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What Actually Stays With the House When You Buy It?
What Stays With the House When You Buy It?
Have you ever walked through a home and wondered, “Does that refrigerator come with it?” Or maybe you fell in love with a porch swing, a beautiful chandelier, or even a one-of-a-kind carousel horse in the backyard. What Stays With the House When You Buy It?
The answer might surprise you.
One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that everything you see during a showing automatically comes with the home. In reality, some items stay with the property, while others belong to the seller unless they’re specifically included in the purchase agreement.
Let’s break it down.
What Usually Stays
In general, anything considered a fixture stays with the home. A fixture is something that’s permanently attached to the property.
Common examples include:
- Built-in cabinets and shelving
- Light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Bathroom mirrors that are attached to the wall
- Window blinds or shades
- Built-in appliances like dishwashers and ovens
- Mailboxes
- Landscaping that is planted in the ground
These items are considered part of the property and are typically included in the sale unless the seller specifically excludes them.
What Usually Doesn’t Stay
Personal property belongs to the seller and usually moves with them.
This often includes:
- Furniture
- Televisions
- Rugs
- Artwork
- Patio furniture
- Grills
- Potted plants
- Decorative mirrors that are simply hung on a nail
Even if an item looks like it “belongs” with the home, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s included.
The Gray Areas
This is where things can get interesting.
Items like these often create questions:
- Refrigerators
- Washers and dryers
- Security cameras
- Porch swings
- Playsets
- Sheds
- Mounted televisions
- TV wall mounts
- Hot tubs
- Garage shelving
Some sellers plan to leave them. Others intend to take them.
The only way to know is to ask.
What If You Love Something Unique?
Maybe it’s a custom-built dining table that fits the breakfast nook perfectly.
Maybe it’s the porch swing where you can already picture yourself drinking coffee.
Or maybe it’s a vintage carousel horse sitting proudly in the backyard.
If it makes the property feel like home, don’t be afraid to ask if it can stay.
The seller may say no, but they might also be perfectly happy to leave it behind. Sometimes they don’t want the hassle of moving it, and sometimes they’re simply willing to include it as part of the negotiation.
You never know unless you ask.
The Most Important Rule
Real estate contracts are designed to eliminate assumptions.
If you want something to stay, it should be written into the purchase agreement.
If the seller plans to take something that buyers might reasonably expect to remain, that should be clearly stated as well.
Clear expectations help prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page.
Before writing an offer, it’s important to make sure everything you want to stay (or not stay) be discussed with your agent. This also will help determine what a great offer looks like.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just beginning your search, you can browse homes currently available in the Auburn and Opelika area.
Buying a home isn’t just about four walls and a roof. Sometimes it’s the little details that make you fall in love with a property.
Whether it’s a refrigerator, a porch swing, or a carousel horse, remember this simple rule:
If you want it, ask for it. If it’s important to either party, put it in writing.
Because when it comes to real estate, clarity is always better than assumptions.
Have questions about what should be included in your offer? We’d be happy to help.
Why Price Per Square Foot Can Be One of the Most Misleading Numbers in Real Estate
Price Per Square Foot – The Most Misunderstood Number In Real Estate
Helping buyers and sellers across East Alabama understand real estate, one question at a time.
“What’s the price per square foot in my neighborhood?”
As Realtors®, this is one of the most common questions we get from homeowners.
It’s an understandable question. Price per square foot is easy to find online, it’s often mentioned in market reports, and it seems like a quick way to estimate what a home might be worth.
In fact, many sellers become attached to that number before we ever sit down to discuss pricing.
The problem is that relying too heavily on price per square foot can create unrealistic expectations. In today’s market, pricing a home based on a simple calculation instead of its true market value can lead to fewer showings, lower offers, and ultimately more time on the market.
Before we talk about why, it’s important to understand what price per square foot actually tells us…and what it doesn’t.
What Is Price Per Square Foot?
Price per square foot is exactly what it sounds like. You take the sale price of a home and divide it by its finished square footage.
For example:
- A home that sells for $400,000 with 2,000 square feet sold for $200 per square foot.
It’s a useful statistic because it helps identify general trends in a neighborhood or local market.
The key word, however, is general.
It’s a market indicator, not a pricing formula.
No Two Homes Are Truly the Same
Imagine two homes that are both 2,000 square feet.
One backs up to a golf course.
The other sits on a busy road.
One has a beautifully renovated kitchen with custom cabinetry and quartz countertops.
The other still has its original finishes from twenty years ago.
