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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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House Letter
UPDATE: Someone actually emailed me! LOL I couldn't believe it. He wants to refer with a realtor first to get their opinion on market value which I totally agree with, i would do the same. He is happy to show us the house first and speak privately before listing it. Who knows where it will go...I don't even know if we will like the inside, but it checks all the boxes, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, basement, garage and inground pool. I was happy to actually get a response and at least its a lead to a possibility. Thank you everyone for all your responses and opinions!
Hi All, posting here for more visibility ??
I need some honest opinions. I don’t want to post on FB because I don’t want anyone who knows us knowing our business, lol
As we all know, the real estate market is nuts on LI right now. We currently live in a small 3 bedroom, 1.5 house that we purchased after we were married about 10 years ago. 2 kids later and its gotten a bit tight. We don’t have a lot of storage and no pool. We had plans done for an addition to add some more living space and a master & bath and the costs are about $230K and that doesn’t include a pool! We’ve gotten multiple quotes and they are within that range. Lumbar costs have skyrocketing making home additions incredibly expensive. Who knows if costs will ever come down. We love our town and want to stay within the area and don’t want the kids to have to change schools. It make more sense financially for us to move, especially because we stand to make a VERY nice profit on our house. Selling the house wont be a problem, obviously finding another one that has everything we want is the challenge especially in this market. We want to stay within the same school zone so our kids don’t have to change schools.
So my question is…has anyone ever mailed letters to houses they were interested in? How would you feel personally if you received one of those letters? I am cray?? My husband thinks its nuts LOL But I have heard of people doing this before and have been successful! I would use Zillow to see when the house was last sold. I wouldn't send letters to any homes that were purchased with the last 15 years. Honest Opinions please ?? Here is what I planned to write:
Dear Homeowner,
My name is X. Let me first start by saying, I am not a realtor, I am just a local resident looking to purchase a property in the X area. My husband X and I currently live in the X section of X where we purchased our first home in 2011. 10 years and 2 children later, we have found ourselves a bit cramped in our small 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home. Although we love our home and love living in X, we have decided we would like to find a property that offers a little more space for our family to enjoy. Preferably a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with a full size basement or garage, or both! A pool would be a bonus.
This letter is merely an inquiry of interest, in hopes of finding another home on blocks and areas we prefer. Real estate inventory is at an all time low and it has been difficult to find properties that offer what we are looking for. We would like to stay X so our children can stay in the same schools.
We love your block in particular, and if by any chance at all you have been thinking of listing your home, we would love the opportunity to speak, view your house and see if there is any mutual interest in a sale. We have a good understanding of the market and are ready to make a competitive offer if we find the right home.
We hope this letter finds you well and if you have no interest in selling, we hope you enjoy plenty of more time in your home ??
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter. I have included my cell number below in case you would like to get in touch.
Sincerely,
X
Cell Phone: X
Email: X
Message edited 4/29/2021 3:28:24 PM.
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Posted 4/19/21 3:23 PM  |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: House Letter
I don't' know, seems like a waste of time. If they were interested in selling they would have it listed.
If I got a letter like that it would just go in the trash because I don't plan on moving.
I don't think people are waiting to get an unsolicited letter in the mail to be like- "you know what, I think I'll sell my house....why didn't I think of that sooner?"
Kwim?
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:28 PM |
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Re: House Letter
Same as Nell. A letter wouldn’t convince me to sell. You might get lucky and get that one person but I think anyone who is serious to sell is going through a realtor or advertising that they are selling on their own.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:33 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Re: House Letter
My sister said her REA said letters like that are a liability and most people do not read them for that very reason.
Love Letter or Liability
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:34 PM |
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House Letter
If you are working with a realtor they can usually show you their exclusives before they hit the market.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:35 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
Someone I know did it a few years ago and had luck finding something that met their needs. It took a bit of time, and there were a lot of people thinking that it was really creepy and wondering if it was really legit - which lead to a lot of Facebook drama (someone posted a pic of the flyer)
I don't know how it would work now though as many homes are ending up in bidding wars, and it's really difficult to find a new home.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:36 PM |
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House Letter
You can also do some networking among friends in town, if they hear of a neighbor considering selling they could keep you in the loop
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:36 PM |
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BFNY516
LIF Adult
Member since 7/20 1189 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
In this market? Hell yeah. Can’t hurt. It also will prevent any broker fees for the seller, which is appealing for them. You just need a real estate attorney. Only get a RE attorney, you need someone who specializes in that.
