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Original poster

In love with a house that’s not for sale

37 replies

Whatiswrongwithmykid · 19/02/2021 16:24

Would it be rude to write the owner a note to tell them I love their house and ask them to contact me if they ever decide to sell?
I have liked the look of this house ever since moving to this area. It’s a bit ramshackle from the front and the window frames are rotten but it has huge potential. I’ve been half expecting it to go on the market but 7 years later it hasn’t.
I’m wary of offending the current owners though as I appreciate it’s their home where they’ve seemingly lived for years and years.
WWYD?

OP posts:

AaronPurr · 19/02/2021 16:26

I say go for it. You can never predict their response, but if they do decide to sell in the future they may be delighted to sell to someone who loves the house as much as they do.

SooMoony · 19/02/2021 16:28

Are you in a position to buy it, should they take you up on your offer and put the house on the market? It might be just the incentive they need, to decide to downsize or move elsewhere.

NovemberR · 19/02/2021 16:28

I can't see that you've anything to lose. I would do so.

For what it's worth, I love my house and have no intention on selling. A note through the door would not offend me. I'd be pleased someone else liked it, but I'm not looking to move.

Hyperion100 · 19/02/2021 16:30

My boss bought his current house like this, Just knocked on the door and said if you ever sell, let him know. They called a few months later!

WildCherryBlossom · 19/02/2021 16:31

I don't think that would cause offence. I think any home owner would be happy that someone else liked the look of their house that much. Someone I know wanted to move to a particular area and dropped fliers through the doors of all the homes he liked the look of saying that he was looking to buy a property in that area. Sure enough he got a call from someone and bought their house from them.

There are several houses in my area that I would like to live in and I've often thought about doing something similar (although I actually love my own house and don't want to move)

Swingometer · 19/02/2021 16:31

Agree with above

As long as you word the letter politely then you have nothing to lose. If you think the owners are elderly then include your home address and land-line number rather than just mobile/email details

WildCherryBlossom · 19/02/2021 16:34

Another example: a family friend needed a bigger house as she had a new partner and step children. Her neighbour across the road was keen to downsize as her children had left home. They swapped.

Original poster

Whatiswrongwithmykid · 19/02/2021 16:36

Our house isn’t on the market but would sell quickly if we put it up for sale.

OP posts:

Clymene · 19/02/2021 16:41

I've had a note through the door about my house. I wasn't offended but I still live here!

Original poster

Whatiswrongwithmykid · 19/02/2021 16:41

The owners aren’t elderly, perhaps early retirement age if that. I’m trying to pluck up courage to write a note. DH is telling me not to say it’s their house specifically that I like as this could work at our disadvantage if they did decide to sell.

OP posts:

teanosugar2 · 19/02/2021 16:46

A friend of mine did exactly this and is now living in the house! Don't think she ended up giving crazy money for it either. If someone dropped a note through our door it would get me thinking. I definitely wouldn't take offence!

AaronPurr · 19/02/2021 16:48

DH is telling me not to say it’s their house specifically that I like as this could work at our disadvantage if they did decide to sell.

Why would it be a disavantage? You love the house, and if you'd be happy to pay the price if they decide to sell then it could be a great way to bypass others who may be more proceedable, or prepared to pay more if it did go onto the market.

DuckyMcDuck · 19/02/2021 17:22

This happened to friends of ours and it was the nudge they needed to decide to sell. They negotiated a private sale using Solicitors properly, just not estate agents, thus saving themselves the EA fees.

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2021 17:35

Just do it, worse case they will be flattered but say no.

No one takes offence at this unless there is something wrong with them.

I’ve had it and have been flattered but I’m not selling any time soon. If I was, I’d let the person know. But just a polite letter through the door saying apologies for the intrusion, this is meant genuinely, but you love the house and if they are looking to sell at any point to please contact you on x number.

And then leave it there. Don’t knock on the door or anything else. I once found some woman in my garden when I approached her she told me she loved the house and she had a post card of it, she didn’t want to buy it though, just being nosey.

But your husbands nuts, not saying it’s their house specially makes it pointless.

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2021 17:38

DH is telling me not to say it’s their house specifically that I like as this could work at our disadvantage if they did decide to sell

So he wants to buy it, but not let them know he wants to buy it, so he can try to get it cheaper, by pretending he doesn’t really like it, that’s the most batshit thing I’ve ever heard😂😂😂

CoronaIsWatching · 19/02/2021 17:43

I'd be worried that it would make them feel the property is desirable and theyd want to hang on to it more

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2021 17:44

@CoronaIsWatching

I'd be worried that it would make them feel the property is desirable and theyd want to hang on to it more

Really that never happens.,

scentedgeranium · 19/02/2021 17:51

I'm 55 and live in a pretty chocolate box looking house. I'm dithering about putting it on the market to find somewhere that's less of a money pit. If someone put a note through my door I wouldn't dismiss it

TracyHorrobin · 19/02/2021 17:54

We have friends that live in a remote but beautiful location., they have a drawer full of letters of offers to buy thrir house. But one day.......

Original poster

Whatiswrongwithmykid · 19/02/2021 18:35

My DH tends to be on the paranoid side and thinks they could push the price up if they know it’s the only house we are considering.

OP posts:

Zarinea · 19/02/2021 18:43

@Whatiswrongwithmykid

My DH tends to be on the paranoid side and thinks they could push the price up if they know it’s the only house we are considering.

I get that, but equally if they don't put it on the market there won't be competition to drive up the price.

They'd also save estate agent fees as PP said, and I've known buyers and sellers to split the saving 50/50 in these cases.

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2021 19:44

@Whatiswrongwithmykid

My DH tends to be on the paranoid side and thinks they could push the price up if they know it’s the only house we are considering.

Well firstly you don’t need to say it’s the only house you’re considering and if it’s not a fair price as agreed by say two or three agents then don’t buy it, but they will have it valued.

Bluntness100 · 19/02/2021 19:45

Sorry I should say that’s normally how it works. Two or three agents give a valuation and you agree a fair mid one between you. The sellers don’t just pluck a number out the air..

isurvived3under2 · 19/02/2021 19:47

Do it, what have you got to lose? We weren't selling. We got approached and they made an offer we couldn't refuse. We sold!

31RooCambon · 19/02/2021 19:48

You cant play it cool if you approach themwhen their house is not for sale!!! Your husband thinks you can say that you like houses like theirs 🙈

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