All Forum Posts by: Jessica Franco

Looking for advice on HVAC brands.

We currently live in our duplex and our 21 year old unit is slowly dying on us. The heat doesn't work properly in the winter (which we managed to get through) but the unit makes some crazy screeching and thumping sounds with the AC running, especially in the middle of the day when it's so hot you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. When we bought the duplex we knew the age of the HVAC so accounted for replacement in our numbers, we actually didn't expect it to last us this long. So we are going to replace it since we will be moving out and placing tenants in there, we dealt with the sounds and no heat, however, I don't think tenants will be too happy. 

We had vendors come out to get estimates on replacing the system, would just love your advice on which system you all may have experience with. Below are the systems and quoted amounts that we are deciding between. All systems priced have a ten year all parts warranty and a one-year labor warranty.

Trane $4,800.00

Rheem $4,500.00

York  $4,600.00

York system with a 10 year labor warranty $5,100.00

Armstrong  $4,200.00

We currently have a Rheem, I have read that the older Rheems are great but they are no longer made the same to last. We would like to get one that has lasted as long as our current one has, but I understand that may be wishful thinking. 

In your opinion which would you go for? Is it worth paying the extra for the york system with 10-year labor warranty? 

I appreciate any advice. 

@JD Martin you are the BOMB!! Thanks for the detailed info, it's late here so I'll read it all again in the morning. I appreciate you taking the time to type that all out!

@Pat L. I do not have a 45 degree angle countertop to worry about on the property in particular, praise the Lord hallelujah! 

However, I'm closing on a property next week that does have one :/ 

@David Silver Wow thank you for all of that information! It sure will come in handy. We are busy upgrading our duplex kitchen in order to justify the rent raise when we move out. We are testing it with our side and if it's successful we will go in on the other side when the current tenants move out. Anything will be better than the current green countertops that we have, also lucky we don't have that 45-degree angle countertop to worry about. I think we are going to keep our sink since it is still in good shape. I'll upload pictures of what we've done so far. The picture with all the stuff on the countertops is the condition we bought the place in, since then, we have removed the wallpaper and painted, ripped out the old flooring and replaced with LVP, painted cabinets and added knobs and pulls. Still in the process of replacing the white appliances with stainless steel. I appreciate your advice and tips!

@Melisa Mahoney Haha oh yes, I spend waaaay too much time on YouTube, I suppose it's not too bad if I'm actually learning something. I was really just reaching out to see if someone here has some lessons learned and what they would or wouldn't do next time or some tips and tricks to make it a smooth process. 

Does anyone have tips on DIY installation of Formica countertops? I'm thinking of grabbing a slab or two from Lowes or HD to replace current 20-year-old green laminate countertops. I have the time, for now, so plan on testing out the replacement on my bathroom countertops and then doing the kitchen if it's successful. I'd love to learn how to do it myself, any tips would be appreciated.  

@Pieter T Van Zyl We haven't started investing in SA yet. We currently self manage our properties here in the States. A few of my family members in SA have rentals so I will most likely be buying near them. We are really looking at expanding our portfolio here in the States and just acquiring a holiday home/Airbnb in SA as we plan on visiting at least once a year (I need to stock up on rooibos and brandy) lol 

@Sihle Mantjabadi it took me a little while to get started. Networking is key! Things are a little slow for everyone with the Covid19 chaos! Hang in there, it will be worth it. 

@Sihle Mantjabadi That is awesome! I was born in Pretoria! How are you enjoying real estate so far? I imagine things are slow with the current situation. 

@Philip Ganz Thank you