Selling Your Home – What Qualifies As An “Attachment”?

by Greg Cryns

Selling a home can be a headache, just like the buying process. When the home is sold FSBO (for sale by owner) it can be even tougher. This is made more difficult if none of the parties is a 

real estate agent. Use these tips to determine what remains with the home when you sell it. 

Attachments – What Are They?

Many states use the word "attached" in real estate to mean a specific condition for items on the property. Anything that is considered “attached” to the house or land becomes part of the real estate, not personal property. As a result, whatever is “attached” to the real estate gets sold with the house at closing, and is not kept by the previous owner. Items like doorknobs, cabinets, and lighting fixtures always stay with the home. 

If you’re trying to figure out whether something is “attached”, keep these examples in mind. Plants might be one example. For plants that are part of the landscaping, these generally have to stay. But if plants are in pots, then they are not “attached” and the seller keeps them. Sometimes the term “attached” means literally, as with planted plants.

I’m The Seller, Can’t I Decide? 

After owning a home for a while, a seller has spent plenty of money and effort working on the home. Maybe you want to keep some of the attached items. Are you able to take them with you legally? Maybe you have a specific light fixture that was a gift and you want to keep it, or other items that have emotional significance for you. Do you have to give it up when you sell?

Sellers can find ways to note that certain attached items will be taken when the sale is completed. One way to keep your property is to identify it in your sale listing. You can say “Exceptions include the chandelier” or something similar. Real estate agents can help here. Usually buyers understand, but some might decide to argue with you about it. 
Another way is to remove items before putting the home on the market. You can replace the chandeliers or plants you want to take with you, and then the home get shown in exactly the condition it will in at closing. There’s no need to get into arguments with the buyers over what stays or not. Just remember to put in a replacement that looks as good as the rest of your home. Buyers will then se the home exactly as they are buying it. Everyone is happy that way!

Check around your home to see what might be considered attachments that you want to keep, and do it prior t listing your home for sale. Don’t make Aunt Jane hate you for leaving her beautiful anniversary chandelier behind when you move!

Greg Cryns is the owner of Flat Fee Real Estate Guide - http://www.flatfeerealestateguide.com