Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you want to be sure that when you buy (or sell) a home your contract is definitive when it comes to what comes with the house and what doesn’t. Even if there is a spoken agreement about what comes with the house, be sure to get everything you care about in writing, otherwise it is not binding. For example, if you are a buyer who desires the washer and dryer that were in the house during the showing, ask for it in writing. Typically, items that are permanently attached such as flooring, light fixtures, built in bookcases are included unless they are specifically excluded in writing. If, for example, a seller excludes the fireplace mantel because it’s a family heirloom that would need to be in writing. Be sure to ask in writing for the buyer to replace the fixture before closing. Likewise, if the house is equipped with a wall mount for a flat screen television that you don’t want, write it into the contract for the sellers to remove it and make any necessary repairs to the walls, etc.
If you’re a buyer don’t make the mistake of thinking that everything you saw when you viewed the house is coming with it just because it “goes with the home.â€Â For example a fountain, potted plants, custom bar stools, or a table that fits so perfectly in the breakfast nook that it seems like a built-in may or may not come with the home. So, what’s the moral of the story? If you’re a buyer and you want it, you need to ask for it. And if the buyers agree, be sure to write it into the contract! If you’re a seller and you’re planning to take your items with you, making that clear to the buyers from the get-go can make your life easier, but whatever you do, be sure to write everything that you care about into your contract.
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Sussex County, give us a call at Cooper Realty Associates and put us to work for you – 302-629-6693.