Chattels are a fancy word for the things that aren’t part of the real property. In common law personal property is sometimes called a chattel. Common chattels included with the sale of a home are appliances, window coverings, and furnishings, less common are pieces of artwork, and other contents of the house.

Sellers often include chattels in the sale of the home. However, if the chattels are not included in writing they are not included in the sale.

A word of advice – if there is something in your home, that you don’t want included in the sale, remove it before there are any showings. If the buyer sees it, there is a good chance they’ll want it, and we’ve seen a lot of negotiations turn sour because of this. Think about it – do you want hundreds of thousands of dollars at risk over a $50 shelf or $100 mirror? This is especially true if the piece has sentimental value (such as a wedding gift or a family heirloom).

What is a chattel and what is part of the property? This is an area that often causes problems when a buyer takes possession and something has been removed from the home that shouldn’t have been. Strictly speaking, anything attached to the home, such as lighting and plumbing fixtures is part of the home and should stay with the home.

Less obvious items that are actually a part of the home are shelves, mirrors, racks – anything screwed into the walls or attached to the home. Paving stones, trees and landscaping, things that are securely attached to the property are part of the property. These items do not need to be separately written into the contract since they are already part of the home.

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