Want It Included in the Sale?
Put it in writing! I'm dealing with a slight issue of mis-communication between a buyer, his agent, a seller, and his agent. I'm none of these people - I'm just the one covering while the seller's agent is on vacation.
Luckily, I think I managed to work out the details and keep the seller happy.
When the buyer and his agent toured the home, they learned from the seller (actually the seller's fiancee who is NOT on the deed) that "everything is included". Naturally, the buyer assumed this meant the washer and dryer as well, and happily went on their merry way with their agent to write up an offer. Well, "everything" did not mean the washer and dryer.
The problem is, they never indicated those items on the Agreement of Sale as "included" items. The seller's agent told the buyer's agent that the washer and dryer can be "negotiable" - but never indicated that they were included. Instead, the buyer's agent went along with what the fiancee indicated, and just "assumed" that what she said overruled what the agent said.
Naturally, the seller moved those items out since they were not part of the Agreement. Here comes the fun part: The buyers noticed those items missing during their home inspection of the property, and said "Hey, wait a minute here! Where's our washer and dryer!".
So, I've spent the past several days playing "he said, she said" trying to figure out how the washer and dryer ended up being included, when in fact they are not indicated anywhere in writing. I looked through files, papers, addendums, even crawled on my hands and knees to look under the desk. I looked under the file, in the file next to this one, in the file on the floor (okay, several files on the floor). I not only looked under my coffee cup, I look inside my coffee cup (hey, you never know!) Nope, no mention of a washer and dryer anywhere.
Turns out, the buyer's agent did indeed confirm to me that no, she did not put them in writing, and yes, she just went by what was verbally indicated to her by the seller's girlfriend who was at the property at the time of the showing -- and that indeed, the listing agent told her those items were "negotiable". So, at this point, I am waiting to hear a price that the seller is willing to take for the washer and dryer.
This goes to show why things should not be ASSUMED as included. Do you want it? Put it in writing.
And make sure all parties are clear on what is included, or not.
------------------------------------
For Lancaster Real Estate Information,
www.jeanniesellslancaster.com/
-------------------
For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.
Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com
Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright â“’ 2007 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County
