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Owner's Manuals
Some appliances—such as refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, water softeners, and hot water heaters—probably won’t move with you. Leave behind the owner’s manuals to make it easier for the new residents to operate and maintain the appliances, order replacement parts, and schedule service calls.
Leftover Paint
Do you have a stack of leftover paint cans from last summer’s renovations? Please don’t load them into the moving truck. The new residents will appreciate having the correct paint colors on hand to touch up the scratches and scuffs that inevitably come with moving. Store the cans in a spot without major temperature fluctuations where the new owners can easily find them (for example, under a sink or at the back of a closet).
Curtains
When you move out, all curtains should remain on the windows. The new owners will be grateful for the coverings, which probably won’t fit your new home anyway.
Light Fixtures
Buyers expect attached objects, including light fixtures, to remain in the house. If you decide to take a light fixture when moving, notify the real estate agent before signing the sales contract, and replace the fixture with another one. Also, leave behind light bulbs so the new owners won’t be stuck in the dark. (Plus, bulbs are difficult to transport without breaking.)
Old Clothing
Take a look in the corner of your closet, and you’ll likely find two-sizes-too-small jeans and misshapen T-shirts. Instead of bringing along clothes you haven’t worn in ages, bundle them up and donate to friends, family members, or your local secondhand store.
Related: 11 Things Never to Buy Secondhand
Houseplants
Unless you’re moving a short distance, it’s a smart idea to find new homes for your houseplants. The less-than-ideal conditions in the moving van, which include extreme temperature fluctuations, lack of water, and stop-and-go movements, may harm or kill them. Try gifting your spider plant or asparagus fern to a doting neighbor instead.
Related: Here’s What Your Favorite Houseplants Look Like in the Wild
In-Ground Features
Anything secured in the ground is considered real estate—not personal property—so it stays with your home after a sale. This includes mailboxes, birdhouses, yard lights, and fire pits. If you really want to take a particular item, make sure it’s listed as an exclusion in the real estate sales contract. Otherwise, after closing, it doesn’t belong to you anymore.
Outdoor Plantings
Trees, shrubs, and other landscaping features should be left behind. The new homeowner will expect all outdoor plantings to remain on the property, and established greenery probably wouldn’t survive being transplanted anyway. If you’re itching to bring along a prized rose or shrub, take cuttings to propagate at your new place.
Warranties
If you’ve remodeled recently, the new materials may have transferrable warranties that remain in effect after your home sells. Leave the warranty paperwork for siding, replacement windows, appliances, and other items on the kitchen counter, where the new residents are sure to find them.
Hardwired Alarm Systems
Portable wireless alarm systems, such as Wi-Fi-enabled cameras that sync with your smartphone, can be relocated during a move. But hardwired alarms that connect to your home’s electrical system should stay in place. If a security company monitors your alarm system, let both the company and the new owners know about the move. That way, you can discontinue the service, and the new owners can switch it to their name.
Moving Matters
Moving is the final stretch in a long real estate process. From finding the right realtor to negotiating the final cost, there are a lot of variables when it comes to buying and selling a home. Once you’re settled in you can sit back and relax—just make sure you know these vital things about your new home!
