Special offer

Let's Talk About Love Letters

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

 

I know it’s November, not February, but let’s talk about love letters. No longer are we allowed to have buyers’ letters sent along with contract offers.

 But having the seller write, from the heart, a letter to their house can be powerful. I am so thankful when my owners do this.

Here is the latest love letter from my seller.

It is emotional marketing when a buyer is getting close to making a decision, and it’s no longer about the dollars and cents.

Getting the owner’s perspective on what the house has meant,  special memories,  why they initially bought, special features they love, and what they will miss most.

This exercise is not for everyone. For some, a house is just sticks, bricks, and shelter.  

But for others, the home is so much more, filled with a lifetime of memories, milestones, and celebrations. The love letter helps the owner write, say goodbye, put closure, and prepare for their next move. And for buyers, they are thankful for the seller’s perspective and personal comments.

Have you thought about writing to your house?

What would you say?  

Thinking about buying or selling a home

Call Margaret Rome

 

Margaret Rome

 

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


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Comments (35)

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Interesting idea.  I just sold a home where the daughter's mom had lived there for many years and now she was selling it pretty quickly after the mom's passing.  It was so important to the daughter when the "right" buyer came along who appreciated certain aspects of the home.  Maybe a letter AFTER the sale was finalized might be indicated since the buyer got involved in the seller's memories. 

Nov 19, 2021 11:34 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®, A letter after the sale is also a good idea!

Nov 20, 2021 06:05 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Margaret,  this is an interesting twist on buyer love letters ... which we know are now a No-No.  Let's hope a seller's right to write a love letter to their home will always remain an option. 

Nov 19, 2021 04:26 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret I have lived in my home for 40 years.  There have been a lot of special memories in this home during that time.  If I were to write a letter, not sure where I would begin, or what I would choose to write about.

Nov 19, 2021 04:53 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Start with the memories that stand out the most George!

Nov 20, 2021 09:50 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

George Souto, When you are ready,..( start from the beginning.")

Nov 20, 2021 06:11 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Margaret:

It's not something I have had a seller do, yet, although I usually have a detailed conversation with them about what they like about living in the home. Great idea to start doing, for those who are willing.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jeff

Nov 19, 2021 05:16 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Jeff Dowler, CRS, Not all sellers are candidates for this idea. When you make the suggestion, you will find out how the owner responds. If it is a chore...they are not going to do it!

Nov 22, 2021 07:28 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Congratulations, Margaret. You've been Featured in the BananaTude

Nov 19, 2021 07:10 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

There are so many aspects to having web for what you do. Love and light

Nov 19, 2021 11:02 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

A love letter for a recent listing of ours sealed the deal. The sellers were moved by the buyers' letter and said they were the right couple for "their special house." 

Nov 20, 2021 07:45 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD, Glad it worked out. Many of us are not allowed to present buyer letters along with offers.

Nov 22, 2021 07:32 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

When we used  to create big listing books for each listing we did have a sellers note/letter speaking to what they loved and enjoyed about their home and neighborhood.  It was quite lovely. and well received by the potential buyers.  Sellers also including personal photos of holidays or whatever they thought was helpful for buyers.  I like this idea Margaret!!

Nov 20, 2021 09:48 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker, I remember those great big listing books and how the sellers shared those personal photos. Glad you like this idea. 

Nov 22, 2021 07:34 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I read your seller's letter. If every seller could write a letter as descriptive and, at the same time, moving as that letter, I would put the letters on the back of my flyer. That would be better than anything that I could write about the house.

Nov 20, 2021 01:35 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

John Juarez, It takes a special seller to write a letter that is descriptive and moving. They see the house differently than the RE agent. I like that!

Nov 22, 2021 07:36 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - Until a seller makes the effort to detach themselves from their home it can be very difficult to sell.  The idea you bring forth is a way to help a seller detach from their home while keeping the memories to themselves.   

We just celebrated 18 years in our Sedona home in Soldiers Pass.  My strongest memory is that my grandson was conceived in this home and he is still very connected to it...which is wonderful.  I am so very blessed. 

Nov 22, 2021 07:13 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® Yes. "The idea you bring forth is a way to help a seller detach from their home while keeping the memories to themselves."

You are very connected with lovely memories of your home.

Nov 22, 2021 07:39 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Margaret,

I have often thought that if the house or the plants in the yard could talk, I wonder what they would say? Most yards have a lot of little and big plants and animals that go largely unoticed, but they might say something about the current owners and about the new ones they would like.

Nov 22, 2021 09:20 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - What a nice idea! There are certain aspects of the house that are hard to walk away from - it almost feels like abandonment. I felt that way after moving out of my house in IL about a Colorado Blue Spruce Tree I planted when it was only 3 inches tall. It survived and grew up to be so beautiful!

Nov 27, 2021 12:06 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

No ''love letters'' from buyers during the offer presentation in SoCal as well. 

Jan 28, 2022 12:58 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Dorte Engel, I'm a bit late commenting, but I do like the thought of the plants and animals sharing tales of the owners.

Jan 28, 2022 01:48 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

You commented 2 months ago and I'm just responding. Hope you took some photos of that blue spruce!

Jan 28, 2022 01:50 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Inna Ivchenko No more buyer love letters but the seller can still write a love letter to their house.

Jan 28, 2022 01:52 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - It's okay. I understand how busy you are and I know, you would never forget anyone on purpose. You are the heart and soul of ActiveRain. 

Jan 28, 2022 11:19 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

I am never too busy, especially to acknowledge you. Did you find any photos of that Blue Spruce you grew from three inches?

Jan 28, 2022 11:36 PM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

I think it is a very good thing to know why a house is special to the seller.  Good idea.

Feb 14, 2022 08:27 AM