Black Friday for Landlords: Where to Buy Durable Essentials

Black Friday isn’t just about snagging a new TV or laptop. For landlords and property managers, this shopping season is a prime opportunity to invest in durable essentials for your rental properties without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a homeowner renting out a single unit or a manager of multiple properties, planning a landlord supplies checklist for Black Friday can save you thousands in maintenance and upgrade costs over the long run. The key is to focus on quality, and take advantage of limited-time deals. In recent years, retailers have stretched Black Friday into a weeks-long event (for example, one home improvement chain’s 2024 sale ran from early November to early December), giving you plenty of time to find bargains. From major appliances to cleaning supplies, almost every item on a landlord’s checklist can be found at a hefty discount if you know where to shop. Below, we break down the best places to buy those durable essentials this Black Friday and what kinds of deals to expect.

Major Appliances: High-Value Essentials at Low Prices

For most landlords, big-ticket appliances are among the most important (and costly) investments. Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers are the workhorses of a rental home. Black Friday is famously one of the best times to buy appliances, with prices often slashed 40%. In fact, Consumer Reports notes that large appliance sales on Black Friday have featured 40% savings off regular prices. Major retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy typically run extensive Black Friday appliance sales. For example, Lowe’s “Black Friday Buildup” sale last year offered up to 40% off select kitchen and laundry appliances from brands like Whirlpool and Samsung.

When hunting for appliance deals, keep an eye out for bundle offers. Many stores give extra discounts when you buy appliance packages (e.g. a fridge + range + dishwasher combo) a strategy that can save landlords even more when outfitting an entire unit. It’s also worth checking if retailers include free delivery or haul-away of old units as part of the deal (common during holiday sales). Most importantly, use Black Friday as a chance to choose durable, reliable models that might normally be above your budget. Instead of settling for the cheapest no-name stove, you could score a mid-range or premium-brand appliance at a deep discount. For instance, one new homeowner shared that they snagged a high-end GE Profile induction stove for $850 off the normal price during a Black Friday sale, a huge upgrade made affordable. These quality appliances not only last longer (saving you repair headaches) but also make your rental more attractive to tenants. If you’ve been delaying replacing an aging fridge or adding an in-unit washer/dryer, Black Friday might be the ideal time to make that investment at a fraction of the cost.

Tools and Maintenance Gear: Stock Up for Repairs and Upkeep

Every landlord needs a solid toolkit. Whether you handle repairs yourself or just keep basic supplies on hand for maintenance crews, owning quality tools and equipment is essential for property upkeep. The good news is Black Friday is tool season, hardware stores and home improvement retailers roll out some of their best deals on tools, ladders, and other equipment. You’ll often see 50% off or more on selected tool sets and gadgets. In fact, seasoned deal-hunters note that it’s not uncommon for quality tools to be half price, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on gear that will last years. For example, Home Depot and Lowe’s frequently slash prices on power tool combo kits (drills, saws, drivers, etc.) and may even throw in bonus items like extra batteries or accessories at no extra cost. One landlord on a forum shared that they grabbed a heavy-duty Ridgid wet/dry shop vacuum for $59 (normally $119) during a Black Friday event, a 50% discount on a practical tool for cleanup and emergencies. Similar bargains can be found on everything from cordless drills to carpet cleaners around this time.

Prioritize durability when selecting tools on sale. Brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch have reputations for longevity, and Black Friday can bring their prices closer to off-brand tools. For instance, rather than buying a bargain drill that might burn out after a year, you might find a reliable brand-name drill set marked down 30-40%. Also consider stocking up on maintenance supplies that tend to get used often: drill bits, paint brushes, plumber’s snake, a quality ladder, and safety gear. Even smaller items like packs of lightbulbs, outlet covers, or tool organizers can see special holiday pricing. If you have multiple properties, look out for bulk savings deals (some stores offer “buy one, get one” or discounts for buying multiples during Black Friday). By equipping your tool arsenal during sales, you’ll be ready for any repair job without overspending. It’s all about buying smart: a well-built tool on sale will serve you far better (and longer) than a cheaply made one bought full-price. Load up now and you won’t find yourself scrambling (or paying premium) for a wrench or drill when the next leaky faucet or loose cabinet hinge pops up.

Smart Home & Safety Upgrades: Tech Deals for Modern Rentals

In today’s rental market, smart home features and security upgrades can set your property apart. Black Friday is the perfect time to add these tech enhancements to your units, as gadgets and electronics see steep discounts. Smart locks, video doorbells, security cameras, and smart thermostats are popular sale items this time of year, and landlords can leverage these deals to improve both security and convenience at their properties. For example, Wi-Fi enabled electronic door locks allow keyless entry for tenants (and easy code changes between tenants), and they often drop in price during holiday sales. One property owner on Reddit shared that they bought a bundle of smart home devices on Black Friday, including a smart lock and a video doorbell for about 30% off their usual price. Similarly, smart thermostats (like Nest or Ecobee) and security camera kits frequently go on sale at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, or Costco, sometimes 20–30% off or with added incentives. It’s wise to monitor Amazon’s Black Friday week lightning deals on these items; last year, many Ring and Blink camera sets, as well as popular smart lock brands, were marked down significantly.

