Do people really put notes through doors of houses they like?

[Fallulah]

We live in a little terraced house that is realistically a bit smaller for us. With the increase in value since we moved in and the fact we’ve paid off a chunk of mortgage, we’re in an OK position to go to a three bed, although it would have to be in a different area to the nice one where we are, or so we thought!

Like many others we have been taking a lot more walks and discovering new things right on our doorsteps. In a cul de sac across from where we live is a 3 bed house that always has the curtains closed, front door paint peeling, never a car on the drive etc. It looks empty although there are lights on in the evening but we have decided these are on timer. We saw the neighbour cutting their grass last week when we walked past.

Would you put a note through the door asking if they were interested in selling and could we have a viewing? Or would that translate as ‘we think your house looks so shit there can’t possibly be anyone living there’? 😂

I read about people putting notes through doors and getting the house of their dreams but I don’t know if it happens in real life!

Yes we did but we leafletted entire streets where there were houses we felt we could afford and wanted to live. It worked too!

No harm in putting a note through the door, I know someone who sold her house that way, many years ago. I would just put on the note, that you are looking for a house in that area and if they were considering selling to call you. I definitely wouldn’t mention viewing at this stage, too presumptuous. Would have been a good opportunity to strike up a conversation with the neighbour. Good luck.

We’ve had 2 in the last year

Didn’t respond to either because we have no intention of moving, but it was flattering to be asked!

Estate agents do it all the time.

People do (we get a lot because it is affordable and near the tube), but I would definitely do the whole street, with a "we love this street" letter. I wouldn't like a letter targeting my house specifically, or anything that makes it clear you have been watching the house (creepy), spotted that it is vacant (alarming), or see it as a bargain (predatory).

But a general letter is always worth a go!

Yes. Had a lovely letter at our last house. We weren't thinking of selling at the time, but if we had been we would definitely have responded.

I grew up in a popular tourist town with lots of quaint villages surrounding.

One of the villages hit the news big style about 15 years ago and people were actually travelling to the area to put notes through the door asking to buy houses because they'd seen them on the news.

If the house is empty, which it sounds as if it is, perhaps owner has moved to a care home, then when, realistically, would your note get read?

I'd ask the neighbour, next time you see them in their garden.

Though, if your house has risen in value then so will this one have done - and, despite what you may be hoping, run down houses don't always come at a discount.

We leaflet dropped the street we loved and got our dream house before it ever went to market! The owners had been toying with selling but we gave them the nudge they needed. So it can work!

Yes of course, it's very common.

I think this depends on the area. Here on mumsnet people think it's normal and not at all weird. In real life I'd never heard of it until DPs grandparents got one of these notes and it really upset them. They were talking about scams and people watching the house all sorts and were unsettled for a little while.

My parents have had loads over the years, they live in a lovely old cottage at the end of a village where lots of people pass it, it is considered ‘a point of local interest,’ or something like that. My mum is always outraged and thinks people are trying to push them out 🙈😂 It’s been in our family generations but I reckon my dad would go for the right price lol.

We got a note that was sent to the whole area saying 'Hi, we're X and Y. We've been renting on A street for years and are now looking to buy. We'd love to stay in the area, we work on B street and our favourite thing it to walk in the park and we hope to start our family here. We've had no luck with estate agents so if you are thinking of selling, or know of somewhere for sale, please let us know - mobile number'

Maybe not exactly that, but it was really sweet and endearing and not at all 'we've been creepily watching your house, see you haven't painted it and assume it must be derelict'. I think you def have to put a bit about yourself, and send it to more than one house though, as people may ask the neighbours if they've had similar. And have a plan for what to do if someone rings you - like, if someone is interested in selling privately, you could suggest you get three quotes, go for the middle and skip estate agent fees but you'd have to be sure you'd be happy to do that.

I understand why @BlueLu's grandparents were upset if it was a note targeting them, but a bit of detail about you and making sure its non-threatening and they know who you are and where you live etc will increase the likelihood of people responding favourably.

What a great thread!
For those of you that this has worked for ( buying) how was the price agreed? Was an estate agent services not required at all?
Thanks.

@leakymcleakleak That is pretty much what we would say, I’m glad you think that would be ok.

I also think it might be worth catching one of the neighbours to ask them politely about the situation too.

Glad it’s not only something that happens in films and on Mumsnet!

It's very common, I have a family member who has had similar notes over the years. The house is particularly special but it's in a very quiet location.

They aren't looking to move so don't respond but I can't imagine they would ever be upset, that's an unusual reaction to someone essentially saying "I love house, if you're ever thinking of moving please let me know" but then I do find on here that some people have the most weird reactions to totally mundane things

I received one of these. I was renting the house so nothing came of it, but I didn't think it was weird or rude that someone asked.

It's definitely a thing.

My mum did it when her parents wanted to move to a particular road. One owner rang to say they the definitely didn’t want to sell, one rang to say yes please, come this week.

Yeah, I've had this happen. Except, I can't sell my house, because I rent.

Yes, we've had one recently. I was quite flattered that someone really wanted to live in our house, but slightly put off by their oversharing. They went into great detail about their children, how they're really young and could have great lives growing up in our home. I'm sure they could, but my own children are still living out their own childhoods here!!

I did this in January, just in 1 road of about 20 houses, and got one response - back in May at the height of the crazy market, and the owner wanted £100k more for the house than I had expected to pay :( it sold as well.

One of my friends did this and bought the house! The couple who lived there had been thinking of selling for a while but as the house was pretty run down, were put off by all the work that needed done to get it ready for viewings. It was structurally sound but had holes in the carpets and needed completely redecorating. Both sides had their own valuation done and agreed a price.

This is how we got our house; posted notes through the whole crescent and got three potentials. It puts you in a bad bargaining position but the owner gets to save EA fees so probably not miles away in the end.

@HeartZone the people we bought from had already had a valuation from the agent they were thinking of selling with. They ended up buying a house with the same agent so we did still go through the agent as they were old and hadn’t moved house in 45 years and wanted the security of an agency managing it. We just offered asking price so as not to mess around and we really wanted the house (and obv they knew it!).

We have just bought our new house this way. It does take a bit longer as no agent pushing the sale but it was worth it. And I know of several others who did this where I live