An offer is an offer. The process isn't rocket science. You don't need a sob story mixed with feelings, tears and emotions poured all over your contract. In other words, don't send me a "feel sorry for me letter" to hand to my seller because I probably won't . My seller hired me to thwart off tire kickers, wackos, weirdo's, unapproved buyers and ding-dongs. That's why I'm here. I'm here to make my sellers life EASIER, not harder. Sellers want one thing and one thing only: SOLD. They don't want my friendship, my stories or pictures of my children in little wooden frames. I'm a guy that costs MONEY and I better deliver.
Last week I got a disgusting offer from a buyer accompanied with a ridiculous and very annoying "feel sorry for me letter." The offer was VERY under our price and the letter wasn't the buyer's idea, but the buyer's agents. I forwarded the offer, my opinion and my feelings about this letter to my seller. My seller told me to "throw it away" as he wasn't interested in hearing any sob stories.
Here's the gist of what the letter said:
"Hi, my name is Alfred and I really love your home. I have been trying to buy a home for 5 years and have been saving every dollar to my name so I could buy a beautiful home (like yours) for my family. I am new to this area and my children would LOVE to live in your gorgeous home. I love your plants, taste and choices.. you folks obviously take much pride in owning your beautiful and lovely home. I know my offer is low, but it's all I have. Can you please give me your best deal, my family and children would appreciate it. GOD BLESS YOU." I've been ill and haven't been able to save much more. Thank you so much.
Negotiating a home is business, it's not charitable work where me and my clients have signed on to help the needy. My job is to be shrewd, aggressive and sometimes emotionless when it comes to "helping" my client make decisions. This letter is nothing more than a SALES TACTIC. I don't care if this buyer is a jerk or a saint. All I care is that he is legitimate, bonafide and READY TO CLOSE. A smart person leaves EMOTION out of making decisions, especially financial ones.
Can you imagine a guy sending a girl this:
"Hey,
you don't know me all that much but I saw you in the mall a few times. I think you are very pretty and you look very kind. I'd love to take you out for ice-cream and get to know you better. I've been wanting to approach you, but you are so beautiful that I'm afraid you'd turn me down. Can I drive you home tonight? Will you be my girlfriend? Please consider as I haven't had a date in a long time. I like to pick my nose and have uncontrollable flatulence. I even walk with a limp. I used to be better looking, but ran into a tree playing laser tag while drunk. That's why I have a giant knot on my head right now and it further explains why I'm a little cross-eyed."
The letter above is over the top, but the message is clear. HE should approach her IN PERSON as that's what a female might expect. A seller expects an offer, a workable one. They also don't want any off the wall tactics. Imagine what a buyer would think if my seller sent HIM a letter!
Save the drama for your mama and bring your cash, contract and loan to the funding table. We can exchange pleasantries & smiles.
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