I’m considering replacing the kitchen appliances shortly before putting the house on the market. However, I’ll still be living in the house until it is sold, so the appliances would likely be used for a few months before the buyer moves in.
In practice, is there much difference between buyers receiving brand-new appliances versus appliances that are only a few months old? Would buyers generally care or view this negatively?
Replacing the kitchen appliances shortly before putting the house on the market
byu/VAer1 inRealEstate
Posted by VAer1
11 Comments
You should not bother doing that at all.
If you feel new appliances will entice a buyer, then put them in new before sale, but its not going to affect your price of sale. If you live sellers market, its a waste of time and money. If you’re in a buyers market, that could help you stand out, but only if they are actually new and unused.
It depends on which kind of house you are selling. If it’s a starter house, buyer usually don’t care. But if it is high end, then it do matter
Yes, I factored new appliances into my bids. About minus $1000 per appliance that would likely need to be replaced within a few years. So it was basically just a net neutral for the owner.
Most long term buyers will want to put in their own appliances, if not brand new. Might be a waste of money. Either leave your old stuff so they replace it, remove everything and list barren, or buy brand new upon listing. A three month old fridge might aswell be three years old to a potential buyer.
Only appliances to replace are ones that don’t work or have important functions that aren’t working, like having several unusable dishwasher cycles.
Otherwise you are just guessing that your choices are the ones someone else would like. Many people prefer to choose their own appliances.
I don’t see any difference between “new” and “newer” appliances, if the newer ones are spotless and in good condition.
There likely are preference differences though, depending on your price point. Someone below said buyers might want to install their own – I only see that in high end areas.
As a recent buyer I can tell you it made absolutely zero difference in our decision. And I don’t think it would for most people.
House we just bought has an ancient electric stove… Like it has to be one of the first ever made. I could not care less. In fact, I’m mildly excited at being able to pick out my own while not feeling like I’m needlessly splurging.
In fact, if they don’t like the color, style or brand, they might even sell it and replace it. Meaning you’re just burning money.
If you think new appliances would be appealing, don’t choose them yourself but offer a designated cash rebate on closing. That way the buyer will get exactly what they’re looking for *and* they’ll have a record of purchase for any warranty. When we moved into our last place, there was a brand new built-in microwave and electric cooktop, neither of which we had any use for. Out they went.
Just sold, including a janky kitchen range for which I got a credit from my seller, didn’t change a thing and did not credit my buyer. Don’t replace it.
As an agent I would advise against this. Location, square footage, home features, updates, lot size, and condition/age of things like the roof etc. are factors that affect value and price. You won’t see any ROI on new appliances.
I wouldn’t. Buyer may hate what you pick and replace anyway. Like a side by side fridge or samsung appliances wouldn’t influence my decision to buy a house, but i’f be replacing them because they suck.
Also, unless you’re spending more to get them from an actual appliance store, you’re buying what’s destined to be junk.