Buying a San Antonio TX Home FAQ 7-I Want it All and the Kitchen Sink

Improvements:  The house, garage and all other fixtures and improvements attached to the above-described real property, including without limitation, the following permanently installed and built-in items, if any: all equipment and appliances, valances, screens, shutters, awnings, wall-to-wall carpeting, mirrors, ceiling fans, attic fans, mail boxes, television antennas and satellite dish system and equipment, mounts and brackets for televisions and speakers, heating and air-conditioning units, security and fire detection equipment, wiring, plumbing and lighting fixtures, chandeliers, water softener system, kitchen equipment, garage door openers, cleaning equipment, shrubbery, landscaping, outdoor cooking equipment, and all other property owned by Seller and attached to the above described real property.

ACCESSORIES: The following described related accessories, if any: window air conditioning units, stove, fireplace screens, curtains and rods, blinds, window shades, draperies and rods, door keys, mailbox keys, above ground pool, swimming pool equipment and maintenance accessories, artificial fireplace logs, and controls for: (i) satellite dish systems, (ii) garage doors, (iii) entry gates, and (iv) other improvements and accessories.

The key words in these paragraphs are anything that is attached or has been permanently installed to the home.  So, yep, the kitchen sink is included. Unless the above has been specifically excluded by the seller such as curtains, (and they often are..curtains that is), those above items are included. 

However, there are certain items that are not included automatically with the sale.  Now, Real Estate can vary State to State.  When I bought a home in Colorado, refrigerators were almost always included.  I didn't think twice about worrying if I was going to need a fridge...it just came with the home, (disclosure, I have no idea if that is the same practice so get with your local Realtor® in Colorado to make sure).  Here in San Antonio TX however, many times refrigerators Do Not convey, (convey meaning include) with the home.  It is not a permanently installed item nor is it attached to the home.  Usually, but not always, the stove comes with the San Antonio TX home for sale that you want, sometimes not though.  

How do you know what will come with the home?  Many times the listing agent will list in the MLS that certain items do or do not convey with the home, and sometimes you don't know until you ask.  Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "how to I ask for the fridge or anything else I may want?" Well, now that's an easy one.  When you have found the San Antonio TX home you want, and you have your eye on the cool new fridge with the TV in it, you must ask for that outside of the contract on the Non-Realty Items Addendum, because those things like the fridge, the couch and the flat screen TV are not considered Real Property, they are considered...well...non-realty items.  

Understand as well that even if the seller has said they will include these items with the home, you still must ask for these items on this form, otherwise, without the consent and signature from the seller on this form, you have no basis to fight it if they end up taking the item with them, (and you may win if it's on the MLS, but why have to argue it?).  On the Non-Realty Items Addendum TREC # OP-M, you have a option to put in a dollar amount that you are willing to pay the seller to include of course zero.  Additionally, there are spaces for the actual items you are requesting, along with the serial number, model number etc.  This becomes important because the seller may have said they would include the fridge, but they meant the one in the garage that hasn't been used in twelve years and you have your eye on that stainless steel brand new one they are currently using.  

Again, when asking for a Non-Realty Item to be included with the purchase of your San Antonio TX home for sale, Do Not include it on the actual contract for the home!  Request those items on the Non-Realty Items Addendum.  Some typical items in San Antonio TX that go on that form are, refrigerators, TVs, furniture such as couches, beds, patio furniture, cars (hahahaha, no really), and I would even put special incentives to the buyer that the seller put in the MLS such as tickets to a show or a vacation.  The point is ANYTHING that is not considered a Real Property Item, (listed above in the contract), I would request on that form.  

So that's how you at least ASK (not necessarily get) for everything AND the Kitchen Sink (and for my literal people, the kitchen sink will automatically come with the home...unless it's a foreclosure and has been taken...ok...I will stop now), when you are purchasing a San Antonio TX home for sale.