5 Costco Buys Landlords Can't Ignore

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Owning a rental house is far from a passive income source, but it can be a fulfilling way to pass the time, gain equity, and cash flow at some point. For many small-time landlords who own just a few units, Costco is a must-visit destination. You can find all kinds of supplies that you will need to maintain your homes at great prices that will help your budget go a lot further.

Without further hesitation, I present to you my top Costco picks for landlords.

1. Franklin 7000+ Stud Finder

Price: $33.99

Every landlord needs a stud finder so they hit studs and miss electrical cabling when doing DIY on their units. But more importantly, they need a chance to run the device across their bodies, declare they've "found one," and pass the tradition on to their children.

There's not much else to say here -- stud finders for the win, and Costco stud finders for the winner.

2. Appliances

Price: $349 and up

As a landlord, your tenant is likely going to expect a few things from you, such as appliances. Whether you need a refrigerator, a stove, a dishwasher, or an over-the-range microwave, Costco has you covered.

Basic refrigerators start at $579 for an 18-cubic-foot top freezer refrigerator in white, or $599 for one in stainless steel. These will fit in most apartments or homes with very little worry (my house is impossible to get things into and mine fit just fine).

In addition, smooth top ranges start at $679, dishwashers start at $529, and over-the-range microwaves that include vents come in at $349.

3. Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor & Shutoff with 2 Smart Leak Detectors

Price: $529.99

There are some smart tools that are kind of useless for landlords, and better for homeowners, but this one is almost the polar opposite. Although homeowners can certainly benefit from knowing there's a water leak, they're also far more likely to notice the symptoms on their own. A landlord can only rely on their renters, who may be hesitant to report issues because they don't want repair technicians coming into their homes.

Well, a smart water monitor solves that conundrum by constantly monitoring water pressure and reporting when anything isn't right. It attaches directly to your plumbing, allowing the water to flow through it as it constantly checks the water pressure. When the water pressure drops, it knows right away, and so do you.

It might not necessarily be able to tell you where the issue is, but it will tell you there is one before your property suffers substantial water damage.

4. Gutter guards

Price: $39.99 and up

Water is the enemy of structures big and small, and one of the weak points of any rented home is the gutter system. Many renters don't even know they need to maintain the gutters, and if you have a multifamily property, you may be the one on the hook for the cleaning regardless. Either way, making it easier to keep the water flowing is the name of the game.

Costco offers a couple of different styles of gutter guards that can be used with most gutter systems. You can choose from stainless steel numbers that can also help protect against wildfires, if your area is prone to them (no smoldering embers in the gutters is a good start) or aluminum clip-in guards that are better for ice and snow.

Gutter guards start at $39.99 for 24-foot lengths, they're simple to install, and can literally prevent years and years of headaches if they're checked and flushed once in a while.

5. Little Giant MegaLite+ 18 ft. Reach Ladder with Leg Levelers

Price: $189.99

There's always that one weird space that's hard to get to with a regular ladder, or you find yourself with one ladder that's too short for the job, and the other is still at home in the garage. It happens every stinking time. That's why you need one of these multi-position ladders.

Instead of hoping you can get there with eight feet of ladder, a multi-position ladder allows you to change the height of the ladder to a maximum of 18 feet of reach. You can also make one leg longer than the other for work over stairs, or use the leg levelers for work on uneven ground (like when you install those gutter guards).

Multi-position ladders are the stuff of legends, and this one is rated to hold 300 pounds -- just don't stand on the top step.

Thinking about becoming a landlord? Consider Costco

It might seem like a reach, but seriously, Costco has a lot of what you need for being a landlord. From tools to help you make repairs, monitors to keep you aware of problems as they happen, and even cleaning supplies to get your unit ready for the next tenant, there's a ton Costco can offer you. The discounts can be substantial, which also helps to lower your operating costs without compromising the quality and long-term value of your property.

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Kristi Waterworth has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .