Right on cue, the washer broke.

January 8th, 2008 by Grant in: Rental Property
Sphere: Related Content

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.

Electric DryerI 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”.

3 Comments

  1. MJ @ dyslexicresearch

    Take a snake with you, hopefully all you have is a clogged drain pipe. Otherwise look at the drain gate, it may just have crud all over it.

  2. Brooke

    That’s horrible. Do you think renters are treating your appliances badly?

  3. The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » Blog Archive » Mama’s don’t let your babies grow up to be… plumbers.

    […] So I made the handyman trip to my rental unit last evening after the tenant called and told me that the washer was spewing water all over the place. […]

Leave a Comment