Items that WILL NOT REMAIN with the property....

Posted at 4:05 PM, Jul. 8, 2006

On most Purchase and Sales Agreements for real estate, there is a section to list items which will remain with the property (such as appliances, window treatments, riding lawn mower, etc.)  And most buyers put a few items on this line.

But on the line regarding items that will NOT remain, many buyers leave it blank.  This line is important too.  Look around the property.  Do you see anything that is so ugly, so trashy looking that it will be a chore to get rid of it in the days after you move in?  For instance, if you are a retired couple with no children, do you really need, and want, that elaborate children's gym set in the back yard?  If you don't, ask that it be removed in the purchase contract.  Or if you see an attic full of junk, or a crawl space full or junk, ask that these areas be 'broom clean' before closing.  Or the above ground pool which has seen much better days, ask that it be removed.  Your Realtor® has certainly had experience writing contracts and stipulating what things need to NOT REMAIN, and can make suggestions.

I visited a property today with an attractive wood fence across the back third of the lot.  It looked fine until we got behind the fence, and then we saw mattresses, and other junk that the renters in the property had parked there.  If we write a contract on this property, I will suggest that the buyer put this junk behind the fence on the ITEMS THAT WILL NOT REMAIN list.