3 Potent Examples of a Real Estate Letter to Potential Sellers
Real Estate Letter to Potential Sellers — Three Potent Examples
Selling real estate isn't easy. It may come as a shock, but sales letters sent through the mail are still an effective tactic for successful real estate agents. But it shouldn’t be surprising. Real estate agents build relationships first and sell homes second. Selling a home is a high-dollar situation. Before agents can expect to land a prospective seller, they need to build trust — both in their abilities and in their character.
Less personal strategies aren’t nearly as effective. For example, those ubiquitous “thinking of selling your home” flyers seen plastering telephone polls only work when the prospect is desperate to sell. For the majority of potential sellers, the personal approach, like a sales letter, is the better option.
Particularly in today's hyper-competitive real estate market, real estate agents need tactics that make them stand out from individual and institutional investors. They need a marketing strategy that focuses on their local market and establishes them as a trusted resource. Prospective clients aren't going to give their business easily, and experienced realtors need to prepare themselves for that.
The amazing news we're sharing here is that real estate prospecting letters — a type of direct mail campaign — build trust more effectively because they feel like a personal conversation as opposed to a faceless marketing piece. Each sample real estate letter to potential sellers featured here can be used as-is or edited to your liking. These should serve as a jumping-off point or your own prospecting letters.
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Letter to Potential Sellers Need to be Personalized
This is a critical point. Real estate prospecting letters work when they feel like they’ve been written specifically for the prospect. When this is the case the letter feels more like the beginning of a conversation and less like a sales tactic. And the best way to deliver a personalized sales letter is to handwrite it.
For one, handwritten letters are far more likely to be opened, which is the first hurdle. Most people immediately recycle sales letters, assuming they're junk mail. Having a handwritten address on the front of your envelope will pique people’s interest. And if the letter inside is handwritten as well, there’s a very good chance they’ll read it.
The warmth of a handwritten card works in your favor as well. It demonstrates that you’re someone that is willing to go the extra mile for your clients and that you recognize the value in personal touches. Owning property is a big responsibility, so selling it requires a real estate agent familiar with the present market and how to find qualified buyers. Handwritten marketing efforts demonstrate that you have the skill and determination to land potential buyers and get the best asking price.
Or course, handwriting hundreds of real estate letters isn’t feasible on your own, which is where Simply Noted comes in. Our real ballpoint pen handwriting machines can replicate your handwriting for a truly authentic experience. All you have to do is send us the text to include in your letters and the addresses to mail them to, and we’ll send out sales letters that will connect with your prospects.
Start With Friends and Family For Seller Leads
If you’re a new real estate agent it can be helpful to get the word out to your warm market, those people you know well. You already have a base of trust established with them so they can be a helpful resource, both as prospective sellers and for word-of-mouth advertising.
To reach more potential clients, make this real estate prospecting letter as personal as you can. You know things about these people. Use that knowledge to demonstrate you aren’t sending out a generic sales message. Here’s an example.
Dear Jill,
How are things? I hope this letter finds you well. It’s been too long since we had the opportunity to talk. How are Bob and the kids? I heard through the grapevine that Jimmie got a baseball scholarship. That’s great news!
I’ve got a bit of good news, too. I just got my real estate license! I’m working with Coldwell Banker and I’m excited to get things moving. I may be a new agent, but I've got substantial resources behind me. I recently sold a difficult property, and it was all due to my training and my firm's market position.
If you’re ever in the market to sell your home, give me a call. I have a dedicated support staff behind me, and with their help, there's a good chance we could get multiple offers on your house and a quick sale.
I’d love the opportunity to talk with you about what my office can do for you. If you have friends in the market please feel free to pass my contact information on to them, too. I’ve included a few business cards.
Please keep me in mind. I hope to catch up with you soon!
With kind regards,
Steve
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
SEE ALSO: HANDWRITTEN NOTES | REAL PEN. REAL INK. REAL IMPRESSIONS.
Coming to the Potential Seller Relationship With a Buyer
When mailing real estate prospecting letters to potential sellers, bringing a buyer to the table can be a strong starting position. Knowing that there’s an immediate market for their home can inspire fence-sitting recipients to take the leap. However, it’s important to give specific details about your buyer, lest your potential seller assumes you’re making them up as a sales tactic.
