by
Susan Pruden
May 7, 2014
It?s interesting that the housing climate has changed so quickly. Some buyers, who think they?re still in the driver?s seat, find the market is now going up and they?re losing the home that they really want.
Multiple offers are increasingly more common and buyers are frustrated because even full-price offers don?t guarantee that they?re going to get the home. In an effort to personify a contract offer and add emotional appeal, buyers are including a personal letter to the seller.
In most cases, the seller wants to maximize the net proceeds from the sale by getting the highest price with the least expenses and an assurance that the home will actually close on time without surprises. When a seller is faced with multiple offers that may be close to the same net, an emotional appeal might make the difference in them accepting a particular offer. That?s where the letter comes in play.
It should be a relatively short letter that gets to the point. The tone of the letter should be humble while positive and definitely, shouldn?t mention that you may have lost other homes due to multiple offers.
- Try to identify a common feature or characteristic of the home that is important to the seller and you.
- Don?t criticize the home or tell them about all of the improvements you need to make to justify your offer.
- Do verbalize why living in this home is important to you and your family.
- Assure the seller that you can indeed qualify for the home and that if they accept your offer, the sale will be consummated.
After writing the letter and eliminating the non-essential parts, read the letter a few times to your spouse or friend. Polish the verbiage and check the spelling and grammar. If your handwriting isn?t attractive and easy to read, print it. Use nice paper to appeal to the tactile senses. Attach the letter to the offer so they?re considered simultaneously.
Being pre-approved with good credit, adequate financial resources, good employment, sufficient earnest money and a reasonable offer with minimum contingencies will favorably position you. A personal letter might be the deciding factor in your favor.
A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994.
Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012
Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."
Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.