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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:
godmum56 · 24/08/2021 21:50

cash buyer means "I have the money in the bank right now" so don't say that if its not true. I'd be a bit vague, don't do an "elderly Mum" heartstrings story, it will sound like a scam, just say something like "I am looking to buy on xxx street, if you might be interested in selling them please email me at and your email address."

HelloDulling · 24/08/2021 21:52

My Grandmother formed a similar desire for a particular street. My mum did notes thru all the doors, one person phoned to say they def didn’t want to sell, two to say they did. She lived there happily until she died 20 years later.

mummyh2016 · 24/08/2021 21:52

I really don't get why people would be offended by this, I'd find it a compliment if someone went to the effort of sending a note saying every like my house!
The only thing I was going to say was if there are old people living in the properties they may not do email, would it be worth getting a pay as you go sim and put a contact number on as well as an email?

HelloDulling · 24/08/2021 21:53

@Viviennemary

I think this is the height of absolute cheekines and would never sell to somebody who did this.
In what way is it cheeky? It requires nothing from you at all.
lannistunut · 24/08/2021 21:54

@Viviennemary

I think this is the height of absolute cheekines and would never sell to somebody who did this.
Why is it cheeky?
RubyFowler · 24/08/2021 21:54

I'm about to do this very thing myself, as a particular few streets sell very quickly here so I'd love to get in before they go on the market.
Good idea about a separate email address.

ThanksItHasPockets · 24/08/2021 21:59

@Viviennemary

I think this is the height of absolute cheekines and would never sell to somebody who did this.
Have you expressed this view on a similar thread before? There have been previous threads with a lone voice who says that they would be affronted by a letter. It’s only ever one poster and I wonder if it’s the same one.
TheRebelle · 24/08/2021 22:01

To those that have done this does it make it more difficult to negotiate the price because they know you particularly want that house/street?

isthisareverse · 24/08/2021 22:02

@Viviennemary

I think this is the height of absolute cheekines and would never sell to somebody who did this.
please tell us why.

I can't comprehend how you can be offended that someone likes your house Confused

unless they offer you a tenner for it maybe...

Timeandtune · 24/08/2021 22:04

I think this is a great idea but I would consider using a solicitor- protects your privacy and adds more credibility.

isthisareverse · 24/08/2021 22:04

I would do it. We get these letters regularly (it's the school catchment that attracts people), mainly from estate agents trying different ways to get a call.

So worth making it a bit personal.

godmum56 · 24/08/2021 22:06

@Timeandtune

I think this is a great idea but I would consider using a solicitor- protects your privacy and adds more credibility.
except that will cost plenty of money...if you are going to do that, might as well use an estate agent.....also I think the personal approach would work better. You don't have to put a name on the note, just an email address and maybe a payg sim number.
GoWalkabout · 24/08/2021 22:07

The thing is, in a sellers market it will make no difference unless you are offering over market value surely. They will want to market it any way.

Getawaywithit · 24/08/2021 22:07

I used to live in a commuter town within walking distance of the station. Had letters through the door like this every couple of months. It was never a problem.

isthisareverse · 24/08/2021 22:09

@GoWalkabout

The thing is, in a sellers market it will make no difference unless you are offering over market value surely. They will want to market it any way.
it makes a difference if you are the first to view and put an offer.

They might also be happy to get 2 or 3 valuation, and then sell without estate agent and saving what they would spend on fees. You need a solicitor (its not mandatory, but they are worth their fees), you really do not need an estate agent.

RubyFowler · 24/08/2021 22:10

@GoWalkabout

The thing is, in a sellers market it will make no difference unless you are offering over market value surely. They will want to market it any way.
Not if they could sell it without the bother of viewings etc and giving a fee to an estate agent. Its not like you're trying to get it cheap, just get in first!
Mushtullo · 24/08/2021 22:11

@Viviennemary

I think this is the height of absolute cheekines and would never sell to somebody who did this.
You get that they’re not asking you for a free or discounted house, right?
SunonmyFace · 24/08/2021 22:15

Certainly worth a go, but where we live houses are on with estate agents are going to closing bids, so just be aware that in that market, saving estate agents fees isn’t worth it to the seller. No harm in trying though and obviously different in different areas.

Dixiechickonhols · 24/08/2021 22:15

Go for it. It’s flattering to home owners. If they aren’t selling they can just get rid of it no harm done.

TheDistortion · 24/08/2021 22:19

When I get a message like that through the door I assume it is from an estate agent touting for business and all the stuff about "ooh we love your road, do let us know if you are planning to sell, love Jim and Emmy, here's our mobile number xxx" is complete bollocks.

ApplesAreTheBaneOfMyLife · 24/08/2021 22:29

It’s quite common for this to happen in my village. I’ve had letters thought the door and haven’t wanted to sell but felt flattered to receive them (apart from one with a sob story who wanted me to sell for about 25% of what I paid for it!).

Lessofallthisunpleasantness · 24/08/2021 22:30

This is pretty normal. We have lived in our house 15 years and have had a note like this every couple of years. I do keep them incase we do decide to move!

sodabreadjam · 24/08/2021 22:35

The son of a family friend did this with leaflets in his preferred street and was successful.

My son put out an appeal for a house of a certain size in a certain area via Facebook and made the post public and was successful - a couple who guarded their privacy wanted to sell without a lot of fuss. He was very lucky with his timing.

As I get older I would probably like to move to a smaller house which is not on a slope - I will certainly consider both leaflets and social media when the time comes.

bridgetreilly · 24/08/2021 22:39

Phil and Kirsty do this sometimes on LLL. Worth a try, I’d say.

godmum56 · 24/08/2021 22:43

@TheDistortion

When I get a message like that through the door I assume it is from an estate agent touting for business and all the stuff about "ooh we love your road, do let us know if you are planning to sell, love Jim and Emmy, here's our mobile number xxx" is complete bollocks.
that's why I said about not doing the heartrending story about elderly Mum.