Money is so cheap right now that I'd finance it through builder and keep the money in my pocket to buy other stuff that you may need in your new house.

Buy it with the house and let the builder take care of all the hassles. Availability of appliances is an issue for some models and the builder is more likely to get the units than an average customer. The builder's price is installed and working including any hoses, vent connections, taxes and delivery/install charges. Plus you won't have to worry about the installers damaging walls or scratching the flooring. You won't have to sit home waiting for the truck to show up either.

There are many items and services to buy before you are finally settled in your new home. Conserve your cash now and wrap this need into the purchase price, with the lowest cost financing of any type. Save your cash for your emergency fund or if it burns a hole in your pocket, pay down your higher interest car loan. Wait twelve months after closing and then pay down the mortgage balance if you still think it is a good use of funds a year later.

Agree with @Lyndee Lee. You can finance it now and pay it off if you want. You can't finance it later. Save up for window treatments, unless your builder includes those (never heard of that happening but you never know).

Thank you everyone. I like the idea of paying extra with the down payment. I think that could be worked out. Thank you again. anj_p, you are right. Window treatments are not included.

It is certainly convenient to have the builder install stuff because it's done and you just get to move right on in. And if the builder bangs up the walls, they have to fix it before turning the home over to you. When I bought new, my builder had awful options for W&D that were not competitively priced, so I bought it on my own to get the LG pair I wanted.

One thing to consider - it depends on how your state/county determines property taxes. In California, the property tax is generally 1.25% of the transfer price of the home (rate varies by county and municipality, but it's a flat rate). So, if you buy the W&D and other appliances from the builder, the transfer price of the home is increased by that amount and you are taxed on it every year. If you buy $10k of extras, then you pay $125 a year in tax on them (and that $10k baseline increases by 2% per year) in perpetuity. But if you buy the extras on your own, that does not increase the home's base value for taxation. Again, every state is different, and this may be a moot point since this isn't a ton of money and you're only intending to stay for 5 years.

Here in NV the semi-custom builder included stove, frig and DW in package and I could add anything else that was “attached, mounted or secured to house” to mortgage Washers and dryers didn’t qualify but my $12,000 worth of blinds did. Just an FYI so you are clear on your area’s rules.

I am late to this, but did I miss what w/d you get for the $1700? Builders are notorious for overcharging for upgrades and options. I would be interested in which model and brand for each you are speaking of to determine if it represents good value for the money. There are always good financing options available.