I know it's "Yours" but please DON'T take it! - Dee Langley, Charlotte,NC

I had this exact scenario occur my first year in the business.  The buyer (my client) loved the dining room chandelier which was a family heirloom and was excluded from the sale.  Buyer knew that, was stubborn and insisted he would only buy if that fixure was included -- so we got into discussion over a light fixture and during that time another, higher offer surfaced sans the requirement for the treasured family heirloom chandelier and they took that offer and then informed us.  He lost the house.

I had warned the buyer about this possibility and only, after the fact, did he realize the error especially given the sentimental value of the item he wanted.  SO ... fast forward to today.  I tell this story often and suggest exactly what is recounted in Dee's blog post -- tell clients if you think it makes the room look so much better, then the prospective buyers will also.  Parting remarks on that subject which seem to work everytime now are ... "take it out before you show it, replace it with something tasteful and put it in a box labeled 'old shoes.' No one will be the wiser or ask for it."  After a good chuckle over the picture of a box labeled "old shoes", that seems to work 100% of the time.  I guess that would be hard to do with a sentimental washer or dryer, however!  :)

Hi Dee! A common problem, have one right now with a bathroom mirror. What they say today doesn't always mean that's what they'll do tomorrow, just like those price adjustments they promise every 30 days! :-)

It's the little things right? Looks like you've sorted it out, I hope everyone is happy. I've had that happen with a chandelier before.

I always tell the sellers to remove anything that doesn't convey but I have ran into similar problems - sometimes they simply forget at time of listing.  That can kill a closing and at minimum turn it into a very stressful situation.

We try and explain everything, but you're right...in an emotional time, they don't always here...or even think about things like this. I do think it's silly that the buyers don't understand this. A credit should be enough to handle this.

Some have expressed the best solution before taking a listing, namely that they remove anything prior to recording the property on the MLS or any other marketing resource. 

Deana, I have seen some othe Listing Agents try and get around this problem by putting a sign on whatever it is that the sellers want to keep, or hanging a little sign on a fixture saying it does not stay.

I think this not only does not work... it makes it even worse by drawing attention to the item... which of course may make the buyer want it even more.

Your advice is the best.  Take it down NOW.  Replace it NOW.  Box it up NOW.  Out of sight, out of mind, and definitely, out of the contract.

Dear Deana,

Years ago, a seller almost lost a buyer over some curtains. He prevailed. Two years later, I asked him, what he did with them and he said, they were still in a box. I agree with the sentiment of taking things down before showing and not fight over chandeliers & curtains.

So important, I have them sign for anything that is being removed from the home.  If it is attached it goes with then home.  If you don't want it to go with the home, remove it.  This can really cause problems, especially on a short sale.

What you said is probably true, the part they want to take is what the buyer wants the most in the house! Some unspoken real estate law! Anyway, why are YOU looking for a fixture - put the responsibility right back where it belongs on the swiping seller!

Short sale = lack of money = look at all 'house accessories' we paid for & remove them = $0 because they can't even get good money for them on CraigsList.  It's stupid.

This brings back memories.   We bought our first house many years ago, long before I thought about being in real estate.   The seller was a lawyer.     Just after settlement, the lawyer's wife came to say that the beautiful chandelier was a gift from her mother and she hadn't meant to leave it.   I was so naive that I let her take it - with nothing but hanging wires where it had been.   I've got a good bit tougher since then.

I saw a sale die once because of a hand-made medicine cabinet and a wooden gate. The seller wanted to keep them because her late father had made them for her. The buyers wanted them. No sale.

After that I went through a list with the sellers: "Is there anything attached that won't go with the house? A light fixture, a medicine cabinet, the porch swing?" Then I told them to take them down before anyone saw the house.

Of course, many didn't want to do that while they were still living there, so we wrote the exclusions in the MLS listing. And of course, many agents don't read, so buyers weren't informed ahead of time.

Sellers! Remove any attached items that don't go with the house - before any buyer sees them and falls in love!

Hi Deana, I have never asked that question outright.  I usually ask about washer & dryer and other specific items.  Thanks for a great idea and simple line to add to my listing presentation.

Hi Deana I will say is there anything you do not want to include with the sale, because if you need a tool to remove it, it stays, then I walk  through the house and ask about fixtures I see, it takes a little time but saves headaches latter, and the best advice is if there is something not included remove it before it is ready to show.

Good Luck

Hi Dee, You did everything right-asking them ahead of time. we are all curious to hear what the final agreement was.

If you don't plan on leaving it then take it out and pack it before putting the house on the market.

Hi Deana, you did the right thing...hopefully you found a replacement. thank for a good post.

Of course the buyers bought the house because of that light fixture!  Well, I'm glad you got it worked out ammicably...sounds like you handled it all the right way. -Kasey

I totally understand a buyer not wanting to lose a light fixture that they really liked, and I also understand that the seller should have spoken up when you first asked and told you if the light was going with them.  However, if any buyer on the entire planet was TRULY buying a house JUST BECAUSE of a light fixture, they really have no business buying a home PERIOD.  Anyone ignorant enough to purchase the largest asset that they will own at any given time based upon a light fixture really has no business handling their own finances and should have them handed over to a guardian or trustee who can act in their best interests.

Just sayin'...  :-)

I hope you worked it out, and I'm assuming that you did based on my previous comments.