“Mom, this is definitely not going to be good for the bad-ass image I plan to cultivate when I’m a teenager and use to torment you.”
“Ah yes, now that’s more like it…”
I hosted my very first (oh yes, for now this site is about many firsts) open house the other day.
All in all, I had a truly enjoyable time, although the day was not without its trials.
The Good:
Baking cookies to make the house smell homey and serve to potential buyers.
Getting into my rhythm while showing the house. By the end of the day I’d stopped stuttering and giggling like a teenager and remembered to point out things like the water softener and the larger closet in the middle bedroom.
Talking to cute young couples about what they are looking for in a home.
Hearing nice things about how beautiful the home I was showing is.
The Bad:
Cutting my finger on a directional OPEN HOUSE sign.
Getting all the way to the house before realizing I totally forgot my lockbox key and there was no one there to let me in.
It rained, so traffic through the house was pretty light.
No one ate my cookies or drank my cute little sodas!!!
Even though the open house itself did not specifically net us a buyer, I really feel positive about the whole experience. I have to admit, I think at least part of the reason I enjoyed myself so much, was my inner chatty gossip. It was fun to hear all about why people were thinking about moving or buying a new house. I enjoyed their stories about the houses they’ve already seen and what exactly they like and don’t like in a home. I can’t wait to do it again!
Your real estate agent has shown you a beautiful, occupied home that is for sale. You’ve decided it is the perfect one for your family and have signed a contract. So what should you expect to be left in the house on the day you move in? Those lovely curtains in the front window… should you go out looking for some that are similar or will they still be there? What about the high tech fridge in the kitchen just like you’ve always wanted? Was that part of the deal?
These are questions that homebuyers and even sellers often have during the home buying process. It’s easy to get confused about what inside and outside of the house is actually considered part of the house, and therefore has been sold with the property. It seems pretty clear that things like doorknobs and light fixtures should go with (although there have been sellers who have even been confused about that one… can you imagine walking into your newly acquired historical home with antique fixtures, only to discover that all of the crystal doorknobs went with the seller to their new home in Massachusetts?), but the area seems to get a bit grayer when you talk about bedroom valances that match the duvet.
Luckily, the answer to this is spelled out fairly clearly in the Arizona approved Residential Reseal Real Estate Purchase Contract in the middle of the first page in a paragraph entitled Fixtures and Personal Property. It states:
Seller agrees that all existing fixtures on the Premises, and any existing personal property specified herein, shall be left upon the Premises and included in this sale.
This basically means that anything that is a ‘fixture’ or something attached in a permanent manner goes with the house. Anything that is easily removed (simply unplugged or lifted off a hook on the wall) is considered ‘personal property’ and will not convey with the house unless it is specifically written into the contract. To eliminate any further confusion, the contract continues with this paragraph:
Including the following (these are fixtures): storage sheds; electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling equipment; free-standing range/oven; built-in appliances; light fixtures; ceiling fans; window and door screens, sun screens; solar systems; storm windows and doors, shutters, awnings; water-misting systems; fire detection/suppression systems; towel, curtain and drapery rods, draperies and other window coverings, attached floor coverings; air cooler(s) and/or conditioner(s); attached fireplace equipment; pellet, wood-burning or gas-log stoves; garage door openers and controls; timers; mailbox; attached TV antennas (excluding satellite dishes and operating equipment); and all existing landscaping, including trees, cacti and shrubs, fountains, and lighting. In addition, if owned by Seller, the following items also are included in this sale: pool and spa equipment including any mechanical or other cleaning systems; security systems and/or alarms; water softeners and water purification systems.
The good news is, that of course, everything is negotiable. If you have an heirloom chandelier that’s been in the family for 60 years and you have every intention of keeping it that way, as a seller, you have a couple of options. The first is to take it down and put it away before you begin showing the house. If the missing chandelier leaves an ugly gap, it might be a good idea to buy a cheap replacement at a garage sale to fill it in. The other option is to let your real estate agent know that you want it written into the contract that it does not convey. Your agent can then let buyers’ agents know you wish to keep the item, and if necessary, you can make a counteroffer that specifies you are allowed to keep your chandelier. The important thing to remember is to take care of this before the purchase contract has been signed. It’s not impossible to amend a contract after it’s been signed, but your leverage as a seller to do such things quickly disappears.
Arizona Realtor, Mother of two boys (Bennett and Gray), General multitasker.
My goal is to find you your perfect home. I would rather you, as my client, back out of the deal at the last minute than regret your purchase. It's my mission to make you and your family happy.
