Offer on House - Appliances!

[Kathi OD]

1) Today is a buyer's market.
2) Of course, I would ask for an "appliance allowance". *
3) I would ask for $2,200-up-to-$2,500.
. . . fridge - $1,100
. . . stove - $600
. . . dishwasher - $500
4) All that could happen is they come back with a counter offer.

* People ask for carpet, repainting, repair allowances
all the time. If the seller wants the sale, they will bend.
If not, be prepared to lower the allowance or walk from
the sale. If your agent tells this to the seller, you will
be surprised how quickly people come around.

IMO, those appliance prices are pretty high. You can get a side-by-side stainless fridge at Lowe's for under $800, and no way am I paying for someone else to have a stainless fridge.

If I were inclined to give an appliance allowance (which I wouldn't because that's already been considered in the price of the home), total I might give $1000. If the appliances are working, there's no need for the allowance.

Like a PP said, too many people out there have "HGTV syndrome" (love that term and glad to see I'm not the only one who think those people are a little spoiled) and think they have to have the best of everything when they purchase a house.

 

[MEM]

In my area, this a totally normal and common thing to ask for. I don't see a problem with it.

Same here in the Boston area...that is not to say the buyer can expect to replace them with the highest end appliances, however. Buyers will also ask for a carpeting allowance if they don't like the color of the carpet (even if its new!). The OP mentioned the appliances look like they are original to the 17 year old house. Not unreasonable to ask in this market - if you don't ask, you don't get.

 

[dakcp2001]

It can't hurt to ask, they might say yes or split it with you. As someone who has a home on the market right now, I would say no to that, but maybe someone else wont. Let us know how it works out.

 

[mdsouth]

IMO, those appliance prices are pretty high. You can get a side-by-side stainless fridge at Lowe's for under $800, and no way am I paying for someone else to have a stainless fridge.

If I were inclined to give an appliance allowance (which I wouldn't because that's already been considered in the price of the home), total I might give $1000. If the appliances are working, there's no need for the allowance.

Like a PP said, too many people out there have "HGTV syndrome" (love that term and glad to see I'm not the only one who think those people are a little spoiled) and think they have to have the best of everything when they purchase a house.

I totally agree that many people have HGTV Syndrome. I'm not saying this is the cause of the OP, but so many people watch tv and then expect top of line materials and appliances, even in low end houses. They also expect granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, travertine tiles, hard wood floors in excellent condition, huge spa bathrooms and huge walk in closets, all on a beer budget or even in a house built over one hundred years ago!

 

[redandblue]

I would ask. I live in a total buyers market and if we were to sell our house we would do almost anything such as updating the appliances (ours are only 5 years old though), new carpet, leaving furniture ect, ect.

But then again I didn't realize appliances stayed with a house. I thought most people took their appliances. I would actually be pretty upset if I bought a house and people left their old crappy appliances that I then had to pay to dispose of and get out of my house. New house means new applainces for me.

 

[Anthony1971]

While this is a buyers market maket here are the rules and this goes for other things as well like blinds...
In most states a house does not have to include appliances and will not unless stated in your contract.
Part 2 is if it is in the contract and does not state which ones (even with a picture) it could be any ones not the ones you saw.
I would likely say any house you go to see is priced with the inclusion and or condition of appliances as these are questions asked when coming up with a price. You can ask for anything and now have a better chance of getting something but in a better market expect a seller to say no or simply walk away.

 

[bellarella]

Of course you can ask for anything, but:

1. You should look at how the home is priced. If it is below market for the area, then you probably won't get it unless the sellers are desperate.

2. You can just lower your offer. You don't need to give the reason, but your realtor could point out that the house needs updating and appliances, and therefore shouldn't be priced as high when she presents the offer. However, this might not free up the cash to replace them if they should break.

3. You can ask for the allowance. But even if you get it, you still might have a problem when it comes time to get your mortgage. Large cash backs at closing can trigger closer scrutiny. You might also wind up being in a position where the house does not appraise out for your purchase price. In other words, if they were asking $150,000 and you think it is worth $145,000, but structure the deal so that you are paying $150,000 and getting $5,000 cash back at closing, you might find that the house only appraises for $145,000 and you can't get the mortgage. It is unlikely that you will be able to get a price reduction *and* a cash back allowance. (In other words, if, because of the appliances the house is only worth $145,000, you aren't going to be able to offer $145,000 *and* still get the money back at closing).

