What bargaining chips do you have?

When you are selling a home, the haggling is not always limited to price. Prospective purchasers often make offers that include appliances and window coverings, for example, because these items are must-haves that are expensive to purchase new. Occasionally, a bidder also asks for other furnishings, recreational equipment or repairs and painting.

It isn't just purchasers who use extras as bargaining chips. Sellers sometimes make counter-offers that include appliances and other contents as incentives for the bidder to agree to a higher price. This is an especially useful strategy when demand for homes in your area is weak and prices are low.

If you are selling your home, consider what you are willing to throw in to make a deal work and what items are off limits. It's best to do this in advance of listing, so you are ready to deal with requests for inclusions and decisive about incentives you will offer.

Here are some of the items you may want to think about as potential bargaining chips:

• major appliances, including washer, dryer, fridge, stove, dishwasher, water heater and water softener
• draperies, curtains, blinds and shutters
• custom-built furniture, such as bookcases or shelves that fit a particular spot in the house
• area rugs that fit a particular room
• barbeque
• patio furniture, planters, garden benches and ornaments
• garden shed
• lawnmower, power washer, leaf vacuum or other maintenance equipment
• garden or household tools
• recreational equipment, such as ping-pong and pool tables, above-ground pools, trampolines, climbers, swing sets and hot tubs
• boats, canoes, life vests and safety equipment, if you are selling a waterfront home