The laundry room: What to consider when buying a home Rio Rancho NM

Use our tips to make sure the washer and dryer in the house you’re thinking of buying are in good repair.

Local Companies

Pink Sky Enterprises, LLC
505-205-8418
6048 Park Hill Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM
Assurance Home Warranty Corporation
505-319-2022
Local: 2917 Carlisle Blvd. Ste. #108
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque Realtors - The Venturi Team
505-263-0556
9201 Montgomery Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
Lemaster Real Estate Hotline
(505) 892-2655
621 Lakeview Cir SE
Rio Rancho, NM
Fred Colfack Realtor
(505) 828-1076
6501 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
Hammer Bennett Rl Est
(505) 848-1753
2400 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Albuquerque, NM
Qualle Dale Rl Est
(505) 792-7677
10320 Cottonwood Park NW
Albuquerque, NM
Poskey Ray Real Estate Investor
(505) 396-4089
1115 W Avenue D
Lovington, NM
Erickson Scott Realtor
(505) 269-7591
Albuquerque, NM
Sandia Real Estate Brokers
(505) 296-3999
2901 Juan Tabo Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM

provided by: 

You’re in negotiations to buy an older home and the seller offers to throw in the washer and dryer to persuade you to notch up your offer. Before you jump at the deal, ask the owner about the appliances and carefully inspect them.

You can also ask your home inspector to evaluate the appliances’ age and serviceability, but first find out what appliances your state requires the inspector to check and whether he or she must gauge their efficiency or estimate their life span. Your best bet is to take it upon yourself to be thorough and know what you’re getting.

Your real estate agent can ask the seller for the purchase, warranty and repair receipts. This will tell you the age and reliability of the appliances. Older appliances typically demand more energy so assume the higher the energy bills, the older the appliance.

When taking stock of the appliances, the laundry room is particularly important because problems with washers and dryers are costly to repair. Most laundry appliances will last about 12 to 14 years. To test them, turn them on and note whether all the cycles work; whether there’s adequate water pressure as the washer fills and whether the dryer gets warm; and whether there are any leaks or squeaks – signs of worn belts. If the dryer vent is vinyl, it will have to be replaced as vinyl ducts are flammable and are now in violation of safety codes. Next, check the washer hose for cracks, corrosion or blisters, which are signs the inner hose lining has deteriorated and could rupture. Positive features to look for include delicate or hand-wash settings, larger load capacities, low noise level while running and conservation functions, as these indicate newer models.

If you have children, an older washer or dryer could pose another danger. The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that small children can climb in, become trapped and possibly suffocate. The CPSC has guidelines for childproofing your working appliances and those you are discarding.

Even if the appliances work perfectly, replacing them when you can afford to do so will likely save money on your energy bills. In 2003, Americans saved $9 billion by installing ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Published on January 12, 2007

Read full article at realestate.com

Featured Local Company

Pink Sky Enterprises, LLC

Let me Find the Home That's Right for You! Whether you're a First-Time Home Buyer or Just Making a Change. Call me today!

505-205-8418
6048 Park Hill Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM
http://www.pinkskyenterprises.com

OPENING DOORS TO HOME OWNERSHIP IN ALBUQUERQUE AND RIO RANCHO.

PERSONAL AND TIMELY RESPONSE
FINANCING PRE-APPROVAL
HOME SHOWINGS
FREE E-MAIL NOTIFICATION OF LISTINGS
BUYER COUNSELING SESSION
BUYER REPRESENTATION
NEGOTIATION STRATEGY
OFFER PRESENTATION
GUIDANCE THROUGH CLOSING

Opening Doors to Home Ownership


Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History