|
When you're shopping for a new home, the major appliances probably
won't make or break your decision. But since appliances cost a lot
and last a long time, you may want to consider the ones that come
with the property you're thinking about buying. Older appliances
will not only need to be replaced soon, but will probably cost more
to operate. Depending on your budget, you may want to push 'newer,
energy saving appliances' up on the list of new home priorities.
The seller of the home will include built-in appliances, and perhaps
include a warranty. Don't assume that freestanding appliances, like
the washer, dryer, or refrigerator, are included in the sale. The
sales contract should specify which appliances, besides the
built-ins, will stay, even if the listing for the home states
this.
If you are not interested in the freestanding appliances, and they
are not included in the sale, you should stipulate in the contract
that the seller must remove the old appliances. A homeowner might,
for example, buy a new refrigerator, and then relegate the old one
to the basement where it eventually dies. The seller may acknowledge
that the old appliances in the kitchen have seen better days, and
not include them in the sale of the house. Don't assume anything
about the removal of old appliances. Stipulate if you expect the
seller to dispose of them.
The seller should be able to provide manuals, warranties, and
service records for appliances that are to be left in the home. Ask
to see the utility bills for the previous twelve months as well.
Since older appliances cost more to operate, you may be able to
determine the age of the appliances by comparing the electric, gas
and water bills against your own usage.
Talk to the seller about the appliances. A homeowner who can speak
intelligently about the brand names, capacities, and features of the
appliances has probably paid a great deal of attention to their
care. Try to determine when appliances were last replaced or
repaired. This information will help you decide if you need a home
warranty, or if you simply need to replace the appliances.
Spend a little time with each appliance in the home. Note the
general condition. Does it look new, usually indicating good
maintenance, or is the opposite true? Consider the useful life of
each appliance, common problems that occur with age, and the cost of
labor and parts to repair those problems.
For example, the average life span of a refrigerator is 15 years. A
refrigerator costs anywhere from $550 to $1600, depending on the
capacity and features. If the compressor goes out, it will cost $350
- $400 to fix. If the refrigerator in question is a smaller, less
expensive model, and it's more than ten years old, you could end up
paying nearly as much to fix it in the next couple of years as it
cost new. An older refrigerator also costs more to operate than
newer, energy-efficient models.
A
washing machine lasts about twelve years in the average home. The
average cost to replace a clothes washer is about $500. If you
purchase a home with a ten-year-old washer, the likelihood is that
you will have to replace it in the near future, or spend upwards to
$400 to repair a leaking or faulty transmission. Today's machines
have larger capacities, quieter operation, more cycle options, and
save on water and energy usage.
A
gas or electric range that's only five years old should last another
dozen years, at least. To replace a surface burner costs about $100
and to install a new thermostat is about $150. If the range is in
excellent condition, the repairs may be preferred over replacing
it.
Get all the details on the appliances, and compare them against the
average life span, replacement costs, and energy saving features of
new models. Consider a home warranty, if the seller is offering one,
and what the warranty offers in the way of repair or replacement of
the major appliances.
Copyright 2003
PropertySource Network |
