Would you leave a note for the seller

[IWantTheHouse]

We viewed a house on the weekend which we love. It’s a lovely home but our offer is at the very top end of our budget, so we cannot increase our offer. Our offer is below asking.

We understand from the agent there have been other offers but I don’t think any have actually met asking. I don’t know where our offer sits in relation to the other offers.

I am very tempted to leave a note for the seller to explain why we are credible as potential buyers (despite not meeting asking price, our circumstances are a positive) and how much we love the house. I won’t put contact details because I don’t want to make it seem like I’m trying to circumvent the agent (or maybe I should). But could I make things worse or is there nothing to lose?

Nothing to loose. Go for it, ultimately money talks but if you are equal at the top it might swing it.

It's funny how it's seen as bad form for buyers and sellers to speak directly with one another. If you were buying a car or washing machine and had questions, you would! So long as the agent who found you still gets a fee, I would say go for it. We had direct contact when we bought our last house (even though we used an agent) and it made things so much easier, as I could just call her and ask her stuff instead of having to wait days or not want to bother the agent with something small. I know this isn't what you're asking, but I'm just saying about the daft culture of not speaking directly.

Why not? If a seller wants to move fast, they might be willing to take a lower offer (assuming by 'positive' you are chain free/first time and/or cash buyer) - although in theory the agent should convey that along with your offer.
We're currently selling through Purple Bricks and we've had lots of direct contact with our buyer from before they even made an offer, it's been nice.

I sold to a young couple who were 4K below the highest offer literally because I mean how is 4K life changing for me but it could’ve been the difference between them being settled in their new home before their baby arrived or not.

We put some detail in along with our offer, don't know if that swung it for us. We were never in direct contact with vendor but presume the EA passed it on.

We emphasised our chain-free position and, as we're in a tourist area and Air BnBs are a problem (locals hate them!), mentioned that we work locally, wanted to be able to walk DD to local school and laid it on very thick about wanting a family house.

That’s right, chain free and happy to work to vendor’s timelines.

Our offer was rejected and it’s gone to best and final now. I really want to leave a note but DH thinks there’s a risk it could backfire (maybe piss off the vendor). Still undecided!

Have you explained these circumstances to the estate agent and asked them to make sure the vendor is aware? Any decent agent should pass All the relevant information to the vendor is, not just the amount that buyers have offered.

We have explained it all. I was wondering whether the personal aspect of it would make any difference, hence the note.

Good luck OP let us know how you get on.

I don’t think you have anything to lose but I think you need to bear in mind that someone might not care about whatever reasons you give for wanting the house. I know it’s not the same but I sometimes get notes through my letterbox from people who want to buy a house on my street, they often gush about what a lovely family area it is, close to schools etc and how happy their family could be in my house. I don’t have any plans to move and certainly am not bothered about making life easier for some unknown kids!

You could do, I know when my DH and his siblings sold their late mum’s house it was really important to them who moved into it.
If I received the letter it wouldn’t sway my decision.

@IWantTheHouse Do it. you've nothing to lose! A lot of people (but not all) will take things other than money into consideration!

-flexibility, moving at their speed.

• living in it (not renting it out)
• family/no children depending on neighbourhood
• Established garden (friend was just distraught when the new Pender's ripped all his plants/trees out (he'd have arranged to take them if he'd known) most gardeners would love to know their much loved plants wouldn't be brutally removed & concrete poured!
• anything you think might give you the edge.

people are more swayed than they think they are!

offer your very best price, but don't stretch too much in this climate.

best of luck 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