Plenty of people on LI are sitting in their living rooms joking about throwing their house on the market just to see. They see their neighbor selling for a boatload of $ and it makes them wonder. Look how many people here on this site mention leaving LI. It could give them the push they need.
I’d also list in the letter that you’re pre-approved. Gives it more weight.
You have nothing to lose.
Message edited 4/19/2021 3:42:22 PM.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:41 PM |
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BFNY516
LIF Adult
Member since 7/20 1189 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
Your letter could also provide you some insider neighborhood info too. Like maybe the homeowner isn’t interested in selling but heard their neighbor is going to list soon. It can’t hurt. This market is insane right now and being creative can give you an advantage. Good luck!! 
Message edited 4/19/2021 3:45:57 PM.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:45 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by NervousNell
I don't' know, seems like a waste of time. If they were interested in selling they would have it listed.
If I got a letter like that it would just go in the trash because I don't plan on moving.
I don't think people are waiting to get an unsolicited letter in the mail to be like- "you know what, I think I'll sell my house....why didn't I think of that sooner?"
Kwim?
I get what you are saying. But I guess I am thinking of 60 somethings that have been thinking of selling but have been on the fence...maybe they are hesitant to list because they dont want a 100 people coming through their home and going through that whole process?
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:46 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by Anotherplease
You can also do some networking among friends in town, if they hear of a neighbor considering selling they could keep you in the loop
Oh I am doing that too lol
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:47 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: House Letter
It can't hurt. My mother got letters like this and still does for people interested in a house in her area.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:48 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by Anotherplease
If you are working with a realtor they can usually show you their exclusives before they hit the market.
Yes, I have a realtor that works primarily only in our area. she has tons of connections but inventory is just so low. And at the end of the day, no realtor knows every realtor and can't possibly know if every listing come out.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:48 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by ali120206
Someone I know did it a few years ago and had luck finding something that met their needs. It took a bit of time, and there were a lot of people thinking that it was really creepy and wondering if it was really legit - which lead to a lot of Facebook drama (someone posted a pic of the flyer)
I don't know how it would work now though as many homes are ending up in bidding wars, and it's really difficult to find a new home.
LOL Oh geez, that could be bad...if I wasnt interested, I would just toss the letter, I wouldnt post it! But yea, I guess there are some crazy people out there that would think nothing of creating unnecessary drama over it.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:49 PM |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
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Re: House Letter
I would cut the letter down to be faster to read and I would drive around and find out who are the most popular real estate agents in the area.
Where I live, there is one agent that I would go to if I was selling and she tends to get the listings. That is the type of agent you want to work with and probably your best bet at finding something.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:50 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
My brother and his wife found their house that way - many years ago. They were interested in a very specific neighborhood and put letters in mailboxes of the houses they were interested in. It can't hurt.
But, IMO, I would simplify the letter - take out the part about the size of your house, the size of the house you are looking for and the part about inventory being so low.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:50 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by PitterPatter11
My sister said her REA said letters like that are a liability and most people do not read them for that very reason.
Love Letter or Liability
I think thats when you have multiple offers on a house because they dont want to the sellers to discriminate. this would just be a letter saying hey if you were thinking of selling, we would be potentially be interested in doing a private transaction...
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:52 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by BFNY516
In this market? Hell yeah. Can’t hurt. It also will prevent any broker fees for the seller, which is appealing for them. You just need a real estate attorney. Only get a RE attorney, you need someone who specializes in that.
Plenty of people on LI are sitting in their living rooms joking about throwing their house on the market just to see. They see their neighbor selling for a boatload of $ and it makes them wonder. Look how many people here on this site mention leaving LI. It could give them the push they need.
