Before you put the home up for sale, you will want to figure out what items you absolutely want to take with you and what might be up for discussion. There are certain things that are generally considered to be part of the home and others which are often negotiable. If you know where you will be moving to next, then you are already one step ahead of the game because you know what is in your new place.

As a general rule, items that are not attached go with the seller. If there are things you are absolutely certain you want to take with you that are attached, make sure you tell your real estate agent so that they are included as part of the listing.

Some people, especially if they are downsizing or moving far away, may choose to include the furniture as part of the package. This can be tricky because furniture will not factor into an appraisal value so if it adds significant numbers to the sale price then the sale may need to be done separately apart from the Purchase/Sale Contract.

Items that come into question:

Lighting

Lighting fixtures are often something that people are attached to because they frequently reflect personal style, though generally lighting fixtures are considered to be part of the home. Fixtures are to remain in the home unless the seller explicitly stated the item is not to be included in the sale. The seller also needs to ensure that the item will be removed without damage to the home. Lamps are moveable items and are considered personal items that can be claimed by the seller when they vacate the home.

Appliances

Appliances are often an area where the buyer and seller can negotiate. In some cases, the buyer may actually prefer that the seller remove appliances because they have their own. Other times, the seller may be ready to take the appliances but could use them as an incentive to get the buyer to pay the list price because the buyer won’t have to pay for new appliances. If you are absolutely certain that you want to take the appliances with you, make sure your agent notes that. If you are willing to negotiate, let your agent know that too. Most appliances are moveable items that the seller would normally be allowed to remove from the home.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are another area that can be negotiated. Often window treatments were bought to fit the specific size and shape of the windows and so the seller may not be interested in taking them to a new home. If you are planning to leave the window treatments behind, be sure to let your agent know so that it can be added to the listing. This is often a great selling point to use because it means the person can move in and not have to worry about privacy.

Selling Resources

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