Crested Butte Home Inclusions?

Fully Furnished, Partially Furnished, None

Crested Butte Home Inclusions?

Crested Butte Home Inclusions? Most Crested Butte luxury second homes are sold furnished. The seller typically doesn’t have a use for the furniture, the buyer generally prefers a “turn-key” home.

This is a grey area for sure and many sellers and buyers are not sure what they should leave in the home that will be included, and what is excluded and what falls into the “junk” category…

I had one transaction where the linens and bedspreads were included – and the buyer was surprised to learn that the seller took the douvet covers…

I have had numerous transactions where a client was buying one home and selling the other – and swapping some of the furniture… an inventory list with photos of the items was key to making this work.

I have also had sellers who thought the buyer would want all of the “stuff” they had accumulated in the closets, attic and garage for the past 20 years…

I was meeting with a client about staging their home, and as we walked into the great room I asked: “What are you going to do with the plen aire painting by local Crested Butte artist Shaun Horne?” They replied: “We love, love, love that painting and are taking it to Texas.” I said: “Great! Be sure to add that to the exclusion list, and you might also want to consider taking it down and replacing it with a nice framed print so there is no chance of an issue… If you leave it up there, it is possible it will be part of the final counter from the buyer – they will accept your price, but may want the painting…”.

“We love, love, love that painting and are taking it to Texas.”

Double Edge Sword – I had a buyer who wanted to purchase a home that was being marketed with No Furniture/Furnishings. The seller really did want to sell the items but was hoping to negotiate a higher price point. My buyer decided they were going to remodel a portion of the home, and did not want the seller’s old furnishings anyway. When we submitted the Contract to Buy and sell it stated that “Seller shall remove all furniture and furnishings from the home prior to closing, all the drawers and closets and garage shall be empty and the home professionally cleaned.” There really is no resale market except for the Facebook marketplace page and there is a cost to move and dispose of furniture, furnishings and stuff…

So What Is Included/Excluded?

As a seller, you should put together a detailed list of what is included or excluded and provide this to your real estate agent. The home should be listed and marketed as either fully furnished, partially furnished, or none. If there is a special chandelier in the home you want to take with you, then take it down and buy a replacement so there is no chance for a conflict. Fixtures are deemed included, as is anything that is attached to the home.

While it is best to create an inventory list of the included / excluded items – it can be hard to remember everything unless the client is Crested Butte. I have a 3D Virtual Tour done for each of my clients listings and this can be very helpful for them to review.

Examples of fixtures that will usually stay in the home: a range, a built-in microwave, a dishwasher, a water heater, a furnace, flat-screen TVs 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 – but typically are inclusions.

What Else May Be Included in the Crested Butte Home Transaction?

I get questions frequently about Kitchen items, towels, linens, bedspreads, game mounts…

Kitchen Items – most kitchens are stocked with silverware, dishes, glasses, pots, pans, small appliances (coffee maker, toaster, blender…) as well as everything else. Generally referred to as “full kitchen set-up”.
Linens – some sellers will want the sheets for the master king size bed, and some buyers don’t want any of the sheets.
Outdoor Furniture – Some homes have large decks and in the summer this can be a special gathering spot at the end of the day and to share a meal. It is best to specify the outdoor furniture items that will be included or excluded.
Artwork – typically this is deemed to be a personal item – but some sellers don’t want mountain artwork at their home in Texas or their beach home… so usually some expensive pieces are excluded and the remainder typically stays.
Game Mounts – Deer, Elk, Bears, Porcupine… most sellers will want to keep these prized possessions as there is a great adventure and story of the hunt…

It is recommended for the seller to take an inventory and to create an Inclusion/Exclusion list – what will be included in each room. I also suggest buyers submit an offer that provides details regarding included items in a Personal Property Agreement.

What is the value of the furniture in a home?

It depends. Is it old and worn out? Is it top of the line? Was it purchased in 1998 when the home was built? Was it purchased at an antique auction, or is it inexpensive furniture from Ikea?

Most luxury mountain homes have luxury furniture, and the reality is the furniture has close to zero value to the second homeowner seller. There is not an after market for the owner to sell their furniture in Crested Butte. If there were, the reality is they would get 10 cents on the dollar after they pay lots of people to move it, store it, and sell it. Net net, it is not worth the hassle to the seller; they should want to include the furniture and furnishings.

Value of Furniture to a Buyer?

Furniture has good value to a buyer. Even if the furniture is not great, it is functional and it is in place. The home is turn-key and move-in ready. The buyer can close and sleep in the house the same night, and make coffee in the morning. Go price out some average furniture and furnishings for a four-bedroom 4,000 square foot home that is bare (plus the cost of an interior designer). Depending on the quality you can get to $75,000+ pretty quickly, more for quality stuff. Unless the buyer hates the furniture and decor, they will usually get a better net deal on the home that is fully furnished.

Lenders and Inclusions

Lenders don’t want to loan on anything that can “walk away” they only want to loan on the real estate, and they don’t want inclusions items listed in a real estate contract. The inclusions should be conveyed outside of closing and in Colorado the Personal Property Agreement document facilitates this.

Stuff

A little levity — If you have not seen the bit by Georg Carlin – “Stuff” it is very funny and you can watch it below…

Stuff Buyer’s Don’t Want

Examples of stuff buyers really really don’t want… Junk which includes these common items, old Paint, oil, chemicals, fertilizer, old carpet remnants, lumber scraps, old tube TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and the huge armoires they sit inside, ski equipment that is 20 years old… throw it out, get your property manager to take it to the Dump in Gunnison, or donate it to Six Points…

Leased Items that people don’t think about

DirectTV or Dish receivers and Spectrum or Century Link DSL modems/wifi routers are typically leased and these need to be returned to the service providers. Some homes have solar panels and these can also be tied up in a lease.

One last thing… If you are a seller don’t forget to leave behind the garage door openers!

How can I help you?

Do you still have questions on Crested Butte Home Inclusions? Let me help – call or text me. I am a top real estate agent in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado and I have helped over 200 affluent clients to buy or sell in the Crested Butte area.

To see featured properties or search the MLS – visit chriskopf.com.

If you are Considering Selling Your Home in Crested Butte: If you are considering Selling your Crested Butte home and are interested in finding out what your existing property is worth – call me.