How much should I say in offer letter to vendor?

[dooneby]

We're going to make an offer on a house and are able to submit a letter with it.

I tend to ramble at the best of times (thanks ADHD!) so I'm not sure how much to put in.

This house would really change our lives but I don't want to go over the top about it giving our whole life history of how shit things have been for us.

Any suggestions? Or has anyone been swayed, or even put off, by what someone has written with an offer?

Please don't write about your "forever home" or "making memories" or about the dream you had of your as-yet-unborn children running through my garden when I am a childless spinster.

IMHO just put your offer letter in. Don't attempt emotional blackmail.

Why can't you make it verbally to the EA like most buyers. As long as they are made aware how proceedable and keen you are.

@DonateBloodNCheckSmokeAlarms I would never use those terms so that's unlikely 😂

@LaWench It's not through an EA.

When submitting my best and final offer I had to provide various bits and pieces by email - proof i had a buyer, proof of funds, ability to borrow and so on. I also wrote a couple of sentences about what the house meant to me and DC. I didn't want to over-egg it, but did throw in a bit of flattery. I did get the house, but no idea if the extra words made any difference or if it was all about the money (probably)

Factual and to the point only. I'd major on how quickly you can complete and back it up with evidence if possible.

I used to work in estate agency and in practice the vendors didn't actually read the letters. The agents did and provided a summary only to allow them to choose

Just to counter some of the above sentiments, we are currently buying a house which the sellers have owned for 50-60 years and they wanted to sell to a local family who wanted to live in the area long term. There were 5 offers including a cash buyer (not us), but they picked between 2 buyers who wrote letters. We emphasised our flexibility and financial position, but also our desire to stay in the area and why we loved their particular house (we only sold our house to buy theirs and weren't looking to move until theirs came on the market). So in our circumstances the letters certainly clinched it, but admittedly we are in quite specific circumstances.

I've never heard of writing a letter to say "pick me!" to a vendor and I've sold 5 properties over the years!

Just put your maximum offer to the vendor with no comment other than (truthfully) your circumstances for example if you're cash buyer, or if you're already sold or sitting at the top of a long chain. Don't lie as it wastes both yours and the vendors time.

If it was me I would definitely be persuaded by what someone said to me about their circumstances. Obviously a high offer would persuade me more! But if it was close I would consider the people themselves.

All the property "experts" say to make it personal so I was wondering how personal.

I’d suggest including all the relevant financial info about why you’re a good buyer. If you want a personal section, keep it short and to the point- you loved the house especially the x and you’re a local family or whatever. Don’t tell them your life story.

I’m afraid telling them about your troubles might be off-putting more than anything, especially any financial or health troubles. Unfair but true.

We were asked to include a few words when the house went to best and final.

Ours was the lowest offer (still above asking price though), and in the letter we highlighted we were keen to complete asap, were chain-free and were hoping the house would be a family home for us for many years to come. We got the house but suspect what tipped it was being chain free and keen!

What would persuade me, if two people were close, was who was using a decent, legitimate solicitor and who was using a shitey conveyancing factory type firm.

All they will probably care about is who is offering the most money and what is their position. You must demonstrate that you are in a good position- first time buyer or already have a sale for your property- and ideally already have your finances lined up

I wouldn't write a sob story, they're not going to read it. They want to know how much ££££ you are offering that's all.

All things being equal, If it came down to a buyer's letter than sentiment would definitely sway me! Don't overdo it with a sob story though, keep it positive.

Got this house at B&F, our letter was relatively short, but we laid out our proceedability and practical shiz first, and finished with a couple of lines that we knew the house was for us immediately, loved it and were envisaging it as our forever family home. It went our way!

Thanks for the replies.

We have all the practical stuff sorted so will obviously highlight that first. And I'll add a couple of lines at the bottom about loving the house etc. Fingers crossed!

Anyone using the phrase "forever family home" would go to the bottom of my pile. Luckily OP has indicated upthread a disinclination to use vomit-inducing phrases.