I’d also list in the letter that you’re pre-approved. Gives it more weight.
You have nothing to lose.
thats kind of where my heads at, nothing to lose really. Good point on the pre-approval.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:53 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: House Letter
Posted by PitterPatter11
My sister said her REA said letters like that are a liability and most people do not read them for that very reason.
Love Letter or Liability
That link refers to letters that people write with their offer, when a house is already on the market. What OP wants to do could potentially raise some of the same issues, but not necessarily
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:53 PM |
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Jacquelina
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/11 767 total posts
Name:
Jacqueline
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Re: House Letter
Posted by chilltocam
My brother and his wife found their house that way - many years ago. They were interested in a very specific neighborhood and put letters in mailboxes of the houses they were interested in. It can't hurt.
But, IMO, I would simplify the letter - take out the part about the size of your house, the size of the house you are looking for and the part about inventory being so low.
good point.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:56 PM |
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soontobemommyof2
My boys...my everything <3
Member since 4/15 3635 total posts
Name:
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Re: House Letter
Posted by BFNY516
In this market? Hell yeah. Can’t hurt. It also will prevent any broker fees for the seller, which is appealing for them. You just need a real estate attorney. Only get a RE attorney, you need someone who specializes in that.
Plenty of people on LI are sitting in their living rooms joking about throwing their house on the market just to see. They see their neighbor selling for a boatload of $ and it makes them wonder. Look how many people here on this site mention leaving LI. It could give them the push they need.
I’d also list in the letter that you’re pre-approved. Gives it more weight.
You have nothing to lose.
This. Real state agents do this as well I thought, no? I wouldn’t be surprised to receive a letter like this one and believe it or not I’ve heard people that were not planning to move but ended up selling their house because the offer was too good to pass. Offers are higher than the actual value of houses (during this time of course since lots of people are moving to LI).
But I think u might need to do some compromising u might need to just stick with ur must have’s though, especially if u wanna stay in the same school district. Would u be willing to pay a higher value? Do u think u can sell the house u’re in right now for a higher value than what it is? I think it’s possible, challenging and it might take time but possible.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:56 PM |
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RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3990 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
I don't see why not. I know of two couples that were randomly approached this way and they ended up selling. I say give it a try. You have nothing to lose. My parents right now are in a similar situation where they aren't sure if they want to remodel or buy something else and I am sure if someone like you approached them about possibly buying their house they may highly consider it.
Message edited 4/19/2021 3:58:49 PM.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:57 PM |
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jlm2008
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 5092 total posts
Name:
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House Letter
Go for it! That's how my mom got her current house. A few blocks from where she lived. She went right up to the woman and said I want your house...homeowner said if you can wait about 1 1/2 to 2 years you can have it...they kept in touch and true to their word when they were ready to sell, they let my mom know. House never went on the market, my mom bought it.
Edited to say, cut down your letter. Just say you are very interested in their house if they are interested in selling and give your contact info. Short and sweet.
Message edited 4/19/2021 3:59:44 PM.
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| Posted 4/19/21 3:58 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: House Letter
Posted by Jacquelina
Posted by ali120206
Someone I know did it a few years ago and had luck finding something that met their needs. It took a bit of time, and there were a lot of people thinking that it was really creepy and wondering if it was really legit - which lead to a lot of Facebook drama (someone posted a pic of the flyer)
I don't know how it would work now though as many homes are ending up in bidding wars, and it's really difficult to find a new home.
LOL Oh geez, that could be bad...if I wasnt interested, I would just toss the letter, I wouldnt post it! But yea, I guess there are some crazy people out there that would think nothing of creating unnecessary drama over it.
It wouldn't hurt. You never know. We got our house through word of mouth - my father in law briefly mentioned to our former neighbor that we were looking (we really hadn't started yet) and she told him that her elderly neighbors were selling.
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| Posted 4/19/21 4:14 PM |
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House Letter
I had a woman ring my bell and ask to buy my house. I had recently bought it and declined.
If you’re really interested in this area, I guess go for it.
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| Posted 4/19/21 4:52 PM |
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