Before putting your home on the market, it’s important to know what items you should leave behind for the buyer and what you can take with you. Real estate professionals often use the term “convey” to describe items that remain with the property after a sale. Items not included are considered non-conveying. Understanding this distinction can help you avoid confusion and negotiate effectively.
Some items, such as appliances, can be used as bargaining tools if a buyer shows interest. For instance, leaving behind a refrigerator or washer and dryer could sweeten the deal and potentially lead to a higher purchase price. However, if you’re planning to remove certain items, be sure to document this clearly in your contract to avoid any misunderstandings later.
Built-in Items: What Always Stays
Generally, anything permanently attached to the home is expected to stay. Built-in bookshelves, light fixtures, bathroom vanities, and kitchen cabinets are prime examples of items that convey with the property. Similarly, any appliances that are fixed in place, such as stoves or built-in ovens, usually remain unless stated otherwise in the sale agreement.
Flooring, carpeting, security systems, and smoke detectors are also considered part of the house and should not be removed. Outdoor features like shrubs, trees, and landscaping are included unless otherwise negotiated. Even small details like leftover paint for the walls can be helpful to leave for the new owners. If there’s a specific fixture you wish to take, such as a family heirloom light, it’s best to replace it before showing your home to buyers.
Negotiable Items: Appliances and Furnishings
While built-in items stay, some appliances and furnishings fall into a gray area. Freestanding appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers are not automatically included but can be offered as a negotiating perk. Buyers often expect these items to remain, so if you plan to take them, clarify this early in the process and include it in the contract.
Other items, such as furniture or outdoor playsets, are negotiable depending on the buyer’s preferences. For example, if a buyer shows interest in your couch or a swing set you no longer need, offering it as part of the sale could make your home more appealing. However, leaving these items behind is entirely optional and subject to mutual agreement.
Personal Belongings: What Goes With You
Anything not attached to the house, like furniture, artwork, rugs, or personal decor, should go with you when you move. Outdoor furniture, such as patio sets or umbrellas, is also yours to take unless the buyer expresses interest and you agree to leave it behind.
If you intend to remove something that is typically considered part of the property, such as a custom chandelier or prized garden plants, make this clear in the listing and communicate it to potential buyers. Being upfront can prevent disputes and ensure a smoother transaction.
In some cases, sellers may offer to include all furnishings and appliances in the sale. This can complicate transactions involving loans. Lenders and appraisers do not account for furniture in a home’s valuation. If the sale price is inflated to include these items, the house may appraise for less than the agreed-upon amount, leaving buyers to cover the difference.
To avoid issues, carefully consider what you’re leaving behind and ensure the contract accurately reflects these details. And, if you need to sell the house without the hassle of removing old contents from inside, feel free to give us a call! We will buy your house as is, and will assume contents if necessary.
If you want to sell your house fast, give Meadows Property Group a call today!
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