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Post by playingcinderella on Apr 27, 2019 18:58:00 GMT
We found another house ... no flooding in Harvey and no termites we know of. It is apparently a multi-offer situation and we are offering slightly over list price. Our realtor suggested we write a letter to send in with our prequalification letter. I feel like the home owners might respond well, as they left a personal letter on the counter when we saw the home. I am at a loss for what to say. Have you done this or do you have any suggestions?
Update: We sent our absolute best offer and a letter over to our realtor today. The sellers asked for best offers by 6pm Monday, so now we wait. This us the 2nd house we have put an offer on, we got outbid the last one, so now we wait. Thanks for your suggestions!
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Post by MichyM on Apr 27, 2019 19:02:46 GMT
I’ve never done it. Can you ask your realtor for suggestions? Without googling, I’d I was writing a letter I’d talk a little about my family to give them an idea of who we are. Then I’d explain what makes you feel connected to the house itself. (Genuinely) compliment things that they’ve done to the house and/or garden, but be sincere.
Also, make sure your offer is as high as you can comfortably go, that way you’ll have no regrets. And no round numbers in case there’s a “tie.” So if your offer is $675k, I’d go $676,347 or something along those lines.
Good luck and keep us posted!
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 27, 2019 19:03:00 GMT
I don't think it would hurt. It would depend on the seller if they were sentimental or not. I know I'd go for the highest offer.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Apr 27, 2019 19:04:11 GMT
I feel like we talked about this once before here... these personal letters to sellers being a new thing.
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Post by Zee on Apr 27, 2019 19:08:56 GMT
I remember this being discussed here. Personally I hate the idea that I have to kiss some ass to get the seller to like my offer best. There are other homes. I guess I'd do it if the house was just that fabulous, but the idea grates on me. Writing a letter to convince someone you're worthy of giving them your money is stupid. Just take the best offer, seller, and if it's not me oh well.
Nor would I want to read a bunch of letters from people trying to convince me to accept their offer.
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Post by Zee on Apr 27, 2019 19:13:07 GMT
I just did a quick search under "buyer letter", you should be able to get some good advice there. I'd link it but the redirects here today are making posting virtually impossible for me
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Post by Patter on Apr 27, 2019 19:34:42 GMT
We have never done it, and it's not a thing around here or anywhere we have lived. My daughter bought her first house last year in a market where homes go within 24 hours or less of listing. She had a private showing of a house that was going to go on the market, the sellers then decided to just make it an open house. At the open house, there were FOUR offers. List was $169K, and our daughter offered $173K. Thankfully her offer was accepted because she had been looking and looking, and it was just impossible to buy anything because they go SO fast. It's nuts! And now a year later, these homes are going for $189K+. It's a crazy sellers market in her town but still no letters are done. And if I were to sell, I wouldn't read the letters. That's most likely not going to sway me. I am looking at the offer price. I would think that's what most people do--offer price not letters.
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 27, 2019 19:37:35 GMT
If they left a letter for buyers, I would write a letter myself.
We've done it for rentals. Sometimes there is a sentimental attachment to the home and it's easier to let the house go knowing someone else will be happy there. Esp if it's the difference of only a few thousand.
Basically, I describe our family. That DH is active duty, where we have lived, the kids ages and interests. I just try to paint a picture of how we are as a family. We have a dog who is training to be a therapy animal, so I always throw that in there. I think it shows us in a positive light and shows a dog who is well trained. Not a big deal if you are buying, but you get the idea! I also include what I like about the house and why I think it will be a good match for us. Even if you are going to remodel, I'd compliment the work put into the yard or decorating to show you appreciate the care they have taken to make it a home.
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 27, 2019 19:56:14 GMT
When MIL's sold her house she received several letters. The letters did not factor into the who was picked. They took the highest offer.
To answer your question about what to write in them. The letters MIL received included persons name, occupation, and a blurb about their activities and why they like the house.
Here is a sample off the top of my head -
Dear Seller.
Our names are John and Judy Smith. We fell in love with your home the moment we set eyes on it. John works in the computer industry and I am an elementary school teacher. We have two young children and a dog. The backyard is perfect for them to play in.
