An excerpt from Quartz:
http://qz.com/486677/buying-a-home-in-san-francisco-love-letter-now-required/
Balog has seen what she calls “love letters” written from buyers to sellers since she started in the business 15 years ago. But in the tech savvy environment, letters might not be enough anymore. In fact, her clients John and Kate Fenwick who work for Google and Liftopia, decided to set themselves apart by making a video. Well, they made the video, but their dog Cooper does the talking.
Very cute buyer video. Certainly a leg up from a letter. But still, as a seller, I would be looking for the best offer. 😀
I’ve had two examples this year that were on either end of the spectrum.
One seller was offended by the blatant attempt to manipulate a business transaction with a sappy emotional video – and the seller was a woman.
On the other end, I had a seller take the lowest of four offers due to the emotional connection – though she and the buyers had not met. The buyer noticed the Christian effects throughout the house, and left a letter that she was praying that the house would come her way. Her prayers were answered.
I have seen it all now…lol! People nowadays have way too much time on their hands it seems.
Money talks
When we lived in LA in 2001 we were up against 7 other offers on a house. We wrote a letter, and sent a bundt cake to the seller (a developer) – literally pleading our case at the time! He had 1 offer higher than ours but went with us, he says due to the cake!… But he did advise, a bottle of brandy would have been better. :). I have been pro letter ever since. And pro-alcohol, but that’s another story…