While the recommendation of writing into a real estate contract items that the buyer wants to remain in the house is good advice, it is also problematic.

The majority of homes under $300,000 are financed FHA. Underwriters are specific that no personal property is to be appear in a contract. Therefore, unattached items such as refrigerators and washer-dryers are left in limbo.

Article continues below

Advertise with Inman

When the sellers say items will remain and the buyers trust that they will be left, buyers are unprotected in FHA financing. It is customary in our market that appliances stay with the house, but the FHA buyer has no legal protection.

I think this should have be revealed in the article.