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How to write letter expressing my interest in buying a house?
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My friends father did this every six months for 4 years.
He was targeting a particular house that his wife had fallen in love with.
One day he said to his wife "Get your coat on we are going out for a spin ".
He pulled up outside the house and escorted his wife up the path, opened the door with the keys he had, scooped up his wife and carried her over the thresh-hold.
Yep - he had done the whole lot in secret and never said a word.
(I should point out he was quite a successful businessman so raising the funds wasn't too much of an issue).
None of us ever dreamt that he was so romantic.......
PS I've no idea where the sad face at the top came from - I must have hit the wrong key and I don't know how to remove it.
I think it is a lovely story, not a sad one.0 -
lessonlearned wrote: »My friends father did this every six months for 4 years.
He was targeting a particular house that his wife had fallen in love with.
One day he said to his wife "Get your coat on we are going out for a spin ".
He pulled up outside the house and escorted his wife up the path, opened the door with the keys he had, scooped up his wife and carried her over the thresh-hold.
Yep - he had done the whole lot in secret and never said a word.
(I should point out he was quite a successful businessman so raising the funds wasn't too much of an issue).
None of us ever dreamt that he was so romantic.......
PS I've no idea where the sad face at the top came from - I must have hit the wrong key and I don't know how to remove it.
I think it is a lovely story, not a sad one.
Then she ran off with the gardener.0 -
Having received two such letters through the letter box of my aunt's house the day after she died please remember you may cause offence.
I received one such letter through the door of my parents' house after they'd both passed; far from causing offence, it gave me, as executor, the opportunity to tie up a sale of the house with no marketing, no viewings, and the minimum of hassle.
Sounds like two letters gave you two opportunities to do the same...0 -
There are a few things I’m not sure on. I don’t know whether to include the amount I can afford to spend. I can afford a lot for a first time buyer so I don’t want home owners to dismiss my letter because they don’t think a first time buyer could afford their house. Equally I don’t want them to think that I’m offering them the full amount as their house may not be worth it!
My my mother bought her first house by just driving around, saw one up for sale, knocked on the door and asked to look around. The owner showed her around and talked about how he was having a problem selling, she offered 2k less than it was listed for (back in the 80s for that area, it was a significant amount less - £16k instead of £18k, many years on she sold it for a big profit). he said yes, house was bought. My uncle did similar (and sold his house by just putting up his own sign, two days later an offer was made). Have you had a drive around the area to see if anywhere is up for sale (or even rent - worth asking, they might just be renting due to problems selling)?
If I received such a letter, I would bin it and wonder if it was a scam, but that's just me.I also don’t know whether to include my age. I think that some people will think that I’ve worked hard to get to where I am and so be more inclined to consider selling but some will be envious or bitter that a 24 year old can afford to buy a house.
Age has nothing to do with it, but having the cash. No one is going to care if they can finally shift their house they've been trying to sell for a long time.
Good luck with whatever you do, mate.0 -
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Hi everyone,
I’ve never used a forum before and I’m amazed how many ofyou took the time to respond! Thank youall very much! I have taken in all of your advice and looked at some otherthreads and I’ve written another draft:
“Robert
(Landline)
(E-mail)
For theattention of the Homeowner
(1stline of address)
(Date)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a first time buyer hoping to buy a house in thisarea. Your house particularly appeals tome.
I am 24 and am currently living with my parents nearRingmer. I want to find somewhere thatcould be my home for many years. I amlooking for a 3 or 4 bed house. I willconsider houses in any condition as long as there are no major structuralproblems.
I have my finances in place and am chain free so couldproceed with buying a house immediately. As I have contacted you directly you could avoid paying estate agent’sfees. If you are considering sellingyour house then please contact me. Thankyou very much for your time.
Kind Regards,
Robert”
I have cut out a lot but left the middle paragraph in.
“I am 24 and am currently living with my parents nearRingmer. I want to find somewhere thatcould be my home for many years.” Ithink this helps people know that I’m genuine but also maybe appeals to theiremotions. I know a lot of people aresentimental about their houses and if they know that it’s going to a first timebuyer who wants to live in it for a long time it might play a part in thedecision to sell.
“I am looking for a 3 or 4 bed house. I will consider houses in any condition aslong as there are no major structural problems.” This is in case I’ve misjudged a house sothat the homeowner will know immediately that their house isn’t suitable forme; if it’s, for example, a 2 bed with subsidence.
I’m wondering whether it’s necessary to say that I haven’thad much luck with houses coming on the market. People might think that it’s strange that I’m writing to them instead oflooking at estate agents’ books.
I’m also wondering how to deliver the letter. I’m thinking that I should hand write one andthen photocopy it. I can sign, date andfill in the first line of address individually. I won’t put them in envelopes because I think that would at leastincrease the chances of them reading the first sentence.
What are your thoughts guys? Again many thanks to everyone,
Robert0 -
Also I'm not being lazy with my spaces guys! I'm copying from Word and when I post it seems to remove some of them! :doh:0
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Everyone said age/ living with parents is irrelevant, but you're ignoring that advice
Plus re structural problems- they may or may not disclose. Vendor of OH's first house didn't disclose underpinning- it only came up in searches, not even in homebuyer's report.
Finally- 100 houses you're interested in? really? That's a LOT. We looked at about ten, maybe 15 before we bought this one0 -
I am 24 and am currently living with my parents nearRingmer. I want to find somewhere thatcould be my home for many years. I amlooking for a 3 or 4 bed house. I willconsider houses in any condition as long as there are no major structuralproblems.
Change to:I am looking for a 3 or 4 bed house and will consider houses in any condition as long as there are no major structural problems.
Your age and who you live with are irrelevant. If you're local, you could mention: "I live within x miles, so any face-to-face meetings required are not a problem."0 -
Robert - Googler gave you the perfect template for an appropriate letter. Just use that. Don't mean to be rude but your versions contain a lot of unnecessary waffle. They are too long winded and stuff like your age, living with your parents is completely irrelevant. It's just padding.
The reader will get fed up and just toss your letter in the bin without bothering to read to the end.
Keep it short and sweet and to the point. You just need to grab and keep their attention.
Type it, and then sign it personally. Typewritten will be easier and quicker to read - no matter how beautiful your handwriting is.
Just keep things simple.0
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