Buyers: If You Want the Plasma TV, Be Sure It's Written In Your Contract!
LaShawn Norden made a very good point in her post. My hope would be a new agent would read it and spare themselves some grief.
No one likes personal property disputes. I mean really, closing days are meant to be "happy days" when everyone celebrates, not when you yell or scream because the surround-sound speakers are "missing" or worse...the flat screen TV is no longer mounted on the bedroom wall!
All kidding aside...if you want to avoid an uncomfortable (and potentially deal-breaking) situation, it's very important that you know what "personal property" is being sold with the house and what "personal property" is not....and, if you want the Seller to leave something that they didn't include via the listing agreement or in the Seller's Disclosure, ASK FOR IT by making sure it's written in your offer and negotiated as part of the sale!
I know it can be confusing to determine what is "supposed" to come with the home, but I can tell you from experience that just because a TV is mounted to the wall doesn't mean that it's staying with the house.
As a Buyer's Agent in Seminole County, I often make it a point to identify those items that are considered "personal property" to be sure that the Buyer is fully aware of what they can expect to find remaining when they walk through the property before closing. If the Buyer identifies something specific that they would like the Seller to include with the sale of the house, I make sure to include it in the offer.
Although sales contracts do typically outline the existing appliances, ceiling fans, light fixtures, etc. that are expected to remain with the property when it sells (unless the Seller excludes them from the contract), there are always additional items that can (and do) become areas of dispute if not agreed upon upfront. Here is a list of those items I am most often writing in offers on behalf of my Buyers:
- Flat screen TV's mounted to the wall
- Surround sound stereo speakers
- Pool equipment such as hoses, brushes, vacuums, etc.
- Wine coolers/sub-zero refrigerators
- Custom-made closet systems (not mounted to the wall)
- Tool benches/storage shelving in the garage
- Extra refrigerators or freezers (possibly kept in the garage)
- Detached storage sheds
- Children's playsets and trampolines
- Decorative water fountains/bird baths
- Decorative hose reels/artwork mounted to exterior of home
- Non-permanent landscape lighting
- Basketball poles/backboards
While this list is not intended to be comprehensive, it is intended to remind Buyers that what they see is not always what they get.
An experienced Buyer's Agent can help you make sure closing day is one filled with warm chocolate chip cookies and a celebratory glass of wine instead of tears or frustration.
If you or someone you know is in need of an agent who is a stickler for details, I'd welcome the opportunity to earn the business. References from happy Buyers who have had the Plasma on the wall (amongst other things) when they closed are readily available upon request!
LaShawn Norden, PA, ALHS, REALTOR, RE/MAX Central Realty, (321) 377-0157, LaShawn@LaShawnNorden.com
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