Packing up your home after putting it on the market can be time consuming, especially if you don’t know what to take or leave behind. Creating a home selling checklist of what stays behind is helpful, but what exactly should you include?
At My Tennessee Home Solution, we buy houses in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas. Here, we break down what to leave when selling your house.
What Sellers Must Leave in a House Sale
When preparing your house to sell, you may wonder what to leave behind. In most cases, people take their personal belongings, including furniture, freestanding appliances like washers and dryers, and electronics. But what about other items or features throughout the home?
Built-In Appliances
When considering what to leave behind for buyers when selling a home, remember the “bolted-down” rule. In most cases, items or fixtures that are bolted down or built into the house remain with the buyer, not the seller. That means wall ovens, stovetops, and built-in microwaves integrated into cabinetry, electrical systems, or plumbing stay behind.
Light Fixtures
Buyers expect light fixtures to be part of the homes they purchase. That includes ceiling fans, chandeliers, and other fixtures hardwired into the electrical system.
Window Treatments
People typically view basic window treatments like blinds and shades as fixtures. They are part of the room’s structure if they’re mounted.
Attached Structures
Sheds, decks, pergolas, and other structures attached to the house or fixed to concrete should remain behind. Because they’re part of the home’s value, you typically can’t dismantle structures and take them with you without approval.
Other Items To Leave When Selling Your House
Sometimes, it’s acceptable to leave behind device- or repair-specific items because they will help the buyer. These items include:
- Extra hardware for cabinets
- Extra HVAC filters
- Leftover tiles for the roof, bathroom, or kitchen
Tips To Remember Before Removing Items From a House You’re Selling
Learning what to leave for buyers when selling a home isn’t always enough. Remember the following tips to ensure that you remove items from the property the right way:
- Disclose any major appliances you intend to take to the seller: Removing built-in appliances buyers expect to have can reduce your home’s value, so it’s best to negotiate appliance removal before buyers sign the purchase agreement.
- Repair damage from mounted fixtures: TV mounts typically don’t apply to the bolted-down rule. Remove all mounts and repair any damage they leave on walls.
- Replace light fixtures: If you want to keep custom light fixtures, replace them before listing your home.
Start Your Home Sale Today
Are you ready to sell your home in Nashville, TN, after learning what to leave when selling your house? My Tennessee Home Solution is a respected cash home buyer that makes fair, transparent offers and closes quickly. By choosing cash home buyers, you won’t need repairs or staging help in selling, as we buy houses as-is.
Our experts handle everything to simplify the home selling process for you. To request your no-obligation quote today, call My Tennessee Home Solution at (615) 933-5431.
