A common area of dispute in a home sale is what stays with the house and what can the seller take with them when they move. The California Residential Purchase Agreement from the California Association of Realtors (used in most home sales in Yolo County) is quite specific about that in an attempt to prevent disputes.
The level of detail can seem absurd but I'm sure that for every item mentioned in the list of items that are to stay there has been at least one serious dispute. (Ask any agent in Yolo County and I'm sure they have their own horror story.) The contract specifies that the following remain with the house:
Existing electrical, mechanical, lighting, plumbing and heating fixtures, ceiling fans, fireplace inserts, gas logs and grates, solar systems, built-in appliances, window and door screens, awnings, shutters, window coverings, attached floor coverings, television antennas, satellite dishes, private integrated telephone systems, air coolers/conditioners, pool/spa equipment, garage door openers/remote controls, mailbox, in-ground landscaping, trees/shrubs, water softeners, water purifiers, security systems/alarms. Whew! Quite a list.
Additionally, there are boxes to be checked for stoves and refrigerators.
Note what is not on the list - washers and dryers.
So what happens if the agent writing the offer doesn't check the box for the stove or refrigerator? Those *don't" come with the house and the seller is within their rights to take them with them. And if you hope to get the washer and dryer be sure your agent writes that into the contract.
The latest revision to the California Residential Purchase Agreement was released in April of this year - and has an addition that was made necessary by technological progress - that's in Part 2.
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