No.  My offers are strong enough without the need for a letter.

Diana Dahlberg - few times. Worked well only once, though.

Yes... I even shared a blog regarding ways to get offers more attention

No.  I know that it works for some market places and some people.  I think this is one of those, it depends, answers.  A

I have written them, a good way to outline the advantages to your offer.

Rarely and it depends on the situation. It may not be in the seller's best interest to make a decision based on a letter but that depends. I've not had any sellers decide on an offer when there are others based on a letter.

Well, yes and no - for a buyer, if they want to, that is fine but, a good listing agent will NEVER present them with the Offers! 

Why would they? It will cause a seller to potentially make an emotional decision and they can leave money on the table. Not a smart move for a listing agent to present any buyer letters to their sellers!

Yes, I included that in my post for the contest Debbie Reynolds is hosting this month ... Hot Market Strategies.  

It has worked well for me over the years.  I certainly has not hurt. All markets are different. What works here may not be successful in another state/county. 

That is not something I mention though I have had buyers that wanted to do it and I am glad to pass it on.

In some cases I do..depends on the buyer and the situation.

I have had buyers write letters to the sellers before and it has been well received.  With most offers that I submit, I also write a letter to the listing agent as a testimonial of who my buyers are, and a little back story on why they picked that particular home to offer on.  It adds another dimension to the listing agents' presentation.  At that point, it is not only a name on a piece of paper, but an actual human being that they are getting to know. You would not believe how many offers have been accepted by using that as common practice in my business. It only takes a few moments, and it works two fold:  the buyers know that you are passionate about getting them in the home, and the sellers often think "how thoughtful" of the agent to let them know who is interested.  

yes as a buyer agent but as a listing agent I won't take them - I think it puts the seller at risk here for a fair housing complaint - if the seller chooses buyer A because they have a family - just like theirs - and buyer B doesn't look like the sellers or is childless.... 

They are called LOVE Letters , but their roots trace back to the well tested sales concept of " Humanizing the Buyer(s) "

We were told by our board attorney NOT to do this because it can show discrimination. By inserting a photo you are actually subliminally telling the seller 'look, we are just like you', or 'look at our cute blond kids'. 

I haven't done it for years & most people have stopped this practice years ago. 

I haven't and I don't particularly like them. In general, that's not what a seller is looking for and you better be careful the buyer isn't compromising their negotiating strategy with something they say in their enthusiasm communicating with a seller. I've received them and never had a seller who cared....mostly they care about the bottom line, price and terms.

Never have.

No, never have and don't want to. I can't remember a buyer ever asking and I would never suggest it, because telling the seller how much you love the property only makes them want more $$.

If my buyer is competing for the property, the net to the seller will do the talking...

Eve

PS: Regardless, if a buyer submits a letter it is part of the offer and must be submitted. It is also up to the SELLER to decide which offer they take, not the agent.

Occassionally we have done this but I don't think it makes much of a difference.

It depends on the situation, the buyer(and the seller) and the market.  I haved shared(with both buyers and sellers) that some people include a letter to accompany their offer.  

In a competive environment that helps. A Vet wrote a kind letter urging seller to consider them.  The seller said he also served at Airborn 101 Division and took them over stronger buyers.

I was selling a property a couple came. She told me her sister moved from Vietnam are staying at their small home. The owners now sleep in their garage.  I took them first over cash investors. 

Interesting question with different replies.  My first broker recommended having buyers write the letter.  I have received letters as a listing agent.  

yes it does work

I have not but if a person knows the seller is stilll emotionaly attached it could help

Yes, if the offer is strong itself. Unfortunately, this time, most properties receive multiple offers and terms are more important than a personal touch. Regardless of this, I still add a little note in an offer description of who buyers are and why they want to buy the house. 

ACtually yes.  I typically call the lsiting agent and ask if it would be helpful.  I had a military family buying a military family's house.  I also had a young couple just moving out of an apt for the first time and it was the exact same story as the seller.  Having something in common with the seller and expressing love for the home can definitely have an impact.  (On other seller, it will have none at all, but it really doesn't hurt.)

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I have, but if the listing agent is smart, they won't present them.  Usually they have statements that would be discriminatory.

All the time and I am 10 for 10 when I do recently...

Thus far, we have not needed to in Cali or FL!

It depends on the seller. Even with a strong offer you may need it when competing against multiple strong offers.

as a listing agent, it doesn't matter to our homeowners.... the "clean deal" is first and foremost, unless the seller is tight with funds.... the price is next.... emotions don't enter into the equation, if I can prevent it....

I have never recommended it or discourageed it if the buyer wanted to do so!

No, the terms of their offer should trump any letter.

I personally think they are a little cheesy, but I can see how for certain personalities they could tug on emotional strings and give an advantage.  I can't think of a time any of my buyers have done it though.  -Kasey

Bringing in the "hallmark card" strategy doesn't hurt but does it help?

I have not - this seems more like a TV gimmick than anythin, kind of like "stay in the house for free before you buy" LOL

No idea if other areas find this of value

Diana Dahlberg Never have.

I typically don't.  But there are some rare situations where this may be useful.

I think it is a waste of time, as a listing agent my seller and I are looking at teh offer price, if a pre aproval is accompanied, when you want to close and how much concessions you may be asking for. 

I have them write a personal letter with a picture of them and about what they love aboutthe house.  It works.

If the seller has communicated a value set, then acknowledging those values in a personal letter will be beneficial.

As a example, if the grounds show a lifetime of horticultural effort, acknowledging that and championing the buyers 'cause' to maintain and progress with the sellers vision feeds the sellers 'legacy' ambition.

Such sellers fear heartbreak at the thought the new owner will mow it all down.

This is not a substitute for a valid offer but can establish a preference within the seller.

This idea is very much in alignment with 

Sam Shueh  comment regarding the VET.

No. Most sellers have told me that they don't like them and don't even want to see them.

No.

I have not.

I've seen a few.

And the few have not made a difference to the Seller's decision...

A couple of years ago in a multiple offer situation , the Buyer asked what else could he do and I made that suggestion , he wrote a very good letter to go along w/ the offer and did get the property

Yes, usually in multiple offer situations, I call them "mushy letters".  The idea is for the buyers to tell the sellers why they loved the home.