{"id":298956,"date":"2024-02-16T19:11:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T19:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=298956"},"modified":"2024-02-16T19:11:40","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T19:11:40","slug":"why-homebuyers-should-write-love-letters-to-sellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/homebuyers-love-letters-sellers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Homebuyers Should Write \u201cLove Letters\u201d to Sellers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The so-called \u201cdear seller letter\u201d is an oft-overlooked way for homebuyers to make their bid more competitive without increasing the dollar amount.<\/span><\/p>\n

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By Josh Sherman<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>| 5 minute read<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||26px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”1px||29px|||” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_tablet=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” border_radii_phone=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_radii_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.75rem” custom_margin=”-18px||2px|||” custom_padding=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”||7px||false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|15px|7px|15px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”1.13rem” text_font_size_phone=”0.9rem” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

It might not be a silver bullet for winning every bidding war, but homebuyers should consider making a written appeal to anyone they want to purchase property from.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||39px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”16px||16px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” min_height=”158.4px” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Around 2017, as the Toronto real estate market was on a tear, REALTOR\u00ae Mark Savel<\/a> noticed a unique way that some buyers were trying to eke out an edge in the super competitive bidding process.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

They were sending personal letters to home sellers Savel was representing. Each letter attempted to convince the seller that the bidder behind it was the right one to sell their home to. To Savel\u2019s surprise, these notes worked \u2014 not only more than once but sometimes even if the bid wasn\u2019t the highest dollar amount. \u201cI saw the effectiveness of it when I was on the listing side,\u201d Savel, a salesperson at Sage Real Estate Ltd.<\/a>, tells Wahi.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long for Savel to incorporate what are known as \u201cdeal seller letters\u201d into his bidding process when representing clients on the buying side. \u201cWithout me experiencing it, I would [not believe it works],\u201d he adds. Some of his clients have also been skeptical when he suggests that they put pen to paper. \u201cThey see it on TV, but they don\u2019t think it\u2019s an actual thing that people do in real life,\u201d he says of dear seller letters. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#edf7f3″ custom_padding=”32px||32px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.75rem” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”21px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”32px” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“A big percentage of the decision is emotionally based \u2014 both for the buyer and the seller.”<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”32px||23px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px||14px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” text_font_size_tablet=”21px” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Overall, such letters are meant to make an emotional appeal to the seller, to tug on their heart strings a little, and hopefully make the case that the letter writer is the best fit for the property. \u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to establish is a connection, so any type of similarities between the buyers and sellers that we can strike a chord with, that\u2019s what we\u2019re including,\u201d says Savel.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Dear Seller Letters Are Effective\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/b>
<\/span><\/p>\n

In an industry like real estate, where so much focus is on the bottom line, how useful could something as personal as a dear seller letter be? \u201cIt\u2019s probably the second biggest thing you could do,\u201d says Savel, who notes that \u2014 no surprise \u2014 increasing your bid amount would be number one. The letters are effective because homebuying is partly an emotional process for all parties involved. \u201cWhen we\u2019re talking resale [transactions], a big percentage of the decision is emotionally based \u2014 both for the buyer and the seller,\u201d Savel explains. \u201c <\/span>The most shrewd, business-like seller might still consider a letter, in Savel\u2019s experience. \u201cI was pleasantly surprised by that,\u201d he says. However, Savel notes that it really depends on the situation. For example, if your bid is $100,000 short of another, a letter probably isn\u2019t going to help your cause. On the other hand, if your bid is competitive, a letter could tip the scales in your favour. \u201cIf you\u2019re in the top three, that can be a good way of improving your chances without [increasing your bid amount].\u201d

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The Elements of Strong Dear Seller Letters<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A strong dear seller letter is like a strong cover letter. It should be crafted to appeal to the specific seller in the same way that you might cater a cover letter to meet certain requirements in a job posting. <\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>Savel has used dear seller letters so often in the past several years that he\u2019s come up with a template for prospective buyers to fill out. Here are the elements of a strong seller letter:<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  • Intro:<\/b> Briefly introduce yourself to the seller.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Future plans:<\/b> Lay out what the coming years mean for you and how the home will figure into them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Work history\/finances:<\/b> Although these letters are primarily about making connections, you should still include details about your financial situation because the relationship is still transactional. Let the seller know you\u2019re already pre-approved for a mortgage. Highlight the fact that you have a well-paying job in a stable industry.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Why you\u2019re right for the home:<\/b> Perhaps you\u2019re an avid gardener who <\/span>would love the opportunity to maintain a beautifully landscaped home\u2019s yards, or a dedicated dog owner whose furry friend would love all the pooch-friendly amenities the condo building has to offer \u2014 get as specific as you\u2019re comfortable with.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • Photo:<\/b> \u201cWith the letters, we like a photo of who the people are,\u201d says Savel. The photo is a way to put a face to your story. If you mentioned earlier that you plan to raise your newborn in the house, you could include a current family photo. \u201cWhether right or wrong, people obviously judge who\u2019s buying their home, and having a photo could really strengthen your cause.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            <\/span><\/p>\n

            [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” height=”30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f0faf4″ min_height=”334.8px” custom_padding=”3px||0px|||” global_module=”849″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|3px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”60px||43px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”||65px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.2rem” custom_margin=”||25px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”2.63rem” header_2_font_size_phone=”2rem” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”2.5rem” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

            We put the real<\/em> back in real estate.<\/span><\/h2>\n

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            Join Wahi today and find out how easy it is to get real estate in Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n

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