How to Write an Offer Letter for a House

You’ve connected with a lender, gotten preapproved, scoured the real estate listings, and found your dream home. After careful consideration, you’ve put together your best offer. Now, your real estate agent has suggested that you include a letter to the seller as a personal touch. If you’re wondering how to write an offer letter for a house, grab your preferred writing gear, and get comfortable. You can do this.

How to Write an Offer Letter for a House

Although you’ll find various accounts detailing how a perfectly worded offer letter sealed the deal for various homebuyers, an offer letter isn’t meant to be the major feature of a winning bid. While some people would have you believe that an offer letter has the power to overcome a weak offer, that’s not really its purpose. After all, it’s not a technological wonder capable of magical feats of persuasion. It’s a short, friendly note intended to generate good will by personalizing your bid. If you’re trying to figure out how to write an offer letter for a house, use the following tips. You’re sure to come up with some winning writing.

Personalize It

While you don’t want to come across as intrusive, a letter to “dear seller” is unlikely to generate much warmth. Using an impersonal greeting might make your letter seem like a form letter, and that’s not the impression you want to create. As Short Walk Home suggests, it’s best to use the buyer’s name. If you don’t have that information, ask your real estate agent.

Keep It Short

Real estate deals involve a lot of paperwork. The last thing a seller wants to do is wade through more words than necessary, so this is a situation where less is more. To make a positive impression with your offer letter, keep it short and positive. According to Opendoor, a few paragraphs are all that’s necessary to make your point. If you’ve written more, edit ruthlessly. Choose a few key points that really convey what’s important. Then, cut anything that isn’t essential.

Use the Right Details

Brevity is important, but too much will leave you with a form letter that anyone could have written. Using the right details is what will set your offer letter apart. To do that, think carefully about your purpose. As Realtor.com indicates, most sellers want to believe that they’re leaving their old home in good hands, so it’s helpful if you can convince them that you share their appreciation for the space. To do that quickly, choose details that show you truly care. Was it the kitchen that sold you? Include a sentence about how much you’re looking forward to cooking your favorite meal there, and mention a key feature. Did you notice a dog house in the backyard? Bring up how you intend to make your own pets feel at home might be a winning strategy. Pick something specific that shows that you were paying attention, and be positive.

Say Thank You

Once you’ve made your winning argument, be sure to stick the landing with a sincere expression of gratitude. Investopedia recommends thanking the seller for the chance to make an offer and for their time and consideration.

Proofread

Some people find grammar errors jarring, and once they spot them, they can’t unsee them. Don’t take a chance on a simple mistake breaking the winning spell created by your offer letter. Proofread it with care. Take a few minutes to run it through a grammar checker. The Hemingway App is free, easy to use, and handy for spotting errors. It can even help with judging the readability of your prose.

Get Physical

In today’s modern world, emails are disposable. To make a splash, get physical. HomeLight suggests breaking out pen and paper for a truly personal touch. However, if your penmanship leaves something to be desired, it’s okay to stick with a printed format as long as you choose an attractive font. You can’t go wrong with a classic like Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond.

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Whether you’re interested in learning more about how to write an offer letter for a house, the difference between prequalification* and preapproval, or why conforming loans are often confused with conventional loans, you can count on PrimeLending KC for useful answers. How can we help you achieve your housing goals? Contact us today to find out.

_{* A prequalification is not an approval of credit and does not signify that underwriting requirements have been met.}