4. Getting a home warranty is always a good idea. They don't cover everything, but they generally can get through some basic fixes.

 

[MEM]

I would ask. I live in a total buyers market and if we were to sell our house we would do almost anything such as updating the appliances (ours are only 5 years old though), new carpet, leaving furniture ect, ect.

But then again I didn't realize appliances stayed with a house. I thought most people took their appliances. I would actually be pretty upset if I bought a house and people left their old crappy appliances that I then had to pay to dispose of and get out of my house. New house means new applainces for me.

It varies by state and the realtor is supposed to know these things. In Massachusetts the stove stays with the house. Any other appliances that are built in must also remain, like a dishwasher or trash compactor or wall air conditioner. All other appliances are yours to either take or leave for the buyer (like the refrigerator, washer or dryer). However, its my understanding that "a" stove must remain with the house, not necessarily the high-end one the seller has, unless spelled out in the offer. The stove must be in good working condition.

 

[sookie]

It varies by state and the realtor is supposed to know these things. In Massachusetts the stove stays with the house. Any other appliances that are built in must also remain, like a dishwasher or trash compactor or wall air conditioner. All other appliances are yours to either take or leave for the buyer (like the refrigerator, washer or dryer). However, its my understanding that "a" stove must remain with the house, not necessarily the high-end one the seller has, unless spelled out in the offer. The stove must be in good working condition.

I think that everything stays down here but the fridge! which I am fine with!

Thank you so much everyone for the great advice!

 

[sookie]

Totally agree! I would have your realtor explain very nicely that you're deciding between two houses. The other one is brand new, which of course includes brand new appliances, and you're concerned about the longevity of the appliances in the older house. I don't think it's unreasonable to discuss it. As another poster said, they may tell you that issue was built into the price of the house, but it can't hurt to ask.




Perfectly reasonable concern. We have contemplated selling our house. I know that the stove is very near needing replaced (other appliances are nearly new). I would much rather deduct the price a little than fool with it myself!




That, and the woman who wanted the serving pieces, is absolutely ridiculous! You have to wonder sometiems, don't you?

DD and her husband are looking at a place right now. The house has been empty for a couple of years, but still has lots of stuff in it (the husband died unexpectedly, and the wife went back to where her family is). DSiL would love for the large amount of tools to stay, but he certainly realizes that they don't "go with the house". They are contemplating making a side offer for the tools though.

This is a great post! thank you!
and yes that is amazing! people can be unreal - haha!

 

[TarzansKat]

We just bought a house that was built in the 70s. Instead of asking for any type of allowance, our offer reflected the level of work we thought the house needed. Which included appliances, udpating...to make a long story short, let's just say this house is a HUGE fixer upper. I'm talking original appliances, original fixtures, everything. Nothing had ever been updated.

After making a lowball offer, we were refused. A few weeks later, the sellers came back to us and wanted to know if we were still interested. We ended up getting a really good deal on the house because they were desperate to sell. I'd be more worried about the "bones" of the house, the structure, as they say, than appliances. Our house has a good structure, and the important things, like the roof, electrical, etc, are in good order.

Worst case scenario, you can always get a used appliance on Craigslist, sometimes people sell barely used appliances because they're redoing their kitchens. My long and convoluted point is that you can ask for anything you want, and you never know what they'll say. Your realtor may be able to give you a better feel for it since it seems different things are standard in different parts of the country. Where we are, it's customary to leave all appliances, wheras where my sister lives, it's not.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision!

 

[Sinderelly]

I love the HGTV syndrome term. I think I suffer from the ailment. Our house is on the market and I want everything to be perfect for the buyer. Our house is only 2 years old and everything of course is almsot brand new. I try to look at it from a buyer's standpoint and make sure the house is entirely move in ready. I sure wouldn't want to purchase a house that needed work and wouldn't expect our future buyers to either. If the appliances needed updating I would think it fair if I received an offer requesting an appliance allowance.

