Please help critique my offer letter

babyblade41

Call up tomorrow (no letters , things aren't done this way)  give the EA your offer and see what occurs .

f they accept fine , if not wait a little while before offering a tiny bit more.

The EA will ask you your position during the phone call, but good agents asks before doing the viewing initially 

cajef

Why do you think it is necessary to write a letter, just phone the agent and make an offer otherwise by the time they get your letter the place may have already been sold.

Sashkinson

By letter I mean email obviously, apologies if this wasn’t clear. The EA asked me to send an email

steampowered

Perhaps I am in the minority, but the letter looks perfectly fine to me - assuming you are sending an email rather than a letter !

Ultimately the price and the fact you are chain free are all the seller will care about, but its perfectly reasonable to say you think the property is only worth £x based on looking at similar properties in the area.

jimbog

steampowered said:

Perhaps I am in the minority, but the letter looks perfectly fine to me - assuming you are sending an email rather than a letter !

Ultimately the price and the fact you are chain free are all the seller will care about, but its perfectly reasonable to say you think the property is only worth £x based on looking at similar properties in the area.

As a seller, I would be annoyed with a buyer questioning my opinion on what my property is worth

KatrinaWaves

On the market since late February? So 2 weeks max? 

I doubt they’re gonna accept less than asking with two offers of asking on the table less than 2 weeks into marketing

Sashkinson

Thanks everyone.

I’m now thinking of changing tack and given that I only saw the property on Saturday asking for a second viewing early next week. I can then make an offer based on that. My parents are experienced and have told me not play my cards too quickly/want them to view also.

SMR710

I think you sound like a nice person who is just trying to present your situation in the best possible light to get you the best possible chance of buying a property.
Unfortunately though, in house buying  & selling, there isn't usually room for being nice. You will be played hardball by the EA and the seller. You therefore play hardball. Remember the EA doesn't work for you, they're employed by the seller so work for them. A nicely worded letter is likely to show your inexperience. And as someone else has said, some sellers see FTBs as potential trouble. You are inexperienced in not only the buying/selling process but also in owning and maintaining a property so can be too wary of things. I wouldn't even tell the EA that you're first time buyer, I would just leave it as you're chain free. 
Dont write the letter, call up. Offer whatever you think it's worth. Say you're chain free and ready to proceed. But dont play your hand just yet. Cards close to your chest with regards to your next move if your offer is rejected! Look too desperate and they'll know you're likely to increase.
It's all a game. Letters probably won't win it for you.
Good luck!

AdrianC

Sashkinson said:

The property has been on the market since late February.

So more than the week, then... But not long enough that they'll be desperate for an offer, any offer, if the 2x non-proceedable asking-price don't come through.

Im nervous that they will automatically reject me and go with someone who has offered full asking - what is the protocol, will they have me a chance to increase?

HAVE TO? No.

amandacat

I’m putting my house on the market next month so will give you my perspective as a seller.
1. I have a minimum figure in my mind that I’m willing to accept. An email justifying why a certain figure has been offered wouldn’t sway me either way, if the amount is below what I am prepared to accept, I will decline it.
2) If I am happy with the offer then my next concern will be that the buyer can get a mortgage and has the deposit, plus if they’re not selling  a property this will be a bonus so you giving information on your position is great. 

I wouldn’t justify your offer and I would say to keep your cards close to your chest. If  a seller/EA thinks you’re super keen but are happy with your offer they may try and push you for more. 

Good luck