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Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

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Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Property/DIY

How does this sound pls?

29 replies

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 13:27

There's absolutely nothing coming to market in the area I'm looking for and wonder if this 'house hunting letter' sounds ok? Would you be offended to receive it? Any thoughts please?

Hello
I'm writing to ask if you would consider selling your home? We are a family of five (with three daughters) currently renting in 'this village' and looking to buy our home here. There is very little on the market so I'm cheekily writing to the homeowners of the gorgeous houses we pass on a daily basis. You are probably very settled in your home but on the off chance you would consider a move I’d love to hear from you!
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
All the best
Snow globes

OP posts:

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HmmOkay · 25/04/2017 13:33

That's fine.

Take the work 'cheekily' out. It isn't cheeky. Most homeowners will be flattered that you want to get your paws on their lovely abode. You could be saving them on Estate Agent fees if they ever do come to sell to you in the future.

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 15:07

Thank you! I'll take cheeky out. Should I mention saving on estate agent fees or leave it as it is?

OP posts:

wowfudge · 25/04/2017 15:54

You are looking to make your home in the village and want to know if they are interested in selling their house. Makes it less emotive to talk about selling a house. Also, make it sound as though you are more selective about who you are contacting - i.e. this/your gorgeous house. People are flattered to be singled out.

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 17:11

Thanks wow fudge. Its a village with probably 4 small roads that interest me. They are private roads and they'll soon know that I've not just asked one home but quite a few. Not every home on the 4 roads as some are north facing or look too small. It's the type of place where everyone knows everyone else. I was worried that saying 'your home' was a bit deceitful when they'll quickly realise several houses on their street have received my letter - Do you still think it'd be okay to personalise it?

OP posts:

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 17:13

I'll change the opening thoughwow fudge and think about wording it to sound a bit selective.

OP posts:

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 19:22

Does this sound better pls?

Hello
We are looking to make our home in the village and wondered if you'd be interested in selling your home please? We are a family of five (with three daughters) currently renting in 'this village' and looking to buy our home here. You have what looks to be a gorgeous house in a great location and although you are probably very settled in your home I thought I would write to you on the off chance you would consider a move.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this.
All the best
Snow globes

OP posts:

Goondoit · 25/04/2017 19:25

Glad I've stumbled across this thread I'm planning on doing the same next year. Houses in the area we like just get snapped up so quickly and so putting my house on the market next year (not in a position right now sadly ) thanks for strating the thread!!

HmmOkay · 25/04/2017 20:15

That's fine, Snow.

Batteriesallgone · 25/04/2017 20:18

I think that's really well written. Would be chuffed to receive it if I lived in an exclusive area!

This kind of thing works more often than you'd think btw. I know of three people off the top of my head who've sold to these kind of letters in the past couple of years. More than I know who have sold the estate agent way.

Tatlerer · 25/04/2017 20:44

I had one of these letters through quite recently and texted the sender to say no, we weren't planning to sell but we wished them luck in their search. Didn't hear a dickie bird back which irked me. But then I guess I was a dead end so why bother!

SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 20:49

I'd definitely text back to say thank you tatlerer

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SnowGlobes · 25/04/2017 20:51

Thank you everyone - I'll get printing now and pop them through letter boxes tomorrow.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 25/04/2017 20:51

I would take out the bit about the 3 daughters as its irrelevant , they either are looking to sell or they're not . We get quite a few of these letters and they really irk me for some reason .

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 25/04/2017 20:53

I'd leave the three daughters in. Lots of people like the idea of selling to a family.

Good luck OP

anotherdayanothersquabble · 25/04/2017 21:06

How about:

Dear sir/madam,

We are currently looking to buy a house in 'your village' and are very interested in your house.

We are a family of five who already live here and are looking for our long term home. We know the area well and would like to buy in the area of St What it's Road and particulately loke the syule and period features of your house.

While we are aware that your house is not currently on the market and wish to apologise for this intrusion, we would be very grateful if you would get in touch if you were to consider selling it in the near future.

With kindest regards
SnowGlobes

Chloe1984 · 25/04/2017 21:22

I'd remove the 'please' on the end of "We are looking to make our home in the village and wondered if you'd be interested in selling your home please?"

Good luck

Ilikedogs · 25/04/2017 21:24

This is how we found our current house... my letter went something like:

Dear Homeowner,

I am writing to you on the off chance you are thinking of selling your house. We are a young family looking for our forever home and are particularly interested in 4-5 bed houses (or 3 beds with scope to extend) in 'names of specific streets'.

We are currently renting locally and would be able to move at your convenience. Similarly we are open to either a private sale or through an estate agent.

....

And then any signing off niceties. (Apologies for the use of Forever home, I know it makes people cringe!)

We had a few people reply back and luckily one that wanted to sell, conveniently a house I have loved since we moved to the area

SnowGlobes · 26/04/2017 11:50

These are really helpful thank you!

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SnowGlobes · 26/04/2017 12:10

Ok, so this is it I think...

Dear homeowner (or just hello? Don't like sir/madam really)
We are a family of five looking to buy our long term home in X and you have what looks to be a gorgeous house in our perfect location. You are probably very settled in your home but on the off chance you would consider a move I'd love to hear from you. We are currently renting locally so would be able to move at your convenience. Similarly we are open to either a private sale or through an estate agent.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
All the best
Snow globes

Not too sure if that sounds too urgent or business like but I would love to find something soon as have been looking for almost a year now!

OP posts:

anotherdayanothersquabble · 26/04/2017 13:29

I'm not sure I would put 'you are probably settled', you don't want to remind them that they are.. you want them to react to the possibility of moving and getting a good price for their property with 'well.. maybe we could consider that move to xxxx if it was easy to sell the house' rather than 'well we are quite settled really, but good to know we could sell if we wanted to...

SnowGlobes · 26/04/2017 13:55

Agree - I take that out as not needed and don't want to remind them that they are settled. Bad enough reminding them that they've got a lovely house in a great location!!

OP posts:

wowfudge · 26/04/2017 14:23

Don't say all the best, say 'we hope to hear from you'.

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Shortdarkandfeisty · 26/04/2017 14:27

It sounds good. I'd be happy to receive it. Don't forget to put your contact details at the end

emsyj37 · 26/04/2017 17:23

Following this with interest as we are hoping to move soon and our search area is very small (we want to stay in the school catchment and the sort of house we are looking for is in short supply). Interested to hear from those for whom this approach has succeeded.... Will be very interested to keep updated on your success too OP!

SnowGlobes · 26/04/2017 18:49

Hope to hear from you is a better ending thanks wowfudge

OP posts:

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