I just received a call from one of the tenants at my first rental property. The clothes washer is leaking all over the basement floor.

Just last night I was thinking about how I hadn’t been called to fix anything lately…

Go figure.

So tomorrow I play appliance repair man.

It’s interesting to note that of all the appliances I have bought brand new, I have not had to fix, repair or replace anything. However, initially I bought both the washer and dryer used. I replaced the dryer with a new $200 version from Home Depot less than 60 days after the used dryer was purchased (the warranty was only 30 days). I’ve had to go back and fix a switch already on the used washer, and now it’s leaking all over the place.

I remember the debate when I first bought the appliances, whether to buy new or used, and the overall consensus was that the used appliances were a better way to go, as it would save me money. But now I have to spend another evening troubleshooting a broken washer, and may end up spending money to have an appliance repair company come out and fix it…

I understand the logic behind going with used appliances in a rental unit, but I would have gladly paid the extra $200 for new units up front if I new how much time and aggrevation it would save me down the road.

I suppose that’s what they call “hindsight”.

Rental Property appliances, landlording, Rental Property