Hi Kimberlee,
Writting a heart bio only works with traditional sellers (standard sale), short-sales they usually are guided by their listing agent and REOs banks don't care. Banks look at the bottom line $$$$$$$.
You can have the best heart bio, but highest and best usually wins.

Best Regards,

Jes Sierra, B.Sc.
Realtor®
Chino Hills, CA

Knowing a bit of background on the house you're writing an offer on will give you some hints on what may appeal to the seller.

Sometimes, it's not about you....but about THEM.

I listed house where the family raised 13 children --- every child had distinct memories about their ancestral home and were very emotional about letting it go.

The buyers knew about this from hearing me tell the story during open house. So when they wrote their letter, they spoke of their new baby, of creating new memories for THEIR family, and they hope that they will fill this home with love just as the 13-children family did. They spoke of how the 13-children family had done nice things to the house, and that this new family will do their best to match the love and care they bestowed upon their house.

Because of that letter, the sellers/executors chose their offer above the others. And the sellers told me that they were touched by that letter because the buyers understood their pain of letting go.

Good luck with your letter and your offer!

In addition to telling the seller about yourself be sure to tell them why you like their home, sellers can be very attached to the property they are selling and want to know that the buyer feels the same way. I would add that you are looking at their home as a long term commitment not a short term investment. As for templates for letters I have not seen any samples on the internet but ask your agent (or call me if you don't have an agent:)) for samples and that can guide you as well.

Good luck

Troy

HI Kim,
Jean was right and Carl's information is very helpful to help you as a guideline to create a good letter from the heart. Just write what you were thinking when you decided to make the offer on the property, how much it means to you if you become the new owner and how much you will enjoy to be in the house now and for the years to come. Most sellers are attached to their home emotionally. They will be glad if someone like them will take good care of the house once they sell it. Good luck.

Kimberlee:

We use these all the time – IF we are making an offer on a normal property. If we are offering on a short sale or an REO, we don’t bother – asset managers and banks don’t want to have any extra (superfluous) documents in the offer package. The inclusion of a bio will annoy them, not give them a reason to accept your offer. For them, it’s all about the numbers.

I ask the buyers to write a bio stating:

1. Who they are,
2. Where they grew up,
3. Education,
4. Current jobs,
5. Family details that they feel might be important to a seller,
6. Why they can’t live without this specific house (the more specific this can be the better).

We also ask for a picture that has some emotional content to it: a wedding picture, family outing – something more than just a Wal-Mart family photo. I then take these elements and create a nice looking document that showcases the picture and comments. I use MS Publisher to put the whole thing together so it has a bit of class. I also change the property details for each property we may write on so it looks like the letter was created with a specific home in mind.

These work: we’ve come back to view the home during the escrow period (for property inspections, measurements, etc.) and found the bio taped to the fridge or some other conspicuous place in the house. It’s very easy to say “NO” to a stack of contract documents; not so easy to dismiss a picture of a young, smiling couple beaming at them from a photo from their wedding.

I can send you samples if you'd like.
.

Hi Kimberlee

I agree with Jean- just speak from your heart. Don't look for a website for help - just tell how you feel about the house - what your first impression was, and why you fell in love with it. Sellers often want to feel an emotional connection with the buyer, especailly if the seller has lived in the home for a long time, and raised their family there.

Obviously, even the best "intro-letter" won't trump a low or weak offer, but it just may make the difference if competing offers are similar.

Good luck - hope it all works out for you!
Best wishes...
Debbie Rose
Prudential NJ Properties

I tell my buyers to write from their heart. Talk about their family, pets, how much they like the home and how perfect it would be for their family. Tell them about their jobs or if one parent stays home with the children. Photos are great to include in the letter. I have never seen any webites with samples as the buyers need to tell their own story. If buyers wrote letters from samples, then it would not be sincere and the seller would be able to see right through it. Just tell the seller how you feel about their home and why it would be the right home for your family.