It’s no secret that the housing market is still hot right now, and in most neighborhoods, it’s a true seller’s market — especially if you’re close to Cleveland, OH!

That means if you’re shopping for a home this year, you may very well find yourself in a bidding war where multiple buyers want the same “perfect” house. One way you can stand out in a bidding war is to submit a personal, well-written offer letter.

Most realtors will be able to write an offer-letter for you, but adding a personal touch could make or break a deal when things get heated. Start by talking to your realtor to see if writing your own letter makes sense, and if it does, they should be able to guide you as you write a winning offer.

Offer Letter Dos and Don’ts

Do express genuine emotion. Describe what unique features drew you to the home that you really like. Is it a location close to the perfect school for your kids? Did you fall in love with the neighborhood?  

Do include some compliments about the property. Be specific about something that caught your eye — i.e. renovations, landscaping features, historic charms etc.

Do explain why your offer makes financial sense for the seller. For example, if you’re able to afford a larger down payment, mention it here. You could also check with your realtor about comparable home sales you could reference.

Don’t be negative. This isn’t the time to complain about something you want to change or suggest that the seller’s price is unfair.

Don’t “show your hand” by suggesting you could afford more than your first offer “if it comes to it.” While you may need to negotiate to close the deal, you don’t want to seem timid or apologetic in your offer letter.

Letter Template

In case you haven’t written a formal letter in a while, here’s a template to help you get started:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City, State, Zip Code]

[Date]

[Seller’s Name]

[Seller’s Address]

[Seller’s City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Mr./Mrs.] [Seller Name],

Thanks so much for taking some time to show us the house last week. We think your home is beautiful and full of charm, and it’s the perfect size for our growing family. We’re expecting a second child soon, and we love this neighborhood for our kids.

{{mentioning personal details about why you love the house}}

This letter doesn’t replace our formal offer, which includes a lot more details about our proposed purchase. However, we did want to emphasize that we can offer a 25% down payment and are pre-approved for a loan.

Your target date works very well for us, and we would be happy to use your title company to close the deal. Also, pending any issues found in a home inspection, we would be happy to move into the house in its current condition.

{{explaining why your offer makes sense for the seller}}

If you have any questions or reservations about our offer, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you again for your time. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any question about the offer. We are genuinely enthusiastic about this home, and we hope hearing back from you soon!

Very Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]