Rental Property Investor · St Louis, MO · Member since 2010 · 317 posts · 72 votes
Where do you find the best deals for washers & dryers? It's not important that they match, be like new, be free from scratches, or have the latest features. I just want something that has some useful life left and don't mind at all that they have been used. I have hear about ReStore, scratch-n-dent models from big boxes, and then of course craigslist. What do you recommend? These will go in a lower income rental that I will live in for a short time.
search on craigslist for "like new" appliances. Most of these appliances can last a while, and if it's newer, looks well maintained and branded, you should have little issues.
Of course you don't have any warranty on them. If it's a rental, you should be fine. There're always homeowners looking to get rid of their appliances while doing a higher end remodel.
Be careful when you provide appliances. You'll be expected to maintain them when they break and it can be a real headache and ruin your cash flow quickly. One approach I've seen work well is to let the tenant know that there are appliances in the house that they are welcome to use, or you can remove them if the tenant doesn't want them there, but that you will not be "providing" appliances. Aka, the tenant doesn't have to buy appliances to move in, but you won't be fixing the appliances if they break.
Be careful when you provide appliances. You'll be expected to maintain them when they break and it can be a real headache and ruin your cash flow quickly. One approach I've seen work well is to let the tenant know that there are appliances in the house that they are welcome to use, or you can remove them if the tenant doesn't want them there, but that you will not be "providing" appliances. Aka, the tenant doesn't have to buy appliances to move in, but you won't be fixing the appliances if they break.
Ah yes, good point. I will provide them as-is and they are welcome to use them, but will not fix them if they break. What I need help with is not the appliances and the agreement with tenants, but were to get a good value on appliances that are used.
This time of year is a good one to find many used appliances on Craigslist. Folks took advantage of the Christmas sales big box stores had on them and purchased new ones and are now trying to sell their used ones.
I purchased all of mine off Craigslist. Everyone knows this and yet some people still don't do it - make sure they work correctly before you hand over the money. If it's a dryer, make sure it spins and gets hot. It'll it's a fridge, make sure it gets cold, etc.