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Original poster

To put notes through letterboxes of these houses?

141 replies

makeupforever · 24/08/2021 20:16

My DM has finally decided she wants to move, I am overjoyed as her area has been deteriorating for a while and I just want her to be able to enjoy life somewhere nicer. She owns her house outright but she is limited as to what she will be able to buy as her house isn't worth tons.

We have found a quiet street of small houses that are absolutely perfect for her, they appear to be mostly owned by older people. And they historically are within her budget. We've just missed one up for sale as an offer has been accepted, I asked the estate agent and he said they get snapped up quickly.

She's got her heart set on living there which means a lot to me. I'm well aware that you can't have everything you want and there is a huge chance it won't work out and she won't be able to live there. But I'm willing to do everything in my power to try and help her as she has not had an easy ride and I just want her to enjoy her life now in nice surroundings.

I was thinking of putting notes through the doors of the remaining houses with my name, contact info and some context, and asking if anyone had plans to put their house on the market soon. On some nice note cards? Just on the off chance someone was putting theirs up for sale so it would give us a head start to get everything lined up.

WIBU to do this? Or has anyone ever done this before?

OP posts:
lannistunut · 24/08/2021 20:18

YANBU, but personally I would set up a separate email address for this rather than using my real contact info. But what can you lose?

Occasionally this works, and it costs almost nothing.

SheldonesqueGoddessOfTheMoonah · 24/08/2021 20:19

Do it. At worst you’ll be ignored. At best someone will get in touch.

Good luck 🤞🏼

NanaPorsche · 24/08/2021 20:19

I've had stuff like that through letterbox a few times. I just ignore because I've no intention of moving.

But if you don't ask - you don't get.

endofthelinefinally · 24/08/2021 20:20

This is a perfectly good way of expressing an interest and it can work. You have nothing to lose.

Lovelydovey · 24/08/2021 20:21

It can’t hurt and is flattering for the home owners. We get such letters through our door probably once a year or so (our terrace of 12 houses are very sought after and we are the newest occupants having been here 12 years, the longest occupant is 85 and has lived here all her life as her parents bought the house as a new build in the 1930s!).

home2012 · 24/08/2021 20:22

I sold my house to someone who put a note through my door. It's worth a try

Evidencebased · 24/08/2021 20:22

Go for it.
Elderly relatives had similarly plumped only for a certain retirement complex, that had no properties for sale.
I cultivated a chance aquaintance, who then let me know when one was coming on the market. I suggested to seller that they could save estate agent fees, as I could provide them with a cash buyer.
Deal done, happy days.

Cantchooseaname · 24/08/2021 20:22

We did it for my grandad. The bungalows we were looking at didn’t come off, but someone passed it on to someone else in a different part of the village - and that did work out!! No one will be offended by a polite, short note with no pressure.

Chamomileteaplease · 24/08/2021 20:22

This worked for some good friends of ours. You have nothing to lose Smile.

Fancymice · 24/08/2021 20:23

It's worth a try, I believe they do this on property shows like location location so they can view houses before they're on the market.

MorningNinja · 24/08/2021 20:24

No problem with it but what 'context' are you putting on the letters?

Hillbillyhotel · 24/08/2021 20:24

My friend did this and ended up with her dream family home as a result. Good luck op!

OneTC · 24/08/2021 20:24

We've had letters and often there's a sign up on the noticeboard asking if anyone's selling. I think it's pretty standard behaviour

bicarbonateofcherrysoda · 24/08/2021 20:25

My parents recently got one of these and they were a bit worried tbh. I did explain it to them and they were OK in the end. I'm not sure I would do it now, especially if they're all elderly people living there.

lannistunut · 24/08/2021 20:32

@bicarbonateofcherrysoda

My parents recently got one of these and they were a bit worried tbh. I did explain it to them and they were OK in the end. I'm not sure I would do it now, especially if they're all elderly people living there.
What were they worried about?

I don;t think most people would worry about a polite note, surely?

Frazzledd · 24/08/2021 20:34

@MorningNinja

No problem with it but what 'context' are you putting on the letters?
'We know where you live....' on the front, cut out newspaper print....

On the back, big smiley face family picture with thumbs up with a 'Can we buy it!?' speech bubble.

Perfect 👌

godmum56 · 24/08/2021 20:34

I have had this fairly often, about 4 or six a year pre covid, either from local estate agents or directly. I bin them as I have no intention of moving yet but it doesn't bother me.....but yes, separate disposable email address. There are people who will think its funny to sign you up for everything.

godmum56 · 24/08/2021 20:36

PS i'd be really careful with context and using real names

Deliaskis · 24/08/2021 20:36

Nothing to lose... this is how we bought our house!

lannistunut · 24/08/2021 20:37

I love that this actually works!

LaurenS26 · 24/08/2021 20:40

My parents bought our family home over 20 years ago after knocking on the door and asking the homeowner if she had thought about selling. She hadn't but they must have planted a seed and within a few days she contacted them and agreed to sell.

So you just never know.

Original poster
makeupforever · 24/08/2021 20:40

Thank you all so much! Really relieved as I wasn't sure if it was the done thing or not so feel much better now Smile

Thanks for the tip for the separate email address, I hadn't thought about that so I'll definitely create a new one!

For the pp who asked what context I meant, I was just meant that I am looking to buy a house in that street etc. that kind of thing!

Do you think I should say my message is on behalf of my DM or just generic 'I'm looking to buy' etc? And should I mention she would be a cash buyer?

OP posts:
Polly2345 · 24/08/2021 20:41

I know people who have bought this way.

maddening · 24/08/2021 20:45

I sold to someone who knocked on my door and asked, it was a developer, but I was hoping to sell at some point soon anyway.

From a seller's perspective private sale avoids Estate agent fees so it can be a win win.

AllTheSingleLadiess · 24/08/2021 20:46

I get them in my letterbox too so go for it - you have nothing to lose