You’re Under Contract on Your Home, But What Stays and What Goes

So you’re packing up your life and handing over the keys… but what contractually has to stay with the house?

It’s all spelled out in the sales contract, and it comes with real consequences.  In this guide, I’ll give you a clear breakdown of what stays behind when you sell a home, how to properly leave your home for the buyer, and the gray areas that can trip sellers up.  Let’s get it right before the final walkthrough for a smooth, stress-free closing.

The Golden Rule: If it’s attached, it stays.

If it’s attached, it’s considered a fixture. Unless you’ve specifically excluded it in the contract, it stays with the home.

That includes:

• Bathroom mirrors
• TV mounts and brackets (the TV comes with you)
• Blinds and shades
• Curtain rods and all window treatment hardware
• Light fixtures and ceiling fans (including remotes)
• Wall-mounted systems and hardware
• Built-in shelving and closet systems
• Smart thermostats
• Smart doorbells
• Any installed or hardwired smart home device
• Electric vehicle charging station
• Solar panels (with proper addendum)
• Trees, shrubs, and landscaping

Anything nailed, screwed, mounted, or wired in… stays.  If removing it requires tools, leaves holes, or feels like you’re undoing the house itself, it belongs to the home now.

And please, if you remove it or damage it, don’t leave behind the evidence.

• Patch any holes
• Touch up scratched paint

No traces of the goodbye… just a clean, finished space.

Please Leave:

All of your extra keys, fobs, mailbox keys on the kitchen counter.

A few final touches (not required, but appreciated).  These small details go a long way for the next owner:

• Labeled extra keys
• Garage door remotes
• Appliance manuals
• A list of paint colors
• Trash and recycling pickup schedule
• Lawn service contact information
• Any appliance or repair service contacts

It’s a way of saying, “I cared for this home, and I’m passing that care along.”

The Final Walkthrough

Before closing, the buyers will do a final walkthrough to confirm the home is in “substantially the same condition” as when they agreed to purchase it.  That means per the contract, they expect the home to be:

Completely empty

• No furniture  –  No garage piles  –  No leftover “maybe the buyer would want that” items

Clean and move-in ready

• Floors swept or vacuumed
• Surfaces wiped down
• Refrigerator and cabinets empty
• Professionally cleaned is a nice touch, but not required

The Bottom Line

Before closing, buyers are checking one last time that everything is as expected. If it’s not, it can delay closing or create financial issues.

The best approach is simple: leave the home the way you’d want to receive your next one.  Thoughtful, clean, complete.

And as always, if you’re ever unsure about an item, ask before you remove it. It’s always easier to clarify than to repair after the fact.  I’m here to help you make the right move—every step of the way.

Miriam Miller, your Alexandria Realtor helping you make it smooth from contract to close.