A love letter is a powerful tool that will differentiate your home from all the other homes potential buyers will be looking at. If you want that potential buyer to picture themselves living in your home, help them to do that. Paint a picture of life in your home with words. It could be one page or it could be a binder with pictures and delivery menus from local restaurants or anything in between. Leave the buyer with a feeling that your home has a rich and positive history and many fond memories. This is very different from the short sales and foreclosures that they are certainly looking at as well.
Write about what you love about your home, your neighborhood, your neighbors and local businesses. Here are five things to consider including in a 'love letter':
1. Fond Family Memories. Don't give TMI (too much information) but create some 'warm fuzzies'. When I bought my last home the sellers talked about raising their two daughters in the home and the parties they had (it is a great entertaining home) and now with the girls going off to college they didn't need as much space. It spoke to me. I showed a home to a buyer who loved the home when he learned that the seller's grandparents had designed and built the home and it had been occupied by someone in the family since that time. If you can tell a happy story about your home you will distinguish it from the sadness of the short sales and foreclosures.
2. Favorite Neighborhood Vendors and Local Businesses. What restaurants deliver that you love? Include some menus. Have a favorite local shop - tell them about it. Where do you go for dry cleaning, landscaping, groceries, butchers, carpet cleaners, etc. You get the idea.
3. Lifestyle Amenities. Think about the average buyer for your home and what amenities they will be looking for. Then list them. Do you live near a great gym? What about a community center like a YMCA with a swimming pool, fitness center, etc. Are there hiking trails near you? Are you close to freeways with quick access to downtown? What about public transportation? Is there a daycare you have used or know about that is great? When I bought my home the sellers raved about the schools and once they learned I had a teenager they told me all about the local high school. Help potential buyers feel at home in the neighborhood.
4. History of Upgrades. Your disclosure will have this information but here is a place where you can elaborate and give details of what you have done to the home. If you think something may come up in the inspection, here is a place to explain in more detail.
5. Property Details and Tricks. Have a timer on that underground sprinkler system. Here is a place to let them know it is there and tricks on how to use it. The seller of my home told me he watered his lawn at 5AM and told me how to use the timer. Every home has its idiosyncrasies - let them know yours. This is a great place to talk about the 'fixit' people you use - plumbers, furnace repair people, lawn service, and more. If you are selling your home in the winter buyers don't know what the yard will look like in the summer. Do you have pictures? If not, describe any flowers, shrubs, landscaping that can't be seen.
6. Neighbors. Great place to talk about block parties, great neighbors, neighbors with kids, neighborhood watch meetings, and more. My neighborhood has a huge garage sale every year where all the families put out what they want to sell and it has been done each year for so long that it is well known and very well attended.
Write a love letter and personalize your home. Make sure you have your Realtor read over it to ensure you aren't running afoul of any equal opportunity housing laws or disclosure laws. But help a buyer to picture themselves living in your home makes a huge difference.
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