Should I write the seller a letter?

Hi Chelsea, this is a great questions, you would need to have your agent or you contact the listing agent and ask if seller is open to this buyer letter or not. When us agents take the listing agreement by default it states NO buyer letters will be provided to seller, but seller can on their listing agreement check a box and let their agent know to bring the letter with offer. This is what the California Listing agreement states about this: BUYER SUPPLEMENTAL OFFER LETTERS (BUYER LETTERS): (1) Advisory Regarding Buyer Letters: Seller is advised of the practice of many buyers and their agents to include a Buyer Letter with an offer to try to influence a seller to accept the buyer's offer. Buyer Letters may include photos and video. Whether overt or unintentional, Buyer Letters may contain information about a buyer's protected class or characteristics. Deciding whether to accept an offer based upon protected classes or characteristics is unlawful. Broker will not review the content of Buyer Letters. See C.A.R. Form FHDA for further information. (2) (A) Seller Instructs Broker not to Present Buyer Letters whether submitted with an offer or separately at a different time. Seller authorizes Broker to specify in the MLS that Buyer Letters will not be presented to Seller. OR (B) Seller Instructs Broker to Present Buyer Letters: If checked in paragraph 2F(2), Broker advises seller that: (i) Buyer Letters may contain information about protected classes or characteristics and such information should not be used in Seller's decision of whether to accept, reject, or counter a Buyer's offer; and (ii) if Seller relies on Buyer Letters, Seller is acting against Broker's advice and should seek the advice of counsel before doing so. Hope this helps.

This can never hurt, especially in this competitive market. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Buyer letters are a bit of a gray area right now. I’ve seen them work in certain situations, especially when sellers have an emotional attachment to the home. Sometimes a simple, genuine note can make your offer stand out when everything else is close. But at the same time, there’s a reason you’re hearing mixed advice. There are fair housing concerns, and a lot of sellers and agents are moving away from them to avoid any risk of bias, even unintentionally. If you do decide to write one, I’d keep it simple and focused on the home itself, what you like about it, how you see yourself taking care of it, things like that. I would avoid getting too personal or sharing details that don’t really relate to the property. That said, I always tell my clients this, the strongest offer usually wins. Price, terms, and how clean your offer is will carry more weight than a letter. So for me, I don’t rely on letters to win deals. If you include one, think of it as a small bonus, not the deciding factor.

Buyer letters can help in some situations, but they’re usually not the reason a deal gets won. I’ve seen sellers respond to them when they have an emotional connection to the home and two offers are otherwise very close. A thoughtful note can sometimes create a personal connection that tips the scale. That said, strong terms still matter more. Price, clean contingencies, solid financing, and a buyer who looks likely to close will usually carry more weight than any letter. If you do write one, I’d keep it focused on the home itself, what you appreciate about it, how well it’s been cared for, and that you’re serious about moving forward. I would avoid getting overly personal or including details that have nothing to do with the property. A lot of sellers and agents are more cautious with letters now because they don’t want personal information influencing the decision. So for me, I’d treat a letter as a small extra, not the strategy. Put most of your energy into making the offer strong on paper first, then use the letter only if it adds to an already competitive offer.

Love letters to the seller often violate fair housing laws. They are still encouraged but make sure they don't mention anything that would violate the law. Have your realtor partner review with you and often they can submit to their broker as well for review.

Chelsea, at least here in CA the once popular "love letters" to sellers are now discouraged and often the listing agent will state in the MLS notes that "letters to sellers" will not be accepted. There can be some exposure to liability for discrimination is the reasoning per NAR and CAR. Just submit your strongest offer and make sure your agent is communicating directly with listing agent to be clear on what seller's preferred terms are. That will usually win the day in getting an accepted offer.

Hello Chelsea, You are correct that many agents and brokerages discourage the use of personal letters to sellers; often referred to as “love letters.” The concern is that these letters may reveal personal information about a buyer, such as family status, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics that are protected under Fair Housing laws. Because of this, some sellers, agents, and brokerages choose not to accept them in order to avoid even the appearance of discrimination in the decision-making process. That said, some sellers are sentimental about their homes and may appreciate hearing why a buyer feels connected to the property. In situations where multiple offers have similar price and terms, a thoughtful letter can sometimes help a buyer stand out. The best approach is to have your agent ask the listing agent whether the seller is willing to review buyer letters before including one with your offer. Your agent should also ensure that any communication complies with local regulations and Fair Housing guidelines. In many cases today, buyers can still convey enthusiasm for a property by focusing on strong offer terms: such as price, timing, and contingencies, rather than personal details. Ultimately, the strategy should balance competitiveness with compliance and professionalism.

You can write a letter in California, but it should focus strictly on the home and transaction details. Avoid any personal information that could reveal protected characteristics under Fair Housing laws.