Letterbox drop for potential purchases

jenni_fer

Has anyone got any experience of letterbox 'we'd like to buy your house' drops in recent times?
Either as the buyer or seller?
Is it worth suggesting our EA tries something?

Background, we have been SSTC since January and still don't have an onward purchase. (The saga between Jan and today includes multiple crazy bidding scenarios, numerous off market properties that have then pulled out and lots of let downs)

Running out of ideas!

boots_babe

If I were in that position, I'd be moving into rented to avoid losing my buyer. Aeems that they've already been extremely patient having waited for 6 months already. You'll be in a stronger position to purchase too. 

jenni_fer

And how would that help me??

Buyers we can get, suitable properties to purchase is the issue.

jonnydeppiwish!

We moved into rented as well

Slithery

jenni_fer said:

And how would that help me??

It would make you a more attractive buyer as you'd then be chain-free.

donutandbeer

You certainly can suggest to your EA, whether it’s part of their service or not is another question. I know some EA does letterbox drop that targets special properties in an area for single client, but I think only for people looking for something at least 1M+.

You can also drop the letters yourself.

Slinky

Slithery said:

jenni_fer said:

And how would that help me??

It would make you a more attractive buyer as you'd then be chain-free.

But not a really attractive proposition if they've just signed a six or more likely 12 month rental contract, assuming they can find something to rent.

To answer your question, don't leave it to your estate agent to do, go and drop a few letters through doors of houses you'd be interested in buying. My friend sold to somebody who approached them like this.

lookstraightahead

Slinky said:

Slithery said:

jenni_fer said:

And how would that help me??

It would make you a more attractive buyer as you'd then be chain-free.

But not a really attractive proposition if they've just signed a six or more likely 12 month rental contract, assuming they can find something to rent.

To answer your question, don't leave it to your estate agent to do, go and drop a few letters through doors of houses you'd be interested in buying. My friend sold to somebody who approached them like this.

Why not ? You can just overlap a few months (at the most). 

In the time the op has taken, I've moved area, rented, and bought. 

TheJP

They go straight in the bin when these type of jargon come through the door. Waste of time and money unless someone is desperate to sell but cant but then again that's another can of worms.

You have 2 options based on what you have told us;

1. Go into rented sell your house and put yourself in a good proceedable position

2. Drop your current buyers and wait until you have an offer accepted, however may be hard to get an offer accepted if you aren't proceedable i.e. house SSTC

jenni_fer

@slinky (and @TheJP in part)  thanks for actually answering the question! We've got two EAs keen to help us (ours and one who's incredibly embarrassed by the way in which their vendor behaved in our latest failed attempt) so I might canvas their opinions, they'll probably have completely different views!

To answer the other points from various posters...

Having a chain has not been a factor in our saga. Not once, at all, even remotely.

Our buyer is fully aware of our position and they choose to keep their fingers crossed for us. As do their buyers.
We would love to sell to them and hope we can do so, but that will not be at detriment to ourselves.

TheJP

jenni_fer said:

@slinky (and @TheJP in part)  thanks for actually answering the question! We've got two EAs keen to help us (ours and one who's incredibly embarrassed by the way in which their vendor behaved in our latest failed attempt) so I might canvas their opinions, they'll probably have completely different views!

To answer the other points from various posters...

Having a chain has not been a factor in our saga. Not once, at all, even remotely.

Our buyer is fully aware of our position and they choose to keep their fingers crossed for us. As do their buyers.
We would love to sell to them and hope we can do so, but that will not be at detriment to ourselves.

Ill repeat, letter drops are pointless and cost money, if someone really wants to sell their house they will. Unless your leaflet states you will pay £x over market then its a waste of money.

You either need to align your expectations or increase/decrease how much you want to spend.