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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:
BeeThirtythree · 01/05/2017 22:37

stilldriving what a brilliant idea your friend has! Yes, a waiting game but great for saving the pennies! Will look into this when we next move

Oysterbabe · 01/05/2017 22:38

Oh and he put in the letter that he was newly married and looking for a home to start a family in. I think it helped.

highinthesky · 01/05/2017 22:40

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/05/2017 22:41

Nought to do with houses but OP, I LOVE your user name.
My DS is Max (17yo)and we searched (pre -Internet) to find a copy of WTWTA, I had forgotten the name of it and stood in a Waterstones in Bradford (IIRC) quoting that very line to the sales staff who -luckily- didn't think I was bonkers Grin

Rufus27 · 01/05/2017 22:44

This is exactly what we did. No agent ever involved. We and seller both made a small saving. We sent around 80 letters and had 4 or 5 replies. We also wrote an open letter for the local newsletter. No regrets.

Sara107 · 01/05/2017 22:44

Estate agents often put letters through our door saying that they are looking for properties in the area. If you're not thinking of selling you just stick it in the bin. I wouldn't be upset if I got a letter from an individual saying they were looking for for property. As long as it's just through the letterbox, I 'ld be embarrassed to be door stepped about it.

Rufus27 · 01/05/2017 22:46

Nb. We made it clear we were a genuine couple and not agents. It was a simple, honest note which contained our home tel number and email.

ImperialBlether · 01/05/2017 22:48

I think you should only do it if you have the deposit and mortgage agreed - if you have, then yes, go ahead!

Crunchymum · 01/05/2017 22:48

We receive letters from Foxtons and Savills all the time asking us if we want to sell go straight in the bin

I think your note needs to be quite personal ("we currently live at x house, but LL has given us notice, we love the area / community / people / ethos and we would love to continue living here so please - if you are thinking of selling - give us first refusal. We will pay market value")

Hopefully if someone is wanting to sell this will tug on their heart strings.

raspberryblush23 · 01/05/2017 22:51

This happens to my gran, an 80 year old woman, that lives alone in a desirable area with very 'sought' after 'highly performing' schools, and it really annoys me. The last women from the sounds of it had sneaked into her back garden to take a look. It sounds like you have an emotional connection to these houses OP so maybe nothing ventured nothing gained. In my gran's case these people just feel entitled to live in this area...

redshoeblueshoe · 01/05/2017 22:54

I had an Estate Agent round to value my house, someone saw their car (it must have had a logo on) and asked if I was selling. Deal done, great not having to pay EA

Jakeyboy1 · 01/05/2017 22:56

No. I've done it, it works.

mollyblack · 01/05/2017 23:02

We've had a few of these through the door as we live in the only street of houses (as opposed to flats) in the school catchment. I think its a great idea, people can often know of whispers of neighbours houses coming up before the go on the market too, in the case of an executory sale etc.

BadToTheBone · 01/05/2017 23:02

I have notes like that come through our door several times a year. I'm not offended by it at all. It's quite nice that someone has looked at my house and thought they'd like to live here.

Original poster
thatverynightinmaxsroom · 01/05/2017 23:03

70isalimit how lovely!

It was one of my favourite books as a child and DD (4) adores it. This line just gives me the shivers (in a nice way) for some reason.

OP posts:
CheshireChat · 01/05/2017 23:03

My mum used to get this regularly, never bothered either her or me when I still lived there.

Good luck!

TinselTwins · 01/05/2017 23:06

We'ld get this a lot at our old place (more for renting but also some wanting to buy)! I ignore it and TBH when I put my place on the market I didn't contact any of them, if they're that keen they'll be checking right move & will book a viewing. if I'm not on right move I'm not in a position to sell so….

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 01/05/2017 23:08

We get these letters, we have no intention of moving but it is slightly flattering to know that other people like our street too.

JustHereForThePooStories · 01/05/2017 23:13

I've had quite a few over the years, including one this weekend!

It was handwritten (nice touch) and said-
Hello.
My name is X. My husband and I have been living in for 2.5yrs. Out landlady has informed us that she's returning to and so our lease will end in August.
We are keen to stay in the area as we work nearby and our children are attending .
If you are contemplating selling your house, I would appreciate it if you could let me know.
We have mortgage approval and are in a position to buy immediately as we will not be in a chain.

I'm not interested in selling but I liked the letter!

melj1213 · 01/05/2017 23:19

Estate agents often put letters through our door saying that they are looking for properties in the area, but none will beat the first one we ever got. 3 days after moving in, the sold sign was still up on the front of the house and the very estate agency we had bought the house through put a letter through the door asking if we wanted to sell ... errr no thanks,
we've not even unpacked yet! Grin

KindDogsTail · 01/05/2017 23:26

No, I think no one would be offended by that. Someone could be thinking of selling their house and be delighted that someone would get it who already appreciates this special setting, and who would really treasure the house.

lottiegarbanzo · 01/05/2017 23:26

Do it! We've had a couple. Do make it personal - clear you're a real person - without any hint of wheedling or guilt-tripping.

I just started a thread today, in property, about faux personal letters received from investment buyers - who are probably large companies, not 'Matt and Jess' etc. So beware that that sort of thing is the new 'estate agent flyer' and yours needs to look different. Actually handwritten, with an introduction, contact details, not at all pushy.

ll1989 · 13/08/2017 22:41

We've inherited a family property in a sought after catchment area and a double plot that's viable for building a second property on. Previously, my elderly grandmother got a lot of couples keen to buy the house inviting themselves in to chat with her about selling - this only looked opportunistic, especially as they could see she wasn't keen to sell.
Now we've moved into the property and we still get letters through the door, people asking us about selling when we're trying to garden and it's really starting to grate.
You may find you get a very hostile reaction from some homeowners who may have received many other enquiries like yours before. Personally, I find it very rude but I'm a bit of a grump.

Stressedoutandfedup · 14/08/2017 10:58

It wouldn't bother me. Worth a try!

calmanban · 14/08/2017 11:03

Sob... no one has ever put such a letter through my door.

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