What personal property is included in the purchase of your home?

When negotiating an offer with a seller you will have the opportunity to list the personal property / appliances that you would like the seller to leave for you. When the seller lists their home for sale, they’ve probably already listed the items that will be staying and those personal items that will be excluded from the sale.


Appliances and the FARBAR (Florida Association of Realtors and Florida Bar) contract

The new FARBAR contract, revised in 2010, lists the personal property that is staying and allows buyers to check other appliances and property they would like the seller to leave. The pre-printed personal property includes; range, dishwasher, disposal, ceiling fan, intercom, light fixtures, rods, draperies, window treatments, garage door openers, and security gate/access devices.

What about the Refrigerator?

You will notice that there are a few obvious omissions from the pre-printed list. Refrigerators, smoke alarms, washer and dryer being the most noticeable. It is not that the seller refuses to leave them for you, with these items you will need to check a special box next to the desired personal property indicating that you desire the seller to leave them as part of the purchase. Additionally, if any of the pre-printed items are not being left as part of the sale, your agent should strike a line through them before presenting your offer to the seller.

If the seller agrees to leave their personal property, the FARBAR contract stipulates that all major appliances must be kept in working order.

When viewing the home for the first time and prior to making an offer, make sure you make a list of all of the appliances and personal property that you would like to have as part of your purchase. Failure to notify the seller in writing will result in you having to buy replacement items after you have closed.

Photo credit by ewen and donabel