When a home is sold, the general understanding and practice is that the seller vacates the property and takes their personal belongings with them prior to the closing date. Once the sale is finalized, the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property and all remaining items left behind are considered the property of the new owner. If the seller fails to remove their possessions, they may be required to compensate the buyer for the cost of removing the items.
However, the specifics of what happens to the items left behind can depend on the terms of the sales contract and state laws. Some contracts may include a clause requiring the seller to remove all personal property, while others may allow the seller to leave behind certain items such as wall-to-wall carpeting, flooring hardware, and outdoor fixtures. If the seller intentionally leaves behind personal property, it may be considered abandoned and the new owner becomes responsible for it. To avoid any disputes, it's important for both parties to have a clear understanding of what is expected before the closing date.