to write to these homeowners?

[Mallorie]

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?

That would help someone looking to sell. No harm to it.

You can do it but you are unlikely to have any luck if they are in such high demand.

Do it but handwrite the envelope to make sure it gets opened and add your phone number in case there are elderly owners who are not comfortable using email.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

This happened where my friend lived. New homes near an excellent school. My friend thought it was a bit weird.

I assume you’d set up an email address specifically for it.

We have had notes and even people knocking on our door. We are one of the cheaper houses in a very good school area. I must admit that we have been tempted over the years because we could afford to upgrade, but ultimately have decided to live frugally. We might give in one day though.

Do it!

Someone will surely come to the thread to say they would hate it, it might upset residents etc but in the real workd people will read it and forget about it if they are not interested... or get back to you if they think it might be a good idea to sell.

Yep, there are places like that out there. We live in a lovely location, one of a dozen big, spacious Victorian semis, with relatively huge gardens that only come up very rarely. It’s actually not that dissimilar to how we found out about ours, as it wasn’t advertised by board. Most of our neighbours care about who they sell to, it’s what has kept the neighbourhood so friendly and caring. Do make sure you have a very good idea of what they are going for though, you don’t want a shock if someone takes you up on your offer! Good luck.

This is how we got our house, the lady had lived in it for 40 years and didn't want to sell to a developer.

Our letter was quite personal saying how my husband had grown up in the area and this is where we wanted to raise our family, included phone number and email, she emailed and asked to meet us and I swear she was interviewing us to see if we were suitable for her house, she even asked to meet the kids before she agreed to sell to us, it was worth it though, we'd never have got the house otherwise as it would have gone to a bidding war and we'd have been out priced.

I’ve known people land a property privately this way. I would say that you would not need a mortgage, would be in a position to move swiftly as no chain, and I would start with something about how you pass the houses with your dog. Makes it more personal.

Yeah it's fine, I know a couple of people who found their house this way.

Definitely do it - I have friends who did this and it worked!!

Shy bairns get nowt x

This is how we bought out house.

Our*

Definitely! Good luck!

A friend bought her house this way.
Nothing ventured.....

Do it! A colleague of mine was the same as you. She only wanted to live on one particular road. So she wrote a letter to every house similar to what you propose and it turns out one of the owners were wanting to sell and really appreciated saving money on estate agents.

Go for it! What have you got to lose?

I’d do it, but I’d hand write the letter, and put it through the door and include mobile phone number.

I’d make it very personal about walking the dog and loving those houses etc.

Good luck!

There’s a house near me I’d love to buy, it’s not huge but it’s SO adorable, but the area is incredibly expensive so there’s the wee issue of getting a lottery win first! But when I do I’ll be bombarding them with bribes to let me buy it 🤣

Absolutely nothing to lose!

Keep us updated on how it goes.

Do it!

This regularly happens where we live. My parents did it and after the owner passed away their NOK called them and sold it to them straight away. Quick, painless and no fees. Might be the incentive someone needs who may be considering selling.