The boys are active in sports and the yard would be perfect for them to practice soccer and baseball, and the dog would love having all that room to run around. In addition to organized sports, we as a family are very active and have kayaks and camp . The double garage is perfect for storing the kayaks and camping equipment, while still being able to park one of our cars inside.
[this paragraph tells what you like about the inside of the house - color scheme, bay window, balcony, view, etc]
We also like that it is close to the beach, shopping and restaurants, and has very easy freeway access.
Thank you for considering our offer.
Sincerely, John and Judy Smith.
One of the letters we received also had a family picture.
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Post by mikewozowski on Apr 27, 2019 21:10:40 GMT
i know a friend who did this within the past month. the sellers chose their offer over another offer that was 20K higher and a cash buyer. my friend is going to live in the house. the other offer was going to rent it.
so, it CAN make a difference.
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NoWomanNoCry
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Apr 27, 2019 21:18:46 GMT
I would be annoyed if I got a letter from a buyer. It’s business for me so whoever is going to offer the most is who will get it. I also agree about not kissing someone’s ass when I may want to buy their home..they want to sell it to me? Great. If not I will find the one I’m suppose to have.
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on Apr 27, 2019 21:22:21 GMT
Not something we do in the UK. In fact, it would be considered weird to be honest.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 27, 2019 21:32:36 GMT
We’ve never done it but that’s not to say it won’t make a difference. When we were looking at a commercial space to rent for my business years ago it turned out that the lady who owned the building actually wanted to sell it. She had several offers on it previously but she didn’t like the vibe the people who wanted it were putting out.
When she met us, she told us she would prefer to sell and asked if we were interested in buying vs. renting. We jumped at the chance to build some equity and told her what we could afford, and she worked with us to make it happen and all the pieces fell right into place. She sold to us for somewhat less than what the others had offered because she felt a connection to us that she didn’t have with them. So while it’s not exactly the same thing, the idea is the same. She sold to us because we were able to make a personal connection and that’s what you’re trying to do.
Sometimes it’s just sold to the highest bidder and sometimes things happen where it might come down to a judgement call based on other things, especially if everything else is equal. I can totally understand why someone might prefer to sell their house to someone who will live in it vs. someone just buying to flip or rent it out.
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Peal
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Post by Peal on Apr 27, 2019 21:48:02 GMT
We've done it once. Ours was the only offer, but the owner's realtor was having a hard time getting her take any action at all. Her husband had passed away and she really needed to sell house but was having a difficult time letting go. Add on top of that that she was a little bit crazy (She wanted $50K in earnest money. She didn't get it.) that he asked DH to write her a letter to see if it would nudge her a little. He did. She ended up accepting our offer 2 months after we submitted it. Then, after we were under contract a second buyer showed up complaining he didn't get a fair chance to purchase the house. The whole process was bizarre. I wanted to walk away from the deal entirely, but DH was the one who was living here and could not find anything comparable to this piece of property. I turned out to be a phenomenal deal. But also so many issues.
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 27, 2019 22:16:09 GMT
My dad received one when he sold the family home. I don't think he even read it and felt it was really manipulative.
Our neighbors had multiple offers and did sell to the family that wrote a letter. I know it wasn't the highest offer, but don't know any of the other details that may have been factors (closing dates, contingencies, etc.). The couple was divorcing after a family tragedy and she really was emotional about the whole process so connected with the family having same age kids at the same college.
Given these buyers left a letter, I think it would be well received in your case.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Apr 27, 2019 22:39:59 GMT
I feel like we talked about this once before here... these personal letters to sellers being a new thing.In CA they have been going on for at least 15 - 20 years! DH usually has our buyers write one ~ it all depends on the sellers as some are emotionally attached to their homes and want to get a good feeling for the people who will be moving into it.
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pancakes
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Post by pancakes on Apr 27, 2019 23:16:08 GMT
It’s a know the seller situation. And your realtor should guide you through that. If they are sentimental, view the property as a home instead of an asset, etc, then a letter could be a good thing to include.
I think most would just want to know another family is going to love the place as much as they did and forge great new memories there.
