Things in NYC real estate ads I don't understand
So, you see a place advertised in the NY Times. Curious as you are, you click on it and see that one of the things mentioned in an appartment with an asking price of close to $2.5m 'washer-dryer' . I realised I have seen that more than once. And it really doesn't make any sense to me; why would you list two appliances in the information about an appartment that pirce? I mean, it's hardly like a washer and a dryer are unique additions to your home.
Congratulations America
I would assume that the appliances are included in the sale (this is not typical, with any appliances*), and my guess is that this is not an overly pricey place for at least some parts of NYC.
Regardless, here if I were buying and I liked the appliances in a place I would ask if they were included.
*dishwashers are normally the exception
We're stuck in a bloody snowglobe.
short hand for washer and drier hookups at the very least? That could justify its own mention. Around here laundry mats aren't exactly lovely places to be.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
Indeed, its probably talking about there being these machines/hookups in-unit, which is way better than a building laundry room or laundromats, both of which are common in NYC and suck. I would kill for an in-unit washer/dryer.
"When I meet God, I am going to ask him two questions: Why relativity? And why turbulence? I really believe he will have an answer for the first." - Werner Heisenberg (maybe)
I didn't think it would make much of a difference because laundry rooms here are free and very good but holy crap did it change my life. I can see how it may be a reasonably interesting selling-point in a nation beset by impractical plumbing and frustrating appliance-deficiencies, even when you're talking about ridiculously expensive apartments.
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
Ok, but how much would it cost you to put in those and how does that make a relevant difference when you're looking at a place in that price-range?Originally Posted by wiggin
My present kitchen is in what used to be a bedroom when I bought my place. To do that I had to upgrade the electric system and get water to that room, not to mention having drains installed. If I'd be looking at a place without hookups for a washer (I can't really imagine what hookups you'd need for a dryer other than an outlet) I'd simply calculate having one installed into the equation.
Congratulations America
I think you answered your question yourself. It's not the price of the washing machine/dryer that makes the difference to a 2 Million apartment. It's the installation of those. Depending on the situation this can cost a lot. Sometimes there is just no good solution, because of the layout of the apartment. So yes, I think this is relevant information.
"Wer Visionen hat, sollte zum Arzt gehen." - Helmut Schmidt
Finally, an advantage to living in a town with the population of a Manhattan building.
Hope is the denial of reality
Took you long enough to find one.
"Wer Visionen hat, sollte zum Arzt gehen." - Helmut Schmidt
People drive more patiently, too.
Hope is the denial of reality
People drive in Manhattan? Crazy
"Wer Visionen hat, sollte zum Arzt gehen." - Helmut Schmidt
plus filing for permits and trying to bribe/convince your HOA.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
The US market has some incongruous quirks: if you're rich enough to buy a million dollar property, in an urban hub like LA or NY, maybe you're not doing your own laundry anyway. But if you're on the cusp, trying to live in a wealthy environment without a compatible income, doing your own laundry can be a big cost-saver.
Exactly.
Unles you don't have a kitchen and bathroom there is no way that could seriously stand in the way of owning your own washer and dryer. During my student times I have used washing machines that were simply hooked up (when needed) to a regular tap with the waste water being disposed of through a regular sink. It's not ideal, but it works. As for the dryer; if you buy a model that condenses the humid output into a container there is no need for an outlet at all.
Meaning; the changes needed are of the kind that do barely or not at all exceed normal repairs and/or maintenance.
Now you could of course create some hysterical scare about leaking appliances, but that also would be nothing more than that. A washing machine that was installed 10 years ago 100% up to whatever code you could come up with could burst a pipe as we speak today causing a flooding of biblical proportions.
Congratulations America
and you can buy a dishwasher that sits on your counter and uses the sink faucet. Doesn't mean its any good, and if you're dropping a couple million on a house you're gonna want appliances that work at the to of their class and aren't going to draw snorts or questions from house guests.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
If your appartment is a (couple of) million(s) dollars, a new washer/dryer is a drop in the bucket (frankly, even sending someone to a laundromat for you every week is relatively cheap then). Only if it's actually rare to have a place where you can put it, I guess it makes sense.
