i ended up going with the single guy who waived inspections and paid 10% over asking.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49082384)

she still wrote and sent the letter

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49082436)

After viewing it we immediately made an offer for $265K. Admittedly under asking, but we waived inspections and most importantly included a very personal cover letter that described how the house would be a forever home for us and our pets.

We gushed about how beautiful their home is and how much love it exudes, what kind of meals we would prepare in the cute kitchen, how we would maintain the home’s character while adding our own funky styles...

Our realtor told us the seller declined our offer because it “wasn’t competitive” and have already accepted another one.

We’re feeling heartbroken, defeated and angry. We’ve been saving for years to move out of our dumpy apartment and it’s so frustrating that sellers blindly select the biggest offer instead of considering WHO they are selling to and how they might help out some first-time buyers.

If you’re a seller, please don’t be this person. Prioritizing money above everything else if the reason why this market is so fucked up.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49082499)

They’re not going to lose $25k because they like your letter, but if you’re in the ball game, a letter stands out and makes it seem like you’re a serious buyer who wants the house and won’t play games and fuck them over. They don’t want buyers bailing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49083812)

I believe in almost every area a good realtor is not supposed to let the seller read the letter because (i) best case scenario you lose money and (ii) you're setting yourself up for a discrimination claim.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49084351)

Also isn't this a law board? Wtf is in someone's letter other than "I have kids and want to raise a family here" - which, if the seller bases his decision on that, is blatantly discriminatory against someone who doesn't have kids?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49084431)

some UMC white mom who has fallen in love with the house and already fantasizing about how she's gonna decorate the place isn't going to let the deal fall through over some 5-10k repair issue that comes in the inspection period.

otoh, some asshole flipper who has no emotional investment in the house will fuck a seller over.

link to NAR advising against it? zillow - who are they to say?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49084454)

Zillow discourages 'love letters' written by buyers, or received by sellers, and agents.

https://www.nar.realtor/fair-housing-corner/love-letters-or-liability-letters

Inform your clients that you will not deliver buyer love letters, and advise others that no buyer love letters will be accepted as part of the MLS listing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49084491)

even if NAR advises against it, everyone's doing them and nobody gives a fuck.

i suppose they may be less common and less necessary now that the market isnt as competitive.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49084537)

When we were selling, didn’t give a shit about the lowball offers with letters - we sold house to foreigners and were trying to extract every penny because we were moving up.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747543&forum_id=2/en-en/#49085235)