Buying a triplex next to ....

[Luis Valdez]

Hey BP Nation! I am considering buying a multIfamIly home that’s has potential. I am new to real estate and looking for advice. The property is in fair condition. However, there are a couple of things that concern me. 1. The home has ceiling tiles like an office, and there are water marks on all each level of the home. 2. The home is next to mini plaza that has a restaurant, barber shop, and bar. (Don't really know if that's a good thing.) 3. There is no washer and dryer in the other unit. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Joel Owens]

Having washers and dryers in units can be tricky.

Some landlords provide the washer and dryer and others let tenants have their own. A KEY is who connects them up and what are the connections used?

Tenants tend to use the cheapest thing possible. Rubber hoses that bust, connections are not screwed on properly for either end, threads are worn out to connect to so need plumbers tape for a tight fit that won't leak. The discharge hose often needs an eyelet hanger screwed in so the hose will not pop out of the drain and water goes everywhere. You need to see if washer and dryer is on main floor or upper floor. Upper floors can cause a lot more damage sometimes than ground floor.

So for a landlord:

1. Check lint exhaust pipe to make sure it has been cleaned to the outside recently and is not backed up. Consider installing a lint trap removal.

2. Make sure the power outlets to plug into are not loose or cracked where they could arc and cause a fire. Also check electrical breaker box and make sure correct breakers brand and size are used for each connection for the brand of panel that is installed. Whole panel might need to be replaced if showing signs of extreme wear.

3. Washer make sure steel braided hoses are used instead of the cheap rubber ones. Connections to put on hoses make sure connections are not rimmed out or worn down and need plumbers tape. At the hot and cold water supply shut off for washer next to the discharge hose see if connection is old style turn handle or newer on or off selection. The old handles people tend to over loosen or tighten as they do not know if it is fully open or closed etc. This can lead to leaks.

4. Make sure eyelet with strap is used to keep discharge hose in place from falling out of drain line.

5. Make sure washer has drain pan underneath in case washer fails.

6. Additionally it can usually be a good idea especially if second level to have a tile floor where the washer and dryer are and have an in floor drain system.

These items can be an upfront cost but can generally pale in comparison to a water leak event.