Take It or Leave It? What Actually Stays When You Sell Your Home

Take It or Leave It? What Actually Stays When You Sell Your Home

When you sell your home, the question isn’t just who buys it — it’s what goes with it. From curtain rods to garden roses, knowing what stays (and what doesn’t) can save everyone a lot of confusion, frustration, and last-minute negotiation.

Here’s a quick guide to what typically stays with the house — and what you can take with you when you move.

💡 The General Rule: If It’s Attached, It Stays

Real estate contracts usually define “fixtures” as anything permanently attached to the property. That means if you’d need tools to remove it, it’s likely part of the sale.

Examples of fixtures that usually stay:

• Built-in shelves and cabinets — These are part of the structure. If you screwed it to the wall, it’s staying put.

• Light fixtures and ceiling fans — If they’re wired in, they stay. If you want to keep Grandma’s antique chandelier, swap it out before listing photos.

• Curtain rods and blinds — Rods and brackets are fixtures, but the curtains themselves (the fabric panels) usually go with you.

• Mounted TVs and brackets — The wall mount typically stays, but the actual TV can go with you.

• Landscaping and plants in the ground — Flowers, shrubs, and trees planted in the soil stay. Potted plants can move with you.

• Mailboxes, doorbells, and outdoor lighting — Anything wired or anchored down is part of the sale.

🚚 What You Can Usually Take

If it’s not attached, it’s considered personal property and you can pack it up.

• Furniture and décor — Tables, mirrors (unless mounted), rugs, art, and lamps.

• Appliances — In many areas, kitchen and laundry appliances are negotiable. Unless the listing specifically says they’re included, assume you’ll take them.

• Window treatments — Curtains themselves are yours to keep.

• Outdoor décor — Potted plants, patio furniture, playsets not concreted into the ground.

⚖️ Gray Areas to Clarify

Some items can fall into a gray zone — that’s where good communication (and a clear contract) come in.

• Smart home devices — Thermostats, doorbells, and cameras are often wired in, but sometimes sellers remove or reset them before closing. Clarify what’s staying.

• Mounted mirrors or artwork — If removing them damages the wall, they’re fixtures. If not, they’re personal property.

• Shelving systems — Built-ins stay; modular or hanging shelves might not.

• Garage storage systems — Anchored systems = stay. Freestanding = go.

🏡 Pro Tip for Sellers

If there’s something you love and plan to take — like special drapes, heirloom lighting, or a garden statue — remove it before showing your home or make it clear in your listing description or disclosures that those items won’t stay.

Buyers fall in love fast, and you don’t want to derail a deal over a light fixture. A quick note up front can save everyone from awkward conversations later.

Thinking about selling? Let’s talk strategy, staging, and what makes your home stand out in today’s market.