To post letters through people's doors...

[OldTownNew]

... asking if they want to move?

We live on a new build estate and want to upgrade to a bigger house. The side that we are on are mostly south facing, so by default the other side of the road are mostly north-facing. There are a few plots that will be available at some point this year with west facing gardens.

Would it be rude for me to post letters through the already built houses (they've been built for almost 2 years) asking if they were considering moving? As if they are, we would like to buy an already built house over a new one.

it is not weird, lots of people do it around here

Typed would be fine if you are going to do quite a number but then I would hand sign it From OldTownNew.

I would also mention that you live in a (2/insert number) bed house on the estate already and as you know and like the area you are now looking for a (3/number) house in the same area.

Mention that they could potentially save 2-3% on agent's fees and you are happy to discuss price with them direct or through a solicitor/third party if they'd prefer.

Handwritten would definitely give it a personal touch, but depends how many you have to write!

I think a short, polite note, typed to make it easier to read with a hand-done signature would be fine. Nothing pushy, just "we're interested in buying one of these houses, have that funds available for a quick sale, if you'd like to sell please call...".

A friend of mine sold her house in a similar way - had a new job lined up elsewhere. Somehow through a friend of a friend this couple found out the house was going to be sold, popped round and said "hope you don't think we're mad but...". They then got all valuations and stuff done so the price was fair but saved a lot of money on agents' fees.

I'd be flattered if someone liked my house enough to write me a note asking if I wanted to sell

"KingJoffreysRestingCuntface
Creepy AF.

Modern version of hounding them out with pitchforks."

What an absolute load of rubbish.

I get notes like it occasionally, mostly from families looking to leave London, I can't say its ever bothered me, I've never considered it, mostly as mines council and i think they'd object to me selling but quite a few of my neighbours have (1940's council road, most are now privately owned)

I've had these through the door - perfectly fine, as far as I'm concerned. I don't want to sell, so it just goes straight in the recycling, but I always think "all credit to them for having a go, and maybe they'll find someone."

My husband sold a house to a chap who put a note through the door. He was looking to sell and would have instructed an agent within the following weeks but contacted the note writer and they agreed a price.

Do it! Be polite and make it clear you're an individual not a company and good luck.

Many years ago someone put a note through our door asking us to please contact them if we ever wanted to sell. We didn't want to sell, but felt very pleased and flattered. Until I read King Joffrey's bizarre post I didn't think anyone could find anything negative at all about receiving such a note.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, and I'd rather deal direct with a buyer than give commission to an estate agent. Type it up, sign by hand, explain that you already live at number 25 and are looking to trade up. Mention that you have an AIP and can work to their timeframe.

I've seen Phil and Kirsti's do this

I am thinking of doing this. There is a road we particularly want to move to and I desperately want one of about 10 houses on that road which are perfectly proportioned and with lovely big gardens (rare as hen teeth in this area). This is a very encouraging thread

I'd get yourselves approved in principle for a mortgage of the value of houses you're interested in, though - no point canvassing if you're only going to discover shortly after that you're not in a position to progress. I'd include that sort of thing in your flyers, too: "serious about moving, funds available, can progress quickly" etc.

Good advice!

When we sold our last house, we really wanted one in same area. We put notes through doors and got a couple of people getting back to us. Ended up buying privately through a workmate of my husband. Nothing negative happened, I take it if people weren't interested they were put in bin etc. Worth asking around as well, one person contacting us needed to sell but didn't want neighbours knowing so was perfect situation for her.

MIL is selling her place like this. They flyered six months ago but she wasn't in a position to move. She had her house valued, called them back, told them what the EA had said it was worth, they knocked £10k off due to saving on EA fees + any over-exuberance from the EA, job done.

Definitely go for it! I would go typed to make it legible but hand signed.

We did this buying our house, we saved on estate agent fees doing it this way.

Do it - and then come back and let us know if it worked!

I get The Fear about post too Joffrey, and phone calls. You are not alone!

I wouldn't be offended by a polite note however, printed out and signed from a person telling me they would like to buy my house though. Its all the crap the local estate agents shove through my door that gives me the rage. Just more bloody recycling.

Agree that getting a cheap PAYG phone is a good idea.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest tbh. As long as the letter is politely written and signed (I'd type, not hand write) the worst that can happen is that the home owner reads it, thinks "cheeky blighter" and bins it. You might get lucky, especially if you are in a position to be able to proceed with the purchase. Good luck.

people do this a lot i hear - its not the same but estate agents often put things through our door about moving ( different priorities with them, but there must be people wanting houses in our road on a list somewhere)
I knew someone whose mum was always getting these letters through her door as she had a south facing garden and was on the end of a plot, so more space for people to extend. Her house sold in a day or two apparently!
good idea to type it out too.

We've had a few. Not interested in selling though so letter goes in recycling. No big deal, it's worth a shot!!