Don’t overlook traditional safety essentials either. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and security lighting are all critical items for landlordsو and they too can see Black Friday promotions at home improvement stores. If your rentals need updated detectors or you want to provide each unit with an extinguisher, check Black Friday ads from places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Walmart. You might find combo packs of smoke/CO alarms or multi-packs of LED security lights at a discount. Even basic electronic safes or smart water-leak sensors can be on sale, which add peace of mind for you and your tenants. Upgrading to smart home tech and robust safety gear not only protects your investment but also makes your property more appealing. Renters appreciate features like smart thermostats (for energy savings) or video doorbells (for security), and you’ll appreciate having remote oversight (for instance, getting alerts from a smart water sensor before a minor leak becomes a flood). Since these devices can be pricey normally, grab them when Black Friday knocks the price down. With a bit of shopping savvy, you can modernize your units and increase their value proposition to tenantsو all while staying well within budget.

Cleaning Supplies & Consumables: Bulk Essentials on a Budget

Not all landlord purchases are one-time investments; many are ongoing supplies needed to keep properties clean, safe, and welcoming. Black Friday might not scream “toilet paper and light bulbs” at first, but it’s actually an excellent time to stock up on everyday essentials for your rentals. According to Good Housekeeping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best days of the year to stock up on routine home needs, with discounts of up to 40% off on household staples like paper goods, cleaning supplies, and even toiletries. Big retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco often slash prices on bulk packs of items landlords use frequently. Think paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, air filters, and cleaning products, these are items you or your tenants will always need, and buying them on sale means less running out to the store (and less money spent) later on. For example, last Black Friday Amazon offered hefty deals on batteries (useful for smoke detectors and remotes) and air purifier filters, while Walmart had sales on large packs of cleaning wipes and floor cleaners. If you maintain furnished rentals or provide move-in starter kits, this is the time to grab things like dish soap, sponges, and lightbulbs in bulk. A home editor who tracks deals noted seeing around 25–40% off even on mundane items like storage bags, vitamins, and cleaning cloths during Black Friday, savings that definitely add up when you’re buying for an entire property or multiple units.

Beyond cleaning supplies, consider other “consumables” or minor equipment a landlord might need over time. For instance, paint and painting supplies: some home improvement stores run Black Friday promotions on paint, tool kits for painting, or discounts on gallons when you buy a certain amount, handy if you plan to repaint units soon. Also, locks and keys: it’s wise to have spare door lock sets and keys; sometimes you’ll find door hardware sets on sale, which you can keep in reserve for tenant turnover. Even furnishings and decor that boost durability can be on holiday sale, for example, durable vinyl flooring planks, window blinds, or weather-resistant doormats have been seen at 30-50% off in Black Friday promotions. If you know you’ll need to replace something like window blinds or a rug soon, grabbing it during the Black Friday frenzy could save you a sizable chunk of cash. The strategy here is to anticipate your yearly needs: buy a year’s worth of HVAC filters, cleaning chemicals, or light bulbs now, when they’re on sale, so you’re not paying full price later. By treating Black Friday as a restocking event for your rental business, you ensure you’re always prepared, and at a lower overall cost. After all, every dollar saved on essentials is a dollar added to your bottom line as a landlord.

Invest Now, Save Later

A smart landlord knows that cutting costs shouldn’t mean cutting corners. Black Friday offers that rare win-win: you can invest in higher-quality, durable supplies for your rentals while spending significantly less than you would at any other time of year. By focusing on the areas above–appliances, maintenance tools, smart home upgrades, and everyday supplies–you’ll cover the most important bases of property management. Every upgrade or bulk purchase you make at a discount now is an investment in your property’s future performance. New, energy-efficient appliances bought on sale can attract responsible tenants and even allow for a slight rent premium. Reliable tools and spare parts mean quicker fixes and happier renters. Modern smart locks or thermostats set your listing apart from the competition. And a closet full of discounted paper towels and air filters means you’re always ready for the next turnover or minor fix without an extra trip to the store.

At Hard Hat Housing, we understand the value of maximizing your rental investment, because we’re property people too. Our mission is to help you succeed as a landlord, from saving money on upgrades to finding quality tenants. We hope these Black Friday tips inspire you to seize the deals and strengthen your rental business for the year ahead. Remember, the goal isn’t just to buy more stuff, it’s to buy smart. With a bit of planning and the right bargains, you can set your rentals up for success and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with well-equipped, well-maintained properties. Happy hunting this Black Friday, and happy landlording!

Ready to take your rental property to the next level? List your property with Hard Hat Housing today and connect with a community of quality tenants. Contact us to se how our platform can help fill your vacancies faster, let’s make your next leasing success story together.