What things MUST be left behind when you sell your house?
There are a lot of steps when it comes to the process of buying and/or selling a home. One matter that people do not often think about is which household or property items stay or go when a house is sold. Here is a short and sweet list I put together that will help you decipher what should stay and what can go during this process.
Attachments
This refers to if the item is quite literally attached to the home or property. If it is nailed down, bolted, mounted, glued, or even cemented in, it will most likely stay behind. Yes, this applies to landscaping as well. As a seller, you cannot uproot your favorite apple tree to take with you, sorry! However, if you desperately want to take a lighting fixture with you that, say, may have been passed down in your family, take the fixture out before you list the house and replace it with a different lighting fixture.
Adaptability
This refers to the adaptability of a particular item for the use of the property. For example, equipment that is built-in and requires special wiring adapted specifically for that property (such as speakers, alarms, etc.) is considered real property and should convey with the sale.
Intentions
This refers to the intentions of both the buyer and the seller of the house. If it is mentioned in the purchase agreement that the fridge in the kitchen is “not included in the sale,” then the seller’s intentions are obvious. Beating around the bush about what you want to take or leave can lead to a no-deal.
Agreement
This refers to the actual agreement between the buyer and the seller. The purchase agreement should list everything correctly and specifically so that there is no controversy later on. Try not to be petty about the purchase agreement and what goes and/or stays, that could tank the sale. Do you know the term, “what you see is what you get,”? Home buyers will not have a clue about if what they see is what will they will get unless those items are specified in the purchase agreement.
Relationships
This refers to the relationship of the parties. If the parties agree on what has been discussed, then all is well! Always check with a local attorney if any problems arise.
If you are still unsure about what you can be taken and what must be left when buying and/or selling a home, let’s schedule a meeting! Contact me and we can work something out! Send me
Diane Waschenko
(914) 447-5847
diane.waschenko@cbrealty.com