Moving Etiquette (regarding new owner of the house you sold) (jobs, Budget)

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by DubbleT

I still think asking the new owners would be a nice thing to do.

I think it's better to have as little contact as possible with the buyer, ideally none at all. It's not unusual for people to experience buyer's remorse.

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

In my book, the house should be spotless and NOTHING should be left in the home for them to have to deal with unless they have specifically said they want it.

I think that's the best idea. Everything to the curb, preferably a week or more before moving so that the buyer doesn't even see it at all.


Well I'm glad I asked. Thanks!

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

I think it's better to have as little contact as possible with the buyer, ideally none at all. It's not unusual for people to experience buyer's remorse.

However, you can present their agent with a list and ask them to find out if the buyers would like for you to leave such things as matching paint (a very nice idea, by the way, and one that most buyers would appreciate if they're not planning on repainting when they move in) and other things directly related to the house.

[NYMD67]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

However, you can present their agent with a list and ask them to find out if the buyers would like for you to leave such things as matching paint (a very nice idea, by the way, and one that most buyers would appreciate if they're not planning on repainting when they move in) and other things directly related to the house.

Yes, I agree.. we HAVE left matching paint before in the garage,all labeled,etc..

[Lovehound]

Label it... Hmmm... I knew I was forgetting something! Actually I'm just starting painting, and I alread figured labels would be a good idea. This time!

Most of it will be easy because I intend to paint the entire interior in the same color except kitchen and bathroom. I'll use some very neutral white color in the hope that it will satisfy the most potential buyers, and turn off the least.

[ranger17]

when we sold our home to relocate, we did make sure it was well cleaned before leaving. We built it 7 yrs prior, and took pride in the condition we kept it in. So why dump and run? We had painted nearly every room over the past couple years; so kept any usable touch up paint marked and set aside in a nice spot--and any paint that was not usable was disposed of properly.
That place was our first home, and we remember the excitement we had after the closing; coming in and seeing the builder left us a bottle of wine in a little gift basket. And knowing that this home was to be the first for the young couple who bought it from us, we left a similar gift for them.
I don't know, guess we just felt better about leaving the place "like we would want it" so to speak.

[ranger17]

oh, forgot to add; we did have some items we left behind, such as extra landscape hoses, salt and sand ( it was in WI after all ), etc... but we did so only after speaking with the couple when they did a walk thru with their parents after the fact. So one can leave useful tools and items behind, but if the new owners know about it then one lss 'surprise' when they back up their moving van

[LizzySWW]

I clean before I move out AND hire a housekeeper for a full day....so she can clean everything from toilets to inside kitchen cabinets.

[donsabi]

The way you leave a house or apartment says a lot about you. I always clean any property I leave. I also leave a full roll of TP, light bulbs in all the lights, and a roll of paper towels by the sink. I also usually leave the phone book or maps I may not be needing in the future.

[Audry524]

Please do the new owners a favor and ask before leaving them anything.

When we purchased our house we were left with many of the same items you listed along with a beat up chair that was the previous owners who claimed she "couldn't throw it out because it was her mothers."

They also left us paint and various harsh chemicals for the yard. We never used any of it because we painted everything a different color and the chemicals where too harsh for kids. What we were left with was a bill to get rid of it all because paint and chemicals are toxic and there's a fee associated with getting rid of it where I reside. I'm guessing it's like that in most places. Also hauling the old chair was a major pain and also had a cost associated with it.

I'm generally easy going but needless to say I was not happy. Had it not been for the fact that on closing day they were in FL and I in CT I would have had them haul it all away before closing.

Better safe then sorry. Good luck!

[Lovehound]

We're better off than that in Los Angeles. We have periodic hazardous substance disposal, you check with the city and they tell when it will be in your area, and the location. Our city trash disposal will arrange to pick up objects too large to fit in your trash containers if you phone them and make an appointment.

In my situation I'm just going to leave the place clean and leave no objects behind. Anything that isn't attached to the house is going in the trash or out to the curb, and I'll call the city and have them pick it up before closing day.