When you’re planning to sell your home, one thing you should consider are the items that you may need to leave behind if you don’t remove them in advance of having buyers view your home. These items are called FIXTURES.
A fixture is considered anything that is screwed or attached to the house but sometimes it includes items that aren’t exactly attached but are required to make an attached item function. Items hanging on a nail aren’t considered fixtures. A mirror might fall into this category if it’s hanging on a hook. 
For instance, curtain and drapery rods are attached (screwed into) the wall so they are a fixture and would stay. The draperies that are ON the rod are not attached so they aren’t a fixture and therefore, don’t stay … unless you want them to. Cornices over the draperies, are usually screwed to the wall, so they would stay.
Items that are considered a fixture that AREN’T attached, are the transmitters in your car that operate the garage door opener which IS a fixture. If you have an invisible dog fence system – which is buried in the yard – is a fixture. But similar to the garage door transmitter, the transmitter on the dog’s collar is also considered a fixture, since it is required to make the fence operate. 
Now that people are installing the flat screen TVs, there are new issues. The wall mount to hold the TV is obviously a fixture because it’s screwed to the wall. If the TV hangs on the mount like the draperies do, then the TV wouldn’t be a fixture. But if you’ve attached the TV more permanently, then it would be considered a fixture. 
Often pool table lights are another issue. Some of them are fairly fancy. Some are wired into the ceiling so obviously they would stay. Other times, the seller has hung them on hooks and plugged them into an overhead outlet. That type wouldn’t be a fixture and therefore, would not be expected to stay.
The Columbus Board of Realtors approved Purchase Contract identifies fixtures in this way:
The consideration shall include any fixtures, including but not limited to: built-in appliances; heating, central air conditioning and humidifying equipment and their control apparatus; stationary tubs; pumps; water softening equipment (unless leased); roof antennae; attached wall-to-wall carpeting and attached floor coverings; curtain rods and window coverings (excluding draperies and curtains); attached mirrors; all light fixtures; bathroom, lavatory and kitchen fixtures; storm and screen doors and windows, awnings, blinds and window air conditioners, whether now in or on the premises or in storage; garage door openers and controls; attached fireplace equipment; security systems and controls (unless leased); smoke alarms, satellite TV reception system and components; all exterior plants and trees, all landscaping lights and controls; and the following …. (space for Buyer’s agent to add additional items specific to each home)
So as you’re getting your home ready to go on the market, walk thru your rooms looking for items that you want to take with you even if they are now screwed to the wall. Remove them beforehand. That way you won’t be disappointed when you have to leave something that you really planned to take with you.
Also, keep in mind that the buyer may ask you to REMOVE certain items as well – like that scummy hot tub or the swing set with the rusted bolts! Have fun taking those apart!
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Elaine Reese
614-825-8860Real Living HER379 W Olentangy StPowell Ohio 43065
Assisting home sellers and buyers throughout Central Ohio in achieving their dreams.
2 responses so far ↓
Thesa Chambers | Broker | John L Scott La Pine // 02/03/2008 at 1:56 pm |
what a timely post – I just had this conversation with a seller this week and sure enough when the home was shown – the flat screen was an issue – but because we knew it could be problems were avoided.
elainereese // 02/03/2008 at 2:06 pm |
So, Thesa, how did you handle it?
I emailed our office Mgr to see what the position is. I can see this becoming an issue with buyer’s making a case for it being a fixture because of the way they’re attached and where they’re attached.