Selling house - normal to take decorative shelves from LO room?

NYBrideInWI

Hi, Looking for opinions on what's normal or expected (not the legal definition) when selling a house. Would you expect sellers to leave a decorative wall shelf in a bedroom? I have a small shelf with coat hooks at "kid height" in each of my LO's rooms that I'd like to take with us. 

I'm leaving all curtain rods and window blinds since they are "fixtures" and I know technically the contract states anything attached to the wall stays... but what's the reality of how this works? They aren't expensive shelves but they coordinate with the other room decorations that we'll be taking with us.

Thanks!

hereonceagain

I assume the owners may want them if they are attached, however I asked our buyers if they wanted them, and they said no.

BG09

I don't think I would leave them if I were you, and as a buyer I wouldn't expect them to be left either.  I would actually be surprised if someone did leave them.

TarHeels&Rebels

If you're already on the market, just tape a little note to them that says "this shelf does not convey." 

It seems absurd to me that a little rack for children's coats would count as a fixture, but I'm also from a place where you do not leave behind curtains, etc because they're personal.  Ask your agent; s/he may tell you that it needs to be written into the listing.

mr&mrsandre

I wouldn't leave them.

aweilba

As a buyer, I would not expect the shelves to be included in the purchase of the house, unless specified in the listing.  Usually, things that seem to stay are window treatments and lighting.  I'd take them with you.

Sisugal

That was how it worked in my area - all items attached to the house go with the house if shown that way.  If you want to keep them, then you can either remove them prior to showing the house or specifically specify in the contract. that they are not included in the sale.

kaitylin

We just sold and took all wall shelves with us... We even took a chandelier that we had purchased for DD's room but we specified that in the contract. We also removed a large mirror that we had attached to a wall. Our realtors told us only lighting and attached window fixtures were to stay (we could take curtains but not curtain rods). We repaired the wall for everything we took down. I can't imagine a buyer thinking a kids coat hook/shelf is included and I bet they will be happy you take it so they don't have to the repair the wall themselves if they don't need it in the room.

Lulu0802

If I left everything that was attached to the walls, I would have had to leave all of my furniture.  I have a 3y/o... EVERYTHING is anchored to the wall for safety.  We only left blinds and curtains.

NYBrideInWI

Thanks for the input. I think I'll take the ones from the kids rooms but leave the shelves in the living room because they don't go with the style of our new (older) home. 

To PP about the furniture - I totally agree - all of our bookcases and dressers are attached to the walls because we have a 3yr old but I'm certain nobody expects those to stay, so I think that's definitely and area where the wording of the contract shouldn't be taken TOO literally. 

jacksjerseygirl

Ive owned and sold homes in multiple markets and NEVER has 'everything' hung on the wall meant it is a fixture to be sold with the home. Lol that is ridiculous. 

MaineWifey

I'm always surprised at the number of people on TN that actually leave their curtains in the house.  Curtains are never expected to stay with a home in my area.  The rods, yes, the curtains, never. 

The shelf I think wouldn't be expected to stay with the house.  That would be like expecting that a piece of art hanging on the wall would remain with the home. 

As a buyer I would hope that if it was anchored to the wall and large holes were left upon removal that the holes would be filled though.  It wouldn't be a dealbreaker at the final walkthrough if there were holes, but I'd be really annoyed.