If you have ever/were thinking of asking someone if they’re interested in selling...

[Anothernamebitesthedust]

What would you say?

We’ve been living in rented a while and desperate to find our family home. We’ve got fairly specific requirements/ an idea of which streets we like. We’re thinking of making a a direct approach and dropping a letter into houses which might fit the bill...on the basis that there’s nothing to lose and we might get lucky.

We’re trying to write something now. So what would you include/ leave out?

All ideas gratefully received!

What you're willing to pay.

I would just say something like:

Hello, we’re a family of 4 who are looking to buy in this area. We’re looking for a 3/4 bedroom property.

If you’ve been considering selling your property and would like to avoid listing costs, please contact us on XXX

We are ready to go, no chain.

Many thanks

I think with this potential plan both sides need to be fully aware of the drawbacks and pitfalls. Yes, the seller potentially saves on agent fees. BUT should the buyer pull out, there’s no back up buyer or protection for the seller....who could well have spent money on lawyers and fallen in love with their own onward purchase and stand to loose it. As a buyer, whats in this arrangement for you exactly? No competition from other potential buyers? I’m scratching my head here and can’t see the benefits unless you were mates with the seller and had a high level of confidence that a deal could be struck and seen through smoothly without an agent involved.

I dont think the buyer would have any protection either way whether they had am agent or not. If the seller pulls out in England then theres nothing the buyer can do, and also an agent wouldmt necessarily have another buyer lined up unless it was a popular house. The seller has no competition, I guess its risky but so it buying with an agent so....

My brother did that a few years ago - he was a widower and wanted to live close to my parents. He put letters through doors in the area he wanted to live and had a couple of responses. He bought one of the houses.

We've received a few of these. No interest in selling, and I just recycle them, but I always like to receive them, so go for it.

We did this succesfully a few years back. We said hi, we are a family in the village who have just sold our house and are looking for a good sized home with a large garden in the village and thought your house might be ideal. If you are considering selling and would be interested in a private sale (and avoiding agents fees!) Please call......
Don't make it look too proffesional, our seller said she called us because it looked genuinely like a family not a company .

Someone in my family dropped a letter in to their dream home, about 5 years later they were invited to make an offer and they got it! They have been there over 30 years now and it’s just beautiful

I did this Christmas 2019, moved in March 2020.

I dropped letters to 20 odd houses and got three replies by the time I’d walked home and made a cup of tea!

The letter covered

That we were a family looking to stay local
Our basic requirements - number of bedrooms, garden etc
Savings on estate agent fees
Contact details
I didn’t mention budget

Our sellers luckily loathed estate agents as much as us and were lovely. Once we negotiated a price the solicitors took over and it was as straight forward as any other purchase.

My house is perfect for us and is beautiful.

Good luck. And remember most people hate estate agents so will jump at the chance!

My neighbours daughter has asked us to let her know if we ever sell, which we will do.

We were already sold, so we mentioned that too.