Comments on: The MLS: An offer of compensation, not a contract between principals.

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:33:54 +0000

Buyers need to take pictures of the fixtures, appliances, fans, trees, etc. so in case the seller pulls a fast one there will be proof that a judge can see.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:02:41 +0000

Make that “aren’t” attached to our plants. Darn typos.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:10:39 +0000

Tagging plants? That’s funny. We are typically so attached to our plants in San Diego. But, ah, the window “treatments.” It is regularly a point of contention.

By: Melina Tomson

Melina Tomson — Fri, 23 May 2008 20:46:34 +0000

In Oregon fridge, washer and dryer are not considered fixtures and are negotiated in the contracts.

I have had clients that had compact florescent bulbs in and wanted to take them with and I just required that they remove them from the fixtures and replace with regular incandescents prior to listing.

The biggest issue I have had is the argument over window coverings (functional for privacy) vs. window treatments (purely decorative with no function). Many people have treatments like a swag to match their furniture and want to taken them with them when they move and they are excluded in the MLS listing.

I also have a mini checklist that I do with my sellers, and I do ask if they have an sentimental bushes/plants they want to take with them. It is pretty common out here. We just tag them so the buyers know that “tagged plants” will be going with the seller.

By: Ken Smith

Ken Smith — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:27:36 +0000

The one we have run into issues with as of late is floating shelves. They are attached normally in a fairly permanent way to the home and really should stay. Yet for some reason sellers seem to want to take these with as if they are some high value item.

The large items are easy to make sure you don’t forget to address in the contract. It’s the small items that are easier to overlook like the floating shelves or pot racks.

By: Greg Broadbent

Greg Broadbent — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:49:39 +0000

One of my first transactions my sellers changed out all the ceiling fans (4) after the buyers had written an offer. This was in retaliation because they (and I ) believe they stole something valuable during a showing with their agent. Unfortunately they were so desperate to sell the home they still went with these buyers and had to give a credit at closing for the fans. The replacements were nice but they didn’t all match like the old ones.

Now I use a form that has a checklist of everything in the house and I make them sign if they stay or go. There are no MAYBE‘s. That way everyone is very clear from the start.

By: Kris Berg

Kris Berg — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:43:52 +0000

Light bulbs? Now that’s a new record in petty!

By: Phil Hoover

Phil Hoover — Thu, 22 May 2008 03:05:34 +0000

I once had a seller remove all of the light bulbs after the buyer had done his walk through
In Boise, the fridge, washer, and dryer are considered personal property.
It gets interesting when the fridge is one of those cool models with matching wood panels and appears built-in.
I wrote an offer today for a home that has one of those and specified that it stays, despite it not being mentioned as included in MLS.
All of which reminds me that I LOVE real estate.
It’s just the people who buy and sell it who drive me nuts!