To post a note through the vendors door?

[katem98]

Is this a stalker move?

We have been house hunting for around 10 weeks VERY unsuccessfully, the market seems really slow at the moment.

On Friday, the house of our dreams was added to Rightmove. Called Connells and they only had availability due to staffing Fri 31st. Houses like this are being snapped up.

We’ve booked in the viewing but AIBU to post a very friendly note through the vendors door expressing our interest?

Our property is sold subject to contract to first time buyers so I suppose we’re in a decent position.

DP is unsure a note is a good idea, colleagues think it’s a done thing.

TIA for your views!

Go for it what’s the worst that could happen.

i Would do it

When we sold our last house we had an offer on the first day it went on the market and a letter through the door. We’d already accepted the offer but would’ve considered the other person if our sale had fallen through.

Would you include your mob number? Or is this a step too far?

Is a typed letter ok? My handwriting isn’t the most attractive!

I think you have the issue that one vendor might think "lovely, let's show them round and see if we can get a quick offer". But another who would think "hmm, they're trying to get round the estate agent and put a low offer in hoping we'll just take it. I'll avoid them."

If no one's viewing before Friday, then I'd say wait. If they are already having viewings, then it's up to you.

@MargaretThursdayThank you. Worth mentioning the property is up for OIEO £350k. We’re happy to offer the 350k.

I would assume a typed letter is a circular one that you post in every house that goes up for sale. Sorry but handwritten makes you seem more genuine

@stealthninjamumYes I did think a hand written would be preferable.

Not a stalker move, but a bit odd I think. Just go through the estate agent like everyone else does. Seems weird to pop a note through their door (IMO.)

The vendors are paying the estate agent to market their property. I would be very annoyed if they were turning prospective purchasers away due to 'staffing issues'. That's not acceptable at all and I would want to know so yes, definitely put a note through the door.

I'd do it, saying everything above including that you are booked in with estate agent.
I'd be ok with a typed letter, maybe in a handwritten envelope, to make sure it doesn't get binned unread.
I might not be happy with that offer though, especially if I had just gone on the market.

Can you ask the estate agent how many viewings are booked in before you see it?

Or knock on the door.

DH bought our house in 1997 by hearing on the grapevine that the vendor was thinking of selling. He knocked on the door and said 'here's my number if you want to sell'.

We have since had several people come to the door and knock over the years. No harm in asking.

Why do you feel the need to express an interest ahead of the viewing? If they can’t fit a viewing in for you until Friday 31st presumably that is the same for any other prospective viewers so it’s not like you are going to miss the chance to view. OIEO is ‘offers in excess of’ meaning £350k is the absolute lowest they’re willing to accept but they’re hoping for more so if all you’re offering is the bottom line you’re not coming with a particularly appealing offer, certainly not enough to make the vendors want to cancel any other prospective views they’ve got lined up from the 31st, so I can’t really understand what you hope to gain by contacting them? You might also put them off going with you if you seem overly pushy, they might worry you will turn into nightmare buyers who try and do everything outside of the regulated channels (estate agent, solicitor etc) and are constantly turning up or sticking letters through their doors. That would put me off tbh.

The agent is just that - an agent - there to help the seller sell. If they're not doing that in a way that works for you as a potential buy legitimately interested, then do whatever you like.
I would certainly write a note (neatly, but by hand as I haven't got a printer at home any more) with my mobile number and pop it through the door. I expect that the worst that will happen is that the seller will pass it on to the agent.

I’d do it for sure and leave your number , we missed out on a property recently as vendors accepted offer from first batch of viewers and we were too late to even see it let alone make an offer

@CoastalCalmThat’s what keeps happening here. Twice now we’ve had things booked in for the day or two after becoming live and them being snapped up!

Why not? And yes do include your number

We didn’t do this prior to viewing but we did put a handwritten letter in with our offer and it got us our house, apparently. The previous owners had several offers but they’d brought up their family there and liked the idea of another young family (as we were at the time!) moving in.

So I’d do it, it’s worth a try. 🤞

@MolkosTeenageAngstYes, I see your point. Vendors are selling due to divorce and houses in the area are selling for around the same price. I’m also hoping our position is favourable. Understand our offer won’t be majorly appealing but hoping a solid offer from a proceedable buyer trumps a more appealing offer from a potential buyer.

If you really like it, don't mess about with offers. Offer what you think it is worth and you are willing to pay. Don't risk losing your dream home.

@WallaceinAnderlandAbsolutely. 350k is top end of our budget. A house 4 roads away, similar style recently sold for £355k after being on the market for 2/3 months!

Yanbu, plus, if I was the vendor I’d want to know that no viewing were being arranged until 31st due to staff shortages- not good!

I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.

What's the worst that could happen?

Also, as vendor I would be missed off with an estate agent delaying viewings.

If you make it clear that youre sending a note because you're worried about not having a viewing until friday, then I think it's fine. Would you ask them for a viewing before then, or what would the point of the note be other than to make yourselves seem more keen than other potential buyers?