"Love" Letter to Seller

Dear Mr./ Mrs Seller,

Last year when we boat a car, the couple we bought it from won a trip to Hawaii the following day.

6 months ago when we bought a boat, that couple won a slots jackpot in Atlantic City the next day, I believe it was the Wheel of Fortune one.

We make people RICHER!

BTW, Powerball jackpot is currently $360 million...............

jeez...BOUGHT a car

thanks for a good laugh! I was wondering what "boat a car" meant. Of course in NYC should we now start saying, "purchased an automobile" seems that faux British accent is very much in Vogue!

Sheesh--has the market changed that much in the past couple of years? My strategy was always to play everything close-to-the-vest so as not to seem too eager. Easier to negotiate that way.

I'm assuming in your case there are multiple bids on the apartment (or, at least, that's what you're being led to believe). If that is the case, and you really want the apartment, a professional note accompanying your offer is fine--basically underlining your financial strengths, your interest in the building/neighborhood/whatever. But no need to gush and act like a crush-stricken fool. Your thread title alone made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. I mean, LOVE LETTER? Gag. Not surprised your hubs isn't on board with that. It sounds so very... trite. Tell your broker chill out.

u must have a very idealistic agent.

Sounds silly to me.

Dear Seller ---

Enclosed please find a written offer for an all-cash purchase at 15% over your asking price for your beautiful apartment, along with a check for the earnest money deposit. We've also enclosed pro-forma financial statements so you can verify our finances, and ability to be approved by the co-op board.

While we will be sad to leave our current apartment at 660 Park Avenue, when we saw yours we just couldn't resist.

We look forward to closing, and afterwards would love to host you for dinner at the Union Club, where we are members. If the Union Club isn't convenient, perhaps the Harmonie?

Best Regards,

Lovely Buyer

Q: Is this a condo or a coop?

I understand 'refusing' to forswear your religious faith or shoot a puppy, but it seems like a strong verb to use in the context of writing a letter (which takes what, half an hour?) You may not be cut for the co-op application process.

ps: I kind of love Aaron's letter.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty

i have bought and sold several coops and have never written or received such a letter.

if anything, any board you'd write to would worry that you were a fool.

If its a co-op, think of it as the draft version of the "love letter" to the board you will have to include in your package. I've been writing for years and don't think I have ever resorted to such florid prose as I did when composing why I wanted to live in my current building: the history, the neighborhood, the building's atmosphere (this being for a mid-century building that is far from luxury). That being said, I love my building and have enjoyed every minute of living here (okay perhaps not the five days of Hurricane Sandy induced blackout but so many had it so much worse). I groveled for the right reason and didn't regret it.

Heyo,

Ur pad RULEZ. Sell it to meh, baby! POR. Favor? I pay cash! Love u long time.

-Buh-buyer

seriously though, it couldn't hurt. this market is insane.

It worked for my friend! I did something similar when I made my offer on my apartment, although it was far off from the asking...but i got it for the original offer price i made so maybe it worked for me too!?

Sounds silly, but I do think it helps. We put "letters of interest" and introduced ourselves... even put a photo of us. Made it personal, sincere, why we like the apartment, and why we'd love to live there. Yes, our offer was over the asking price by a significant amount -- as were others I'm sure. But when people are comparing two offers that are identical, how could a sincere personal letter hurt? Psychologically, the seller wants the $$ and also wants to feel like a good person while gouging the buyer for everything they're worth! For what it's worth, we got offer accepted with one of these letters.

aaron does have the best letter....Isnt this the brokers job to market and write letters? I think they should be doing it if they want their commission.

I like these. I got one from someone and it turns out he went to the same school I did. All things equal, we chose him over the other buyer. In the end, someone came in with more money but it definitely was a tie breaker. I recommend

Did you go to Western Carolina University?

I like most of the proposed letter above which I would describe as a transmittal letter to accompany checks and docs--not a love letter. I dislike (immensely) the sort of snooty and odd sounding dinner invitation to people you do not know at clubs they may perceive as beneath them, above them, or whatever. For all you know, they were rejected from or couldn't find a way into one of the clubs. Maybe I could get behind a sentence inviting them to share a cocktail after the closing.

I think we actually wrote a letter like this solely as a cover letter to the stuff we had to give the seller. Basically it is just a friendlier version of "Enclosed please find..." But don't get all schmaltzy or weird.

Thanks for the tips. "Love letter" was strong and I get that for a CoOp there is the whole board approval process to consider. I had sample letters from a '"broker" that were so over the top - 2 pages talking about world travel and how great NY is seems silly. We went with we are a family of x, living in this hood that we love and we have sound financials. We owned in the past and make great neighbors. I guess the money in earnest could help but that is a Q for my lawyer.

Thanks for the likes. I really mean to poke fun at the idea of a love letter, and agree that it's really a transmittal doc, with a friendly tone. (look up 660 Park Ave on SE).

I wouldn't write a letter that contained too much personal information. Maybe the seller doesn't like kids, domestic partners, or some other protected class, and so rejects your offer. Doesn't have to say why, just says no. You would never know that you've been discriminated against, and probably have no recourse.

What Foo finally went with, less the 'family of x' info, sounds about right, if you're going to go that route. (I didn't with the seller, but did slave over the cover letter to the board, with assistance from my broker.)

I actually like this idea and wish my broker would have suggested it when I recently placed an at-ask offer on an apartment and had it accepted and then rejected for a significantly higher offer. The owner was an elderly woman with whom I had a mutual friend; I believe
there is a possibility that such a letter could have swayed the seller back into my favor.....

Silent--don't beat yourself up over it. It's extremely doubtful any letter, no matter how sweet, would have beaten out the 'significantly higher offer'. After all, sentiment won't buy a cuppa joe. :-)

Foo, I hope this sample letter helps. After all, honesty IS the best policy, you know. Best of Luck!

Dear Seller,

After searching high & low for an apartment, building & neighborhood to my liking, I reluctantly chose yours, as it somewhat - albeit barely - meets the criteria I've been seeking.

For example, I've always had an affinity for exposed brick - but not ones in an airshaft that your kitchen window faces. But I guess it'll have to do, & satisfy my peeping tom needs elsewhere.

Hopefully your board has a low ATPR*, which would be most welcome. I nearly strangled one of them in my current building.

I have only a mere 5 criminal convictions (the one for arson was thrown out), & wear a monitoring bracelet, so I have all my illicit drugs delivered straight to my residence. I understand your doorman has no problem storing pharmaceuticals in the lobby closet, & is easily bribed. He even knows my dealer. So far, so good!

My 3 Rottweilers (Shredder, Liquifier & Ripper) are very well behaved until anyone looks at them.

Enclosed is a check for the earnest money. I hope the fact that it's forged doesn't present any problem or inconvenience. The balance will be paid in all unmarked bills at the closing (and you WILL close - end of story).

Looking forward to hearing from you soon (or seeing you at a hearing - LOL!)

Sincerely,

Mogadishu Berkowitz-Jones-Goebels IV

National Chair,

Transgendered Black Jewish Vegans of the KKK

*A-----e To P---k Ratio