Letter to homeowners

[Starry436]

We only really considered doing it because I saw another local realtor post on Facebook to say that her buyers asked her to send a letter to a specific homeowner whose house was not for sale, and it ended in a sale.

This is what we've asked our realtor to do for us, or at least acknowledge that there's buyers interested in the neighborhood but she has not done that or much else for that matter. So my question was really asking if it was weird coming from a non-realtor. Maybe the easiest solution is just to find a new realtor and hope that they turn out to be helpful.

[disneysteve]

We only really considered doing it because I saw another local realtor post on Facebook to say that her buyers asked her to send a letter to a specific homeowner whose house was not for sale, and it ended in a sale.

This is what we've asked our realtor to do for us, or at least acknowledge that there's buyers interested in the neighborhood but she has not done that or much else for that matter. So my question was really asking if it was weird coming from a non-realtor. Maybe the easiest solution is just to find a new realtor and hope that they turn out to be helpful.

We get mailings from local realtors all the time but they aren't targeted to us personally. They are just the realtor advertising their services saying, "If you are considering selling, hire me" sort of a thing. They usually include a list of recent sales that agent has made. I don't think we've ever gotten one specifically to us and only us.

[WDELTA]

A friend of mine and his wife wrote a letter to the homeowner along with an offer under asking price. Basically saying home much they loved the house and how great it would be for their kids. The sellers accepted the offer which surprised me. It’s a hot market, so either the letter worked or maybe they were just ready to be done with the house no matter what.

[cypher1]

My question is, would it be weird if we personally sent out a letter to homes that we'd love to live in asking if they're looking to sell to please contact us? Is that illegal? Would you feel weird if you received such a letter? .

I'm sure I'm in the minority on this topic by overthinking it. But if I got a letter from a complete stranger who's never been inside my house saying they love it and want to buy it, I'd be creeped out. While I live in a great neighborhood, live alone, am very private, that just sounds weird. If it was someone I knew or met before, or some random business ad, not so much.

From your original post, you mean well by your intentions. However, if I had a family and received something like that, I'd be a little more paranoid about thinking strangers are scoping out my place when its not even on the market. But hey, that's just my 2 cents.

[Starry436]

I totally understand that, it's why I was on the fence of the idea. But also, this is such a small town that everyone knows someone or knows of someone. So I think I'd feel even more awkward if I found out the house I loved is that of someone I worked with, was my Dr.,etc.

This actually just happened, I was cutting through this neighborhood to get across town and saw a familiar face out mowing the lawn of a house I've seen since I was a kid...took me a few days but I determined he's the delivery guy to my office. *facepalm* I think I'll save myself the awkwardness and just hope one of these "perfect" homes come on the market in our range, while attempting to find a better realtor.

[Gailete]

We got a handwritten 'letter' torn out of a small legal pad several years ago asking if we would be interested in selling our rental property. It was obviously from someone that watches those late night infomercials that tell folks how they can buy property no money down and flip it for a fortune. By the poor way the letter was written, I figured it was one of those down and outers always looking for a pot of gold, but not willing to do any digging to find it. No reason to give a callback.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I told my neighbor if they ever wanted to sell please ask us first.

[safari]

Right now it's a sellers market. I wouldn't waste my time writing letters to the owners of houses that are not on the market. Even if one of them was considering selling, it would make more sense for them to put it on the market and have many buyers compete for it rather then responding to your solicitation. When a realtor sends a letter to prospective sellers, it's a completely different thing, as he is basically telling them that he will sell their property for a top dollar, so there is some incentive for the seller. In your case, there is absolutely no incentive for the seller to sell the property to you.