AIBU looking for a house

[Redcliffe14]

We are looking to buy a house in an area where the houses are (now) selling within a few days of being on the market. We are in a good position with no chain, 25% deposit & a mortgage decision in principle.

Before lockdown there was a house on a street I love that had been on the market for a few weeks (we weren’t in a position to move ahead then as needed to confirm my return to work hours from
mat leave) as soon as estate agents opened again I called for a viewing and was told the vendors were taking the house off the market.

Would I be unreasonable to pop a note through their door outlining our position and letting them know we are very interested if they change their minds.
What about ‘letter-ing’ the street generally?
My partner thinks we should & I’m not sure why but I feel its somehow a bit rude

I feel our hand is being forced with the stamp duty holiday & needing to act quickly!

I did select no voting 🙄

Do it, why not! If someone is looking to sell, finding one another independently will save them a huge amount on estate agency fees. Worst that can happen is it just goes i the bin

I’m not sure about the whole street but it might be worth the house that was for sale. They may have changed their minds due to not being able to afford their next move so it might be a firm no/no contact.

But equally, how sure are you about their house without having viewed it? Is the layout similar to yours? Sometimes things can be quite different once you are in it.

I would put a note through. I know a few people that have done that. They may of Yemen it off the market with that agent because they weren’t happy with their service. I wouldn’t give too many details. I would just say we were interested in your house but noticed it was no longer up with xx estate agents if you’re still looking to sell we would be interested in a viewing. And then leave your phone number. My mil got her dream house a similar way.

*taken not Yemen!

We get a couple of notes through the door like that a year, we're not looking to sell so they just go in the bin but I assume they must work sometimes or people wouldn't do it.

I don't see why not. I live in an apartment block that is sought after and sell within days (I was the first to view mine and put in an offer an hour after viewing). We regularly get notes in our post boxes asking if we're considering selling, I'm not so I just disregard but I'm not offended.

You’ve got nothing to lose so you might as well. I don’t think it’s rude. It’s just a note that they can bin if they want to.

Agree with everyone else.
Nothing to lose - the worst that can happen is they just put it in the bin.

If you arrange a private sale with them, they have saved Estate Agent Fees. You are in a good position to buy so has to be worth a shot.
Keep it polite, and make sure they know you are a couple looking for a home and not a business.

My friend did this and bought the house, give it a go!

You ave nowt to lose OP, go for it!

Thanks everyone, don’t know why I thought it would be a problem, as you have all said, worst that happens is they bin the letter!

What do you have to lose? Letter them all

I wouldn’t mind. I got one a few years ago when we weren’t interested, if I got one when I was considering it I’d definitely give them a call!

PS the one I got was handwritten with their outlined position which I think is a good idea to differentiate it from the companies who want to buy up houses at a below market rent!