Home buyers and tenants look for properties with their own washers and dryers

The availability of a roomy laundry increases the value of apartments

Christmas holidays have gone by and after two weeks partying, time has come for the clean-up. It’s time to get the laundry done for those who do not have their own washers and dryers at home. Does that sound strange?  Well, only 20% of sale and rental listings are about apartments with their own washers and dryers in New York.

Of course, demand is increasing and condominium developers are increasingly including these domestic appliances in the standard package; indeed, newly-built coops for sale in Manhattan offer washing machines. Appraisal companies say the availability of a roomy laundry or of a washer/dryer closet can increase the value of a dwelling.

The price of houses and apartments fitted with these ultimate conveniences can be 5% higher than the price of properties that do not have them. Home buyers look for homes with their own laundry closet that may be tucked behind louvered doors or carved out of a hallway, but it is privately owned and not shared with other coowners. For this reason washers and dryers are being made increasingly available in condo apartments.

The interest in washing machines is being staked by new technologies, too. Front-loading models can be easily adapted and tucked in a kitchen alcove, so they are smaller and need less space. Furthermore, they are more energy-efficient and “bill-friendly”. They need less water and electricity than old models and ventless dryers do not need an air pipe, which is very helpful for residents who live in buildings that do not allow breaching exterior walls.

Due to the high interest in apartments featuring washers and dryers, some buildings are revoking old bans and are now allowing these modern appliances. This is happening also in the luxury-rentals market. The absence of washers and dryers may hamper the sale/rent of apartments; despite this, some engineers are against policy changes. They are concerned about wear and tear deriving from too much soap in 1980s-buildings.

Having one’s own laundry might help families saving their money, as they may avoid paying for having their clothes washed in the washer located in the basement of the building. Apartments in multi-unit buildings in Brooklyn are more spacious and allow having small laundry rooms with washers and dryers for the exclusive use of the owners.

The needs of home owners and residents change according to the evolution of society. State-of-the-art technologies and modern domestic appliances are increasingly required, as they represent a way to make life more comfortable and to save energy and money.

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