Key Takeaways
- Drafting the perfect seller letter could mean the difference between buying a house and walking away empty handed.
- As a buyer, writing a well-crafted letter to a seller could make acquiring the property easier.
- A good seller letter will do two things: express interest and build a connection.
There is one valuable tool far too many buyers continue to ignore in the real estate industry: the ever-important seller letter. There may be nothing else that compares to the return on investment (ROI) a properly crafted seller letter can offer savvy buyers. Only requiring a few minutes of your time, it’s entirely possible for a really good seller letter to be the difference between landing your dream home or walking away empty handed. That said, it’s in your best interest to know exactly what these letters are, and how to write one that will tip the scales in your favor. If you are interested in learning how to write a seller letter, look no further; this guide is for you.
What Is A Buyer Letter To Seller?
A buyer letter to a seller is exactly what you would assume it is: a letter written by someone who wants to buy a house from the current owner. Perhaps even more specifically, however, a seller letter is essentially the real estate industry’s version of a cover letter; they are designed specifically to capture the attention of — you guessed it — a seller (or potential seller). They are absolutely necessary in today’s competitive environment, which begs the question: What is a buyer letter to a seller? Outside of the obvious, what’s a seller letter meant to accomplish?
On the surface, a seller letter is meant to express interest in one’s property. It is worth noting, however, that a seller letter serves an ulterior motive: to tug on the heart strings of a respective home owner. You see, in addition to announcing your interest in a property, a properly crafted seller letter should attempt to be memorable. In doing so, it stands to reason your letter will separate you from the rest of the pack — just in case the subject property is receiving multiple inquiries. At the very least, a well-written seller letter should introduce you to the home owner and initiate a connection. In the event you do end up making an offer, yours will stand out. More often than not, it’s the seller letter that can represent the difference between landing a new home and, well, not.
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Why Write Letters To Home Sellers?
There are several reasons prospective buyers should consider writing letters to home sellers. As an investor, for example, you may consider wiring letters to home owners to gauge their interest in selling their home at all. If for nothing else, it’s entirely possible to write a letter to a home owner that hasn’t even placed their property up for sale. A letter in this case is simply a method for testing the waters, and — more specifically — gathering leads. A great deal of investors, for that matter, will initiate what are known as direct mail campaigns, all for the purpose of identifying home owners that may want to sell their property.
On the other hand, you may not be an investor, but rather looking for your first home to buy and live in. If that’s the case, you may entertain the idea of writing a seller later for the sole purpose of expressing your interest in a property. Anyone can write a seller letter for any number of reasons. It is worth noting, however, that the most popular reason is to let the owner know that there is interest in their home.
But why a letter? Why not call them on the phone or email the homeowner? Why is it that most real estate professionals write letters to the owners of homes they are interested in buying? The answer is relatively simple: If you know the home you want to buy, you know the address, and the owner’s name is public record. Quite simply, it’s an easy way to reach the individual you need to talk to.
Of particular importance, however, is the personal touch a handwritten letter awards savvy buyers. Those that put thought into their seller letter can easily strike a chord with the homeowner in a way few other mediums can. A handwritten letter expressing your interest in a particular home, in addition to why it means so much to you, can go a long way in establishing a connection between you and the seller; a connection that could actually place your impending offer ahead of all the other competition. If for nothing else, sellers are more inclined to work with people they like, and your seller letter may be just what puts you on their radar.
Writing The Perfect Seller Letter
Writing the perfect seller letter requires an acute attention to detail, all the while building an “intimate” connection with someone you have most likely never met before; it’s a difficult task, but entirely possible. That said, here are some of the most important things your seller letter must hit on:
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Build A Connection: Above all else, a good seller letter will build a sincere connection early and transparently. Your letter to the seller needs to address some common ground. The goal here is to help the seller identify with your message. Look for something you and the seller have in common, to build your connection off of. Perhaps you both have a family you deeply love, or even something as simple as a passion for cars. Whatever the case may be, try to pick up on clues from the house. A home’s curb appeal can suggest a lot about a person. Try to find out what the subject property is telling you and include it in your letter to help build a relationship. In doing so, you are more likely to glean the owners attention when the time comes to make an offer.
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Keep It Simple: If you are writing a seller letter, or even a home offer letter, you are going to want to keep it short and simple. Do not proceed to write a novel about how much the home would mean to you and how much you are willing to pay for it, but, instead, cut to the chase. It is in your best interest to value the time of the home owner. Don’t convolute your message with unnecessary “fluff,” and simply say what you want to say. You would be surprised how fast a long, complex seller letter can hurt your chances in the future. Aim for your letter to be about three short paragraphs.
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Stay Positive: In addition to keeping your letter short, be sure to maintain positivity. Negativity, for that matter, has a tendency to hurt your message. Do not give some sob story about why you need the house. Instead, suggest how great the house would be for you and your family. Perhaps even more importantly, you don’t want to bring the seller out of their comfort zone; doing so could hurt your chances of landing a deal.
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Show, Don’t Tell: Paint a more immersive picture for the seller. Instead of simply telling them you love their home, describe how amazing it would be to raise a family in it. That said, don’t write a novel. Express how much the home would mean to you without getting too long in the tooth.
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Contact Information: No seller letter is complete without your own contact information. Be sure to include the best and easiest way to reach you, and your name of course. That said, you will want to include a call to action, or a statement prompting the owner to contact you as soon as possible.
Have you ever wondered how to make your offer stand out to a seller? Have you had better luck with something else other than a seller letter? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
