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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask strangers if they want to sell their houses?!

78 replies

thatverynightinmaxsroom · 01/05/2017 21:57

We live in a rented house that backs onto a small common. Our landlord now wants the house back. The common is beautiful and very special to me and I would dearly love to buy one of the other houses on it, but none are for sale.

So... WIBU and very rude to put letters through the doors asking if anyone is contemplating selling in the near future? Would it bother you to get such a letter?

OP posts:
ginne · 01/05/2017 22:00

My initial reaction was no...but what harm could it do really? You never know! Good luck

Moanyoldcow · 01/05/2017 22:02

I would have no problem receiving such a letter - go for it, and good luck!

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 01/05/2017 22:02

I have an anxiety disorder and such a letter would mess me up.

However, based on previous threads like this I'm very much in the minority.

Follow your gut. If it feels like the right thing then do it.

BumWad · 01/05/2017 22:03

Go for it!

GavelRavel · 01/05/2017 22:05

this would get my back up and make me determined not to sell, even if I'd been thinking about it. But I'm a contrary sod, and I do know people who have done this and it's come off so worth a go maybe.

FlouncingInTheRain · 01/05/2017 22:06

If you're serious then I think a little more info would help like have you got finances in place and low pressure method of contact like email and phone number. Also a promise of anonymity if anyone does enquire with you.

But yes, i'd do it.

darwinsbabe · 01/05/2017 22:09

Out of interest, why would this spark anxiety? kingjoffrey

I'd do it. You might catch someone who is considering selling and you'd be saving them estate agents fees.

My mum and dad managed to buy their house by asking the woman while they were walking past that if she ever considered selling them they'd like first refusal. She sold them the house within days and they were living in it 8 weeks later.

Gillian1980 · 01/05/2017 22:10

We had one of those and sold the house to them!

Were umming and ahing about whether to put the house on the market. It took the hassle out of it and gave us the prompt we needed.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 01/05/2017 22:10

I don't think it can do any harm. We get similar notes through the door every month or so, and have never found them offensive.

Do make clear that you are not a developer or landlord, ie "we are a family who live locally, love the area, and are keen to buy X specific type of property" etc etc.

ambereeree · 01/05/2017 22:12

Do it. I would welcome the note if i was looking to sell. Saves on the EA fees as well

StillDrivingMeBonkers · 01/05/2017 22:13

My friend does this. She pin points an area she wants, narrows it down, leaflets; then keeps a particular eye on the rundown (old peoples) properties. It works for her, three times she's done this. But she is prepared to play the waiting game.

When it comes to doing up the house, she isn't shy about asking neighbours if she can come in and look at their extensions/loft conversions etc, then buys a copy of the architects plans at a fraction of the original price.

toots111 · 01/05/2017 22:13

I leafleted about 200 houses in the area I wanted to move to, just on the off chance someone was considering selling. Didn't get any leads but a couple of people sent me a nice email wishing me luck :)

franciemczoo · 01/05/2017 22:13

I would go for it. But I think you should "sell" yourself a bit in the letter as well. Make sure they understand you're a serious buyer and are good for the money.

BetterEatCheese · 01/05/2017 22:14

A friend of mine did and it paid off. Nothing to lose

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 01/05/2017 22:16

darwinsbabe , it's complicated. Anxiety isn't logical.

Part of it could be me feeling like I'm being 'watched'. Another reason is I rented for years and the stress of never knowing when a LL might decide to sell up/move back in caused many issues over the years. I've moved about 12 times.

When we bought this house I announced I was never moving again. This was my home.

My hackles would raise and I'd feel threatened.

Again, it's not logical. I know it's ridiculous, but that's how it is.

Original poster
thatverynightinmaxsroom · 01/05/2017 22:17

Thanks all! I didn't realise this was a common thing. Will give it a go!

I certainly wouldn't want to give anyone anxiety though.

OP posts:
Instasista · 01/05/2017 22:17

I've recieved letters like this. No big deal- if you're not interested you can just throw it away

DangerousBeanz · 01/05/2017 22:18

We've had a couple of these notes through the door in the past. I've found it quite lovely that people admire our home.

But we aren't looking to sell for a couple of decades yet so it did them no good.

19lottie82 · 01/05/2017 22:19

My Mum used to get letters like this through the door occasionally. No harm in trying!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/05/2017 22:21

We regularly gets Estate Agent flyers pushed through the letterbox
Mr and Mrs fictional made up don't exist Bradley of Croydon are looking for a house IN YOUR POSTCODE ......Lucky Me Hmm

Of course its a marketing ploy to hook sellers.
They go right in the bin.
If it was a Private Seller and I was thinking of selling then I'd consider it .

phoenixtherabbit · 01/05/2017 22:21

I've had a few letters asking me to sell. Doesn't bother me really. Our street is mainly owned by landlords were one of the few who owns and lives there.

Suppose it's nice to know your house is saleable?

You never know someone might be considering selling! I'd do it!

applespearsbears · 01/05/2017 22:23

I know someone who found two of their homes this way, wouldn't annoy me - go for it!

Deliaskis · 01/05/2017 22:28

We bought our current house by doing this. Lady who sold was just thinking of putting it on the market, so it just happened to be good timing.

WineAndTiramisu · 01/05/2017 22:31

I wouldn't have a problem receiving that through my letter box, go for it, you never know!

Oysterbabe · 01/05/2017 22:35

My BIL bought his house this way. Everyone saved on estate agent fees, win win.