9 Tips for Buying Appliances for Your New Home

Buying a home can be exciting and stressful. It’s also a great time to purchase the large appliances you want, including a fridge, dishwasher and washer and dryer.

If you’re not sure how to approach purchasing these items, read on. We have some helpful tips.

Browse the Aisles

Start by going to a store that sells appliances, such as Best Buy or Sears, and browsing the aisles. This will help you get an idea of what’s out there, and what different options cost. For example, refrigerators may cost anywhere from about $250 to upwards of $1,400. Take notes on brands and models.

Browse Online

Next, go home and search for the appliances you need online. Sites like Best Buy, The Home Depot, Costco, Lowe’s, and Amazon sell a lot of appliances. You’ll probably find additional models you’re interested in.

Read Reviews

Next, look up the specific appliances you’re most interested in, and read the reviews. Not all sites will have them, but Amazon will. Another great resource is Consumer Reports, though accessing their information requires an online subscription.

Compare Different Products

It can be tempting to buy the first fridge, freezer, or other large appliance that excites you, but hold off on doing that. Make a list of your favorites and compare them.

One thing to really think about is what options you need. Do you absolutely need that fridge with a bottom freezer that opens like a drawer, or is a fridge with a top freezer fine? The latter may be several hundred dollars cheaper.

By comparing early, you can narrow down your choices based on reliability, features, and price, and make the best choice for your home.

Measure Twice, Buy Once

The last thing you want is to purchase a great new dishwasher only to find out it won’t fit in the space for it under your sink. So measure the space before you buy.

In addition, make sure there’s room for the doors. If that washer door swings out too far in your small laundry room, that could be a problem. Make sure the doors can open fully in the space.

Space Configuration

Make sure the space and the product are configured to work together. For example, make sure the dryer you get can use the exhaust port in the space. If you get a fridge that can make ice cubes, make sure there’s an incoming water source. Before you get a gas stove, make sure there’s an incoming gas line for it.

Consider Bundled Items

Sometimes, you can get two appliances in a bundle. This is especially true for washers and dryers, which often come in sets, but it can apply to ovens and stovetops, or even other combinations, as well.

If everything in the bundle works for your home, this can not only save you time, but can also save money.

Remember Price Matching

Price matching is when a store offers to drop the price on an item if you can show them that another store is selling the same item for a lower price.

If you’re purchasing expensive appliances, getting your local appliance store to price match can save you hundreds of dollars.

Get Appliances Delivered

While you can always rent a truck and pick up your appliances, moving them yourself is tough. It’s worth the extra expense to have a store deliver them.

Once your new appliances are in place, you’ll really start to feel at home.