How important is a dishwasher

[Stephen N.]

I'm about to start a new rehab on a starter home in an older neighborhood. It is a nice quiet neighborhood. Not a war zone but not really upscale either. the ARV will be $100k.

The house doesn't have a dishwasher. My question is whether I should worry about having one installed. I personally don't know how people make it without a dishwasher, but I also don't know how people live in a 1300 sq ft house with only one full bath either.

So what should I consider before deciding whether to do it or not?

[Andy J.]

If you're doing a full blown rehab and changing out the cabinets then absolutely yes, put a dishwasher in. If you don't, there's a good possibility that many potential buyers won't like the house just because of that, and you'll be unlikely to know the real reason behind why you're not getting offers. The kitchen is where everyone congregates, when an agent is done showing the house they'll stand around in the kitchen and talk about things.

Note - The Kitchen Sneak Attack: because people naturally gather in the kitchen I recommend putting a bowl of candy on the counter. Consumption of sugar releases endorphins into the brain which creates pleasurable feelings. Make people happy when they're in your house!

Depending on whether you'll be using white, black, or stainless appliances and what kind of cabinets, you can actually buy a dishwasher for cheaper than the cabinet that would take its place (especially if you buy it on craigslist).

I bought a hardly used, 1 year old, black dishwasher on craigslist a few months back for $100. I think the 24" cabinets I buy (off the shelf home depot) are easily $50+ more. Considering it's probably a little more for installation in comparison with the cabinet, run a water line, route the drain line, it probably works out to about the same price if you shop around.