Leaving all your appliances when you sell your home is not a prerequisite, but it’s a good selling feature.
Homebuyers often view the major appliances, fridge, stove, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer as inclusions when purchasing a home. And most homesellers do plan to leave appliances when they sell. But like all parts of a home sale, appliances are a point to negotiate. When selling your home, if you have high-end appliances such as a sub-zero fridge or Viking range to offer with the sale, this is an attractive selling feature. In contrast, if the appliances are at the end of their life cycle, including them might seem like a burden to buyers. Buyers may opt instead to exclude the appliances. It all comes down to how the contract defines what stays and what goes.
In general, anything attached to the home must stay when sold, but things held in place by their own weight go. The standard contract REALTORS use has a space to list inclusions and exclusions; this is where appliances usually go. What can seem confusing at times is some appliances are held in place by their own weight; for example, a fridge is simply plugged into the wall, compared to a dishwasher that is connected to plumbing and secured in place.
If leaving all your appliances when you sell your home isn’t something you want to do, it’s best to make that clear upfront when you list your home for sale. Be transparent about inclusions right from the start to avoid misleading potential purchasers. You could add a message in the online listing description letting buyers know your intention. At viewings, you could even add a post-it note that says “excluded” on appliances you plan to remove. This makes it straightforward for anyone making an offer.
