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"But I thought I got the kitchen sink!"

By Ed DeChristopher

Real Estate Agent with Fredericksburg Realty, Inc.

December 07, 2007 11:28 PM

Lately, I have been looking at tons of videos added to real estate listings around the country.

Some are really impressive and look like they were done by professional videographers (and some were) while others look like the ones I have done (and that ain't good).

Folks, that is not the purpose of this blog.

To start out with, I know that kitchen sinks are not appliances. My reference to the kitchen sink was just to get your attention (hope it did). I want to talk (OK write) about appliances.

Here in Fredericksburg VA appliances normally convey with the sale of a home. In some cases (usually foreclosures) they do not. But in foreclosures you don't get things you might expect to get and often get things you did not expect to get!

How about your little corner of the world . . . do appliances convey with the sale of a home?

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Kevin McGrath

Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania - Fredericksburg, VA

Long & Foster Real Estate Companies

Hi Ed,

I was actually in an area once and I remember that refrigerators did not generally convey, but I can't remember where it was. Boy, you sure are right about foreclosures - the only thing that seems to always convey are the holes in the walls.

Dec 07, 2007 11:48 PM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Vanessa - Yes, they do. But are they always clean?

Kevin - Yes, and the filthy carpets, mold, and missing light fixtures. Funny how they hate their homes so much that they abuse them!

Dec 07, 2007 11:52 PM

Melissa Grant

A Serendipity World - Greenbackville, VA

The Law of Attraction In Life & Business

Totally agree with Kevin ! Here in TN all the appliances stay, unless it's a foreclosure, than well, you get the mess and nothing to keep a 6 pack cold with ! lol

Dec 08, 2007 12:08 AM

Vanessa Stalets

RE/MAX Elite - Brentwood, TN

REALTOR, Brentwood TN Homes, Real Estate

Melissa, do fridges usually convey with your sellers? I find many who hold back or want to take them.

Ed- Usually they are clean as a whistle if I am listing it. lol

Dec 08, 2007 12:35 AM

Chad Baird

Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

They do not convey here unless you ask for them. Its assumed that the built in do convey, but better safe than sorry, just ask for it. Then it gets even trickier when the buyer considers a washer and dryer an appliance and the sellers do not. So I list each appliance seperatly.

Dec 08, 2007 02:00 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Melissa - Six pack abs?

Vanessa - Do you do fridges?

Chad - When in doubt, put it in writing. Our contracts here have blocks for specific appliances (including washers and dryers) and one of the "standard" paragraphs states that all fixtures convey with sale (among other things). Of course there are some who like to "recreate the wheel" and go wild on additions to the contract (via an addendum). Sure would help if they read the contract before filling in the blanks!

Dec 08, 2007 03:00 AM

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Historically, we've gone with the definition of fixtures - is it attached to the property or just plugged in? The refrigerator, washer and dryer are typically negotiable rather than automatically included.

Dec 08, 2007 09:06 AM

Irene Morales Ward

REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA

Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate

Ed - Good point because this really is a regional issue. I know a lot of my military clients express differences in the various states they are coming from with regard to what conveys. But here's a twist for you (and as a Broker, I know you'll appreciate this).

Last year I sold a home in Hampton Oaks. It was a brand new listing agent and I had the buyers. The home had brand new stainless steel appliances and they were photographed in the virtual tour. The kitchen really sold the home. When we wrote our contract, of course, we included the items that conveyed.

WELL, when it was time for the home inspection, the inspector noticed old (as in original) appliances in the basement. When I wrote up the home inspection contingency, I stated that the HI contingency removal was contingent on the appliances "currently installed" conveying (and that also included top of the line washers and dryers downstairs). What a surprise when the listing agent said...."Uhhhhhhh, well, she really worked hard for those appliances and was planning on taking them." I asked her if she understood the terms "FRAUD and MISREPRESENTATION"!! I don't think that agent sold much more after that ONE deal.

Sorry for taking up so much space but it touched a nerve. What an unprofessional thing to do!

Dec 10, 2007 11:39 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Sharon - Points out how regions vary in this. Thanks for your input.

Irene - Strange how some people never really understand the contract or have never even read it! You have no idea how much time I spent answering questions from "experienced" agents in my previous office. Experienced inasmuchas they had a year of experience for 5 years!

Dec 10, 2007 09:10 PM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

A fixed appliance only will convey with the property (ie. dishwasher, disposal, built in microwave etc) Refrigerators, washers, and dryers normally do not, but are subject to negotiations.)

Dec 11, 2007 08:42 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Jim - Thanks for your comment. Shows how situations vary from place to place. Sure makes it difficult for those who sell their appliances with their home in one location only to find that there are none in the home they want to buy.

Dec 11, 2007 11:41 PM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

Often they are not included here, which is a surprise to anyone relocating here. I don't know why anyone would wish to move them.

Dec 12, 2007 12:27 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Mary - Me either, especially, if they are paying for the moving costs. The appliances probably weigh several hundreds of pounds. We have found that many people have purchased new appliances recently. Consequently, they often opt to take them with them.

Dec 12, 2007 01:22 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Well Ed, it is all hypothetical since no homes are changing hands! LOL!

Dec 12, 2007 01:24 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Jim - Have faith my son, have faith!

Dec 12, 2007 01:32 AM

Rob and Camille Di Maio

San Antonio Real Estate - Keller Williams Legacy - San Antonio, TX

It sounds like Texas is similar to many places. The refrigerator, washer, and dryer do not convey unles specifically noted by the seller. Of course, we can also negotiate for them.

Dec 12, 2007 03:33 AM

Barbara Stafford

Main Street REALTORS - Long Beach, CA

Everything is negotiable that is not "nailed down" I had a lawyer tell me that if you could take the house and turn it upside down, what every fell was not conveyed. Of course with a REO there ususally is nothing left to negotiate. I even sold a REO where they took the light fixtures and even the light switches. Go figure. I guess if you loose your house, you want to take everything.

Dec 12, 2007 03:45 AM

Jim Crawford

Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA

Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

I do Ed...I am just in a holding pattern!

Dec 12, 2007 06:29 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Barbara - Amazing phenomenon isn't it. They don't make the payments (and often time for good reason(s) and then they take it out on the house/lender. Sad commentary though.

Rob and Camile - Yes, many locations are similar. Based on the comments though, there are even variations withing states in how they handle appliances. Fixtures/built-ins are pretty much standard though.

Dec 13, 2007 12:13 AM

M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)

NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ

Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS