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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

This was never an issue since washing machines aren't part of the real estate... although they are often included in a sale as personal property.   It makes me think twice about getting a front load washer, though.  I do want a new, non agitating, washer (when mine dies) but think I'll stay away from the front loader.  Thanks for the heads up, Jeff Pearl 

Jun 23, 2016 09:45 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

I have never trusted those front loading washing machines.  They don't use nearly enough water to get your clothes clean.   Thanks for vindicating me.

Jun 23, 2016 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Personal property. No.

He does not have to look at someone's dirty laundry.....

Jun 23, 2016 12:04 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Ways to avoid this problem: remove front gasket and clean it out after about every 10 loads. Run a cycle hot with EITHER a 1/2 cup white vineyar OR household bleach.  NEVER have damp clothing sitting in there all day.  Use a laundry basket that has air vents of some kind and do not use the washer as a laundry basket. If you don't have small children or kittens leave the door open when not in use.  Since washing machine is personal property an inspector for a real estate transaction might recommend buyers read about older front loading washing machines but doing an actual mold test seems excessive. If the machine smells funky don't sell it with the house and avoid complaint or problems

Jun 23, 2016 09:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Those new ones are really bad about it. Sometimes you can smell them a mile away.

Yes they do check & no moldy ones so far.

Passed the link along to a friend with a stinky washer lol.

Jun 23, 2016 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

washing machines are personal property and I hate to see those items as part of the home inspection.....

Jun 24, 2016 12:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I don't inspect anything.  In our state inspectors are not required to inspect personal property.

Jun 23, 2016 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Seller's who leave those Should Not Guarantee them !!!

 

 

Jun 23, 2016 10:15 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I'm not a mold expert so no

Jun 23, 2016 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Yes, you can smell it. Some top loader stackable models suggest you leave the door open. I have seen washers ruined from doing this. Also it is a good idea to do a bleach load once in a while.

Jun 23, 2016 01:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Never.

 

Jun 23, 2016 12:31 PM
Ambassador
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am always very specific that the appliances are freebees, not part of the sale (or rental).

Jun 23, 2016 11:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We have had that happen so usually, we do not include the washer as included except by sellers convenience.

Jun 23, 2016 10:07 AM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's not come up at an inspection as far as I know but I will be on the watch now. Often washers and dryers do not convey in our transactions so it's a non issue. Off to read the article!

Jun 23, 2016 09:17 AM
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

No! I wouldn't ever have thought of that. They do check that the machines work though.

Jun 23, 2016 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I don't inspect so i wouldn't and it is rare for a washing machine to be part of the sale. I have never seen it on any inspection report.

Jun 24, 2016 01:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

In PA washer /dryer are considered personal property and therefore not inspected.  Thanks for information about mold in front loading washers.  Good to know how to prevent.

Jun 24, 2016 10:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I do not think so.

Jun 24, 2016 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,580
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

In Texas washing machines are considered personal property..no inspection needed.

Jun 24, 2016 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

No, because washers and dryers here are personal property and do not convey with sale of home.

Jun 24, 2016 02:59 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I didn't know this was a thing until I bought a front loading machine.  A friend of mine had one and advised me to wipe it down and to leave the door open to let it dry out.  I've never had an issue.

Don't see why a home inspector would check that though.  It's personal property and usually doesn't transfer with the house.

Jun 24, 2016 02:42 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I have never had an inspector check a washer, dryer or refrigerator.   They are typically considered personal property in my market and if they convey, they are included "as is".   

Jun 24, 2016 01:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

That is a great place to look, Yes, he does check that area.

Jun 24, 2016 12:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jeff Pearl Since the wash machine is personal property and normally not part of the offer, I don't see a need for an inspector to look inside.

Jun 23, 2016 11:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

I don't.  It depends whether they are conveying with the property...

Jun 23, 2016 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

In my experience inspectors do check as to whether the machine works, but if they look for mold, I cannot say - have never seen mold in a washing machine.

Jun 23, 2016 10:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I have not seen inspectors do it but i am well aware of what goes on inside them. 

Jun 23, 2016 09:52 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good idea.

Jun 23, 2016 09:45 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

I don't, can't speak for the inspector

Jun 23, 2016 09:35 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,391
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good reminder to check them.

Jun 23, 2016 09:01 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I do!

Jun 23, 2016 06:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It is true, they have these issue if not maintained properly. 

Jun 23, 2016 04:49 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jeff Pearl - now that's something that my home inspectot has rarely done - to best of my knowledge.

Jun 23, 2016 04:16 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I've noticed that on my last few inspections, there was a little sniff test in the washing machine.  I figured that was coming up in the new continuing ed curriculum for inspectors!

Jun 23, 2016 03:02 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I don't know but if there is an area of water there will be a certain amount of mold

Jun 23, 2016 01:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Good question.  I have not. I am not sure about the inspector, but I don't think so.

Jun 23, 2016 12:24 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Often the washer isn't included in the sale...it's excluded. But even when it's included the inspector will check it to make sure it works. 

Jun 23, 2016 11:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I hadn't thought of that, but it is a good idea.

Jun 23, 2016 11:47 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

No, I have never heard of that before Jeff Pearl.  We seen mold in a garage ceiling/wall because of a roof leak, but have never checked the inside of a washer.  Something that I will look at in the future, just to check it out! 

Jun 23, 2016 10:30 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I never would have thought about that either. I guess I'll be on the look out in future and won't be buying one of those.  What a costly mistake for them.

Jun 23, 2016 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Jeff - I don't think I've ever seen that come up on an insection, but I'm personally all to familiar with the problem. Thanks for the link - maybe we have some money coming :)

Jun 23, 2016 08:56 AM