Washer/Dryer VS. Hookups

We have quite a few vacancies at the moment with washer/dryer hookups. A lot of people call and ask if the washer/dryer will be provided. I have been surprised at how many people turn down an opportunity to even just view a vacancy because it only has hook-ups and no washer/dryer provided.

Let me just say to all you who are new to renting in the Los Angeles area: please, do not be scared of hookups. There is nothing scary about purchasing a washer and dryer. I think you are nervous because no one has taken the time to explain it to you. Until now:

First of all, you can buy a used washer/dryer, cheap. You are not the only person in Los Angeles stuck with hookups. There are many rentals with hookups, many people looking for washer/dryers and many people looking to sell them.

1) Search Craigslist. I bought a stackable washer/dryer off Craigslist once for $200 bucks.

2) Buy a used washer/dryer at one of the million used appliance stores in the neighborhood (Try SavOn Appliance or Echo Park Appliance).

3) If you're lucky to have viewed a vacancy prior to the current tenant vacating, you can offer to buy the washer/dryer from the previous tenant.

Now, let me explain the pros and cons of each option:

Craigslist will often have as good of a deal or better then your local used appliance store. However, your local used appliance store will give you a warranty and deliver for free. If you buy off Craigslist more then likely you'll have to pick it up yourself and your stuck if anything goes wrong after you buy. However, if you find a GREAT deal on Craigslist you can easily find a furniture mover (on Craigslist) who will deliver for around $50 bucks.

Second, now you're wondering what you do when you move and now you've got this washer dryer you don't want to drag around with you. Don't worry. You are not the only person in Los Angeles with washer/dryer issues. There are more rentals with hookups then there are with washer/dryers provided. There are many many people looking for used washer/dryers. I'll give you one person specifically who will really want it: the person who moves in after you. Here is what to do with your washer/dryer after you move:

1) Post and sell on Craigslist. That $200 stackable I bought for one of my rentals - I used it for a couple years then sold it on Craigslist for $250.

2) Sell at a garage sale

3) Offer to sell it to your landlord, tell your landlord it will help him/her rent it out to the next tenant. If the landlord says no,

4) Sell it to the tenant moving in

5) Worse case scenario, sell it to the used appliance store

I promise you, you will not have a hard time selling a washer/dryer in Los Angeles.

And of course, there's always that chance your next rental will have hookups.