In a perfect world, the forms we use to make an offer on a home would have a section — somewhere between the financing and home inspection pages, where buyers would write a narrative featurette about why they are the right buyer for the home.
The buyer would share their story, include a portrait or two showing them standing dreamily on the subject home’s front porch — as if they already lived there — and, the seller would be just swept off her feet, tears streaming down her happy face as she cries out, “This buyer DESERVES my home!!! Where do I sign?”
This is how it could be, too, if…..
The seller actually CARED about the buyer’s story!
I’ve written before that including such a letter can indeed sway a seller into your corner. I’ve seen it happen. But more often than not…
What most sellers care about, and what they’ll ultimately choose an offer that meshes best with, is their OWN story. And their story is usually made better if, in the offer, they see:
- A high price tag.
- A strong financing contingency, preferably CASH!!! (This is HUGE for sellers. They love it, because it means no funky lender bylaws or appraisers or small print to throw a wrench in things at the last minute.)
- A closing date that either: A) gives them the time they need to make their move, or B) is out far enough to perhaps helps them avoid paying capital gains.
And so on. And buyer, as for who YOU are and your story… that’s USUALLY just trivia to a seller. Though, go ahead and include the letter — it can’t hurt, and like I said I HAVE seen sellers choose story over price.
But if you’re committed to getting the house, have your agent dig in and find out the SELLER’s story, and play to that. You can get back to your own story when you close the sale and take up life in your dream house!
