Unless you have explicit instructions from the buyer, you can usually leave behind device- or repair-specific items, including: Manuals and warranties for appliances and systems. Extra filters for your furnace or central air system. Leftover bathroom, kitchen or roofing tiles.
Leaving items behind can lead to dissatisfaction or disputes. Legal Implications: Depending on the terms of the sale and local laws, leaving personal property may be considered a breach of contract. If the sale agreement specifies that the home should be vacant, you could face legal consequences.
When you sell a house, typically you leave behind fixtures that are permanently attached to the property, such as built-in appliances, light fixtures, and window treatments. Personal belongings like furniture and decor are generally taken unless otherwise negotiated in the sale.
I'd leave them unless you need one in your new home. And even then, I'd leave one in the old place, so that the new occupants can take a shower that first day without having to run out and buy a shower rod. I think that shower rods are something that usually conveys--I've never moved into a place without them.
Unless it is specifically written into the contract a house doesn't need to be any sort of clean when it is sold. Most people would clean it before vacating. Well, I would. We once moved into a house that was supposed to settle at 10am, but didn't happen until 3pm.
Although most selling homes are not brand new, people expect them to feel and look like they are. For some people, dust in hidden spots or stained surfaces could be a dealbreaker. Deep cleaning your home and taking the dirt out of every corner will give it a "brand-new look" that potential buyers want.
Buyers generally might be expected to give the sellers 7 to 10 days to vacate the home after the closing date. Sellers may want more time in the home, but they can compromise by securing a place to stay for the short-term while they finalize their own situation.
Again, it's all negotiable and the real estate agents on both sides will make sure both parties are clear on expectations. Appliances that are not required to be included in the sale but are often negotiated include: Refrigerators. Washing machines and dryers.
Window treatments: Blinds, shutters, shades, Levolors: All window treatments need to stay. Even curtain rods shouldn't be removed. The curtains themselves are generally seen as OK to take, if they just slide off the rod, but it's best to check with your Realtor first to make sure.
While it might be customary for a seller to leave a refrigerator or stove in the kitchen, it is not required.
A swing set can go either way because some swing sets are just sitting in the grass. This would be considered personal property as it is not attached to anything. However, a swing set cemented into the ground would be regarded as a fixture or part of the property.
Depending on your lease agreement, leaving items intentionally may result in cleaning charges. It takes more effort, but leaving furniture by a dumpster or attempting to sell it online may be a better option.
Ordinarily, only home defects that are legally considered "material" and that the buyer didn't know about, but which the seller did at the time of sale, will allow a buyer to recover from the seller. That means, of course, that most defects you might find within a home will not make the seller legally liable to you.
Finally, furniture is not connected to the property at all. Furniture includes items such as: televisions, tables, beds, couches, and chairs. Furniture is almost always considered personal property and therefore not included in the sale of the property.
Sellers should keep in mind that they are not required to leave the home spotless but should remove any trash or debris that may be left behind from their move. They should also take care of any cleaning tasks that are specific to their home, such as cleaning the oven or shampooing the carpets.
2) Windows and window accessories
No buyer is going to decide not to buy your home because there are no blinds. It is not worth spending money and effort on something that will not factor into the buyer's final decision. Removing your blinds can also bring in more natural light, making the space look larger.
If it was included as a feature of the property, you may not be able to do that. However, if the shed was listed as an item not included in the sale of the home you can most likely sell it separately. Check with your Realtor for confirmation.
As long as it's not specified in the contract, items not attached or built into the property typically do not stay behind. This applies to furniture and many other items that the new buyer may not want to deal with.
Vacuuming and mopping floors, dusting shelves, and wiping down countertops are the minimum essential tasks for getting a house ready to sell. Other important cleaning tasks include: Washing windows to let natural light in.
You can leave any appliance that is attached to the house. This is true for things like bathroom and kitchen fixtures and anything on the fireplace. Other appliances you may leave behind include smoke alarms, monoxide monitors, and security systems.
Some buyers may be able to negotiate an immediate possession date. This means as soon as the transaction is closed and the deed is recorded, the buyer can move in. A few other common buyer possession dates may be 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, or even 90 days after closing, depending on how much time the seller needs.
You can continue living on your property after selling it as long as you have an agreement with your buyer explaining how long you'll be staying and who is responsible for what during that time. In many cases, both buyer and seller enter into a mutually beneficial agreement.
Closing on a house can typically take 30 – 60 days. According to ICE Mortgage Technology, as of August 2024, the average time to close on a home purchase was 43 days.