Offer in writing

jonewer

Evening all, we are ready to make an offer on a place. We want to put an offer in writing as this will a) create a paper trail and b) allow is to reinforce our arguments.

What do you think of this?

BEGINS

Sir,

Having viewed a number of properties in xxxxxx and the surrounding areas, we would like to make an offer of (asking less £15k) for xxxxxx, subject to Contract.

Our offer is partly based on the selling price of the property when it last changed hands in January of this year, as well as the selling price of comparable properties in the area within the last 12 months.

11 Jan 2007 xxxxx Terraced £(asking price minus 27k)
19 Mar 2007 xxxx Semi-Detached £xxx,xxx
26 Feb 2007 xxx Semi-Detached £xxx,xxx

In light of these figures, we consider our offer to be more than generous.

We make this offer against the background of a falling market, and the fact that we are first time buyers with a substantial deposit and no chain.

Should this offer be accepted, we would instruct our solicitors when the property is removed from the market.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Mr & Mrs Blah

ENDS

lifeisgood

Personally, unless an offer in writing has been requested, I wouldn't bother at this stage. There will be treeloads of paper trailing everywhere if it is accepted, and the owner or EA isn't interested in your arguments to substantiate your offer. In fact, it could even get their back up. Others may not agree though.

If you feel you MUST write, and an offer in writing is not required by the agent or seller, all they need to know is the amount, your position, i.e. FTB so no property to sell, and your mortgage position, whether agreed in principle etc. and maybe when you are looking to move. And head the letter "Subject To Contract".

shelly

Agree with lifeisgood. The vendor doesn't want to hear/read what other houses sold for, all they are interested in is what theirs will go for. No offence intended but when we were vendors I'd have laughed if I had received an offer written like yours. I'd have thought go get yourselves one of those you talk about.

Once the EA has your offer they have to submit it in writing to the vendor anyway so there is you paper trail. Unless of course the vendor has instructed the EA not to contact them with offers below £XX.

cattie

If I was a vendor such a letter would definitely put me off of wanting to sell to you. It would make me feel you were really some kind of ludicrous weirdo & a buyer to definitely avoid at all costs.

PasturesNew

Ditto the others. You'd just be very annoying and it would create an atmosphere of bad feeling from the start.

Mozette

I would suggest that if you do want to put it in writing you restrict it to:
1. my offer is £x
2. I am a FTB with no chain & a 25% deposit and a mortgage agreed in principle/whatever

leave it at that.

drowningnotwaving_2

Agree with the others, I've never put an offer in writing - that's the job of the EA (they need to do something to justify their fees!). That letter would really get my back up!

Keep it simple! Offer verbally - the justification for your offer is of no interest to the vendor whatsoever.

Good luck!

jonewer

OK, the "Ask the Audience" lifeline is pretty well unanimous!

I phoned through an offer on a different place today in any case. Fingers crossed!