What is a House Offer Letter?
A house offer letter is a written document you will present to the seller of a home you are interested in buying that gives them a bit of background on who you are and why you want to purchase their property. While not required, a house offer letter can help you appeal to the seller's emotions and may help persuade them to accept your offer. A house offer letter can be especially helpful if they are on the fence and have interest from other buyers.
How to Write an Offer Letter for their House
1. Address the Seller Directly
You want your offer letter to feel as warm and conversational as possible. So, try your best to address the seller directly and avoid phrases like "to whom it may concern." Instead, use the seller's full name if you know it. If you don't, something like "to the owners of the beautiful home at 123 Spruce Lane" will work. The more specific and complimentary you get, the easier it will be to attract their attention.
2. Appeal to Their Emotions
The goal of a house offer letter is to sell yourself to the homeowner. Tell them a bit about yourself and your family (if you have one) and explain what it would mean if they were to sell you their house. The more you tug at their heartstrings and make a genuine connection, the greater the chances that your letter will move the goalpost.
3. Compliment the Home
People love receiving compliments and often think of their homes as an extension of themselves. Therefore, complement the home and mention specific features that caught your eye. For example, you can say how you love the way they decorated the living room or compliment their beautiful garden. Be genuine and point out things you actually like; don't just give empty compliments in an attempt to make them like you. But you want to clarify why you're interested in purchasing their home.
4. Find Common Ground
Try to find common ground with the seller if possible. People like to do business with people they trust, and they are more likely to trust you if they feel like they have something in common with you. It could be something as simple as mentioning your family if they also have a family. Or you could point out the dedicated sewing room if you also like to sew. The more you can do to find common ground with the seller, the more effective your letter will be.
5. Highlight Your Offer
Make sure to touch on your exact offer and highlight anything that may make you stand out. For instance, if you're offering $5,000 above the asking price or paying cash, make sure you point it out so the seller is aware. Of course, their broker will likely pass on that info, but it never hurts to mention it again in case any details were miscommunicated.
6. Address Any Contingencies
In addition to highlighting any positives, it's also good to address any reservations. You should be subtle and may want to save severe complaints for an in-person discussion. But if you want something repaired before moving in or need to sell your current home before closing, it's best to address it head-on.
7. End On a Positive Note
Finally, you should end your offer letter on a positive note. Be sure to thank the seller for taking the time to read your note and consider your offer. A tiny bit of gratitude can go a long way toward convincing you're a worthy candidate to purchase your home.
Letter to Home Seller Example
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Smith,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our offer on your gorgeous home. We love what you've done with the place and would be honored to live in such a lovely home.
Our names are Jane and John Jones. We are first-time homeowners with a three-year-old daughter and a five-year-old poodle. We are so excited to find a home for our family, and we think yours is the perfect fit.
We both grew up in the area and have close family nearby. Plus, your home is in the school district we want our daughter to attend, so the location would be ideal. We also noticed that you have a dog, and the yard is the perfect size for our pup to run around.
We both work in tech and spend a few days a week working from home so the extra bedroom would be perfect for a home office. Plus, the open concept living area is ideal for dinner parties when our family visits.
We want to make one small request that the mirror in the primary bathroom be fixed before we move in or discuss other options.
Thank you again for taking the time to review our offer, and we look forward to hearing your response.
Sincerely,
The Jones Family
House Offer Bottom Line
A house offer letter is a great way to put a face to your offer and set yourself apart from other bidders. Ultimately, a seller isn't going to favor your offer over someone offering significantly more money just because of a friendly letter. But, if it's a close decision or you have reason to believe the seller has reservations about moving forward, an offer letter can help sway them in your favor.