One has a screened porch overlooking a private backyard.
The other has no outdoor living space at all.
Even though they’re exactly the same size, they are unlikely to sell for the same price.
Square footage is only one piece of the puzzle.
Smaller Homes Often Have a Higher Price Per Square Foot
This surprises many homeowners.
A 1,400-square-foot home may actually sell for a higher price per square foot than a 3,200-square-foot home in the very same neighborhood.
Why?
Because certain parts of every home carry significant value regardless of size.
Think about the kitchen.
Bathrooms.
The garage.
The roof.
The HVAC system.
The lot itself.
Those costs don’t double simply because the house is larger. Since those fixed-value features are spread across fewer square feet in a smaller home, the price per square foot is often higher.
That’s completely normal.
Buyers Don’t Shop With Calculators (Well, Most buyers anyway)
When buyers walk through a home, they aren’t thinking:
“This feels like exactly $212 per square foot.”
Instead, they’re asking themselves questions like:
- Can I picture my family living here?
- Is the kitchen updated?
- Do I love the backyard?
- Is there enough storage?
- Does the layout work for our lifestyle?
- Is this home worth the asking price compared to others I’ve seen?
Those emotional and practical decisions influence value far more than a simple mathematical formula.
Location Can Change Everything
You’ve probably heard the phrase:
Location, location, location.
There’s a reason it’s still one of the biggest factors in real estate.
Two nearly identical homes can have very different values simply because of where they’re located.
Things like:
- Neighborhood demand
- School districts
- Privacy
- Lot size
- Views
- Nearby amenities
- Traffic patterns
- Future development
all influence what buyers are willing to pay.
That’s true whether the home is in Auburn, Opelika, or one of the many wonderful communities throughout East Alabama.
Appraisers Don’t Use Price Per Square Foot Alone
One of the biggest misconceptions is that appraisers determine value by multiplying square footage by a dollar amount.
They don’t.
Professional appraisers compare similar homes that have recently sold and then make adjustments for differences such as:
- Size
- Age
- Condition
- Updates
- Lot characteristics
- Garages
- Pools
- Outdoor living spaces
- Overall appeal
This process creates a much more accurate picture of a home’s market value than a simple price-per-square-foot calculation ever could.
So… Is Price Per Square Foot Useless?
Not at all.
It’s actually a valuable tool when it’s used correctly.
Real estate professionals use price per square foot to identify market trends and compare similar properties.
The problem comes when it’s treated as the only factor in determining value.
Every home has its own story.
Every neighborhood is different.
Every buyer values different features.
That’s why pricing a home is both a science and an art.
The Bottom Line
Pricing a home isn’t about finding a magic number and multiplying it by the square footage.
It’s about understanding how buyers see your home in today’s market.
A well-priced home often attracts more interest, generates stronger offers, and creates a smoother selling experience.
On the other hand, pricing too high because of an oversimplified price-per-square-foot calculation can cause a home to sit on the market longer than necessary. As time passes, buyers naturally begin to wonder why it hasn’t sold, and that can make achieving your desired price even more challenging.
That’s why I prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for every seller. A CMA looks beyond square footage to evaluate the things buyers actually pay for—location, condition, updates, amenities, lot characteristics, and recent comparable sales.
Our goal isn’t simply to tell you what your home is worth.
Our goal is to help you price it strategically so you can attract the right buyers and maximize your opportunity in today’s market.
Have a question you’d like us to explain?
Send it our way! Your question could inspire a future edition of Real Estate Explained. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or simply curious about the market in East Alabama, we’re here to help.
What Do Higher Mortgage Rates Really Mean for Home Buyers?
What Do Higher Mortgage Rates REALLY Mean for Buyers?
Every time mortgage rates make the news, my phone starts ringing.
“Should I wait?”
“Are rates going back down?”
“Is now a terrible time to buy?”
The truth is, Higher Mortgage Rates do affect affordability. But they don’t always mean you should put your home search on hold.
Let’s break down what higher rates really mean.
First…What Causes Mortgage Rates to Go Up?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that mortgage rates are set by one person.
In reality, they’re influenced by a combination of factors like inflation, the overall economy, employment, investor confidence, and decisions made by the Federal Reserve. While the Federal Reserve doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its policies can influence where rates head over time.
That’s why rates can change from week to week, and sometimes even from day to day. It can feel confusing when the news talks about the Federal Reserve and mortgage rates. If you’d like to better understand the connection, the Federal Reserve offers helpful information about its role in the economy.
