Should a House on the Market Include Appliances?

When the time comes to put their house on the market, sellers must decide which appliances will be included with the sale. As a part of the listing process, real estate agents will ask if sellers have specific items they wish to expressly include.

When the time comes to put their house on the market, sellers need to decide which appliances will be included with the sale. As a part of the listing process, real estate agents will ask if sellers have specific items they wish to expressly include or exclude in marketing materials. Also, the Pennsylvania Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement contains a section on appliances and other equipment. This section must be completed to assist in answering potential buyers’ questions. Sellers don’t need to reach final resolutions about appliances until the terms of the agreement of sale are hammered out, but they should begin thinking about which household items they will leave behind before listing their home.

Including Appliances Helps Sell Homes in a Buyers’ Market

In Pennsylvania, sellers typically leave any appliance physically built into a kitchen. This usually means ovens, dishwashers, and microwaves (if mounted under a cabinet or affixed to a wall). Washers, dryers, and refrigerators are typically not included in a sale unless specifically included by the seller or separately requested by the buyer.

However, if you live in a neighborhood with a superabundance of homes on the market, adding extra appliances to sweeten the deal may tilt a sale in your favor. You may also want to note that appliances are “negotiable” on your listing sheet and let buyers take the initiative to ask for something they would like left in the home.

Custom Sizing

Custom-built or -sized items in your home, such as mini-refrigerators installed under a counter, stools that fit perfectly beneath an island, or a refrigerator/freezer with wood panels matching the kitchen cabinetry are examples of items that may be included in a home sale. Gas dryers may also be left behind if they currently use gas power and the seller’s new home has an electric hookup, or vice versa. Including extra appliances — especially when the buyer is a first-time homeowner — generates goodwill. The end result may also be more efficient for sellers, who can avoid moving an item that will only be taking up storage space in another home.

Sentimental Value

Sometimes, certain appliances have a special meaning to the owner. Possibly your washer and dryer were wedding gifts or were passed down from relatives. Other home items, such as unique antique lighting fixtures or handmade window treatments, may also have sentimental value. If so, it is important to bring these items to your real estate agent’s attention before you put your house on the market. Your agent will ensure that serious buyers understand which items will be excluded from the sale, even if excluding those items is outside the realm of tradition. By doing so, sellers will avoid conflicts in the buying process. Maintaining an open line of communication between buyers, sellers, and real estate agents is the best way to ensure a home sale goes smoothly, so do not be afraid to discuss specific items before all parties reach the settlement table.

 

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Jennifer DiGiovanni is a freelance writer and a partner in a real estate investment firm focusing on residential properties. She previously worked in the financial services industry and has earned an MBA from Villanova University. Jennifer enjoys writing about real estate, home improvement and small business.

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5 Comments

  1. gas safe
    February 25, 2014

    Quite nice post thanks……………

    Reply
  2. Randy
    March 21, 2014

    There are plenty of clients who do not seem to understand how important it is to benefit of good repair services. That is until they come across inexperienced ones. Hiring a person just because of his low fees will probably not help you too much. You should not consider the low prices offered by a repair person as a good criterion when hiring them. If you stop and think about the offer, you will see that working with an uncertified person will not do you a world of good. It is true that you might save some money initially, but if the technician makes anything wrong, on the long-term this experience will cost you more.

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  3. Vivek Singh
    March 31, 2014

    Appliances are most important part of any house and a house is totally incomplete without kitchen and home appliances.

    Reply
    • T kempton
      February 17, 2017

      I respectfully disagree. Appliances are as personal as bedroom wall colour. I can’t stand freezer -on -top fridges or glass top stoves. Other people prefer them. Also, the amount energy used and noise a dishwasher makes determines my preference. I’d rather buy my ow appliances and add the cost to my mortgage.

      Reply
  4. Kat
    October 22, 2017

    I was under the impression that one must leave window treatments (of any sort, as long as they cover all windows); and, that any ceiling fixture MUST have a light installed (not necessarily the owner’s original lighting, but you were not allowed to leave any one of them exposed). True?

    Also, anything that was attached must stay, e.g., a built-in microwave and/or built-in dishwasher.

    Someone even claimed that the washer and dryer should stay. As for those, I would consider them bargaining chips.

    I’m just confused …

    Do “laws” vary by state? I reside in PA.

    I feel like my buyer made our pretty darn well. Without question, I left my washer, dryer, all ceiling fixtures, all window treatments … On the other hand, it was his first home, he fell in love with the place, and he was a really good guy. I have friends who are friends with him and can vouch for that fact, so I don’t feel all that bad.

    However, any guidance you can offer for future reference would be most appreciated.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.

    Kat

    Reply

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