In real estate, money talks. But you can’t ignore the fact that buying and selling homes is an emotional experience. Sometimes writing a personalized letter explaining why you feel an affinity for a particular home can make the difference between your offer being accepted or the highest offer being accepted. A seller has probably made many memories in their home, and selling it to someone who will appreciate it and care for it can appeal to them more than an extra $5,000. Writing a letter can be a great way to break the ice, appeal to a seller’s nostalgic side, and get you the home you love.
When you write a letter, you’ll want to consider what you should say very carefully. You want to convey everything important to you, but you don’t want to go overboard with information. Here are 10 tips to writing a personalized and persuasive offer letter to the seller.
1. Think about what you want to share
Think carefully about what you want to say to the seller. You want to share something personal about why you feel that this house is right for you, whether you’re a single person hoping to make a fresh start or a family of four hoping to find a space to grow into. Holding back too much can mean that you miss out on making an emotional connection, but sharing too much can seem pandering and disingenuous. Say enough to set yourself apart and tug at the seller’s heartstrings—but not rip them out.
2. Be honest
Don’t try to make up things that you think the seller wants to hear. Be sincere about your background and how you feel about the house. Being honest generally comes through, even in writing, and if you spend too much time trying to say “the right thing” you might miss out on saying the kind of open, honest things that will really resonate with the seller.
3. Talk about the why
There has to be something about that particular home that you really appreciate. It may be the size, the neighborhood, or that it has the finished basement you’ve always dreamed up. Maybe you want to live there because of the school district or because it reminds you of the place where you grew up. Some of these things aren’t exclusive to that house though, so why is this house the one? When you can identify that, talk about it in your offer letter.
4. But don’t get too personal
You want to be honest about how much you love their home, but don’t get so personal that you tell the seller your entire life story. If you felt a serious connection with their house, let them know, but don’t rhapsodize about how you and your spouse met, your first date, how you got engaged and married, and your current plans to start a family. In short, don’t gush.
5. Highlight what makes the home stand out
Preparing to buy a house takes time and effort—not to mention money. You want to buy a house that really works for you. Explain to the seller what specific feature makes their house stand out. If they have several potential buyers, your offer letter pointing out their lovingly maintained garden or the impeccably renovated chef’s kitchen shows them you really looked at their home and you appreciate the work they’ve put into it.
6. Keep the offer letter short
There’s no official right or wrong length for your letter to the homeowner, but you don’t want to write a book for them. One page is plenty, especially if it’s handwritten or printed with single spacing. If you make the letter too long, you’re going to lose the seller’s interest pretty quickly. That means they might miss something they could really identify with because it’s buried in a long missive.
7. Include a photo if it makes sense
If you have a sweet family photo, there’s nothing wrong with including it in your letter. Just limit it to one photo. The seller is mostly interested in getting their house sold, so keep any pictures simple and appropriate.
8. Add a note from the kids
Having your kids write about the house or include a drawing can be very touching, provided they are old enough to do so and have something nice to say. But use discretion based on what you know about the seller. If the seller has kids around the same age as yours, this can be a sweet gesture. But be warned that some sellers might find it pandering.
9. Get a second (and third) opinion
Before you send the offer letter or give it to your real estate agent, it’s worthwhile to have someone you trust read it. They can ensure you didn’t make any major mistakes and that you didn’t say something that might be misinterpreted. Once a few people have given it the green light, you can pass it along with confidence and know that you did everything you could to help you get the house you love.
10. Don’t hand-deliver your offer letter
When you’re ready to make an offer, ask your real estate agent to give your offer letter to the seller. If you’re working without an agent of your own, give it to the seller’s agent. Never give your letter to the seller yourself unless you’re working directly with them. You don’t want to risk making them uncomfortable.
