doesn't me it is yours. I had a buyer call me over the weekend all upset. He had driven by the house and a lawn ornament that was in the flower bed was missing. He was all upset about it. He thought if it was in the picture it was part of the house. He thought it was his.
So I had to explain to him that lawn ornaments like gnomes were personal property. The grill or the flower hanger doesn't come with the house. If you are a buyer and want something like that you need to tell your agent that you want this or that out of the house. Your agent then will ask for it in the purchase contract.
You may not get it but you might. The seller may have emotional attachments to the item. But normally what is included in the home sale is anything that is permanently attached to the house. Some of the items that are included are
- shelves
- light fixtures
- curtain rods
What is not included is any personal items like pictures, lawn equipment, furniture. I have had people take down the light fixtures or take plumbing fixtures. It is wrong, you will have to put them back. I have had people try to switch out fixtures after the purchase agreement is signed. You can't do that.
As a buyer I recommend you to take pictures of the home so we have proof of what was in the house. If you are a seller take down what you want out of the house before it goes on sale. Make the switch before you put it on sale. I did have one client say it's so nice it will help sell the house, but I want it. If you want it take it down. Don't do a bait and switch.
But bottom line lawn ornaments are personal property. If it isn't attached to the home it belongs to the seller unless it is listed in the purchase agreement.
Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent
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I am walking in the Tampa 3 day cancer walk in October. Support cancer research by going to www.the3day.org/goto/marianneravary and donate as much as you can. My wife got to live 20 years after finding out she had breast cancer due to advances in cancer treatment. Be part of the team and help me. I would like to be able to give some other "special lady" (like my wife Marianne) more days on this earth. If we can give another lady another night to enjoy with friends, an extra week to laugh & hug her kids, an extra month to love her spouse, or an extra year then our money will be going to a good cause. The grants from the Susan G Komen 3 day walk have been instrumental in cancer research. Help me give more time to somebody else please donate to the 3day walk. Thanks
Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor
Russ,
Good information. Hard to tell what the butey has in their mind what will come with the house!! Good reminder to communicate with your client.