{"id":19799,"date":"2020-10-26T15:34:43","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T22:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=19799"},"modified":"2024-05-28T21:12:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T04:12:14","slug":"what-to-leave-when-selling-a-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/what-to-leave-when-selling-a-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Negotiations Get Messy – Guide on What to Leave When Selling A House"},"content":{"rendered":"

The smallest of items can become contentious in a real estate deal and ignite a war between buyers and sellers over who gets what. Some of the most common instigators include the dining room chandelier, high-end appliances, and window treatments<\/a>. Take this buyer who posted to Reddit in frustration<\/a> after move-in:<\/p>\n

The seller took the curtains \/ blinds from every room and curtain rods from the bedroom, all the bathroom mirrors, wall sconces from the bedroom, the mini fridge in the basement bar and they even removed the chandelier from the dining room.<\/i><\/p>\n

Which of these complaints does this buyer have the right to be angry about?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe general rule is that anything that\u2019s bolted down should be left in a house, even if it\u2019s a built-in handcrafted by a family member,\u201d says top-selling Huntsville, Alabama agent Susan Chipman<\/a>, who works with 70% more single-family homes than the local average. \u201cBut agents cannot assume that sellers know what items should be left, especially if they\u2019ve been in their home for 20 or 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

To avoid a situation where you fight with the buyer like siblings claiming \u201cmine!\u201d, use this guide that covers what to leave when selling your house vs. what stays. Our goal is to help you navigate those gray-area items most likely to trigger buyers for a peaceful transfer of the home.<\/p>\n

\"It's<\/a>
Source: (Joseph Ngabo \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Disclose if you plan to take any major appliances<\/h2>\n

In the typical home sale, you can assume that all major appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes dryer will need to stay with the home. In fact, some lenders, like those providing FHA loans, require that operational appliances convey with the house<\/a>, or they will not approve the loan.<\/p>\n

Taking appliances you promised to leave also lowers your home\u2019s value. So, if your buyer\u2019s loan was approved with appliances in place, it may not close if they aren\u2019t present at the final walkthrough. That doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t negotiate taking your expensive designer appliances with you. But it must happen before the buyers sign the purchase agreement.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019ve recently installed a pricey Viking range in your newly remodeled kitchen that you\u2019re determined to take with you to your new house. You can pre-disclose in your listing that the sale does not include the stove. Your buyers can try to negotiate to keep the stove, but you have every right to refuse.<\/p>\n

However, the stove can\u2019t just be missing on the buyer’s move-in day \u2014 you need to put in writing when you accept their offer that the stove wasn\u2019t included in the price of the home.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that decisions like these may limit which buyers are able to make offers on your house that doesn\u2019t include an appliance or two. Those with FHA loans will either need you to purchase replacements before the sale goes through, or they\u2019ll be unable to make an offer.<\/p>\n

2. Replace light fixtures and don\u2019t let them see the chandelier<\/h2>\n

Some home sellers who love their custom light fixtures decide to take them along to their next home without letting anyone know. Unfortunately, a few have taken their lighting and just left the wires dangling<\/a> \u2014 and again, that can lead to problems with the appraisal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you want to keep your existing light fixtures, you\u2019ll need to provide a decent replacement. One strategy is to replace any special lighting with generic fixtures you don\u2019t care about. But you\u2019d be wise to make the swap before your house ever hits the market.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne seller wanted to leave up a beautiful chandelier that had been in their family for generations. I told them that swapping it out after accepting an offer will only lead to their buyers being disappointed in the replacement,\u201d recalls Chipman.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better to replace the heirloom chandelier so that the buyers only see the light fixture that they\u2019re going to get.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Repair<\/a>
Source: (Monkey Business Images \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Repair damage created by removing wall mounts<\/h2>\n

The \u201cbolted down\u201d rule can be difficult to interpret with wall-mounted items. Some items, like bathroom mirrors affixed to the wall, will need to stay put while wall-hung family photos need to go. Other items are less clear-cut.<\/p>\n

Take wall-mounted flat-screen televisions. No reasonable buyer would expect you to leave the TV, but some are ready to go to war over whether or not the TV mounting mechanism stays with the house or goes with you. This is in part because of the damage it does to the house when you take it down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not fair if you take a flat-screen TV and its mounting down after accepting an offer, and leave holes in the wall. If you choose to take it with you, then you need to fix that wall,\u201d advises Chipman.<\/p>\n

Any items that are physically attached to the house \u2014 or items that resulted in house modifications upon installation \u2014 should technically convey upon the home sale.<\/p>\n

If you intend to take any of these wall-mounted possessions with you, it\u2019s best to take them down before you list the property in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).<\/p>\n

If that isn\u2019t possible, write out a detailed list of every wall-mounted item that will not convey with the house when it sells. You need to provide this list as soon as possible. Either have it available at showings, or provide it to your buyer when you accept their offer so that it can be discussed during the negotiation period.<\/p>\n

This list should include:<\/p>\n