Real Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
Moving day is getting close and you are all set with boxes, tape and a truck. But before you begin packing everything in your home, it can be helpful to know which items typically stay with your home and which items should go with you.
Use this list to help you make your move easier and avoid potential conflicts with the homebuyer and buyer’s agent.
Items That Stay
It is important to understand that some items inside and outside of your home are part of your home sale.
Many of these items are fixtures, meaning that they are physically and permanently attached to your home or property.
Remember that you can choose not to include some of these items in the sale of your home. But what you choose to leave or take depends on your situation. If you want to keep something be sure to include it within the list of exclusions in the sales agreement, which your real estate agent can assist you with.
In-ground Items
Any outdoor features secured into the ground such as mailboxes, basketball hoops, and firepits are part of the home sale. This also applies to landscaping elements such as trees, plants or shrubs.
Light fixtures
Even if you were the one who installed that expensive chandelier in the dining room, unless you list it as an exclusion in the sales agreement, it needs to stay. Remember, unless you let the buyer know about it, you should not replace a light fixture with a different one. If you want to replace a light fixture, be sure to do so before listing your home.
Mirrors
This determination comes down to a case-by-case basis. If a mirror is hanging on a wall like a painting, you can take it with you. However, if it is bolted to the wall, you will need to leave it with the home. Typically if it is above a bathroom sink it would stay, unless you let the buyer know otherwise.
Window treatments, cabinet hardware, and doorknobs
You will be expected to leave behind curtain rods, curtain holdbacks, and blinds because they are installed and attached to your home. However, you can remove and pack curtains and drapes and take them with you if you didn’t already agree to leave them for the buyer in the agreement of sale.
Any hardware on your cabinets and doorknobs must stay in place. If you can’t part with a specific feature that you have installed, you must get the buyer to agree to let you replace it before moving out. You can also change these items before listing and or showing your home.
Smoke detectors
You need to leave smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers behind when selling your home. When you negotiate your agreement of sale, your agent will discuss the specific requirements of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy and transfer of ownership for your home in your municipality.
Paint
If you have extra paint or wallpaper you have used in the home, you might want to leave it behind for the new owners as a courtesy in case they need to perform any repairs or touch-ups.
Items That Go
There are also items in your home that are not part of the sale. However, there may be exceptions depending on your specific situation.
Appliances
Most of your appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, are not technically part of the sale of your home. However, this can vary from sale to sale, and it is typical for appliances to be left to the new homeowners.
If you are not planning to include appliances in the sale of your home, make sure to include this information in the sales contract. Also, if the appliances are being included and they are vintage, it is wise to include them in “As Is” condition.
Built-in appliances like dishwashers and some microwaves and ovens are fixtures and are therefore included in the sale. If you are leaving appliances behind, make sure to also leave any manuals and warranty information.
Hot tubs and above-ground pools
A standalone hot tub or above-ground pool isn’t necessarily part of a home sale. However, you might want to include them anyway due to the expense and difficulty of moving these items. Also, due to the age of these you may want to include them “As Is” as well.
Furniture
Unless you have negotiated and agreed with the buyer to leave and include it with the purchase of the home or to sell certain items separately, all of your indoor and outdoor furniture will come along with you on your move. Any built-in items such as shelving, desks or benches, will need to stay.
Remember to always be thankful for the service of our veterans past, present and future. We are grateful for their sacrifices and dedication to provide the freedoms that we enjoy here in the United States of America.
For real estate information and advice, contact Elisa Jo Eagan, the “Real Estate Godmother,” at 609-703-0432. Learn more at
www.TheRealEstateGodmother.com.
For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan “The Real Estate Godmother” (609)703-0432 and Remember…”There’s No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!”
