First time home buyer: Whats Included When You Buy A House
You have found your dream home and are prepared to make a purchase offer. Before you do, make sure you find out what stays with the house and what goes with the seller. Making the assumption that you get everything you see, especially staged property can result in unpleasant surprises. To avoid disappointment and disputes, know what property conveys with the sale and put that information in writing.
According to Arizona Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract section 1g line 30 – 53: Fixtures and Personal Property: Seller agrees that all existing fixtures on the Premises, and any existing personal property specified herein, shall be included in this sale, including the following:
– pool and spa equipment (including any mechanical or other cleaning systems)
– security and/or fire systems and/or alarms
– water softeners
– water purification systems
So, what does this really means? Generally speaking, the basic rule is this: if its bolted, nailed, wired, cemented or permanently glued, it stays. If its not, it goesunless otherwise negotiated. Here are five common items that often lead to dispute between buyers and sellers.
Appliances
Most appliances are removeable items, and moveable items are considered personal property or possessions of the seller. Appliances most probably included in the purchase: free-standing range/oven, range hood/microhood and dishwasher. Appliances most probably not included with the sale: refrigerator, washer and dryer. The listing agent should have explained things such as, The seller was leaving all the kitchen appliances and the washing machine but not the dryer.
Most of the time, sellers customarily leave appliances, whether they are built-in or not. If theres any doubt, be sure to put the agreement in writing and be specific. Make sure that existing appliances are included, or even go as far as to spell out the specific appliances, such as Bosch Dishwasher and Jenn-Air refrigerator.
Window Coverings
Window coverings often cause problems between buyers and seller. Drapes can easily be unhooked and removed, so they remain the sellers personal property. But the drapery rods and cornices are bolted to the wall, so they stay with the property. Shutters and shades that are fully fitted and attached to the window should be left; decorative shades can be taken.
Light Fixtures
Another items that usually spark discussion buyer and seller are light fixtures. Light fixtures are clearly attached to the home. Here is the scenario, a buyer fall in love with the crystal chandelier in the dining room and make offer to buy the house. During final walk through the crystal chandelier has been replaced with $40 dining room lighting from Home Depot. This may led to arbitration, and the seller had to return the crystal chandelier. The crystal chandelier will stay with the property, if the seller did not explicitly stated the items isn’t included in the sale.
Flat Screen TVs and Mounting Materials
Flat-screen TVs are a gray area. For years, free-standing TVs were simply plugged into an electricity supply. As such, they were obviously personal property and the seller could take them with them when they moved. Today, many home owners have high definition flat screen TV professionally mounted on the wall, with the wires running through the walls.
However, TVs long considered personal property, buyers shouldnt assume that a flat-screen TV, its wires or mounting brackets would stay behind after the sale.
Kitchen or Bath Hardware
Doorknobs, kitchen cabinet pulls, bed and bath fixtures, and so on should always transfer to the new owner. This is just common sense. These items are permanently attached to and therefore should stay with the property.
Everything in a real estate transaction is negotiable. Dont assume anything you see on the property comes with the house. Ask about the items you want to keep (or remove) do not go with anything verbal and always write your agreement into the contract.
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