Home buyer’s advice: How to woo a seller with a letter

When you started your search for a new home, the last thing you thought you’d end up doing is writing a letter of appreciation to a home seller. But in hot markets, this might be just the note you need to prepare.

In situations where a seller of a desirable property has to choose between multiple offers from multiple buyers, home shoppers are encouraged by their realtors to write the home seller a letter expressing their love for the home and how eager they are to become its next owner. If that’s the situation you’re in, here are a few tips to make your letter stand out from the crowd:

• Be complimentary. Tell the seller what you like about their home. Explain why you think of their house as your dream home. If you see it as your forever home, or as the perfect home in which to raise a family, put it in your letter. An emotional appeal, along with the right amount of flattery, might just close the deal.

• Be concise. Make your appeal brief and heartfelt. Remember, this seller may have other letters to read and consider. Make yours stand out in its directness, warmth and brevity. Choose a few of the home’s characteristics to focus on, and don’t overwhelm the seller with dozens of reasons you like their home.

• Be specific. Don’t just list a few platitudes and generalities. If your young child loves the yard, tell the seller you can’t wait to play catch with him when you get home from work. If the spare room would make a perfect den or library, or the right space for frequent visits from your mother, put it in the letter. Maybe you’ve always wanted a space to work on your novel, or dreamed of having mom around to share in the joy of watching your children grow up.

Above all, be heartfelt and genuine. Let the seller know you would take good care of the home, respect its past and look forward to its future with your family.