Alex Denne
Head of Growth

How to Create a Personal Property Addendum: A Complete Guide

27th May, 2025
6 mins
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Understanding Personal Property Addendums in Real Estate

A personal property addendum is a legal document that specifies which items of personal property are included in a real estate transaction. This document becomes part of the purchase agreement and helps prevent misunderstandings between buyers and sellers about what stays with the property and what doesn't. Without this crucial document, disputes often arise after closing when buyers discover that items they assumed were included have been removed by the seller.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Property Addendum

Creating a personal property addendum requires attention to detail and clear communication. Start by performing a thorough walkthrough of the property and listing all items that will be included in the sale. Take photographs of each item and make detailed notes about their condition and location. This initial documentation will serve as your baseline for creating the addendum.

Begin with a room-by-room inventory, noting any items that might be questioned later. Pay special attention to fixtures that appear to be permanently attached but might be considered personal property. For example, mounted televisions, custom lighting fixtures, or built-in speakers often create confusion without proper documentation.

Essential Items to Include in Your Personal Property List

When conducting your inventory, focus first on major appliances and built-in items. These typically include refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and any other kitchen appliances that will remain. Window treatments are another critical category, including not just the curtains or blinds themselves, but also any hardware or mounting brackets. Pay particular attention to lighting fixtures, especially if they're designer or custom pieces.

Smart home technology requires special consideration. Document all smart thermostats, doorbell cameras, security systems, and home automation hubs. Be specific about whether any associated accounts or subscriptions will transfer to the new owner.

Example of a properly detailed item description:

"Samsung stainless steel refrigerator (Model #RF28R7551SR) located in kitchen, including all shelves and drawer components. Approximate age: 2 years. Current condition: Excellent. Smart features enabled with transferable Samsung SmartThings connection."

Legal Requirements and Format Guidelines

A properly formatted personal property addendum starts with basic transaction information, including the property address, date, and parties involved. Each item description should be detailed enough to prevent any ambiguity about what's included. For appliances, include make, model, and serial numbers. For furniture or fixtures, provide specific descriptions of materials, colors, and locations.

The document must be dated and signed by all parties involved in the transaction. If there are multiple pages, initial each one to prevent any later disputes about content. Any modifications to the addendum must be signed and dated by all parties as well.

Here's an expanded example of proper formatting:

"ADDENDUM TO PURCHASE AGREEMENTProperty Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, USADate: [Current Date]The following items of personal property are included in the sale of the above-referenced property:1. Washer and Dryer Set Make: LG Model: WM3488HW Serial Numbers: WM-123456 (Washer), DL-789012 (Dryer) Location: First floor laundry room Condition: Good working order Notes: Including all original parts and manuals2. Window Treatments Description: Custom white wooden blinds with brushed nickel hardware Location: All first-floor windows Quantity: 8 sets Installation Date: January 2022 Condition: Excellent Notes: Including all mounting hardware and remote controls"

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Your Addendum

One of the most frequent errors in personal property addendums is using vague or ambiguous language. Instead of writing "all kitchen appliances included," specify each appliance with its make, model, and condition. Another common mistake is failing to document existing damage. Even minor scratches or wear should be noted to prevent disputes during the final walkthrough.

Don't forget to address items that might be seasonally stored. For example, if the addendum is written in summer, remember to include stored winter equipment like snow blowers or heating devices. Similarly, document any items that might be temporarily removed for repair or maintenance.

Sample Templates and Examples

While each addendum should be customized to your specific situation, you can start with a basic structure. View our personal property addendum template for guidance. For more information about addendums in general, visit our addendum documentation page.

How to Handle Special Cases and Unique Items

When dealing with antiques or valuable fixtures, consider having them professionally appraised before including them in the addendum. Document any special maintenance requirements or warranties that will transfer to the new owner. For smart home devices, detail the process for transferring accounts and control to the new owner, including any necessary factory resets or account creation steps.

The best time to create your addendum is during the initial property inspection or when drafting the purchase agreement. This timing allows for thorough documentation and gives all parties the opportunity to negotiate terms before proceeding with the transaction. For more expert guidance on real estate transactions, visit our real estate resources section.

If items are damaged before closing, document the damage immediately with photographs and written descriptions. The seller must either repair/replace the item to match the condition stated in the addendum or negotiate an adjustment to the purchase price. All such changes should be documented in writing and signed by all parties.

At Genie AI, we make it easy to create bespoke legal documents that save time and provide the correct structure, no matter what legal document you need to create or review. Whether you're a business, lawyer or individual, try Genie AI today to simplify and streamline your legal drafting.

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