When Words Speak Louder Than Words: Does Writing a Love Letter to a Home Seller Ever Pay Off?
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In the Real Estate World, Buyer Love Letters Spark Controversy
In the real estate world, it doesn’t get more controversial than buyer love letters.
Effectiveness and Risks
Depending on where you look, these personalized, “pick me” notes that buyers use to sway seller sentiment are either highly effective (Redfin says they increase your likelihood of snagging a house by 52%) or more or less pointless (Zillow agents ranked them dead-last among 376 other homebuying strategies).
Potential Legal Implications
Regardless of how effective they are, they also come with potential legal implications, and in one state, they were even banned for a time due to discrimination concerns.
Personal Experience
That doesn’t mean they don’t still get used. I’ve written notes to the sellers of both homes I’ve purchased, and when my family sold our first house in 2016, a buyer’s note had a big part in swaying us their way during a bidding war.
Agent Perspectives
While some agents are big proponents of the strategy, touting its ability to make your offer stand out or highlight your interest in the home, others say it’s just not worth the risk.
Pros and Cons of Buyer Love Letters
The Fair Housing Act bars home sellers from discriminating against potential buyers on the grounds of their race, religion, sexual orientation, familial status and other protected characteristics. And many buyer letters include this information by design. It’s often inadvertent, but when a buyer mentions how much her six-year-old loves the property’s massive backyard (familial status) or how his longtime church is within walking distance (religion), these seemingly innocuous details contain more info than a seller is technically allowed to know.
When Buyer Love Letters Work
Obviously, nobody wants to face a lawsuit or jail time, even for their dream home. But in reality, litigation surrounding this practice is basically nonexistent. The National Association of Realtors says it’s aware of zero lawsuits — in recent history or ever — that have stemmed from buyer love letters. Shaun Pappas, a real estate attorney and partner at Starr Associates LLP, even says, “We have no legal concerns about this practice.”
How to Write a Love Letter to a Seller
If you’re buying a home and do choose to write a note to the property’s sellers, proceed with caution. Talk with your agent about Fair Housing laws, and be careful about what personal details you include in the letter.
