Selling A Home - What Personal Property Stays?
By Raynor James, Fri Dec 9th

The home selling and buying process can be confusing,particularly when it comes to figuring out what items stay withthe home. This is especially true when it is a FSBO (for sale byowner) operation. It's even tougher when neither the seller northe buyer is in the real estate business. This article sorts outwhat personal property stays with the home when it is sold.

Personal Property

Although every state has slightly different rules, there aregeneral guidelines



to what goes and stays when a house is sold.Typically, any items attached to the home stay with it whilenon-attached items are considered personal property and go withthe seller. For instance, the seller typically takes personalproperty such as tools and potted plants.

Certain personal property items, however, don't always go withthe seller. In Virginia, items such as stoves, washers anddryers, refrigerators and built-in microwaves usually stay withthe home when the buyer moves in.

If you're a seller and you don't offer the items generallyexpected to convey, you make your property less attractive thanthe competition. With the red-hot real estate market, it may notmatter. You may still sell your property quickly and easily.

Conversely, if you're a buyer, you can gain an edge with aseller who wants to keep an item of personal property. Allowingthem to haul off a particular item is a good way of buildinggood will. When deciding how you want to approach your optionshere, consider how competitive the situation is and the monetaryvalue of the item. You always want to keep the big picture inmind.

As with most things related to the real estate buying andselling process, keep in mind the relationship between theparties. The buyer and seller are not enemies and all items onthe table don't carry equal importance for both parties. If youare willing to be reasonable, there is almost always a win-winsolution.

Selling and buying a home can be an emotional rollercoaster. Ifthe parties work together, it doesn't have to become a scaryone.

About the author:Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBOhomes For Sale By Owner. Visit our "sell my home" page athttp://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your homefor free for one month. Visithttp://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale byowner.

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