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Should I write to sellers while trying to sell our house?

13 replies

ThatJoyousScroller · 18/04/2026 21:19

A 5 bed (really 4+office) has popped up a couple streets over from us and it’s perfect. It ticks all the boxes, and is actually in our budget. We’ve been to view and loved it can really see us being there until kids go off to Uni etc.

The problem is we hadn’t planned on selling just yet (interest rates, the market, etc) we’d planned on another year in our current house. We occasionally look when bored and found this perfect house. We went along to viewing and at the end of the viewing my husband and I were standing across the road assessing the roof when a neighbor came out and told us a bit more about the couple who owned and what the road was like (his neighbour has owned their property from Plot in 1957!), he explained how the house was a lovely family home where they had raised a big family etc and he as a retire joiner had done some work in it.

buying this house means both my husband and I can walk to work, we don’t have to move our daughters school, the location is perfect for everything- transport/shops/parks. The house was previously up for sale but the sale fell through when the buyer couldn’t sell their house, it’s come back up reduced after being empty all winter. We tried to sell 18m ago and our chain collapsed on day of exchange (house was packed, daughter started in reception at new school, and I was heavily pregnant) so we are keen not to waste time and want to sell to a FTB so no chain as property is currently empty.

Now we’ve made an offer and have immediately booked ourselves in for valuation etc but if I wrote a letter explaining why we love the house and it fits our family is a good idea? I just went to secure our best chances of getting it, but know they could discount us as being unproceedable at the moment.

OP posts:
Teeheehee1579 · 18/04/2026 21:22

I mean it’s not going to do any harm is it but they also are not going to take it off the market and accept your offer until you are proceedable as they would be mad to so I also think it will be a waste of time. Best thing you can do is get your house on and at a very reasonable price for a quick sale.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 18/04/2026 21:22

I don’t get it, is the letter to try and get them to wait until you advertise and sell? Have they responded to your offer? Do they no you are not proceedable at the moment already?

MsGrumpytrousers · 18/04/2026 21:23

I would. I think estate agents are often dreadful and establishing a relationship with buyers and sellers is really helpful. In this case, I think explaining your situation will be useful.

Pugglywuggly · 18/04/2026 21:23

The back story is irrelevant if you aren't in a position to proceed.

Doggymummar · 18/04/2026 21:24

God no, i wouldn't. I would hate that as a seller. Just show me you are serious by marketing it for a quick sale and don't be surprised if I sell to someone else if you dont

newornotnew · 18/04/2026 21:24

They are unlikely to care about your story.

Don't forget you might get something back on the survey that makes you pull out - you don't actually know if you want to buy it yet!

Doris86 · 18/04/2026 21:38

Pugglywuggly · 18/04/2026 21:23

The back story is irrelevant if you aren't in a position to proceed.

But if they know there is potentially a better offer coming along when the OP sells, they may hold off accepting a lower offer in the meantime.

Does no harm to make it clear you are very interested. It may or may not help.

Nevergotdivorced · 18/04/2026 21:43

Can you proceed without selling your house?

If not you really shouldn’t be making offers.

Buscobel · 19/04/2026 10:32

Don’t be surprised if the valuation of your property is less than it was last time you tried to sell. If you’re basing your figures on what it was under offer for eighteen months to two years ago, things have changed since then.

fashionqueen0123 · 19/04/2026 23:08

I’m surprised they let you make an offer tbh. But I do like the idea of a letter separately. I have been thinking about doing this. But I figured I’d do it alongside making an offer when I’ve sold my house

FeliciaFancybottom · 20/04/2026 16:11

What if a first-time buyer doesn't want to buy your house? That's not something you can guarantee, surely.

HawkersWest · 20/04/2026 17:54

As a seller, all I'd care about would be proceed able offers. Your backstory would be irrelevant and for me personally, off-putting.

Tupster · 20/04/2026 19:24

The story I'd be interested in as a seller would be how sellable your property is, when you're getting it marketed and whether you've priced for a fast sale. It would be nuts to accept an offer from someone who isn't even on the market yet, let alone sold. An offer without the sale behind it is really worthless to a buyer - how do they know you'll sell your house for what you hope, and won't wind up saying you can't afford to pay what you offered?

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