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
The median price in new york is 1.2 million, and i suspect this is the main reason. Dread should comment here, in the past I do believe he has made threads about hand spun washers/driers and those that don't vent outside.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
A washing machine works perfectly fine the way I described it. The reason why I mentioned that way of operating one is that there is NO way you can technically stop people operating a washing machine or a dryer in their house as actual changes to the plumming are not necessary. So, why make such a big deal out of the washer-dryer thing. It's tantamount to telling the real estate you're selling has doors that actually can be locked.
Congratulations America
Exactly, even putting in the pipes is a minor job. It's like nothing compared to installing an induction cooker in your kitchen; now that takes some serious re-wiring. As for the dryer; nothing other than an outlet needed.
Congratulations America
If most properties in the area don't have locking doors, then yeah, locking doors are a selling point. You can of course macgyver a million different ways to secure a nonlocking door, but most of them are going to look like shit. A valid, legit, and fully functional washer and dryer generally requires a duct and drain standpipe. The standpipe could possibly be managed without alerting the building manager/HOA/landlord but the exhaust would likely require modifying the exterior of the building, and in new york thats such a bitch to do that having the hook ups already installed are worthy of their own space in a property listing.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
Why so? Or you mean if you had gas before. Well, yes switching between electro and gas is difficult. No matter if it's induction or not.
BTW induction cookers
"Wer Visionen hat, sollte zum Arzt gehen." - Helmut Schmidt
Induction cookers
Keep on keepin' the beat alive!
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
Yes, that was a move from gas to induction. At the time we also did away with the gas heater for the water and in stead got an electric heater which needed a lot more juice than anything else we ever owned.Why so? Or you mean if you had gas before. Well, yes switching between electro and gas is difficult. No matter if it's induction or not.
BTW induction cookers
As for the mention above of an 'exhaust', what exhaust? I have not owned a dryer with an exhaust in 2 decades. All a quality dryer needs is an outlet.
Congratulations America
A VAST majority of american dryers vent the moisture and heat out of the home via a dryer vent. Unless things have changed in the past few years condensing dryers are slow and less efficient and heat pump dryers are ridiculously expensive, are still new to consumers, and getting the kinks and expectations worked out.
Last edited by Ominous Gamer; 12-15-2015 at 04:32 PM.
"In a field where an overlooked bug could cost millions, you want people who will speak their minds, even if they’re sometimes obnoxious about it."
Hmmm. You'd be hard pressed to find a vented dryer for sale these days in Sweden. Almost all of them are heat-pump dryers.
"One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."
Condensing dryers are marginally slower and marginally less efficient. I can't recall the last time I actually sat in front of my dryer to wait for the laundry. The thing usually runs at night.
Congratulations America
Wait, Sweden has free laundry?
Minxie linked to the relevant article, but getting a washer/dryer installed in many buildings is no small feat. Even if you have a bathroom/kitchen that's large enough for the contraption (and they must be in a bathroom/kitchen to satisfy code), an individual building may have all sorts of requirements that make it prohibitively expensive. Or an outright ban.
EG, many older buildings here require you to replace risers if you're going to open-up your walls for any reason such as running a water/drain extension. This means that something like adding a washer may as well be a full kitchen renovation.
The dryers are a whole other issue, as they must either vent into a pre-existing vent in the building that is designed for such a purpose or be ventless. My building has a few scofflaws who vent their dryers into regular air ventilation shafts. Lint piles-up and blocks ventilation for the entire apartment line. Forced removal/litigation ensues.
Years ago in my old place, I briefly considered replacing my dishwasher with a washer-only machine because I air-dry most of my clothes. But the building's communal facilities are sufficient depending on the number of insane people also trying to use it at the same time.
Dread, I don't understand why new laundry and dishwashing technology wouldn't be adopted by landlords....unless they're making a profit by keeping old/outdated ways.
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