Do Potted Plants Stay with House Sale?

When selling a home, it's natural for the buyer to wonder what will come with the purchase. The furniture is easily visualized, and as for fixtures, they're usually clear-cut. But what about potted plants? Will they stay, or will the homeowner take them with them to their next home?

The Legalities

Firstly, it's essential to understand the legalities around what potted plants stay with a house sale. When buying a home, the sale usually covers everything that is permanently affixed to the home, such as light fixtures or built-in appliances. However, potted plants are not permanent fixtures and come under the category of personal property.

It's common to negotiate with the seller about what personal property they will take with them and what they will leave behind. The sale process usually includes Itemization and the negotiation process ensures that everyone involved knows what is included in the sale.

The Buyer's Perspective

From a buyer's standpoint, the potted plants can be a contentious issue. Suppose they've fallen in love with a home with lush outdoor gardens and potted plants everywhere. In that case, they may be disappointed that not all plants are included in the sale.

On the other hand, if the potted plants are not their thing, the buyer may be indifferent to whether or not they stay with the home sale. In such cases, it is still a good idea to verify what stays and what is going with the seller.

The Seller's Perspective

From the perspective of the seller, taking their beloved potted plants with them can be a challenging decision. Often enough, many have been living with these plants for years and have put a lot of work and care into maintaining them. Potted plants may also hold sentimental value and be a reminder of their time living in the home.

Despite this, the sellers have every right to take their potted plants with them; however, packing and transporting the plants can be a considerable challenge, which is why some homeowners may leave them as part of the sale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether or not potted plants stay with house sales is ultimately up to what the buyer and seller agree to during the negotiation process. It is always a good idea to set out expectations early and include everything in the sale agreement.

Ultimately, if a seller wants to take their potted plants with them, they must ensure the buyer knows this before agreeing to the sale. Similarly, if the buyer wants specific plants to be part of the sale, they should negotiate carefully.

Keep in mind that potted plants are a small part of a home sale, and while they can be essential to some, they are rarely the deciding factor on a sale. Knowing what can and cannot be negotiated, and leaving goodwill gestures in place, can smooth the home buying and selling process for all parties involved.