When you sell your home, there are many things to be done, and yet not enough time to get everything done.
There are some things that you might forget about, or simply don’t think about.
There are a lot of things that come into play when selling a home. You must be prepared for the time when it is time to move on.
When you think about leaving something behind in your old house, certain items can cause a problem after the sale.
And the question is what do I have to leave when I sell my house?
We will discuss the things you can do to help you prevent disagreements or arguments after you have closed on your home.
Keep reading to find out more.
How Do You Handle The Appliances
When selling your home, appliances are an integral part of the sale. They are often one of the first considerations when making an offer on a home. Whether it is the oven, dishwasher, washer, or dryer, appliances can be one of the largest investments in your home.
For example, You have a home that you would like to buy, You go inside the home and realized that they have added all new appliances. You have also discovered that the new stainless steel smart GE refrigerator is also coming with the property.
What would be your take on that property? More than likely you would put this property on your make an offer list if the other parts of the property meet your expectations.
If for some reason you are going to take some of the appliances. You would need to make sure that you put this on the exclusion part of the Real Estate Contract.
How To Deal With All Fixtures
Fixtures also tends to be another thing that most sellers tend to not understand. When you are dealing with the fixtures of the home you have to make sure that you know that most times the fixtures stay with the home.
There is a part of the Real Estate Contract that you need to pay attention to when you sign.
The main section to pay attention to is Section 2B under the property. This section will let you know mostly what is staying with the property.
That Section lets you know that anything that is attached to the property stays with the property.
So is light Fixtures and Chandlers considered an attachment? The answer to that question is yes.
If you see that it has been attached to the ceiling of the bedrooms, kitchen, living room, or garage then more than likely these fixtures are considered attachments and would stay with the property if you did not add anything to the exclusion part of the contract or listing agreement.
The following picture will help you to understand which one is attached and which light fixture is not attached.
If for some reason you have a fixture that you would not like to stay with the property it would be wise to replace the fixtures before you call out the Listing Agent to list the property.
When this is done, there is no confusion on the fixtures that you want to keep. Because they are changed out with fixtures that you feel ok with leaving with the property.
Important Things To Remember About Curtains and Rods
Curtains and curtain rods are also important things to remember when you sell the home.
You must make sure you know whether or not you are going to leave the curtains and rods with the home.
So many buyers expect the home to look the way it did when they viewed the home or when they do their final walk-through.
If you are planning on taking the curtains and rods.
You must make sure that you add this information in the exclusion section of the Listing Agreement and also make sure that it is added in the exclusion section of the Real Estate Contract.
The other solution would be before you even place the home with a Realtor.
Change out the curtains and rods that you plan to keep.
You want to inform your Realtor to contact the Buyers Agent to let them know that you will be taking the curtains and rods.
You have no idea how many times people have gotten into arguments over the curtains and rods not being in the property when the buyer moves in.
If you do not put the curtains and rods in the exclusion section of the Real Estate Contract then they are considered attachments and should be left with the property when you sell the house.
Contact The Utility Company
When you exiting out of the home it is a good idea to make sure that all utilities are turned off.
It is now up to the new buyer to make sure that they turn on the utilities in their name. You want to make sure that all utility bills are paid in full and current as well.
Once the seller has sold their home and they are at closing, they are no longer responsible for having utilities on in the property.
They would be paid up to the date of closing and their utilities would be turned off.
How Are Personal Items Handled That Are Left Behind In The House After Closing Day
There are some occasions that you might want to leave some items behind. If for some reason you were in a hurry and you left some things in the house then you can do two things.
You could either contact your Realtor and ask the Realtor to ask the Buyers Agent can they schedule a time with the new buyer for you to pick up the stuff that you accidentally left in the property.
Or, you will have to understand that whatever is left with the property at the time of closing stays with the property.
Once the home has changed hands you are no longer the owner of the property. And the personal items that were left behind now become a part of the home sale.
This is why it’s important to remove all personal items beforehand that you don’t want to leave with the property.
You can do this at the time when you have it Listed for Sale. When the property is Listed you should make sure that you box up any personal items that you don’t want to stay with the property.
Reminder: Personal items left in the property after closing day are now a part of the home sale.
If there are items that you are interested in selling to the buyer. This can be relayed to the buyer through your Real Estate Agent.
Your Real Estate Agent will let the Buyers agent know that you are interested in selling some of your items.
This can be done by using the Non-Realty Items Addendum.
Change Your Mailing Address
The most important thing to do when your move to a new location is to make sure that your forwarding address has been addressed with the Post Office.
This is a very important step because you do not want personal information coming to your old address.
These would be things like your credit card bills and your IRS Letters.
This can lead to your identity being stolen or taken if you fail to change this information.
So take the time to fill out the change of address forms at your local postal service.
What About Smart Device
We are now at the age of Smart Devices. Most homes now have do have smart devices that are with the home.
Homes now have ring doorbells, Or Ring Security cameras that they have installed. So what happens to this when you sell your home?
When you sell your home if there is no information in the exclusion section or added Addendum Non Reality items then the Smart Devices are considered a part of the purchase of the home.
If you plan to take your Ring Door Bell with you or You plan to take your security camera system or even surround sound in your theater room.
You need to make sure that you write this information in the exclusion section of the Listing Agreement and Real Estate Contract.
You can also fill out the Non-Realty Item Addendums if you want the buyer to make you an offer on things like this.
For the most part, if there is no Non-Realty Item Addendum or if you fail to put this in the exclusion part of the Real Estate Contract or The Listing Agreement.
More than likely it will become a part of the things that will convey to the new buyer.
Keys, Garage Remotes, and Other Necessary Information
When you sell your home you will have to make sure that you have all the necessary keys of the property and bring them to closing with you.
There are two ways to do this. You can either bring the keys and garage remotes with you when you go to the title company to sign.
Or, you can let your Real Estate Agent have the keys. Also, allow the Buyer’s Agent to take the keys and give them to their clients as well.
But, the Buyer’s Agent must not give them over to their client until the file has funded.
You have to make sure that the file is funded!
If the file is not funded the Real Estate Agent(s) should not be handing over keys to their clients.
If there is a delay in the funding part then you should make sure you wait until after the file has been funded to hand over the keys to the buyer.
Paragraph 10A has a check box that says closed and funded.
When it comes to Garage Remotes make sure you turn over the Garage Remotes as well.
If for some reason you have missing garage remotes it would be a good idea to give the new buyers information on how to go about getting new ones.
There is some additional paperwork that should be given over to the buyer(s) at closing as well.
The following are additional things that you should give to the buyer when you close on your property.
1. Copies of Contractors Invoices Of Repairs
2. Copies of any warranties on new appliances and Instruction Manuals
3. Copies of Information to smart cameras, security and Instruction Manuals
4. Copies of information about the solar panels along with the lease contracts and contact information
5. Copies of Service contracts on Heating and AC
6. Passwords and user names to Smart Devices such as security cameras etc.
You don’t necessarily have to supply the above information to the new buyers. But this information can be a help to a new buyer.
Conclusion
Well done! 🙂 You’ve made it to the end of this article. Here are some final thoughts on what you should leave when selling your house.
Make sure you have all the necessary personal items you want to take with you and let your Realtor know what items you are willing to leave.
If there is anything here that you didn’t understand or want more information about, let me know and I’ll be happy to help out with any questions you might have for future articles like these.
Don’t forget to share with friends if they’re looking into selling their homes soon!
Don’t forget that I’m just a call away from helping you sell or buy your next home! Talk to you soon.