When you’re selling your home, it is natural to assume that anything you can safely remove is yours to keep – like the light fixtures you cleaned and repaired, or the appliances you bought last year – but the buyer may want some of those items, too.
Rather than keep everything, you should decide what you can keep and what you should leave as a way to entice buyers into making an offer. Generally, certain items stay with the house when you sell and move.
Here’s what to expect –
Built-ins : Built-in bookshelves, benches and pull-out furniture generally stays inside the home.
Landscaping : Trees, shrubs and any flowers planted in the ground should stay in the yard.
Wall mounts : If you have TV wall mounts or picture mounts that might damage the wall if you remove them, it is a good idea to leave them in place when you move.
Custom-fit items : If you have custom-made curtains, plantation shutters, or blinds, leave them on the windows and doors.
Hardware : If you upgraded the knobs and drawer pulls in your bathroom and your kitchen, you’ll either have to leave those behind or install replacements before you move.
Alarm systems : Wireless alarm systems are designed to be removed. Otherwise, leave the alarm monitoring station attached and either relocate or cancel the monitoring service.
Smoke detectors : Smoke detectors and sprinkler systems should stay in the house, especially if you plan on moving before you sell the house.
What can you take?
While you’re expected to leave some items behind, in general your belongings are yours to keep. Here are some examples :
Patio furniture, lawn equipment and play sets : If you have a wooden swing set in the backyard and a bistro table on the front porch, take those items with you.
Appliances : Some lenders require that a home have an oven installed before approving a loan, but for all other appliances, it’s up to you to decide what you will take and what you will offer as part of the home.
Some light fixtures : Generally, homeowners leave light fixtures behind, but if you’re attached to a certain fixture, you can make arrangements with the buyer to take it.
Built-in kitchen tools : If you can safely remove a mounted spice rack or the pasta arm, you can take it with you.
Rugs, basic curtains and wreaths : Small décor items like rugs or curtain rods that can be safely removed can be taken.
What should you consider leaving?
Some of your personal items can be used to help sell your house – or increase the asking price. Before you take everything just to take it, consider offering some hot items like the following :
Appliances : Homeowners, especially new homeowners, don’t always have their own appliances. Many buyers would more likely place an offer on a home if it came fully stocked with appliances.
Custom swing and play sets : If you have a swing set or playhouse your children have outgrown and you notice a potential buyer has children, offer to include the item with the deal.
Kitchen built-ins : Built-in spice racks, pantry organization, and windowsill shelves can really help sell a kitchen. Consider offering the items to an interested buyer.
Light fixtures, curtains, rugs and other upgrades : If you’ve upgraded the light fixtures or have custom rugs in the entryway, a buyer may be willing to increase his or her offer to keep those items in the home.
If you’re not sure what would entice a buyer, ask your Realtor to provide suggestions.
