"David, it is unfortunate that the seller is even in this position to start with. To go through all this work and stress on your part and the seller's only to have the ONE buyer out there who demands $4,000 in new furniture? Really? This is the…"

"I guess the simple question is replace the furniture with what?  Different furniture that the buyer has picked out?  How do you know if you are satisfying the buyer.  If the seller is in agreement to purchase new furniture for the…"

"My experience says this is the correct answer to your question. As long as it is FHA or VA I have had buyers agents request closing costs on conventional loans which will get denied."

"Seller can do whatever for the buyer after closing. but the furniture will never get approved by anyone in the short sale approval.    Buyer and seller can agree to whatever they want outside the sale.   everyone is right…"

"Lot's of sound advice here generally on the premise that furniture and other personal property not affixed to the real property should be handled outside of the transaction between buyer and seller.   With just a one liner of a…"

"In my experience, furniture, whether sold or given by the seller to the buyer, is not part of the agreement of sale, even though we do include certain 'customary' items which in this location includes washer/dryer, refrigerator, and…"

"The original post came from David in Gulf Shores Alabama.  I expect the subject property is probably a rental / investment property.  On rental properties furniture is typically included on an Addendum / Detailed list when…"

"I'm surprised at all of the surprise about this. Particularly if this is a condo or townhouse located in a community where rentals of the units are common, aren't furnishings (including housewares) often included to offer a…"

"Of course we don't know what State this sale has occurred in, but in California we sell real property.  Personal property can become real property by method of attachment, whether or not it is immovable, and so on.  Some can be…"

"This was actually a good topic to bring to light. Most agents are completely unaware of this subject matter since it is not really taught in pre-licensing, or any other class other than a college level real estate course. The fact is…"

"Why does the furniture have to be in the deal?  Like others have said, we sell real property, not personal property.  And why does the seller have to replace the furniture for the buyer?  It sounds like another buyer is the right…"

"A lot will depend on what type of mortgage the seller currentl has.  I have a buyer that got their BOA short sale approved last week.  Their seller has an FHA mortgage and BOA would only allow a 1% contribution to closing costs/pre-paids."

"If the buyer is obtaining a mortgage, then the buyer's lender will not allow furniture to be included in the sale.  That would be considered an inducement to purchase and is not allowed in the lending world.  The sales contract should…"

"If your seller has $4000 sitting around I promise you that BoA will tell you to forward it to them to put toward the mortgage debt. They will not approve this."

"Short Sales are different than Equity Sales.  This Buyer's Agent was apparently not aware of this???  Furniture etc., is done outside of escrow, not part of our deal or interest as Realtors.  Buyers and Sellers operate in their…"

"Furniture is not part of a real estate transaction and should be sold separately. Not why the seller would need to replace it before the buyer will close. Sounds like this deal was not properly negotiated from the get go."