 

[TarzansKat]

I love the HGTV syndrome term. I think I suffer from the ailment. Our house is on the market and I want everything to be perfect for the buyer. Our house is only 2 years old and everything of course is almsot brand new. I try to look at it from a buyer's standpoint and make sure the house is entirely move in ready. I sure wouldn't want to purchase a house that needed work and wouldn't expect our future buyers to either. If the appliances needed updating I would think it fair if I received an offer requesting an appliance allowance.

Not to hijack the thread, but can I just say how nice you are?

Just from my experience, not the norm. It's actually kind of heartwarming to hear that somebody really cares what their buyer is getting. With us, not so much.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I remember whe we purchased our home, the refrigerator was not included.

The seller had just recently purchased the fridge from Sears and we paid separately for it ($800) in payments which was helpful.

15 years later, that fridge is still running. Gave it to MIL after the new 1 we purchased for her did not fit in her space. We took the new 1 and she got our GE.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

1) Today is a buyer's market.
2) Of course, I would ask for an "appliance allowance". *
3) I would ask for $2,200-up-to-$2,500.
. . . fridge - $1,100
. . . stove - $600
. . . dishwasher - $500
4) All that could happen is they come back with a counter offer.

* People ask for carpet, repainting, repair allowances
all the time. If the seller wants the sale, they will bend.
If not, be prepared to lower the allowance or walk from
the sale. If your agent tells this to the seller, you will
be surprised how quickly people come around.

I agree!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

Our current house we just wanted to make sure they left the stove and dishwasher. They asked if we wanted the window treatments. I said No thanks because it was curtains and we didn't like them. Well, when we moved in, they'd taken the whole curtain rods with them but left the brackets attached to the windows! They also took all the blinds which we thought would normally be included in the sale price (so did our very experienced realtor). We decided to close on the house rather than hold up the sale over those.

Wow! I guess you really can't take any thing for granted. Reminds me of that old Richard Pryor film, "Moving" where he's looking at a house to buy... he compliments several items in the house, like the chandelier, the banister on the staircase, light fixtures and says to the owner that he likes them. The owner keeps saying, "we're taking that with us!" like he's joking with Richard Pryor's character. So after a harrowing cross country move, Pryor's character arrives with his wife and kids to move in to the house and it is totally stripped - all the stuff the owner "joked" about taking with him - was gone!

 

[lpereira]

You know i saw an interesting article just today in the wall street journal. The gist of it was that it isn't really a buyers market. It's an investors market. That being said just offer a lower amount for the house with no further explanation needed. When we purchased it was before the crash which was definitely sellers market. We offered $25,000 less than their asking price because of the work that needed to be done. We didn't say your house looks like it was decorated by a mobile home designer- which was true. But we did offer to close in 2 weeks or less. Wewere already holding a mortgage and just needed the appraisal and inspection. We also put in our offer that we accepted as is with the right to walk away from certain inspection problems. I digress just have your agent submit an offer that takes into account buying new appliances. If you cant afford new ones right now thrift store it til you can. I'm finally getting my kitchen 5ish years after we bought our place.

 

[Judique]

If you cant afford new ones right now thrift store it til you can. I'm finally getting my kitchen 5ish years after we bought our place.

And this is why you should go ahead and negotiate for the appliances to be replaced with what you want.

You can have the amount added into your mortgage assuming your appraisal can accept it and move in worry free. I would go slightly higher than Rusty - dishwashers can be $500, refrigerators range according to size, but nice stoves are now more expensive than $600 - the choices at Lowes and HD and Sears have gone up considerably more than some other appliances.

 

[Sinderelly]

Not to hijack the thread, but can I just say how nice you are?

Just from my experience, not the norm. It's actually kind of heartwarming to hear that somebody really cares what their buyer is getting. With us, not so much.

That is so sweet of you to say. Thank you! You really made my day. Congratulations on purchasing your home and the best of luck making it into your dream home.

 

[TarzansKat]

That is so sweet of you to say. Thank you! You really made my day. Congratulations on purchasing your home and the best of luck making it into your dream home.

You're welcome! And good luck in selling yours.