Author Topic: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?  (Read 3133 times)

Malaysia41

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Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« on: July 10, 2014, 07:24:04 AM »
We are renting our house while overseas.  The renters use our Frigidaire Affinity washer.  It is about 12 years old.   It keeps having problems.  I suspect the most recent problem is either a clogged drain or the pump relay needs replacing.  When I get there in a few days I will be able to better diagnose, but in the meantime, I'd like to ask:

What is the best washing machine to buy for a mid-high end rental? 

That way, if I decide to replace, I'll have a go-to list for purchasing a new one. 

JayKay

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2014, 04:52:32 PM »
Well, I usually go for Whirlpool when getting large appliances in general.  So far so good.

I have an uncle who used to be in appliance repair and he always says "anything but a Maytag".  Apparently according to him, they got purchased awhile ago and their quality is now rock-bottom.  He also says never to fix any of the newer model appliances - they are built to be disposable and it's often cheaper to just buy a new one.

As a landlord, though, I would question the need to even supply a washer / dryer.  Unless that's a predominant feature for many rentals in the area, they can be omitted.

gimp

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2014, 08:14:33 PM »
As a renter, I definitely look for a washer/dryer either in the rental or in the apartment complex. If it doesn't have one of those, I pass. :)

Fishingmn

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2014, 05:09:42 AM »
I have washer/dryer in most of my rentals.

Whenever they start acting up I usually just replace vs. trying to repair. My go to plan is to buy the cheapest Roper or Whirlpool model at Lowe's (Roper made by Whirlpool and has very good reviews). I usually spend about $300-350. Lowe's includes free delivery, free hook up and free haul away so I don't even have to do anything - they just meet my tenant and take care of it.

Wrote up a little article on saving a bunch at Lowe's on my last dryer purchase using their 10% price match policy - http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/lowe%27s-10-price-match/msg318662/#msg318662

SDREMNGR

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2014, 08:40:17 AM »
Depends on age and problem but if it's a motor or motherboard or something fancy, I'd just replace used.  I've had good luck with buying used from craiglist. I try to get something relatively new, only a few years old, for half of new price or cheaper.  I've bought 20 plus appliances this way and most have lasted many years.  It's also a good way to stay away from lemons. If they still work after 2-3 years, then chances are you don't have a lemon.  I've had brand new ones go bad after about a year.

Left

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2014, 01:34:35 PM »
after fixing mine last year, I'd say to fix it, it's actually a lot easier than I thought. I after I opened it and took everything out of it and saw how it was put together, there's very little actual parts that aren't assembled as a unit. Meaning, I buy the unit and replace it as a whole. IE: I'm not going to take apart a motor and find what's wrong with it, I just buy entire motor.

After giving my dryer a new fuse/timer/belt and it only costing me about $110 (timing control was $100 for the part). And a I get pretty much a new dryer. I don't know about the washer, I have yet to take that apart.

Whirlpool from what I read online when I was looking to take it apart is that they are easy to assemble so easy to take apart too. I don't know about other brands but I can't imagine them being all that different. The controls might be different but that's an entire piece so you can replace them all together if needed.

Fishingmn

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Re: Replace or fix Washing Machine in rental?
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2014, 07:23:30 AM »
after fixing mine last year, I'd say to fix it, it's actually a lot easier than I thought...

After giving my dryer a new fuse/timer/belt and it only costing me about $110

OP says his machine is 12 years old.

According to statistics the average life of a washer is 13 years - http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,216991-4,00.html

I just think it's better to sink $300-500 into a new one than to spend $100+ to get another 1-3 years out of it.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!