I'm not sure what State you are in, but our WA Purchase & Sale Contracts stipulate on the 22A Optional Clauses that "Any personal property, fixtures or other items remaining on the Property when possession is transferred to Buyer shall become the property of Buyer, and may be retained or disposed of as Buyer determines. However, Seller agrees to clean the interiors of any structures and remove all trash, debris and rubbish on the property prior to Buyer taking possession."
If you do not want to deal with the things left in the home, I would tell your Agent to communicate this with the LIsting Agent, and that the Seller needs to dispose of the furniture before you will close, even if you have to delay the closing. If the Seller is unable, you can certainly ask for some compensation to have to move the things out....Negotiate it! - Thu Dec 18 2008, 10:04