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AIBU?

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Original poster

to write to these homeowners?

48 replies

Mallorie · 01/02/2019 16:36

There's a secluded row of terraces overlooking parkland that I have loved for years. I walk my dog through the park they overlook nearly every day and dream of living there. I've only seen one go up for sale in all that time and it was immediately snapped up.

Would it be totally pointless to write and copy a note to each of the 15 terraces (sent properly by post, not stuck in the door like a flyer) addressed to 'Homeowner' to say how much I love the houses and that, if they were ever to decide to sell, that I would be very likely to pay their reasonable asking price with no argument at all (signed with an email address but not a phone number)? I'm not in a chain, as we're on a month-to-month tenancy until we find a home we love, and we would be cash buyers, if that makes a difference (should I mention that as well or would that put people off for sounding a bit braggy?)

I don't think I would mind at all if I got a letter like this, and would be happy to deal with a no-hassle cash buyer if I did need to sell. How would you react?

OP posts:
Jebuschristchocolatebar · 01/02/2019 16:39

Do it. You have nothing to loose.

Evidencebased · 01/02/2019 16:39

Definitely a good idea.
Know someone who got their dream home by doing that.

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 01/02/2019 16:41

I should add we have had a few of these before through our letterbox. We live in that desirable terrace and they never come up for sale. I find it nice and flattering

EnglishRose13 · 01/02/2019 16:44

A friend did that and a homeowner saw it as a "sign" as she'd been thinking about selling. You've got nothing to lose.

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 01/02/2019 16:49

Do it!

I live in a family sized home next to a good school and I've had notes through my door asking if I was interested in selling to let them know.

Beebee8 · 01/02/2019 16:50

Do it! Fingers crossed and update if you hear anything back Grin

EeeSheWasThin · 01/02/2019 16:50

Good idea...if someone is thinking about selling, it would save them lots of hassle and estate agent fees.

Go for it.

SpringForEver · 01/02/2019 16:54

Do it. We have had notes over the years as we are in a good catchment area and nothing was for sale. I wish there would be one soon as we are now ready to move on....

No need to post the letters though. None of the ones we got were even in envelopes, but an envelope, hand written with 'not junk mail, please read' would do as well.

Munchyseeds · 01/02/2019 16:55

I would!

RomanyRoots · 01/02/2019 16:55

OP, we get a lot like this that boil my blood, and it's because it is always a company making out they are a private individual.
Those that offer you a stupid insulting amount.

Make sure you include that you are a private individual interested in just one of the houses to actually live in. Sending them to each household then won't make you look the same.

Good luck.

Osirus · 01/02/2019 16:56

Do it. It worked for my friend and she completed just before Christmas.

Elfinablender · 01/02/2019 16:56

Definitely do it. There's no harm in it and I think the fact that you can move quickly and allow the homeowners the ability to avoid EA fees would mean that it would nudge anyone thinking about it into action.

Raera · 01/02/2019 16:57

We had a knock on the door, a man had viewed the house next door, which was for sale, but thought he preferred ours.
It wasn't on the market, but it was the push we needed to get on with what we'd been thinking about, so yes we sold to him!

Elfinablender · 01/02/2019 16:58

Awkward few weeks with the neighbours Raera? Grin

LegoPiecesEverywhere · 01/02/2019 16:59

I would do it but put I would definitely include a phone number.

squashyhat · 01/02/2019 17:01

We get both - generic company ones and personal ones. We're not thinking of selling at the moment but when we do I would like to think it would be to someone who will love the house and surroundings as much as we do, so if one turns up at the right time, why not?

CallMeSirShotsFired · 01/02/2019 17:02

I'd do it but I would also add my phone number, an email address seems so ...vague?

WTFIsAGleepglorp · 01/02/2019 17:03

Be polite.

Mirali · 01/02/2019 17:04

Not braggy to say you would buy cash

Nothininmenoggin · 01/02/2019 17:04

Great idea and you are in a good position to buy without any hassles. Good luck.

Bibijayne · 01/02/2019 17:05

It depends what you call 'reasonable'. My parents have a wild meadow front garden and live in a desirable street. People don't pay attention and think it's overgrown and pop a letter through thinking my parents are really old and have no idea what their house is worth...

Ragwort · 01/02/2019 17:05

Yes do it, a friend of mine did & it worked for her.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 01/02/2019 17:06

Do it! My parents sold to people like this - and actually turned down a slightly higher offer, because it was our family home and they loved the family.

Definitely add the cash and no chain point, that is hugely attractive.

steppemum · 01/02/2019 17:07

do it, but don't put it in an envelope to Home Owner, I bin all flyers like that without reading them

Cookit · 01/02/2019 17:07

Do it!

Cash buyer is not bragging, it’s relevent as it speeds the process up.