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If you’re a homebuyer looking at property in a competitive, or seller’s, market, you may want to consider writing a personal letter to the home seller. Although hard data on how well these letters work is hard to come by, there’s some anecdotal backing for the idea that these letters may sway sellers when they’re deciding between two similar offers.
It’s important to note that a letter to the home seller isn’t likely to overcome a higher offer or one that has fewer contingencies or a lot more cash for a down payment.
But if a seller is weighing two or more similar offers, a letter that describes what you like about the house, empathizes in a sincere way with the seller, and conveys your feelings about the home may help tip the balance in your favor. It’s not hard to write these letters, especially if you genuinely love the home you’re bidding on.
Read on for a few pointers on how to write your letter to the home seller you’re trying to win over.
Focus on sellers’ motivations, make it personal and be specific
If the sellers have lived in their home for a while, there’s a good chance they’re attached to it and would like the people who buy it to love it and take care of it. So, your letter should spell out how much you appreciate the home and the care the seller has put into its upkeep. Be specific! Say something nice about the kitchen tiling or the layout of a particular room and how you can picture yourself using it.
Keep in mind that other bidders are probably writing letters to the seller too. There’s nothing you can do about that, so focus on being real and personal.
You may be able to pick up clues about the sellers when you visit the home. Try to recall if during your tour of the home you discussed anything you had in common and consider mentioning it in your letter.
Don’t write anything that could backfire on you
Don’t get too personal when drafting your letter — remember, you and the seller probably just met. Keep it positive and light. There are laws that are meant to protect people from discrimination.
You may also want to skip any mention of plans for a major renovation, as that could tug on the seller’s heartstrings — you’re going to do WHAT to the room we ate dinner in as a family for 20 years?
Opinions vary about when to send your letter. Some agents recommend sending it as soon as you see a home and decide you are interested. Others prefer to include the letter in the formal offer. Your real estate agent may be a good guide to what’s expected in your market and what’s legal.
If you’re curious, you can find examples of these letters on the web, or you can ask your agent for a template.