Which items do you leave behind, and what do you take with you when selling your house in Curaçao?

A ceiling lamp, curtains, a built-in wardrobe in the bedroom. The moment a buyer walks through your house for the first time, they see a whole. It is often only after the purchase that the question arises as to which of those elements actually belong to the house, and which you are taking with you to your next home. Providing clarity on this beforehand prevents disputes once the sale has already been finalized.

The difference between what is fixed and what is loose

As a rule of thumb, anything permanently attached to the home usually belongs to the sale. Think of built-in cupboards, kitchen appliances integrated into the worktop, and wall-mounted air conditioning units. Loose items, such as furniture, freestanding appliances, and decoration, in principle belong to you. However, this rule is not always strictly enforced, and that is precisely where confusion arises.

What sellers often hesitate about

Lights are a classic example: a recessed spotlight is part of the house, but a separate pendant lamp that you hung yourself is not automatically. Curtains and curtain rails also frequently fall into a grey area, as do built-in cabinets custom-made specifically for a particular room. Outside, the same applies to garden lighting, a built-in barbecue, or a swimming pool pump. Discuss these points with your real estate agent as soon as the property is listed for sale, so that you do not have to wait until an offer has already been made before doing so.

Make a list and discuss it with your real estate agent.

The practical solution is simple: walk through the home with your real estate agent and make a list of everything you are taking with you and everything you are leaving behind. This list can become part of the purchase agreement, leaving no room for misunderstandings. If you wish to transfer certain items to the buyer for a fee, such as furniture or a specific kitchen appliance, discuss this explicitly as well. This way, the buyer knows exactly where they stand in advance, and you avoid an unpleasant conversation just before the transfer.

What this means for the presentation of your home

The choices you make regarding items left behind also influence how your house looks during viewings. A home without curtains or freestanding cabinets can appear barer than intended. Would you like to know how to present your house attractively to buyers despite this? In this step-by-step plan for selling your home, we share practical tips on preparing a property for sale, from color to layout.

Would you like to know more about the questions you can ask your real estate agent before starting the sale of your house? Then also read our article on questions to ask your real estate agent.

Are you unsure which items belong to your house?

Contact Top Makelaar Curaçao. We think along with you and ensure that all agreements are clearly in writing before your house goes on the market.