We all know by now the basic things to do when we are planning on putting our home for sale on the market. Declutter, paint, clean, stage the home, remove personal items, and make needed repairs we have been putting off.

There are other things you should consider before you list your home.

When you have a favorite light fixture, or a light fixture that has been given to you by your grandma and you plan on keeping it for use in your next home, plan on taking it down before you list or have it indicated in the listing contract as not being included with the house when the buyer is purchasing the home.

The refrigerator, stove, water softener, or any other electrical item that traditionally would stay with the house, but you are planning on keeping, make sure you discuss this with your agent and have them excluded from the purchase of the home. Just be prepared that you might have to replace them by either giving the buyer an allowance or you might receive a much lower offer because the buyer needs to purchase the missing appliances.

Even a porch swing that is hanging on the front porch should be excluded if you are planning on keeping it. If you are also planning on relocating the Cherry tree you have planted in the front yard you better have it excluded when you are listing your property with an agent.

The bottom line is…when you are planning on keeping an item that is attached to the ground or to any part of the property itself, make sure you exclude it from the listing contract. Many listing contracts have a section that will ask you about items that are not going to be part of the purchase agreement.

For any questions about the Real Estate Selling process feel free to contact the Settles Team.