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Having taken note of what the realtors here have pointed out, it should be very easy for anyone capable of writing well to submit a letter (no pictures) which references particular parts of a property they love without it becoming a "Fair Housing" nightmare for anyone.
If I love the plantings in someone's yard—a beautiful tree, perhaps—I do not see how it is going to get anyone into trouble for my mentioning how much I like and appreciate the tree. And I do think it might sway some sellers to know that the tree they cared for for so many years will be looked after in years to come. (I "won" a beautiful rental years ago with the submission of an honest, flattering letter, so I know they can work.)
I will be sure to send my "love letter" directly to the seller by carrier pigeon, bypassing the trembling fingers of any agents involved. /sarcasm
(And I agree that sellers, buyers, and other interested parties do check each other out online, as Mike said.)
I sold my parents’ house in the Bay area in 2014 and the buyers had an (obviously) Asian surname. They wrote a letter explaining they had grown up in the Bay area and wanted this house due to the good schools in Moraga and their interest in moving from the city to a family house where their children could grow up. I felt it was kind of sad they felt the need to make sure I knew they were not foreign investors. They were the highest bidders and we closed the deal. I really didn’t want to know their personal details, but also think my parents would be pleased that a family with kids lives there.
I sold my parents’ house in the Bay area in 2014 and the buyers had an (obviously) Asian surname. They wrote a letter explaining they had grown up in the Bay area and wanted this house due to the good schools in Moraga and their interest in moving from the city to a family house where their children could grow up. I felt it was kind of sad they felt the need to make sure I knew they were not foreign investors. They were the highest bidders and we closed the deal. I really didn’t want to know their personal details, but also think my parents would be pleased that a family with kids lives there.
How do you know they wrote the letter to let you know they are not a foreign buyer?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teacher Terry
No matter how much I love a house once I am selling it’s strictly a business transaction. A letter wouldn’t carry any weight with me.
Yea, I do not quite get this whole letter thing, what, I am going to take your offer over a better one because of some unverified or even if verified story? That does not really put money in my pocket, I think everyone in the world has a story they can tell also.
Yea, I do not quite get this whole letter thing, what, I am going to take your offer over a better one because of some unverified or even if verified story? That does not really put money in my pocket, I think everyone in the world has a story they can tell also.
Letters only help sometimes, when there is an emotional aspect to the sale. They can help in competitive markets where there are many offers that are probably at about the max amount the property may appraise for... there is a limit in how high smart buyers will go.
Also may help with overpriced and stagnant listings, where a buyer wants give the seller reason to consider a low offer, because of some particular situation or story.
I do agree everyone has a story. I think it is sometimes our job to tell that story, without violating fair housing laws.
Letters only help sometimes, when there is an emotional aspect to the sale. They can help in competitive markets where there are many offers that are probably at about the max amount the property may appraise for... there is a limit in how high smart buyers will go.
Also may help with overpriced and stagnant listings, where a buyer wants give the seller reason to consider a low offer, because of some particular situation or story.
I do agree everyone has a story. I think it is sometimes our job to tell that story, without violating fair housing laws.
I think it is much ado about nothing. So few sellers are swayed by the letters. The things that do sway them, in my experience, just aren't fair housing issues.
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