Replace NEW white appliances with stainless steel?

[Chatree C.]

Hi, I'm running numbers for the property I'm considering for rental and one crazy thought I have is that they put in new typical-looking white kitchen appliances - fridge, stove, dishwasher. I'm considering replacing them to stainless steel to potentially attract more renters and get better rent.

The cost would be ~$1000-1500 after selling the existing appliances. Not sure if it's worth it. On the other hand, I could use this money on something else that increases the house value.

The market is in Redwood City - SF Bay Area. It's a 3/2 that should rent around $4200, close to FB, Google, Stanford, downtown. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

[Jessica Zolotorofe]

We just had the same issue in a rental but with black appliances. My opinion is that there is no question stainless updates the place and makes people pay more because they think it's more modern and new. BUT, try to see if you can either get lightly used stainless appliances, sell the white ones to offset your cost, or sometimes the same model has stainless panels for the front of the appliances that you switch out or over the white ones, so look into that option, too.

Best of luck!