Personal property vs fixtures?

When purchasing your home, it may seem a bit confusing on what actually comes with the home! Do I get the fridge, the stove, the alarm system, the hot tub? In North Carolina, we define items in a house as either “personal property” or “fixtures.” Personal property does not convey (transfer) with the home, whereas fixtures (items affixed to the property) do convey with the home.

The North Carolina Real Estate Commission provides a list of fixtures to help create clarity for everyone involved. This includes:

• Attached alarm and security systems

• Stoves, ranges, ovens that are built in

• Antennas and satellite dishes

• Permanently attached basketball goals

• Ceiling fans

• Garage door openers

• Landscaping and outdoor trees (that are not in moveable containers)

• Mailboxes

• Mirrors

• Brackets for attaching a television

• Blinds & shades

This list isn’t exhaustive, but does begin to show us the pattern of what is consider a fixture. Essentially it boils down to, “is it attached to the house?”

Generally, the areas I see personal property come up most frequently in real estate transactions is the refrigerator, the washer and dryer, and propane tanks. Buyers, at the end of the day if you’re unsure if something comes with the home ask! And if you want to know for certain it will come with the house, put it into the contract! Never assume something is coming with the house. Sellers, if you want to make sure to keep grandma’s antique mirror, please remove it before we list the house! That way there is no confusion.

Overall having a great agent can help clear any confusion and make sure that you’re getting exactly what you hoped for on closing day!