- The Anatomy Of A House Offer Letter
- Tips To Make Your Offer Letter Stand Out
- 3 Home Offer Letter Templates
In the world of real estate investing, the art of persuasion is key to opening doors and closing deals. As Dale Carnegie, the master of winning friends and influencing people, once said, "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
In that spirit, using well-crafted offer letter templates can be a game-changer when it comes to securing a home for your investment portfolio. In this blog post, we'll explore the anatomy of a house offer letter and provide you with three templates that will help your offers stand out from the competition.
The Anatomy of a House Offer Letter
Before we dive into the templates, it's essential we go over the basic structure and elements that make up a winning house offer letter.
Opening Greeting: Always begin your letter with a warm and friendly greeting, addressing the seller by name if possible.
Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, and express your interest in the property. Make sure to mention the specific aspects of the home that caught your eye.
Offer Details: Clearly outline the terms of your offer, including the purchase price, closing date, and any contingencies.
Personal Touch: Share a bit about yourself, your intentions for the property, and why this particular home appeals to you. This personal connection can help the seller see the value in working with you.
Closing And Contact Information: End your letter with a sincere thank you, and provide your contact information for any follow-up discussions.
Tips to Make Your Offer Letter Stand Out
With multiple offers often competing for the same property, it's crucial to make your offer letter memorable. Here are some tips to ensure your letter stands out from the pack:
- Be genuine and honest in your approach, avoiding overly salesy language.
- Keep your letter concise and to the point, making it easy for the seller to review.
- Use persuasive language to highlight the benefits of your offer.
- Emphasize your flexibility and willingness to work with the seller on their terms.
- Include the below 5 components in your offer package to show the property owner you’re a professional, and that they don’t need to worry about any hitches in the sale process.
Here Are 5 Things You Need To Include In Your Offer Package
1. Purchase And Sales Agreement
The legal contract detailing the sale of a property. The purchase and sales agreement details the following information:
- Buyer, Seller, and Real Estate Agents involved in the transaction
- Address and legal description of the property
- Offer price
- The amount of earnest money you will submit and who will hold it
- Closing and possession dates
- Any special terms or contingencies such as a mortgage contingency
2. Comparables
Pull comparables to support your offer. Submit at least 3 comparables for houses that are currently on the market or have sold in the last year (at the most) that are in the same price range as your offer and are very similar to the property that you are trying to purchase.
The purpose of submitting comparables with your offer is to show that you’re not “lowballing” the seller, but are giving them a fair price for the property.
Ideal comparables:
- Are in the same development or within 1 mile
- Have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms
- Have similar square footage and lot size
- Have the same number of garage stalls
- Have a similar basement, finished or unfinished
- Are currently on the market or have sold within the last year
3. Repair Estimate
A repair estimate is an itemized report showing the repairs that need to be made to a property to be able to live in it or sell it, and includes all interior and exterior material costs.
It is critical to accurately estimate the repairs that a property will need before you make your offer so you don’t overpay. A repair estimate will also support your offer and will help the seller see how you arrived at the purchase price.
A repair estimate also shows that you are taking a vested interest in the house. Include all interior and exterior repairs that need to be made to the property. Include labor and material costs and don’t forget the yard if there’s any major work that needs to be done to get the house in salable condition.
If you’re looking for help on getting started with estimating repairs, make sure to check out Realeflow’s free repair estimator.
4. HUD-1
A HUD-1 is a standard form which itemizes services and fees charged during a real estate transaction. It gives the buyer and seller a detailed picture of incoming and outgoing funds and should always be submitted with your offer. This gives the seller a quick snapshot of the net amount that they can expect to receive if they accept your offer.
This will not be the final HUD-1 that is used at closing, but will be a good place to start so both seller and buyer have an idea of what to expect out of the transaction. Typically an agent for the title company who is handling your closing will complete the final HUD-1, which is used at closing.
5. Funding
Always submit proof of funds with your offer. This will indicate to the seller that you are a good candidate who will be able to close and won’t have problems funding the deal.
Traditional Mortgage Pre-approval
If you’re taking out a traditional mortgage, submit your pre-approval letter. Again, this will indicate that you're a serious buyer who has done their due diligence and won't have problems with funding and closing.
Proof Of Funds
If you’re using cash, submit a proof of funds letter from the bank stating that you have the amount of money available in your account needed for the purchase. This letter should be on bank letterhead, signed by a bank official.
Indicating to the seller that you are not a closing risk due to funds will almost always sway them in your direction, especially if your offer is competing with another offer and no proof of funds has been submitted by the other party.
3 Home Offer Letter Templates for Real Estate Investors
Template 1: The Enthusiastic Investor
[Opening greeting],
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I'm a passionate real estate investor who recently had the pleasure of viewing your property at [Property Address]. I was immediately captivated by [specific features of the home] and can envision it being the perfect addition to my investment portfolio.
I am excited to present you with an offer of [Purchase Price], with a desired closing date of [Closing Date]. This offer is contingent upon [any applicable contingencies]. [Briefly describe any additional terms or conditions here.]
As an investor, I am committed to maintaining the character and charm of your home, and I believe in fostering a sense of community within the neighborhood. I am confident that my plans for the property align with the values that make this community so special.
Thank you for considering my offer. Please feel free to reach out to me at [Your Contact Information] if you have any questions or would like to discuss my proposal further.
Warmest regards,
[Your Name]
Template 2: The Flexible Investor
[Opening greeting],
My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to express my strong interest in your property at [Property Address]. I was truly impressed by [specific features of the home], and I believe it presents an exceptional opportunity for my real estate investment goals.
I am pleased to submit an offer of [Purchase Price] for your consideration, along with a proposed closing date of [Closing Date]. My offer is contingent upon [any applicable contingencies]. [Briefly describe any additional terms or conditions here.]
As an experienced real estate investor, I understand that the selling process can be complex and emotional. That's why I am committed to working with you to ensure a smooth transaction. I am open to discussing any adjustments to the terms of my offer that might better suit your needs and preferences.
I truly appreciate the time and effort you've invested in maintaining such a remarkable home, and I look forward to the possibility of continuing that legacy.
Thank you for your attention, and please do not hesitate to contact me at [Your Contact Information] if you have any questions or would like to explore my offer further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Template 3: The Pre-Approved Investor
[Opening greeting],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a real estate investor who recently had the opportunity to visit your beautiful property at [Property Address]. I was particularly struck by [specific features of the home], and I am confident that this property would make an excellent addition to my investment portfolio.
I am thrilled to present you with an offer of [Purchase Price], and a proposed closing date of [Closing Date]. I am pleased to inform you that I have been pre-approved for financing, which should expedite the process and provide you with peace of mind. My offer is contingent upon [any applicable contingencies]. [Briefly describe any additional terms or conditions here.]
In addition to my financial readiness, I am committed to making this transaction as seamless as possible for both parties. I have a strong track record of successful real estate investments and collaborations, and I am excited about the prospect of working with you to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
Thank you for considering my offer. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the details further, please feel free to reach out to me at [Your Contact Information].
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
The Takeaway:
Landing deals is about more than just having a good eye for investing. It’s about being able to understand what makes people tick and tailoring your offer letter to address their specific pain points.
But when it comes to having a good eye for investing - and you need a tool by your side to help you find the best deals, Realeflow is what you’re looking for. Grab a 7-day free trial here!