Sellers sometimes get very emotional when they receive offers from buyers… the buyers want that refrigerator to remain that Aunt Sally gave them five years ago.  Not too long ago, one buyer called me upset because the sellers had removed the towel racks from the bathrooms (we knew something was off when we did the walk-thru but it took a couple of days to sink in that the towel racks were missing since the sellers had repaired the holes and painted).  They said they were special towel racks because one was a wedding gift and the other was made by Grandpa Mookie.  They did ultimately pay to replace them.

Other than some of the standard things that you’d expect to remain – light bulbs, ceiling fans, flooring, all doors – the sales contracts are now going into more details about other items that remain.  For example, previously, the offer contract specified that all attached blinds, shutters, and window hardware were to stay.  Now curtains and draperies are also named in the pre-printed contracts.

Buyers should be careful about what other items they should ask to keep, though.  Sometimes lenders kick out contracts if personal property is listed.  If a buyer wants a couch or television, they should ask for it off the actual offer that goes to the lender.  It would be an outside of closing purchase.  I encourage buyers to try to stick with real estate related items so the offers remain clean to allow a quick, easy closing.