How to Write a Letter for House Offer?
If you have found a dream property that meets your needs, you may want to consider writing an offer letter. This letter allows you to express your genuine interest in a property before submitting your formal offer.
Writing a home offer letter is not compulsory, but it can help you stand out from the crowd. Offer letters can be hugely beneficial in competitive buying markets. A heartfelt letter could help you negotiate a better deal even when there are fewer buyers. It's important to note that if your letter is stating an offer, it should say ‘subject to contract’.
In this guide, we’ve gathered everything you need to include in your written letter.
1. Do Your Research First
Always begin with research such as having an independent valuation report carried out to see what the property is worth. View the property more than once and look at the details throughout the home inspection. The more research you do, the more you increase your chances of writing a winning letter.
Start by researching house prices and recent sales in the area. Once you have done this, you can contact a mortgage lender to see how much you can borrow before submitting a concrete offer. You can even request a mortgage approval letter which can help to put you ahead of other buyers.
If you notice work that needs to be done, you can discuss this in your offer letter. This will help to justify a lower offer.
2. Ask Estate Agent Questions
The estate agent will be in constant contact with the seller. Therefore, taking the time to ask them questions will make you stand out in a competitive real estate market.
Here are some questions to ask the real estate agent:
- Why is the current owner selling the property?
- How long has the property been on the market for?
- How much interest has there been in the property?
- How many people have viewed the property so far?
This list is not exhaustive but is a good start and a sign that you are a serious potential buyer. If the property is leasehold, you can ask questions regarding the lease length, lease extensions, and any maintenance fees or ground rent.
It's also important to note that writing to a seller may cause conflict with your estate agent. It may lead to them losing control of the sale so it's not usually recommended by them.
Compare Local Conveyancers
Speak to Accredited Conveyancers & Save Today!
3. Begin the Letter
Address the seller by their name if you can. This creates familiarity and adds a human touch to the letter. If you begin by stating “Dear Seller”, you are unintentionally distancing yourself from the seller.
Following this, you should offer a short introduction where you talk about yourself and your family.
You need to decide whether you want to send a written or typed letter. While a typed letter is more common and is typically accepted, written letters can show more time and consideration.
4. Let Them Know You’re a Serious Buyer
Your letter needs to address what makes you stand out from other buyers. As it will be accompanying your formal purchase offer, you want to ensure that you start the negotiation process to your advantage.
If you are chain-free such as first-time buyers and cash buyers, you will be in a more desirable position from the seller’s perspective. Therefore, you should include these facts if they are relevant to your circumstance.
Even if these scenarios don’t apply to you, you can still persuade the seller to accept your offer. Include any mortgage broker and solicitor details you may have. You can also offer to sign a purchase agreement at the seller's request if needed.
Read more about Solicitors for First Time Buyers
Compare Local Conveyancers
Speak to Accredited Conveyancers & Save Today!
5. You’re Ready to Buy
Buyers who are ready to make the property purchase will be favoured. Make sure you have your money deposit in place as well as a mortgage agreement in principle prepared in advance.
Being ready to buy the property can speed up the home-buying process. It can also prevent a bidding war from happening if the seller has received an alternative offer.
6. Why You Want the House
This is one of the most important parts of the letter as you can link the property purchase directly to your individual circumstance. For example, if you have family living in the area or living in the house will lessen your commute, you can demonstrate how this will benefit your life.
By integrating some information about yourself, the seller can get to know you better. They can then judge whether you are a suitable buyer for this particular property. You can include information regarding your financial goals. However, all financial details will be included as part of your formal offer, so it is advised to keep financial information to a minimum.
This portion of the letter is all about discussing why you are the best fit for the home and assuring the seller that you will take good care of the property.
7. Be Personal
It’s important to discuss what you like about the property itself. This could be anything from the features in the rooms to the garden size. Don’t spend too much time on this section, but talk about what makes this specific house the perfect property for you.
Try to find something in common with them that you may have noticed when viewing the property.
Compare Local Conveyancers
Speak to Accredited Conveyancers & Save Today!
Do Offer Letters for Houses Work?
Offer letters are not a compulsory part of the conveyancing process. However, they can help to set you apart from other buyers by showing the seller why you are the best buyer for their property.
It's also important to note that writing to a seller directly may backfire and the agent may not like it as they lose control of the sale. can be a good or a bad thing. Also, letters that state an offer should also say ‘subject to contract’.
How Much Should I Offer On a House?
The amount you should offer is dependent on various factors, in particular the research you have conducted. Most offers tend to be up to 10% below the asking price. It’s important to consult your solicitor and make a balanced and fair offer that the seller will take seriously.
Following your initial research, you can also use comparable property sales to back your offer. It's also best to have a backup offer in case the seller declines.
If you find that there is a lot of work that needs doing, you can make a cheeky offer. But what is considered a cheeky offer on a house? It is typically between 10-25% below the asking price. If you are making an offer well below the asking price, you should explain your reasoning in the letter. This ensures that you are considering the seller's needs as well as your own. Not doing so could cause the seller to refuse you from making more offers down the line.
Read more about Making an Offer on a House
Finding a Conveyancer
Compare My Move can connect you with up to 6 licensed conveyancers who are able to advise you on your offer letter. All our conveyancing partners are regulated by respected bodies such as the SRA and CLC.
Fill out the conveyancing comparison form and you can compare quotes from conveyancers in your area and save money on your fees.
