Do houses come with appliances?

Household appliances include washers, dryers, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, and more. Whether or not they come with a house depends on the house and the homeowner. While most appliances aren’t required to be included in a home sale, it is possible to negotiate for them with the seller when you're buying a home.

Are appliances included in a home sale?

Even though appliances aren't typically included in a home sale, there are some exceptions. Household appliances that can’t be unplugged, or if removing them would cause property damage, may end up coming with the house. For example, the oven and stove range, even when custom built, is typically seen as a part of the house, and the owner would likely need to include that appliance when they sell.

In general, any fixtures that are physically attached to the property will be included with the purchase of the home. These items aren’t always appliances though and could include:

• HVAC units
• Light fixtures
• Ceiling fans
• Kitchen cabinets
• Window treatments such as curtain rods and blinds
• Installed hardware such as doorknobs and bathroom fixtures

All homes and homeowners are different, so it’s important not to make any assumptions about what would be included in a home sale contract. Always double check with your real estate agent to see what’s included in the purchase of your home.

Do new construction homes come with appliances?

If you're buying a new construction, then whether or not appliances come with the house can depend on the builder. The range, dishwasher, and built-in microwave are typically included, but other appliances — like a refrigerator or washer and dryer — can be excluded because buyers tend to have preferences on what brands and models they want, so it’s not worthwhile for the builder to purchase them for the home beforehand. 

One exception is a model home, which may not only come with appliances, but furniture as well.   

→ Related: Questions to ask a home builder

What appliances aren’t included in a home sale?

You likely can negotiate that the following appliances or major home items be included in your sales contract, even though don’t generally come with the house:

• Refrigerators
• Washing machines and dryers
• Above-ground hot tubs and swimming pools
• Microwave ovens (non-built in)
• Window unit air conditioners

Otherwise, make sure you budget enough money for them alongside other items you'll need for a new home.

→ Related: Checklist of things to buy for a new house

Age and condition of the appliance can determine whether or not they’re included in the home sale. People may want to take their appliances with them when they move if they’re still relatively new or in good working order. Homeowners tend to leave appliances if they are older or moving far away, but every situation is different so it’s always worth asking.

How to negotiate home appliances in your sales contract

Even if an appliance isn’t included in a sale on day one, that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate to add, just like you could with the seller’s furniture. If you hire a good real estate agent, they can work out these smaller details on your behalf; it’s important to have these commitments in writing in your purchase contract. 

The more leverage the buyer has, the easier it will be to negotiate the inclusion of some or all household appliances in the sale. If the home sat on the market for a while, received no competing offers, or is in a buyer’s market, then the seller may be much more willing to part with their appliances to keep the buyer happy and close the deal. Sometimes instead of including the appliances, you can negotiate a seller credit for them instead. This is essentially money you could use towards buying the appliances.  

When you’re trying to add appliances to a home sale, you may need to increase your offer - especially if the appliances you want included are on the newer side or were very expensive, like an above-ground hot tub. Usually these negotiations center around household appliances, not tech equipment like televisions, sound systems, or computers. 

If a seller throws appliances into a contract to sweeten the deal and you already have the same appliances, you can always say yes to keeping them and then can sell or donate them in order to get a tax deduction. Oftentimes, sellers don’t want to move heavy appliances with them to new homes and they may be more than happy to strike a deal with you.

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