What Can Home Sellers Take With Them When They Move?

What Can Home Sellers Take With Them When They Move?

It’s a familiar story that happens more often than you think. Buyers and sellers don’t always see eye-to-eye about what stays and what goes during move out. Watch to find out what  home sellers can take with them when they go.

I had a sale recently where the sellers were adamant about taking an electric fireplace that was in the basement family room because it was an important family heirloom. Now if you were a buyer, what would you think about the fireplace going with the seller?

Buying or selling a home can be stressful. And it’s even more stressful when buyers and sellers are unclear about what stays and what goes.

Here’s a rule of thumb so you have more clarity during the buying or selling process.:

According to the MN purchase agreement, anything bolted, nailed, wired, cemented, glued down or permanently affixed to the property becomes a fixture – And fixtures stay behind when the seller leaves.

But anything that’s mobile is considered personal property, which leaves with the seller. So basically, anything that can be removed without causing damage to the home can go with the seller.

Let me give you a few examples:

#1 – Appliances

A stove is considered personal property, because it can easily be unhooked and unplugged, so can go with the seller .

A refrigerator is less mobile, but can still, technically, be moved, so the seller has a right to take it with them – this is why most contracts are written to specifically include ovens, stoves, and refrigerators, washers and dryers, so that it’s clear at closing what stays and goes.

#2 Flooring 

A rug lying on the floor will go with the seller, but any flooring that is tacked, nailed, fitted, or glued down stays. 

#3 Fixtures

Generally, all door knobs, mailboxes, light switches, hardware, light fixtures, and water features transfer to the new owner. 

#4 Televisions

Technically, mounted TV’s aren’t fixed to the home, they’re fixed to the mount, which is fixed to the home. So the general rule of thumb is that the TV goes but the tv mount stays. 

#5 Window Treatments

It makes sense that all blinds and shades are attached and will stay with the home.  But in Minnesota, did you know that curtains and drapes are automatically written into the purchase agreement? So remove any window treatments you want to take with you before putting the home on the market.

Don’t assume everything you see on the property comes with the house. You or your agent should take notes or photos while touring the property of any items that you want to make sure are included in the sale, so your agent can include them in the purchase agreement. 

So what happened with the electric fireplace? Was the buyer upset? In this case, we made it clear in the listing that the fireplace was not included in the sale, and made sure this was also noted in the purchase agreement, so there was no dispute over it at closing. 

If you are selling and plan to take something with you that may be considered a fixture – make sure your agent makes that clear in the listing – or even better, remove the item in question from the house altogether before putting your home on the market. 

If you’re thinking about making a move in the Twin Cities  I can help you through the process. Just send me a message.. No pressure, no sales tactics, just the help and guidance that you need! Myra Jensen at BRIX Real Estate