How to Write an Offer Letter For a House
Are you ready to make an offer on your dream home? There are many factors that will determine whether it’s accepted. For some sellers, it’s all about the money. For others, buyer concessions that lead to a quick and convenient sale can really sweeten the pot. But there’s one way to appeal to sellers that buyers often overlook: offer letters.
Many home hunters assume that a letter won’t make a difference, but it can. If you write something that strikes a chord with a seller, it might just be a deciding factor in whether they sell to you. Here are five tips on how to write an offer letter for a house.
1) Make a connection with the seller
Do you have anything in common with the seller you want to work with? Are you both hockey fanatics? Did you attend the same college? Perhaps you share the same family values. Most people are far more willing to do business with someone they like than someone they know nothing about.
If you discover similarities between yourself and the seller you want to work with, you can use your offer letter to highlight this information. As a general rule, try to connect this information to the home. If the den seems like the perfect place to watch a hockey game on t.v., let the seller know!
2) Appeal to emotion (but don’t overdo it)
Sellers are human beings first, which means they may respond to an appeal based on emotion. If you grew up near the seller’s home and have always dreamed of raising your kids in the neighbourhood, consider mentioning it. But exercise caution.
On the one hand, most people are attached to their homes, which means they may choose a buyer based partly on a feeling. That said, there’s a fine line between describing a personal connection and veering into sappiness—which will likely turn a seller off.
3) Say what you love about the house
Even though they’re moving, most sellers still have a sense of pride when it comes to their homes. This feeling is especially strong among homeowners who have undertaken their own home improvement projects. For this reason, a compliment can go a long way.
A word of warning: most sellers can sense insincerity. But if you genuinely liked their kitchen remodel or the colour palette they’ve chosen for their living room, say so. Use your offer letter as an opportunity to acknowledge how well they’ve cared for their home, and let them know that you intend to give it the same attention.
4) Show you’re serious
For those wondering how to write an offer letter, we can’t stress this next tip enough: show the seller that you’re serious.
How do you convey that you’re actually going to complete a home-buying transaction in a letter? Don’t just tell the seller you’re eager to move forward: show them. If you’re already pre-approved for a mortgage, mention it. If you’re willing to pay in cash to move the sale along, let them know.
Sellers don’t want to waste their time with someone who might back out of a deal. You might think that taking the time to write a letter indicates that you’re ready to move the process along. But if your letter isn’t direct, it could convey just the opposite.
5) Don’t express what you dislike
Don’t use your offer letter to try to negotiate or justify a lowball offer, which is bound to aggravate some sellers. Instead, keep things positive. If you don’t like the deck (but want the house anyway), keep it to yourself. If you’re planning to renovate soon, don’t mention your plans in your offer. Like you, the seller you work with is going through a major life transition. A bit of positivity can ensure that the process is pleasant for both sides.
Looking for more information on how to write an offer on a house? We have the expertise to help you through the selling process. Get in touch and we can discuss your needs!