I have recently come across some very interesting scenarios that have dealt with disclosure of what stays in the home and what is going with the seller. Normally when we do a report, we look for possible items that could go with the seller such as window treatments, large mirrors, lighting, hardware, huge potted plants and hot tubs. We always ask what is staying with the house. "If it is bolted in... it usually stays".

Now I am seeing several home owners who want to take that ceiling fan, who want to take the hand-blown glass lights, the fixtures in the bath,,, etc. They want to take the luxury items with them to the next house. Many times it is these items that the buyers are looking for. The last couple of instances have been in high end luxury homes where the client needs to downsize.

The problem is.... Those items actually make the home. Sure, it is easy to tell them to replace that chandelier or that fan, but the quality of the item needed ends up being an added expense for the client. You just can't go down to home depot (well normally) and get a super high end master bath hardware set that would match the rest of the existing hardware. To me that is cheesy.

There have been times when I have put a little note on an item, saying ; "This is moving too". It is more than that now.

Yesterday we were at a beautiful home in Granite Bay, just pristine. As we walked through I was noticing that several of the gorgeous mirrors in the bathrooms were free hanging, also there were several custom lights with blown glass throughout this amazing home. Outside was a gorgeous park like back yard and a Jacuzzi tub in a secluded area right outside the Master...... it was such a great retreat. But upon talking with this client, they were taking the tub, the mirrors, the lighting, and....... switching out the beautiful, artistic faucet in the kitchen. Ahhhhh! I called the REA after and she was shocked.

Last year, we came across a situation where the sellers almost lost the buyer based upon some custom window treatments that the seller had made. It was disclosed ahead of time... but the buyer was so sold on them, they started to walk away from the deal. The sellers finally conceded to their request. The house then sold.

It is so important for the REA to know this ahead of time. They don't always have the time to go over each and every item to see if it is part of the house.

I see it happening more frequently now especially in the higher end homes.

Realtors, just be aware of this, or hire a professional home stager to help you find this out. I would hate to have you take all that time to list the home, show the home, retain a buyer, and then realize that all the unique items moved with the seller. No one needs that stress right now and you can't afford to "dis" the closing.

Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Staged Right Design located in Roseville, California. Recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. We proudly service Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento and surrounding areas. Call us today at 916-300-0402 for our premier services.

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