One of My BEST Kept Secrets to Help Sell your Property
I must admit my oldest daughter shared this idea she learned from a Realtor in Arizona a few years ago. After my sellers have transformed their home to a product to sell, I ask them to answer some questions that no one else will know. I ask them to write a one-page Love Letter to a potential buyer. I frame this letter and place it above the sink in the kitchen. I always explain,” Nobody Knows Your Home Like YOU do”. As I have been using this sale tool for several years now, I give them several letters from past clients.
Topics included in the Letter May Include
When you purchased your home, there were things you really loved about it. Take a moment and list the things that most attracted you to purchase this home.
List some improvements you have made
What features a buyer may miss?
What are some of the best features of your neighborhood and community?
List advantages of location.
Think of any negatives and how you have learned they are positives.
Why are you moving?
Describe some of your best memories while living in the property.
End the letter inviting the new family to create memories in this home.
Only once did I have a seller refuse to write the letter until I gave him some samples and shared my success stories. The couple explained that they were too analytical…..actually they reminded me several times of their high IQ…and many more talents. I let them know that we must try to attract all types of buyers. I enjoyed the closing for several reasons but my favorite part was when the buyer explained after she read their letter above the kitchen sink, she knew this was the house they could make their home. It was sooooooo good when I wished my sellers good luck in their new home.
One of my favorite letters was written by an elementary teacher.
“Memories are made here. These are some of mind. It is the only home my grandchildren have ever known me to have. They love to come in the summer and harvest the crops. Picking zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, and more they fill their baskets. In the fall, raking and crunching, and flopping in big leaf piles is great fun. All seasons allow for riding scooters, and bikes in the long driveway and turn-around. Warm weather brings out the kayak, life jackets, and paddles. Paddling across Hoover, eating a picnic lunch, skipping rocks, exploring the nooks and crannies of the reservoir make a fun afternoon.”
“Most rooms offer a view of the water and the view is ever-changing. The angle of the sun id different, the clouds, the trees are all constantly changing. One of my favorite things is going to bed and almost not needing a light when there is a full moon. The moon shining on the water is spectacular!”
She ends the letter asking, “What memories will you create here?”
The following excerpt from a seller explained why living on a four-lane busy street was an advantage.
“It turned out that living on McCoy Road has its advantages in that our street is always cleared first on snowy days and when the weather is really wicked and knocks out the power we are on a mainline so our power is restored first. Another advantage of being on a well-traveled road is security. During our first year here we unintentionally left our garage door open at night. The next morning our belongings were still intact and we had a note form the police patrolman to inform un that we had left it open and kindly advised us to close the door in the future.”
Another seller adds some information that explains why living right outside of a historic district has some advantages.
“We have all the benefits of living in German Village (Book Loft, Schiller Park, the restaurants, address to downtown, Columbus Commons) with none of the drawbacks of living in a historic district which have enabled us to upgrade the windows and doors to increase energy efficiency with relative ease. We have the look and feel of living in a historic district with none of the hassle and that is priceless.”
I always learn more information from these letters that truly helps me market the property.