We sold to the highest bidder. They also write a letter (which our agent showed us as kind of an after thought). I read it and it was a nice letter. But really, we went for the money (and the fact that they waived contingencies). I think they sound like a great family and I heard they really love the house, so it worked out really well. I'm glad we sold to good people that our old neighbors like.

Anonymous wrote:Sellers do NOT read the letters. Particularly if they are lawyers. Just so you know....

This is pretty much what I have concluded. I doubt that I would read another letter. Who wants to be accused of something untoward? I need that like a hole in the head.

Sellers do NOT read the letters. Particularly if they are lawyers. Just so you know....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we sold to a letter writer over a higher offer though the higher offer was for less than 2%. Similar background so we sympathized. Prob would not have taken 10% less but we even countered and told them what they needed to meet to be acceptably under the higher offer. They'd lost two houses before. Sometimes it's really great to be able to look beyond just money if you can...so, yeah, give it a shot!

This makes me wonder how close to the line of Fair Housing Act violations people can get if they go with the letter, see people of similar backgrounds as the most (maybe only) desirable replacements. Not to criticize you PP but do you recognize the risk?

What? It isn't a fair housing violation to accept an offer, even it is lower, in these circumstances. Individual sellers of single-family residences are not subject to fair housing anyway. It might be unethical, and the broker may need to resign (although they will still get paid) but this isn't even close to illegal.

Are you sure?

Here is the FAQ on the HUD website:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FHLaws/yourrights

states:

"2.)What Is Prohibited?

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:

Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing."

Emphasis added. I think some letters could impact this one bolded above. Not entirely sure, but sales of homes are not exempt from the FHA.

Well the price and terms of what I would accept aren't going to change for either buyer. If I have two offers - both buyers have the option of submitting a letter if they so choose. One opts to do so, one opts not to. In the one offer I am dealing with people who say that they like the house and are excited about buying it for their own but they want $1000 more at closing than the other buyers do. The other offer is similar but not an exact duplicate, maybe the closing date that they want is less convenient for me. If I choose the offer with the letter I can't see how how that would be "setting different terms, conditions for the sale" of my house.

Conversely, maybe the letter is a big turn off to me. I don't want to hear that drivel. I totally ignore it and choose the offer that has a less convenient closing but nets me $1000 more. Does it mean that the letter backfired and I am "setting different terms" because of it? I say no.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we sold to a letter writer over a higher offer though the higher offer was for less than 2%. Similar background so we sympathized. Prob would not have taken 10% less but we even countered and told them what they needed to meet to be acceptably under the higher offer. They'd lost two houses before. Sometimes it's really great to be able to look beyond just money if you can...so, yeah, give it a shot!

This makes me wonder how close to the line of Fair Housing Act violations people can get if they go with the letter, see people of similar backgrounds as the most (maybe only) desirable replacements. Not to criticize you PP but do you recognize the risk?

What? It isn't a fair housing violation to accept an offer, even it is lower, in these circumstances. Individual sellers of single-family residences are not subject to fair housing anyway. It might be unethical, and the broker may need to resign (although they will still get paid) but this isn't even close to illegal.

Are you sure?

Here is the FAQ on the HUD website:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FHLaws/yourrights

states:

"2.)What Is Prohibited?

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:

Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing."

Emphasis added. I think some letters could impact this one bolded above. Not entirely sure, but sales of homes are not exempt from the FHA.

Anonymous wrote:I would bet the success rate of letters varies by neighborhood...the neighborhoods where people look out for each other, have impromptu playdates, borrower pantry staples, etc. - they probably are receptive to letters. Those areas where people don't speak, send threatening letters about treee trimming, and hire competing surveyors when a fence gets built - those probably aren't big letter areas.

Yes. Friendly, nice people from friendly, nice, down to earth neighborhoods might be seen as more susceptible to that sort of letter. Just be cautious because not so nice people know that, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we sold to a letter writer over a higher offer though the higher offer was for less than 2%. Similar background so we sympathized. Prob would not have taken 10% less but we even countered and told them what they needed to meet to be acceptably under the higher offer. They'd lost two houses before. Sometimes it's really great to be able to look beyond just money if you can...so, yeah, give it a shot!

This makes me wonder how close to the line of Fair Housing Act violations people can get if they go with the letter, see people of similar backgrounds as the most (maybe only) desirable replacements. Not to criticize you PP but do you recognize the risk?

What? It isn't a fair housing violation to accept an offer, even it is lower, in these circumstances. Individual sellers of single-family residences are not subject to fair housing anyway. It might be unethical, and the broker may need to resign (although they will still get paid) but this isn't even close to illegal.

My friend wrote a letter with a full price offer and was rejected because they were outbid by $2k. I don't think sellers really care and I don't blame them. I wouldn't.

I would bet the success rate of letters varies by neighborhood...the neighborhoods where people look out for each other, have impromptu playdates, borrower pantry staples, etc. - they probably are receptive to letters. Those areas where people don't speak, send threatening letters about treee trimming, and hire competing surveyors when a fence gets built - those probably aren't big letter areas.

We had a very weird experience with a letter writer recently. I don't think I'd let one sway me again.

Ours (thankfully!) violated no fair housing rules but wouldn't that be just what a home seller needs. NO THANK YOU.

good point pp