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Apr 28, 2019 0:09:56 GMT
A good friend just sold her house in a multiple offer situation and one family sent a letter. She was very touched by the letter. It mentioned their children and how this Home would be their forever home. Ultimately, their offer was not chosen. It got down to terms of the offers as well as price. Length of closing, contingies, and inspections were the deciding factor.
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gina
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Post by gina on Apr 28, 2019 0:34:56 GMT
I think it helps. We sold our house in the Fall. We were surprised by a letter from the potential buyers when they made their offer. Our realtor gave it to us. They wrote why they liked the house, a little about their family, the memories they planned to make there... and then there was a small photocopied picture of them. I admit, it helped. I thought it was a really kind, personal gesture. (I wrote them a return letter and gave it to them at closing).
We bought a house at the same time. I did not write a letter to the previous owners.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 28, 2019 0:40:14 GMT
I don't think it will hurt but I think true the deal maker is the best, most qualified offer. Money talks. We got a letter when we listed our last house. It came from the least qualified of the multiple offers we received. bc2ca was right when she said it was manipulative. They totally pandered to our hobbies and likes based on what they saw in the house. It didn't work.
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Post by HelenaJole on Apr 28, 2019 0:43:42 GMT
Our realtor wanted us to write one (for a different house). I guess it can make a difference if the offers are really similar.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 28, 2019 0:44:32 GMT
It’s pretty common here. It’s a sellers’ market and low inventory. Not everyone does it but if you are going after a certain house and you want it...
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 28, 2019 13:01:50 GMT
It's fairly common here.
My neighbor appreciated the letter the young couple provided with their offer. It was also the best offer, so it didn't factor in the decision.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 28, 2019 17:49:32 GMT
We haven't written one, but we have received them. It did make a difference when we sold our house in 2002. It was a total sellers market and we had 7 offers. After receiving a few counter offers we ended up with two offers that were basically the same amount. The letter pushed towards one set of buyers. They wrote why they loved the neighborhood. How their best friends lived across the street and how they wanted their kids to all grow up together.
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Post by leslie132 on Apr 28, 2019 17:56:22 GMT
We recommend to our clients to write the letter especially in the multi bidding situation. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It puts a personal spin on the offer. You may say something that is a happy trigger point for a seller. Or you may have a seller that is only triggered by dollar signs and closing terms.
You never know..... it is worth the try!!
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Post by anniefb on Apr 28, 2019 18:22:10 GMT
Not something we do in the UK. In fact, it would be considered weird to be honest. Same in New Zealand.
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Apr 28, 2019 19:16:11 GMT
As a Realtor, I discourage them because of the Fair Housing violation potential. However, if I get one I share with the Seller.
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Nanner
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Post by Nanner on Apr 28, 2019 19:22:46 GMT
I could never do that. It would feel so weird.
I would also not read any I received. The money and terms of the offer (possession date, do they have to sell a housefirst,,home inspection, etc.) are what matter to me.
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TheOtherMeg
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Apr 28, 2019 20:58:19 GMT
The woman who owned the home my sister desperately wanted in a very desirable neighborhood (houses sell before they're even officially listed due to word of mouth) sold to my sister simply because she would keep the dog with the house. The woman was moving to assisted living and couldn't take him with her.
I'm certain someone would have offered more money for the home, as there appears to be almost no $$ ceiling in that area. The dog definitely sealed the deal.
Unless a buyer knows the seller, she has no idea what will make her offer more appealing than someone else's. If the seller left a letter on the counter, then it's a good indication that a letter from the buyer would be appreciated -- and hold some weight.
I wouldn't be thrilled to feel as though I had to write an ass-kissing letter in order for my business offer to be taken seriously, but if I wanted the house strongly enough, I'd manage to crank something out.
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Post by gritzi on Apr 28, 2019 22:35:16 GMT
As a seller, a personal letter would not sway my choice, especially if your offer was less. Bottom line ... $$$. It's a business transaction (for me) and the highest offer w/the best approved loan and terms (no downpayent requested from us, no contingency sale, etc) would be my choice.
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