What Can I Take With Me When I Move?

You have heard that “You can’t take it with you.” Well, when selling a home, that sometimes is true. “Personal property” is yours to take with you when you move. You must leave “real property.”

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“Personal property” generally is anything that reasonably can be picked up and moved to another residence. Included, are: 1) Appliances that are not built-in, such as a refrigerator, washer, and dryer. 2) Light fixtures that you can unplug and move; 3) Furniture; 4) Indoor and outdoor potted flora; 5) Fountains that are not built-in. You are expected to remove all of these items. You may not leave behind items because they do not work or because you do not want them. If you have extra paints, you may ask the buyers if they want them. They may want them for future touch-up purposes. If they don’t, you must take them or dispose of them properly and legally.

“Real property” generally is anything that is part of, permanently attached to, or wired to the residence. This includes 1) Built-in appliances such as a dishwasher, range hood (with or without a microwave oven), and trash compactor; 2) Wood stoves and fireplace inserts, kitchen stoves, cook tops, and ovens, even if not built-in; 3) Light fixtures and ceiling fans that are wired to the home; 4) Window coverings, such as blinds and curtains; 5) Sinks and bath tubs, built-in or not. 6) Mirrors above any sink.

Personal property is negotiable in a sale. For example, buyers may want you to leave your refrigerator because it matches the built-in appliances. You may choose to include that as part of your sale.

If you plan to remove any real property, you must notify the buyers in advance of your intentions, and let them know whether or not you plan to replace them. Therefore, if you plan to take your grandmother’s chandelier with you, you must disclose that to the buyers, and replace it with a reasonable light fixture.

Be considerate of your buyers. They found your home worthy of buying because of the way it looks and has been maintained. Try to leave it that way for them as much as possible when you move out.

Dale Edward Smith, Owner / Broker

Yosemite Gateway Realty

California Department of Real Estate Broker I.D. # 01428832

Visit www.dre.ca.gov for my license information.