Yes, Higher Mortgage Rates Mean Higher Payments
This is the part everyone notices first.
If you’re borrowing the same amount of money, a higher interest rate usually means a higher monthly payment.
That may affect:
- The price range you shop in.
- How much home you can comfortably afford.
- Your monthly budget.
For some buyers, that simply means adjusting expectations rather than giving up on buying altogether.
But Here’s What Most Headlines Leave Out…
Many buyers assume that if rates are higher, they should wait until they come back down.
The problem?
Nobody knows exactly when, or if, that will happen.
Waiting also comes with risks.
Home prices may continue to rise.
Competition may increase if rates drop and more buyers jump back into the market.
And the perfect home you’re waiting for today may not be available six months from now.
Trying to “time the market” is incredibly difficult.
That’s one reason I believe in staying informed about the real estate market instead of relying on headlines alone.
Don’t let one day’s headline determine your plans. Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate report is a great resource for understanding how rates are changing over time and putting today’s numbers into perspective.
A Little Perspective Helps
Today’s mortgage rates feel high because many of us remember the historically low rates during 2020 and 2021.
But those rates were the exception, not the rule.
According to the Alabama REALTORS® Economic & Real Estate Report, the average 30-year fixed mortgage over the past 40 years has been approximately 6.5%. While rates have moved up and down over time, today’s market is much closer to the long-term historical average than many people realize.
That doesn’t make higher payments any easier, but it does remind us that today’s rates aren’t unprecedented.
Even with higher mortgage rates, many buyers still find that the long-term benefits of homeownership outweigh waiting on the sidelines.
Remember…You Can Always Refinance
One thing many buyers overlook is that your purchase price is permanent.
Your interest rate isn’t.
If rates decline in the future, many homeowners choose to refinance into a lower rate while continuing to enjoy the home they already own.
Of course, refinancing isn’t guaranteed and depends on future market conditions, but it’s an option many buyers keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase now.
Buying a home is a big decision, and the more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a great collection of home buying resources that can help answer questions before you even begin your search.
Focus on What You Can Control
Instead of worrying about predicting interest rates, focus on the things you actually control.
You can:
- Improve your credit score.
- Save for a larger down payment.
- Reduce debt before applying for a mortgage.
- Shop with an experienced lender who can explain different loan options.
- Work with a REALTOR® who can help you negotiate the best possible purchase.
Those decisions often have a greater impact on your home-buying experience than trying to guess what rates will do next.
My Advice
Every buyer’s situation is different.
For some people, waiting makes sense.
For others, buying now is absolutely the right decision.
That’s why my answer is almost always…”It depends.”
It depends on your finances, your goals, your timeline, and the local market.
If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to buy, let’s have a conversation. It’s important to prepare before you start house hunting so you’re ready when the right home comes along. We can look at your options together, run the numbers, and decide what makes the most sense for you—not what the latest headline says.
For Sale By Owner in Auburn and Opelika: Be Brave but Be Prepared
Once upon a time, bravery meant stepping into the unknown and trusting yourself to figure it out along the way. March’s chapter in our Real Estate Is a Fairytale series is inspired by courage, and in real estate one of the bravest choices I see homeowners make is deciding to pursue For Sale By Owner in Auburn and Opelika.
For Sale By Owner, often referred to as FSBO, is something many sellers explore. Sometimes it is about saving money. Sometimes it comes from confidence in managing the process. And sometimes it simply reflects a desire to stay in control of one of life’s largest financial decisions. Check out this article from NAR about FSBO’s
I understand that mindset. Exploring your options is part of being an informed homeowner. When homeowners begin researching For Sale By Owner in Auburn and Opelika, they are usually looking for clarity about what the journey actually involves. Like many paths that appear simple from the outside, there are often more moving parts than expected.
Selling a home involves far more than placing a sign in the yard or sharing a listing online. Pricing requires interpretation of market activity and comparable sales. Marketing involves positioning, exposure, and presentation. Coordinating showings, negotiating offers, managing contracts, handling disclosures, navigating inspections, working through appraisal questions, and coordinating closing timelines all become the seller’s responsibility.
Understanding what buyers are looking for is another important piece of the equation. Today’s buyers are not just comparing your home to the one down the street. They are comparing presentation, online visibility, condition, pricing strategy, and perceived value across everything they see in their search. In Auburn and Opelika especially, buyer expectations are shaped by university driven demand, investor activity, and relocation timelines. Knowing how buyers evaluate listings can influence staging choices, photography decisions, pricing adjustments, and negotiation positioning. When sellers understand buyer behavior, they are better equipped to present their home in a way that resonates with the market.
