Most sellers want top dollar and a quick sale on their home. But here’s a secret: They also often have a strong emotional attachment to their soon-to-be former homes. They’ve made memories there, and probably have strong connections with people in and around the neighborhood. Buyers who can appeal to this emotional side of the transaction — reassuring the seller that they will sincerely treasure the home — may have an edge over buyers who simply approach with numbers.

house_offerTry To Be Personal

Find out some backstory about the owners or other bidders if you can. But for any property, most sellers who have taken good care of their homes want to make sure they will be loved by the next owner, too, so let your enthusiasm shine to gain the edge over pricier offers.

Try To Be Relatable

Take a cue from the lovingly tended roses or, in this case, a dog, and try to glean what the seller values. It could be kids, a dog, or even a love of gardening. If you share those same interests, offer them up. You never know what phrases may spur the seller to choose your offer over another.

Try To Be The Obvious Pick

Get your ducks in a row before you make an offer. Even if you’re not doing an all-cash offer, have a pre-approval in hand. Especially in a seller’s market, make it clear that you are going to be easy to work with and that the seller can call the shots. Try to do all you can to be the option that’s quick and well-priced.

In Summary

Honesty is the best policy for offer letters. Don’t just tell the seller what you think they want to hear — it’s transparent. My suggestion is to be honest and expressive, because sentiment may produce positive results. Use the insights you discover at the initial visit of the home,  and customize your offer letter in a way that directly and specifically addresses the sellers’ concerns and respects their memories. Telling the seller about yourself is important, but it’s also a good idea to make a connection. The best way to do that is to demonstrate what you have in common.