Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc.

Smart Home Tech: Is It Real Property or Personal Belongings in a Home Sale?

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Many of today’s homeowners have accumulated multiple high-tech "smart" devices to make their home more convenient, economical, and fun to operate. When they decide to sell the home, they need to make the listing agent completely aware of whether they will be included in the sale of the home.

Some of these things easily meet the definition of real property because they are permanently installed like thermostats, doorbells, cameras, garage door openers, and pool equipment monitors. A rule of thumb mentioned frequently is that if it were removed, the functionality would cease or if there would be evidence of where it had been, it is probably real property and is included in the sale.

Other devices like virtual assistants made by Amazon, Apple, or Google, may not specifically meet that criteria but they are needed to operate things like electrical switches and plugs, or lamps. It becomes a grey area of whether it is real property when TV’s, doorbells, garage door openers, and other devices are dependent on the virtual assistants.

Door locks, as well as some other devices, have a master code written on them that allows the new owner to reset the combination ensuring not only their safety but potential liability for the seller. In some cases, the seller will need to do this using the app on their computer or phone while it is still connected to their home network. It may be prudent to arrange a time for the seller to reset the devices in question for the buyers’ convenience and security.

Smart home additions could easily be a selling point for potential buyers and sellers need to weigh the benefits of promoting the advantages of such and including those items in the sale of the home.

Make an inventory of what devices stay with the home and what needs to be done to reset them for the new owner. This could be done at the time of listing the home and given to the listing agent at the same time the listing agreement is signed. Your listing agent will know how to handle it, but decisions must be made before the home is put on the market or it is shown to any prospective purchasers.

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    Charles helped me find an incredible deal on a property by Woodham Middle School.  He dealt fairly and professionally during the transaction representing both sides.  It was a very smooth transaction.

    ak727

    I contacted Charles to help find a rental for a relative.  Charles knows Pensacola. I closed loans for Charles years ago and he was always professional and reliable.  My relative found a place on their own.  I will contact Charles again when searching for property.

    conhen2013

    Although I am not into a new home yet, Charles Stallions has been honest and has followed through. He tells it like it is and doesn’t waste my time. I feel hopeful that with his help I will find the right home

    Dean and Betty Bourne
    I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you all about the exceptional service and experience my wife and I had when selling our house.  I have know Charles for over six years and when it came time to sell my house I naturally went to him for assistance.  We met and discussed the value and what work needed to be done to get our best price.  That being completed we listed the house.  Within one week we had 3 showings (before it hit the MLS).  We got 2 offers from those showing and I made approximately $10,000 more than I expected.  Charles is a competent, trustworthy realtor, but more importantly he is a native of Pensacola and has an extensive network of other real estate agents, banks and closing agent, and trades people and service providers necessary to complete the sale or purchase of your property.  I highly recommend Charles Stallions Real Estate Services for you real estate needs.
    Delos E.Boardman

    I would like to express my appreciation for the 12 years of managing my rental property there in Pensacola as effectively and efficiently as all of you did. It was always a pleasure to hear from Michelle even when I knew it was about to cost me for a repair for whatever. You always delivered the news of an upcoming expense in the most pleasant way and made me feel better about what I was about to spend. Rianna also helped me sort out those expenses at tax time which made filing them accurately much easier.

    Charles, thanks for taking care of business all those years, keeping the property rented, and ultimately getting the place sold. I believe the only single occasion where there was any sort of issue actually was caused by the Post Office delivering a check over three weeks after it was sent.

    All things considered I feel my choice to use your services was a very good one.

    Thanks again for your professionalism and I wish you the best success in the future.

    Rich Henson