Your Crested Butte Home “Stuff”
Whether you are Selling or Buying a Crested Butte Home the “Stuff” in the home will be of interest to you and others.
“That’s all your house is… just a pile of “stuff” with a cover on it, …People only want the “good stuff”
– George Carlin
The Dance
The reality is that in Crested Butte most second homes are sold fully furnished. Most Sellers have no use for the furniture and furnishings (unless they are buying a bigger home, or smaller home in Crested Butte and moving “some stuff”). Most Buyers are thrilled to buy a home that is fully furnished – this means they don’t have to go spend money on stuff.
It can be a bit of a dance – most sellers are proud of their stuff, and indeed they may have some very fine stuff. But it could also be 20 years old and worn and not so great any more. In fact if the Buyer doesn’t want the seller’s stuff – it will cost the seller quite a bit of money to move all their stuff out of the home and dispose of it. Example – it costs $40+ to throw away a tube TV at the dump, and there is a list of your stuff they won’t take at all (Every year the Fire District in cooperation with Gunnison County hold a Household Hazardous Waste Disposal event).
What Is Included/Excluded in Your Crested Butte Home?
Do you know difference between a bedspread, a duvet cover, a sham, and a top blanket? “What’s the difference” you may say. Whoa – in a recent transaction there was some confusion over this… and let me tell you when it got down to it – it became “important stuff”.
Quiz – All furniture and furnishings are included – How would YOU define this?
The major items are fairly simple – a couch, a bed, a leather chair, a dining room table… but what about the furnishings or decor? What about the artwork, the “personal items”? Much of this can be a gray area. How about towels, linens, sleds, bikes, snowshoes…
What about all the kitchen stuff? Silverware, glasses, dishes, pots, pans, small appliances.. ?
If there is a special chandelier in the home the seller wants I advise that they take it down and buy a replacement so there are no conflicts. Many people have large expensive Shaun Horne plein air paintings in their homes – again if you want these paintings, ship them back to Texas before putting the home on the market. (Why – because it may be the last counter back from a buyer – saying “okay, I will agree to your price, but the Shaun Horne painting stays above the fireplace…”)
Fixtures are deemed included, as is anything that is “attached” to the home.
Examples of fixtures that will usually stay in the home: a range, a built-in microwave, a dishwasher, a water heater, a furnace, a flat-screen TV mounted to the wall, surround sound speakers built into the wall, window blinds, carpet, etc. The washer and dryer and the refrigerator are not fixtures.
The home should be listed and marketed as either fully furnished, partially furnished, or Unfurnished. I advise Sellers to put together a detailed list of what is included or excluded with photos. It is best to get this nailed down up front to avoid issues.
Answer: Better figure out what is Included or Excluded up front – and any Offer or Counteroffer should spell this out so there is no confusion what is included in the sale.
Furnished Crested Butte Homes and Lenders
Furniture has legs. Lenders do not want to loan money on stuff that can walk away. Fixtures are anything that is attached to the home. Examples of fixtures that will usually stay in the home: a range, a built-in microwave, a dishwasher, a water heater, a furnace, a flat-screen TV mounted to the wall, surround-sound speakers built in to the wall, window blinds, carpet, etc. Examples of personal property that will likely not stay because these items are not affixed (nailed, bolted, glued, wired, built-in or cemented) are: a washer, dryer, refrigerator, free-standing flat screen TVs, free-standing speakers, drapes, rugs, etc.
As described previously, the devil is in the details, and it is best to be very specific so there are no surprises! If you are getting a loan for the purchase of your Crested Butte home, the contract that the lender receives should not show the long list of items on an inclusion list as an attachment to the contract, and especially should not call out the value of the said furniture and furnishings.
A good solution is to create a separate bill of sale for the items to be transacted outside of closing.
How can I help you with Your Crested Butte Real Estate Needs?
This post Your Crested Butte Home “Stuff” and my monthly market reports on Crested Butte Real Estate, and the level of detail is representative of what you can expect from me as your Real Estate Agent.
I have consistently been among the top real estate agents in Crested Butte, and I strive to exceed client expectations.
Existing Crested Butte Homeowner – If you are interested in finding out what your property is worth, or may be considering turning a chapter in your life – contact me today.
Considering Buying a Crested Butte Home for sale – If you have started thinking about how great it would be to have your own Crested Butte Home and are considering me to represent you as a Buyer, I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business!
For more info on me and the Crested Butte Real Estate Market – Visit www.chriskopf.com.
Chris Kopf Contact info: Phone: (970) 209-5405, or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com
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Thanks,
Chris Kopf
Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty
(970) 209-5405
chriskopf@bighornrealty.com