Home » Forum » Topics

Does anyone actually read buyer love letters anymore?

real estatehome buyingadvice
avatar
Nataliya_W
Joined:
14.02.2025
Posts: 679
Topic Starter
06.04.2025 07:45
My partner and I are currently looking for our first home, and our realtor suggested writing a 'love letter' to the sellers to help our offer stand out in this competitive market. I’m a bit skeptical about whether these actually work or if they just come across as desperate and annoying to the listing agent. Has anyone here recently had success with a letter, or is it better to just let the numbers speak for themselves? I’d love to hear some tips on what to include without sounding overly sentimental or fake.
17 replies in this topic
avatar
Nadiya_D
Joined:
26.01.2023
Posts: 549
30.06.2025 11:02
Honestly, in this market, money talks. Sellers care about the bottom line, not your life story.
avatar
Hani_B
Joined:
29.06.2021
Posts: 1159
29.07.2025 01:55
In reply to a previous post
I disagree. We sold our place last month and chose the buyers who wrote a heartfelt letter over a slightly higher cash offer. It made us feel better knowing the house was going to a nice family.
avatar
SamoPitam
Joined:
08.01.2025
Posts: 873
25.08.2025 17:40
That's a nice sentiment, but be careful. Some agents advise against it because it can open the door to fair housing discrimination issues.
avatar
Kaya_J
Joined:
12.04.2025
Posts: 1495
14.09.2025 04:35
In reply to a previous post
Exactly what I was going to say! Many brokerages have banned them now for that exact reason. It's too risky.
avatar
Filip_G
Joined:
22.09.2024
Posts: 1520
19.09.2025 09:49
My realtor told us to keep it strictly professional. Focus on why you love the house, not your personal struggle or sob story.
avatar
Yana_P
Joined:
25.11.2020
Posts: 1419
12.10.2025 06:59
In reply to a previous post
Agreed. Keep it short-two paragraphs max. If it's too long, they won't even finish reading it.
avatar
Kevi_M
Joined:
02.02.2021
Posts: 1508
15.10.2025 07:39
We wrote one for our first home and I think it helped. We kept it to 'we love the neighborhood and plan to stay for 10+ years.'
avatar
kamilo
Joined:
01.10.2022
Posts: 395
08.11.2025 12:11
In reply to a previous post
That's a good angle. Sellers hate the idea of an investor coming in to flip the property. Emphasize that you're an owner-occupant.
avatar
Oli_L
Joined:
09.11.2022
Posts: 1952
27.11.2025 02:53
I've sold two homes and I never even looked at the letters. I just checked the net proceeds column on the offer summary.
avatar
Kras_T
Joined:
30.05.2025
Posts: 1338
14.12.2025 02:30
I think it depends heavily on the price point. In the starter home market, emotions run high. In luxury, it's strictly business.
avatar
SivaMishka
Joined:
20.04.2024
Posts: 1946
04.01.2026 02:52
If you do write one, for the love of god, don't include a picture of your kids or pets. It's super cringey.
avatar
Alan_K
Joined:
07.11.2021
Posts: 181
07.01.2026 19:00
In reply to a previous post
Why is it cringey? I think it humanizes the buyers. It makes them feel like real people instead of just a name on a contract.
avatar
Sofiya_G
Joined:
17.08.2020
Posts: 2323
07.01.2026 21:41
In reply to a previous post
Because it subconsciously biases the seller. That's why it's technically a legal grey area in many states now.
avatar
star_vulk
Joined:
26.01.2025
Posts: 2440
21.01.2026 18:05
I'd skip the letter. If your offer is strong, you don't need to beg. If your offer is weak, a letter won't save it.
avatar
Oli_L
Joined:
04.08.2021
Posts: 240
06.03.2026 15:57
I'm a listing agent and I tell my clients to ignore the letters entirely. It makes my job harder and adds unnecessary bias to the selection process.
avatar
star_vulk
Joined:
03.04.2022
Posts: 2457
22.03.2026 23:11
In reply to a previous post
So basically, it's a 50/50 shot. Some people love them, some people think they're a waste of time.
avatar
Fari_P
Joined:
01.01.2023
Posts: 1418
07.04.2026 01:38
Just put the effort into your financing and your inspection contingencies instead. That's what actually makes an offer 'stand out.'

Want to join the discussion?

Log in to your account to post a reply in this thread.