Chip shortage means homes may no longer come with basic appliances

A shortage of computer chips means that kitchen appliances are more expensive and harder to find, so sellers aren't leaving them behind, according to Jon McBride, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston.

Realtors say buyers should no longer expect to get certain appliances as part of the deal.

"Before we didn’t have to ask, like, 'hey is the refrigerator staying?'" said Dana Ben, a local real estate agent.

Ben said more homes are selling with appliances missing.

"You walk into a house and you’re like – we’re still going to have to offer over asking [price] – and I’m sorry there’s no refrigerator and washer/dryer."

That's what happened to Wendy Berkland. She recently helped her son shop for his first home in Dunn and said most of the homes she looked at were missing basic appliances, like a stove.

"You have to kind of add up and budget that you have a lot of money possibly into missing appliances," she said.

For most homebuyers, appliances are expected, McBride said.

Local real estate agents advise buyers to make a plan to move in without them — as part of the deal in this competitive market.

"We’ve had clients that have gone in and bought a dorm refrigerator to use that temporarily as a placeholder until their refrigerator comes in," he said.

Ben said that if a buyer asks for the refrigerators to stay as part of the deal, they would likely risk losing the sale.

Realtors told WRAL News they started noticing this new trend over the past 5 to 6 months.

In general, refrigerators, washers and dryers are considered personal property and not fixtures that come with a home.