What Goes With You When You Sell A Home?

When you are selling a home, you will want to establish what items you will be taking with you in the move and which ones you’ll be leaving behind.

Generally things that are not attached to the property 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 Realtor and so that they are included in the listing and you don’t end up breaking any potential buyer’s heart.

There are several areas which generally feature in this type of discussion:

Lighting: Lighting fixtures are often something that people are attached to because they often reflect personal style. In general things that are attached to the home such as lighting fixtures are generally considered to be part of the home. For example, when I bought my condo, the owners wanted to take their crystal chandelier in the dining room with them. For me this wasn’t an issue, the chandelier wasn’t my style and I was happy with having the chance to replace it with something else. However if I hadn’t known this in advance and I had my heart set on the way the dining room looked with the chandelier it  could have been an issue. 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 ensure that the item 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. Moveable items are considered personal items or possessions of the seller.

Landscaping: Plants, shrubs and trees are items that are affixed to the property and will remain with the home however if you have container gardens or perhaps flower-filled urns on the front porch those can be negotiable. Backyard equipment, such as lawn chairs, tables, swings and grills, are all considered personal items. The swing set may get a bit tricky because it can be claimed that it is attached to the ground in some cases. The seller may often be very willing to sell all of the backyard items for a price.

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.

To learn more about what is generally taken with the home seller and what is left behind in a sale, go here. 

6 Quick Ways To Stage Your Home To Sell

When you put your home on the market, your ultimate goal is to sell it quickly and get the price you’re asking for. Staging a room, or rooms, gives the buyer a great visual that they would like to see in their new home. If you’re planning to put your house on the market this spring here are six home staging tips to make a potential buyer fall in love with your home just like you did.

Clear Out Clutter

A buyer might be turned of if there are toys all over the living room or papers all over the office. Throw away things you don’t need or begin boxing things up for your move. Getting rid of the extra clutter will clear up any space and allow the full potential of the room to show.

Rearrange Furniture

Rearrange your furniture to make your living room a conversation area. Use a coffee table in the center of the room as a focal point and work outward from there. Top it off with a rug and matching throw pillows to create a warm and inviting space.

Use Your Junk Room Wisely

You might have an extra, unused bedroom in your home that has become the ‘junk’ room over the years. Clear it out and add inexpensive furniture to show how functional of a space it can be.

Style The Dining Room Table

A bare table can often look uninviting. Create a cheap, colorful centerpiece with flowers in a vase and set the table with plates, glasses and silverware. Make that formal space come alive in an inviting environment that a potential buyer is sure to love.

Utilize Storage Space

Believe it or not, storage space in a home sells! Don’t pack your closets full of stuff just to get it out of the way because people are going to look in there anyway. Keep your closets clean and organized, and leave the door open if that’s an option.

Keep the Walls Neutral

This is important for all of the rooms throughout your house. You want your home to appeal to both men and women, so neutral colors are the best way to go. You can add pops of color with pillows, throws, lamps and other accessories.

Home staging is the easiest way to show buyers the true potential of your home. Whether you’re completely dressing up the space or making it appear more functional, a buyer will appreciate it and be able to picture how they can use the space.

For more tips on how to stage your home for a showing, visit here.