Special offer

Does Writing a "Love Letter" to the Sellers Help a Sale?

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

 

 

In the last several years, this addition to a sale agreement seemed to be that magical ingredient that somehow swayed sellers to come to the light and agree, emotionally based, on that buyer who hooked them with the love letter of introduction. 

That was often in the "city". 

Portland Oregon's market (90 minutes from my rural market at Fishhawk Lake) was so cra-cra that they would pull out all of the stops to make THEIR buyer the one. 

Out where I am, in the middle of nowhere, with about 75-80% of my niche market being second homes, this wasn't common. Or even discussed.

 

However.


Every now and then, the situation warrants it, for that reaching out....that connectivity that seems to need to happen, no matter how your market looks. 


Lately, out at Fishhawk Lake, there have been more and more would-be buyers who are looking to escape the urban madness that Portland now experiences. Lower prices, low taxes, more elbow room, being able to work remotely from home; all of these spell out reasons why buyers are seeking out-of-the-city places like Fishhawk Lake. But,coming from an urban environment, they may also be caught up in what "works" when becoming the #1 buyer choice for a seller. 


I don't normally ask for an introduction letter, let alone a "love letter". My first- time-home-buyers were so absolutely head-over-heels in love with my 1970 funky home that they wanted to impart ALL of their positive energy into making this work. So, they decided to write a very loving letter to my sellers, which included photos of them and their sweet dog. They wrote from the gut. Didn't hold back.

 

Here's a small excerpt: "As you know, we are completely in love with your house and its surroundings. As soon as we walked into the house we felt an overwhelming wave of comfort, warmth, and dedication into every detail. Touching the walls and embracing the peaceful beautiful energy, we couldn’t help but fall in love instantly. It is absolutely our dream home."

 

And it worked. What was so ironic is that the very reasons why they fell in love with this historic home (one of the very first built here at Fishhawk Lake) is why my current sellers fell in love with it when I represented them in their purchase. The only reason they reluctantly decide to sell is because they had to suddenly move to CA to care for aging parents. They cherished this home, and frankly couldn't have handpicked better buyers themselves to re-create that same feeling. 



I would never stand in the way of someone being authentic in their feelings, especially with such an emotional mindset; my buyer's first home purchase ever, and full time, out in my neck-of-the-woods....why of COURSE I'm going to do whatever it takes to make it happen when kismet is involved! And my sellers couldn't be happier. It's been all sunshine and rainbows and that just doesn't happen often enough in real estate or in life! 

 

 

Rainbow Fishhawk Lake Spillway photo by Gayle Rich-Boxman

 

Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

That is a positive story about love letters.  I am so glad it worked out beautifully for everyone!

Jan 23, 2019 11:43 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Francine Viola gotta love a good story, especially a true one to inspire! 

Jan 23, 2019 01:03 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

That's awesome. Love that there was a happy ending for all.

Jan 23, 2019 03:16 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

1970? This sounds like a sequel to Love Story!!!!!

"Love never means having to say you are sorry" ***

***that  you didn't write a heartfelt letter to the sellers and miss out on the home of your dreams!!!

Congratulations to all around, Miss Gayle!!!!!  I hope your New Year is off to a GREAT start!!!!

Jan 23, 2019 04:42 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Gayle- this is why I love reading about Fishhawk Lake!!! It's the perfect house-love story. 

Jan 23, 2019 05:58 PM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Love letters to the seller work.....especially when there are multiple offers on the table and they are all close to equal.  Thank you for sharing your story!

Jan 23, 2019 06:32 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Sharon Lee it's all gone seamlessly! Great way to start the year. 

Bruce Walter you always have an amusing twist to add! And YES, 2019 is off to a great start...truly hoping the same for you! (When are YOU gonna write a new post?? Just a little nudge...)

And Kathy Streib, as I told my buyers, "This is a black&white house...you either 'get it' or you don't." They did. Same thing as what my sellers felt, immediately. It's different, very 70's.....but has GREAT energy and you can't manufacture that, as you well know.

Karen Feltman you are SOOOOO right. That's what was happening with the unbelievable amount of multiple offer situations happening in Portland proper. We didn't have that trend here, and I'm happy about that! 

 

Jan 23, 2019 07:36 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Gayle, I have seen love letters that helped and I have also seen love letters that backfired, so it is clearly  more about the situation and the type of seller the buyers are facing. Glad your situation worked,  My market is changing so no love letters needed for the past 12 months or so,Endre

Jan 23, 2019 11:39 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

These letters do work when the seller is someone who has loved the home, but must leave (like downsize, transfer, death in family, etc...). Obviously if it is a flipper or someone who has only lived in the home for a short time it will be less effective.

Jan 24, 2019 07:00 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Work mostly with investors and hardly ever see one of those type letters.

Jan 24, 2019 09:36 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Gayle, it was meant to be! I'm so glad it all worked out. It's so special when a house just speaks to buyers and they fall in love. Congratulations! Wishing everyone a smooth path to closing. 

Jan 25, 2019 06:02 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Don't you just love it when buyers and sellers resonate like that?  Congrats on being there to help make it all happen,

Jan 29, 2019 01:35 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Endre Barath, Jr. like you, I hardly ever see these, or the need for them, but my buyers were gungho and it did make that connection more fixed with the sellers than without it. 

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty we don't see "flippers" around here much, so that isn't a factor, but you are spot on regarding how that wouldn't have an emotional impact. 

Richard Weeks mine aren't investors, but I hardly ever see these, either.

Feb 01, 2019 02:16 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Amanda S. Davidson I'm totally with you on that "meant to be" thing! It's so much fun for us when we see it flow nicely.

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089 it does my heart so much good when I can be part of that "love connection"!! 

Feb 01, 2019 02:17 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

More than a few times, my buyers won the house due to the letter of love sent to the sellers. Particularly poignant are the first time buyers.  I think it goes a long way with a seller if they know the buyers will love on their home the way they did.  Great post.  Your area of the country sounds wonderful!

Feb 05, 2019 06:32 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Gayle, for sharing this story.

All of us love happy endings.

Mar 01, 2019 07:12 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Roy Kelley you got that right!! Have a wonderful Friday! 

Mar 01, 2019 09:22 AM