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

I am afraid of bears

I am afraid of bears. I’ll admit it. The only type of bears that do not give me an icy cold tingling sensation and deep in the gut fear when I think about them are teddy bears and Yogi bear. I am sure my fear is irrational. I have read that the chances coming face to face with a bear are low.

My fear of bears started, oddly enough, while I waited to get a hair cut. The hairdresser provided magazines for customers to read and on that fateful day, I decided to read an outdoor magazine that had an article on humans being attached by bears. The article was graphic and included first hand accounts from those who had witnessed or experienced a bear attack. Reading it sent chills down my spine and from that day forward I have been afraid.

I felt the need to announce my fear for you because I just came across a news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussing Florida black bears. Yes, we have bears in Florida. No, I have never seen one. I have listed and sold property in Lake County where the owners of the property said they have seen bears roaming around. I made sure I never showed those properties alone and I always made a lot of noise whenever I had to visit the house alone thinking the noise would keep the bears away.

The news release told of a Lee County, Florida woman who encountered a bear while at work. The report says the bear bumped into her! Either instinctively or because she knew the proper actions to take when face to face with a bear, this woman was able to get away safely. According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer if you meet up with a bear, you should; “Remain standing straight up; back up slowly; speak in a calm, assertive voice; do not run or play dead; and leave the bear a clear escape route.” Florida residents are also encouraged to; “remove or secure anything that might attract animals, such as garbage cans, pet food, birdseed, outdoor grills and compost bins’ in order to reduce the chances of meeting up with a bear.

I think those are great suggestions and will be sure to make sure my 6’4” frame is standing straight up if I ever meet a bear, provided I have not passed out.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission News Release

Is it a fixture or personal property?

Sellers will often leave items in the home for the convenience of a buyer. Refrigerators, ranges and window coverings are three common items that a seller will sometimes leave in the home. A fixture might be described as something firmly or permanently fixed into place.

However there are times when a buyer and seller disagree on what is a fixture and what is personal property. The best solution is to make sure the contract between the buyer and seller specifically mentions items to be included or excluded from the sale of the home. As a real estate agent I can assist you with making sure the contract contains all the information and details important to you.


Related Florida real estate views:

Purchasing a home with a dishwasher

Is selling a furnished home a good idea?

Itemize all items that you plan to leave

Should you include your personal property with your home sale?

It is not uncommon for a seller to leave personal property when they sell their home. Sellers will often leave stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, curtains and drapes with the buyer as part of the sale. A buyer may be more motivated to buy your home over another if there are personal items.

If you are planning on leaving personal property:

• Itemize all items that you plan to leave and provide interested buyers with a written inventory.
• If you plan to exclude a specific item, make sure the exclusion is noted on the purchase agreement between you and the buyer.

Including personal property with your home sale may help you sell your home but it can definitely stop a sale if not handled properly. Part of our services when listing your home is to assist you with handling the details. Call or email me to help sell your home.

Related Florida real estate views:

What does a home warranty cover?

Seller disclosure: Termites & Wood rot

When buying a home with personal property, be specific.

- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255