Real Estate NewsDon"t Get Excited About Including Your Appliances
In most areas, it"s considered normal for sellers to take
the appliances with them when they move. Sometimes it"s the
only way you can afford the move.
Other times, though, you may be going into an apartment,
condo or co-op where appliances are included. Or you could
be moving across the country and it hardly pays to take things
along with you.
But "appliances included" in the listing information for a
single house won"t do much to excite potential buyers.
Househunters seldom say to a broker "show me that house
because the appliances are included."
My advice is, when you"re listing, leave them out. Don"t
mention them.
Tell your broker that if the right moment comes along,
while potential buyers are considering making an offer, it"s
okay to throw in the information that you might consider
leaving the stove and refrigerator.
Otherwise, save the matter for a bargaining chip while
you"re negotiating.
Suppose some buyer comes in with a low offer and you want
to stand firm on your price. It takes the sting out of your
refusal if your counter-offer says "Well, we can"t drop our
price, but tell you what we"ll do, we"ll throw in the washer
and the dryer."
Then the buyers can save face; at least their low offer
accomplished something.
After your sales contract is safely signed, that"s the
time to ask whether the buyers are interested in appliances or
furniture you plan to offer in a house sale just before you
move. "You can have first crack at everything!"