Spotting A Great Broker

Posted on: 14 March 2022

Buyers often view a home for sale and come away with a few misunderstandings. It's vital that buyers confirm what may come with a home, what does not, and what could be negotiable. Read on and find out more about fixtures.

It's Attached To The Home—Or Is It?

Though the definition of a home fixture can vary, it's usually based on how a fixture is attached to the home. Is it affixed or not? In most cases, items attached through the plumbing system or electrical system stay with the house. However, some kitchen appliances can be excluded in certain states. Ask your real estate agent what comes with the home and what does not to eliminate any uncertainty. Otherwise, you could arrive at the final walk-through to discover that you don't have the refrigerator you thought came with the kitchen. In most cases, however, the following items are usually considered fixtures and remain with the home with some exceptions:

• The dishwater, trash compactor, wine cooler, and gas stove should be fixtures.
• All sink and tub fixtures are, unsurprisingly, fixtures.
• The hot water heater, heating and cooling units, and any heated flooring or towel bars should be considered fixtures.
• Washers, dryers, and hot tubs are often not considered fixtures.
• Window treatments should be considered fixtures but not necessarily drapes or curtains. However, many sellers will leave drapes behind that were custom-made to fit the windows. Blinds and shutters are fixtures, however.
• Lighting fixtures and ceiling fans are nearly always considered fixtures that remain with the home.
• All flooring, except area rugs, are fixtures.
• Furniture is never automatically part of the sale contract unless specifically mentioned. Some sellers will offer the buyer the opportunity to purchase items. However, in some resort areas, homes may be sold entirely furnished. Be sure you ascertain the details if you are buying a vacation home.
• Sod, watering systems, plants, and fences are considered fixtures that convey with the home. Plants in pots are not fixtures.
• If the item cannot be removed without causing damage, it might be left behind. Television mounts might be considered fixtures since the walls could be damaged. If you don't intend to use the mount, let the seller know and they must remove it and repair the damage, in most cases.

Once you know you've found the home you want, get detail-oriented and ask a real estate agent—such as Barry Brown—about the fixtures of the home.