Cheeky request to buy parents house - AIBU?

[SewingMum46]

My DPs still live in the same house they built when first married in the 60s. It’s in quite a nice area and because DF is an amazing gardener has a lovely garden which can be seen through the gate. It’s split level so although DM has some mobility problems and is quite frail, it still works for them. They’d only leave if something happened to one of them.
They got a card through the door last week with a message that basically said this couple who live in a very posh house up a very posh street nearby want to downsize because their kids have left home, so please would they consider selling their house to them? It included something along the lines of “Of course we’d pay full market value but it would be good to avoid those annoying estate agents fees”. It was handwritten with the name and address of the couple.
I feel it’s a bit cheeky and tbh on the verge of being entitled. DPs don’t know these people at all - they said in the card they’ve “always thought the house is lovely” and now they’ve decided it would suit them better as their “current property is on 4 floors”.
DF hasn’t shown the card to DM. I told him to ignore it but hold onto it. He’s adamant that if he sold to them it would be above market value, but he doesn’t want to sell - it would be up to DB and me to sell the house after they are gone.
What would you feel if this happened to your DPs? I find it really upsetting.

Plenty of people do this. If they don't want to sell just ignore it. Or if they want to reply just say we have no intention of selling. No need for all the upset etc..... about it all.

Seems an over reaction to a perfectly polite note. I'm not sure which aspect you find cheeky or entitled

You and your DF have taken this WAY more personally than you should have.

Take it as a compliment to the house and ignore.

It's suggested and done by loads on here. I wouldn't think anything of it , they are asking to consider buying a house. Why is it upsetting?

People do this all the time. I don't understand why you would get upset. Just bin it

I'd see it as a compliment to their home, and their gardening skills. Other than that I wouldn't feel anything really. Its not a compulsory purchase order. In my old house I got a letter every few years asking me to sell my house to someone or other.

Goodness, it’s a very polite message! Very common. The property market is stagnant, sensible thing for them to do. You seem very out of touch with reality!

This is quite a well known method of trying to target a property, we probably get 1 or 2 a year, especially in the current climate and if they do decide to sell and the house is that lovely they’re probably better off on the open market anyway.

If they don’t want to sell just say what a lovely note and out it in the bin.

My friend did this. They ended up selling the house to her and became best friends with the couple! Random but why not. Just say no if they don’t want to move. It’s not unheard of

They're just asking. Your parents don't want to sell so that's the end of it.
If they come round or anything, your dad can say no thanks.

I find these annoying as we get similar all the time BUT I don't think it's at all entitled of the couple. If your parents were looking at selling it's potentially be the easiest sale ever for them. Because they aren't, just bin it. Nothing further required and no need for anyone to be at all upset or put out

I don't find that cheeky or entitled. If I wasn't planning on selling, I'd just bin the note and forget about it.

I know people who have put notes through doors on streets they like when looking for a new home. In fact, we considered it. Estate agents regularly put flyers through the door “looking for property on your road” type thing. The content of the note sounds weird (I would be cautious calling someone’s family home a “downsize”) but generally I’d consider it a compliment. You don’t and you don’t want to sell so just ignore and bin the note.

It’s the wording really - “Of course we’d pay full market value but avoid estate agents fees”. DPs aren’t particularly aware of the value of the house, they were surprised when they asked me how much it might be worth. It also felt a bit like they were being watched.

I can't tell you how many times I've had this happen. I just throw them in the bin.

It's nothing personal. There's just not a lot on the market

There is nothing upsetting about that. We live in a desirable but tiny village and have one of the few houses that would be a perfect down-sizer. We have had similar letters a couple of times, we take it as nothing but complimentary and quite pleasing. You are being very weird about it.

I get it, you want to be the one to decide what happens to the house eventually. All you memories are tied up there. I would feel the same if my parents sold. But, it’s ultimately still their home to do with as they see fit, I think you need to take a step back.

Our friends bought a house this way.

They put notes through every house on a particular street they wanted and someone replied to say yes they were about to sell anyway and they did the whole sale without estate agents, saved a load of money and everyone was happy.

@SewingMum46

It’s the wording really - “Of course we’d pay full market value but avoid estate agents fees”. DPs aren’t particularly aware of the value of the house, they were surprised when they asked me how much it might be worth. It also felt a bit like they were being watched.

They're trying to demonstrate the financial benefits for the owners of selling privately. They've probably put an identical card through lots of letterboxes.

Honestly you're way overthinking this

This is a non-issue.

I can’t see the issue, and private sales do happen.

It’s a completely normal thing to do- not sure what you are bothered about. Just tell your dad to throw it away if he’s not interested.

They’ve probably put notes through a few doors. Maybe someone will have been thinking of selling and will be pleased to receive it.

We’ve had a few of these over the years. The more generic ones from estate agents with ‘clients actively looking for a house like yours’ arrive at least once a month.
We’re not looking to move so we just ignore them. People are trying on the off-chance that the house is available, they’re not issuing a compulsory purchase order.

@SewingMum46

It’s the wording really - “Of course we’d pay full market value but avoid estate agents fees”. DPs aren’t particularly aware of the value of the house, they were surprised when they asked me how much it might be worth. It also felt a bit like they were being watched.

Just ignore it. They don't want to sell, throw it away. Would only consider them cheeky and rude if they sent another letter.

Everyone wants to avoid paying extra fees when buying a house. Some people sell their house on fb to avoid paying estate agent fees. Can't see a problem with it.

My parents live on a very family friendly street and have had at least 5 of those notes in the last year.

It really isn’t a big deal.

It’s not entitled to ask if you can buy something.

It’s also not rude or creepy to say you’ve noticed somebody’s house and it looks nice,

Honestly all of you are reacting oddly to this.