None of that is impossible. It simply means you are carrying every part of the process yourself.
Over the years I have watched homeowners step confidently into the For Sale By Owner process and later discover how many details exist behind the scenes. Addressing inspection findings, responding to appraisal challenges, or managing contractual deadlines can become stressful, especially when emotions are tied to the home.
This is where professional representation often changes the experience. Not because sellers are incapable, but because real estate involves marketing reach, legal awareness, negotiation strategy, and local market insight that is difficult to replicate independently.
For Sale By Owner in Auburn and Opelika presents unique considerations tied to our local market. University cycles influence demand. Investor activity shifts competition. Relocations affect timing. Neighborhood specific trends impact pricing. Understanding these dynamics can influence exposure, days on market, and ultimately net proceeds.
Bravery in real estate does not always mean going it alone. Sometimes it means asking questions, gathering insight, and choosing the path that best protects your investment and peace of mind.
Whether you ultimately pursue For Sale By Owner in Auburn and Opelika or choose professional guidance, the most important outcome is making an informed and confident decision.
If selling has been on your mind and you want to talk through your options locally, We are always happy to have that conversation. No pressure. No expectations. Just insight to help you determine your next chapter. Learn about our approach here.
Because every good fairytale begins with clarity about where the path leads.
More Than Buying & Selling: What REALTORS® Really Do
Not Just Buying & Selling: What REALTORS® Really Do
When people ask “what do REALTORS® really do?” the answer often starts with buying and selling homes. But that’s only part of the story.
REALTORS® do much more than facilitate transactions. We advocate for property rights, protect homeownership, educate consumers, and work year-round to ensure real estate laws support both individual property owners and the long-term health of our communities.
Real estate isn’t just about houses, it’s about protecting the right to own property.
What Makes a REALTOR® Different?
Not every real estate licensee is a REALTOR®. REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS and commit to a strict Code of Ethics that goes beyond state licensing requirements.
This means REALTORS® are held to higher standards of:
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Integrity and honesty
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Client advocacy
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Transparency
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Fair housing and consumer protection
These standards help ensure consumers are represented by professionals who are accountable not only to clients, but to the public.
REALTOR® Advocacy & Protecting Property Rights
One of the most important, and least visible, answers to what do REALTORS® do is advocacy.
Through organizations like Alabama REALTORS, REALTORS® work directly with lawmakers to protect property rights and promote policies that support responsible homeownership.
This advocacy includes:
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Protecting homeowners from unfair property tax increases
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Supporting clear title and ownership protections
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Fighting real estate fraud and seller impersonation
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Advocating for housing affordability and supply
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Defending landowner rights
Many of these efforts happen behind the scenes, long before legislation ever affects homeowners.
Realtor Day at the Capitol: Advocacy in Action
Each year, REALTORS® from across Alabama gather for Realtor Day at the Capitol to meet with state leaders and advocate for property owners.
These conversations focus on real-world issues that directly impact homeowners, buyers, sellers, and investors, including property rights, fraud prevention, housing access, and consumer protections.
This is a key example of how REALTOR® advocacy works not just during a transaction, but year-round.
Supporting Property Rights Year-Round Through RPAC
Advocacy doesn’t stop after one day.
REALTORS® across Alabama voluntarily contribute to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), which supports candidates and initiatives that promote homeownership and protect property rights.
In Alabama alone, REALTORS® raised over $700,000 to support RPAC, funding that helps ensure property owners have a strong voice in legislation that affects real estate and land ownership.
What REALTOR® Advocacy Means for Auburn & Opelika
Here in Auburn and Opelika, REALTOR® advocacy plays an important role in protecting local homeowners, landowners, and investors.
Local real estate markets are shaped by zoning decisions, property tax policies, development regulations, and state laws — all of which directly impact property values and ownership rights.
By staying involved at the state level and advocating locally, REALTORS® help protect:
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Property values in established neighborhoods
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Responsible growth and development
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Clear ownership and land-use rights
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Consumer protections for buyers and sellers
Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a long-held property, or investing in land in Auburn or Opelika, REALTOR® advocacy helps protect your long-term interests.
More Than a Transaction
So, what do REALTORS® do?
We educate, advocate, and protect…not just at the closing table, but every day. Real estate is personal, and protecting property rights is essential to strong communities.
If you ever have questions about how real estate laws, market changes, or local policies affect your property, we’re always happy to be a resource.
