerBusiness Member
    Property Manager 路 Orlando Kissimmee Davenport Salt Lake City, Park City 路 Member since 2019 路 991 posts 路 1k+ votes
    3y

    No idea where people are getting this weird notion that a used hot tub is something gross and it has to be new.  There are hundreds of cabins that turn over to new owners every month in a place like Gatlinburg and every one of them keeps the hot tub from the prior owner and on one blinks an eye about it.  It's not like they're throwing it out and buying a new one.  

    Heck, several of the people in this thread weirded out about a used hot tub are probably using a used on that came with the home in their rental.

    Cosmic Vacations4.9174 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor 路 New Braunfels, TX 路 Member since 2022 路 408 posts 路 408 votes
    3y

     馃槀 馃挴%

    0Reply
  • Ned J.Pro Member
    Investor 路 Manteca, CA 路 Member since 2017 路 1k+ posts 路 2k+ votes
    3y

    Would you rather buy a brand new car or a lightly used one in good shape?

    Do YOU want to eat the depreciation or let someone else do it?

    Are you ok with it possibly needing servicing? Or do you want to pay hundreds/thousands for a warranty?

    Sure...if you buy some old beat up nasty one, your guest will be turned off.... if you buy a nicer used one, they wont even know..... its only "brand new" for the first guest

    Id buy used, but not more than 4-5 years old. 

    2Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free