At Home in Upland: Brad Rachielles, REALTOR, CDPE Upland, CA (CENTURY 21 Prestige Properties, Ca DRE# 01489453)

Thanks Alan! Personal experience shows that it works!

By: Brad Rachielles

This morning Alan May Wrote about "Schmaltzy" letters from home buyers to home sellers. Requests had Alan actually rewriting a typical letter for the benefit of others.... and I must say that he hit the nail on the head, just as a very similar buyer letter hit my seller over the head.

I had a great listing! Long time owners were downsizing. The ordeal was as much a situation of how could they leave this wonderful home that they had raised family in as it was deciding what belongings to move, what to sell and what to give to the kids. They knew that downsizing was the right thing for them.... but it was hard.

The listing for this lovely home, in a highly sought after neighborhood, went active on the MLS on Friday and offers were to be presented on the following Monday at the sellers request. Needless to say, the weekend was busy with showings and offers started rolling in. Some high, some low(very few), and some REALLY high..... unreasonably so.

Monday came, and by mid morning we had 9 offers, most cross qualified with the seller's choice of lender... many were well crafted and very professional. Presenting the offers would have been a matter of reviewing the offers and choosing the best ones for the sellers, likely countering and we would either have a buyer in a few days or possibly back to active status if all were rejected.

The review was going well with a couple of possibly acceptable offers.... and then came the offer with that compelling love letter to the sellers. It was not the highest offer, but it was not the lowest offer by any means. It was above the asking price.

This letter could not have been more important to any other seller. They loved the home that they were leaving. The memories of family and good times were very important, and it became important to the sellers that their home should go to people who might also experience life as they had enjoyed.....

...... AND THE BUYER LOVE LETTER WITH THIS ONE OFFER HIT THAT EMOTIONAL HOT BUTTON.

The bottom line - The sellers did get a very good price, although they rejected higher offers. That was their choice. The transaction went very well and we closed in 30 days. Not only were the numbers right, but the seller closed the deal feeling very good about having their home in the hands of someone who would feel the same about "their home".

Thanks Alan! Personal experience shows that it works!