Amazing! It now appears to me that a good resale value should be a criteria for investing on a lawn mower. I'm most keen about ride-on lawn mowers.
This i beg to differ. as much as i enjoy being a grease monkey, usually DO NOT look at it as an investment. Economics almost always make something that needs work more expensive than getting one that doesn't. Ex. a Farmall was sitting along a street where i grew up and homes were built all around it. I looked up just a rebuild kit and it was more than 1 listed for sale in excellent shape.
Or my 60's Snowbird blower that trying to sell it, didnt get me 50% of the paint expense. lucky i used a paint booth for free.
but once in a blue moon, u do get a steal. Recently i got a stihl HS75 for $40 (just needed splice spark cable) and the seller unloaded a few trimmers along with it. So far i am net +$90 after simple clean carb/fuel hose OK and sold on ebay with a few more to sell.
In other words dont lie to yourself- it is only worth what someone else will pay for item, time and labor and unless u have another u, dont bet on getting your money back. Just enjoy your toys.