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Property/DIY

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Original poster

I need your advice, dh and I have a difference of opinions on how appropriate this is....

19 replies

DesperatelySeekingProperty · 31/03/2008 20:34

We are looking to buy a house in the village where we live. Having spoken to other people I am thinking about putting a VERY NICE letter through the doors of houses we like (2 houses) along the lines of, we love your house, we live in the village and really want to stay here, if you ever decide that you want to move would you do us the favour of keeping us in mind etc etc.

What do you think? DH says he would HATE someone to do that to us, I think I would be pleased to know that if we wanted to move we might already have a buyer. Anyway, I would really appreciate people's opinions on this. Thanks

OP posts:

WideWebWitch · 31/03/2008 20:35

My stepsister did this in Bristol and that's how they bought their house.
I think it's perfectly fine, the vendor saves est agts fees, you've nothing to lose imo.

morningpaper · 31/03/2008 20:35

Yes I would, why not

I would be flattered

notnowbernard · 31/03/2008 20:36

Doesn't sound inappropriate to me

sophierosie · 31/03/2008 20:36

I was going to do this once - I think that if people are going to save money through not using estate agents they'd be more than happy to do so!

I'd be happy to find a buyer that way too!

Fullmoonfiend · 31/03/2008 20:36

it's quite often done I believe. good luck

TurkeyLurkey · 31/03/2008 20:37

Yes I know someone who did this and they ended up buying the house a few months later..nowt to lose, nothing ventured etc etc

RustyBear · 31/03/2008 20:37

I wouldn't mind - we get letters like this from estate agents all the time & they don't bother me - you can just ignore them if you don't want to sell.

snice · 31/03/2008 20:37

I know a family who did this-they targeted a particular road that they were interested in and ended up swopping houses with a couple who wanted to downsize. Can't see a problem with it.

Maidamess · 31/03/2008 20:37

Tis a great idea. Aren't men funny?

kama · 31/03/2008 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ChasingSquirrels · 31/03/2008 20:38

sensible idea - BUT don't get your hopes up that they will immediately say - oh yes buy it.

maisiestar · 31/03/2008 20:44

I can highly receommend it - We did that 2 years ago and it was the smoothest house move ever!

Original poster

DesperatelySeekingProperty · 31/03/2008 20:52

WOW! Thanks for all the responses Does the same apply if the owner is a single elderly person - I don't want them to think we're waiting for them to die...

OP posts:

ChasingSquirrels · 31/03/2008 20:55

or then again it might be even more well received - they might be thinking of downsizing etc, but don't want the hassle of selling!

hifi · 31/03/2008 20:56

my sister did this , in the village where they live family sized houses are like gold dust. my mum was speaking to the cleaner of the owners of coveted house and she let slip the couple were in separate beds and she didnt know how long they would be together. my sister dropped a letter thru and two weeks later got a call.all wrapped up in 3 months. do it.

Milliways · 31/03/2008 20:59

We get developers letters all the time, and keep them in a file in case we ever want to sell - to show prospective buyers how saleable the house is

It's nice to know your house is desirable.

(I would always rather sell to someone who wanted to live in it - not bulldoze it for a tower block)

mumdebump · 31/03/2008 20:59

You have nothing to lose so go for it. There is a v nice village near us, the last 3 houses sold there didn't even get on an estate agent's books according to lady in village shop, all done by word of mouth or speculative approaches from buyers like yourself.

quint · 31/03/2008 21:00

friends of mine did this in London last year - they are now living in one of the houses they leafleted.

my mum and dad have someone who is desperate to buy their house and they know if ever they want to sell they have a buyer ready and waiting to go.

Good idea I say

mumdebump · 31/03/2008 21:05

The elderly person might be v appreciate of a local family wanting to live in their home when they come to sell. Just be extra careful when wording your letter.

Do you know anything about the current owners so you can tailor your letters, e.g. a RN friend of mine was looking at a v sought after cottage to rent, the owner was ex-army retired so she played her military card and wore her uniform when she went for a viewing and got it at at great deal.

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