Owner of amazing house died, can I put a letter of interest through?

[seelor]

Hi, the owner of a house on a street I REALLY want to move to recently died (December) and I would like to put a letter of interest through their letter box. We know some of the neighbours and have been asking around to see how the land lies, apparently there hasn't been much going on at the house since the funeral arrangements so we tend to think that it's going through probate. My question is, has anyone posted a letter of interest through someone's door? Is it seen as a bit grabby, a bit disrespectful? We'd be cash buyers so thought I could mention that we could avoid agents etc. Any advice very much appreciated!

Maybe write the letter so it's worded as if you are writing to every house on the street, so you don't seem too vulture like to the grieving relatives? I don't mean I think you are being vulture like by the way, it could just come across like that..

@TabithaHazel

Maybe write the letter so it's worded as if you are writing to every house on the street, so you don't seem too vulture like to the grieving relatives? I don't mean I think you are being vulture like by the way, it could just come across like that..

agree with this suggestion.

Yes make it sound like a generic letter to the whole street otherwise I do think it's a bit insensitive.
Our neighbour died recently and we've had people knocking on our door asking if we know if/when it'll be up for sale. It does seem a bit keen for me but you do have the benefit of being a cash buyer and could save them time and money on estate agent fees.

I would put it in the post. Then if the mail is being redirected the executors will receive it sooner.

Just be aware that although the person has died, the family may be nowhere ready to let go of the house. It took us almost 2 years to feel ready to let go and we rented the house out during that period.
As others have said, make the letter generic even if it’s the only one you send

You could actually genuinely send them to all houses on the street. You might find somebody else would like to sell!

Yes, so long as it's worded respectfully.
I sold my late mum's house to someone who did exactly this.

It really helped that they took the house "as seen" (it needed work - obviously priced accordingly) and understood that a large 4 bedroom house full to the rafters with "stuff" would take some time to empty!

I think had they come in with a long list of demands & insisting on a 6 week completion etc I would have said no.

@Homehunter52

You could actually genuinely send them to all houses on the street. You might find somebody else would like to sell!

Yes, I would do this.

Thanks so much for your responses. I really appreciate it. I like the suggestion of posting the letter and to do it for the rest of the street. It's a delicate time for the family so it's good to have a few tips.

You may be doing them a favour. Probate/property matters are quite stressful. In their position I’d think that my luck was in.

I think it's fine, I would just say how sorry you are for their loss, you hope this isn't disrespectful, you have always loved the house, and if they intend to sell at some point in the future, you would be interested. I wouldn't be offended by that.

That is exactly how we got our house.

We just wrote a polite and respectful letter and gave them no hassles in how long probate took (LONG time!) or how quickly they had to clear it. But we had somewhere to live so was not on a tight timetable. We also paid the estimate on the button and did not try and negotiate. But we knew for sure it was going to be as close to a forever home for us as is possible.

I sold my parents house to someone who approached me. They were incredibly respectful, and first asked NDN (who was very helpful in keeping an eye on the house) if they thought it would be OK, and then a very kind email which said exactly why they were looking to buy, and making it clear it would be a family home and not just a developer looking to turn a fast profit.