Include in your real estate prospecting letter the reasons why your buyer might be interested in your prospect's real estate. Your letter will be more effective because your reader will understand that you aren't misrepresenting the situation and that it's their house specifically that your buyer is interested in.
Dear homeowner,
Nice to meet you! I’m Steve Benson, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Your home is located in one of the neighborhoods I represent regularly and I currently have a buyer that’s looking for a home there.
They’re married with three kids, the oldest just entering high school. They’re interested in making the move before he gets established in his school, so they want to purchase something quickly. Your home is in their desired school district, has the four bedrooms they’re looking for, and has a number of other amenities I think they’ll appreciate.
If you’ve been giving any thought to selling, now would be a great time! My buyer is ready to move quickly. Give me a call or drop me an email. My contact details are below and my business card is attached.
If you aren’t looking to sell but know someone in a similar neighborhood that is, please feel free to forward my information on to them. I’m happy to give you and them a free property analysis as a way of saying thanks!
Hope to talk to you soon!
Sincerely,
Steve
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
Championing a Recent Home Sale
Using a recent sale to motivate similar buyers is an excellent strategy to include in a real estate prospecting letter. It establishes your credibility instantly and demonstrates your ability to move property in your prospect’s market. This tactic is useful for new agents and established operators. All that's required is that you sold a piece of real estate recently.
Be careful not to brag. Use a professional tone and talk less about yourself and more about how you can help your prospect reach his or her real estate financial goals. You might say:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone,
I’m Steve Benson, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Nice to meet you! I hope this letter finds you doing well. I thought you might be interested to know about a sale I recently made in your neighborhood.
Last month I represented the Middletons, a young family that was looking to move closer to the wife’s family. She had a job opportunity nearby and the prospect of living near her kid’s grandparents made the move a no-brainer. I’ve attached the listing for your review.
They imagined they’d get in the neighborhood of $350,000 for their home, and they would have been happy with that, but we managed to get a few people interested and they started a bidding war. By the end, their home sold for $425,000. Pretty good sale price for a property in your neighborhood, wouldn’t you say?
It’s a great market for sellers right now, as your neighbor’s home demonstrates! If you’re interested in finding out how much you might be able to get for your home, please give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to give you a free property analysis and discuss your options. I have several potential leads on buyers, so there’s no better time than the present!
Hope to talk to you soon!
Sincerely,
Steve
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
SEE ALSO: HANDWRITTEN BUSINESS LETTERS: HOW THEY CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS
Bonus Real Estate Prospecting Letters You Can Use!
The previous three prospecting letters are useful in a myriad of situations, but sometimes you need a different angle. That's where these bonus letters come in! Try an additional prospecting letter below if you need something a bit different.
Using a Prospecting Letter to Advertise an Open House
Open houses are one of the most common ways to sell real estate. Whether you're a new agent or someone established, these gatherings can bring dozens of possible buyers into contact with the property simultaneously.
If you're hosting one, send out a prospecting letter to all of the neighbors to let them know. Be sure to include the date, time, and location of the event in your letter. Also, include a few details about the property you're selling. You might say:
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this letter finds you well! I’m excited to let you know that I’ll be hosting an open house this weekend in your neighborhood. The date, time, and location are all included below. The property we're selling is a beautiful single-family home with a secluded, wooded lot and plenty of space for a growing family. If you have any friends, family members, or acquaintances looking to purchase a house nearby, this could be the home they're looking for!
I hope you can make it! This is a great opportunity to check out the property and see if it might be a good fit for your favorite people. I’ll be available to answer any questions they might have about the home or the neighborhood. I have satisfied clients all over the area and I hope to add you as well!
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Sincerely,
Steve Benson
[Open house details]
Introducing Yourself During a Seller's Market
When the market favors sellers there's a good chance you'll be able to get your prospects the most money possible for their property. Use that fact to drive business to your company name. Many agents use this strategy to find a potential seller, while other agents get left behind.
You'll find dramatically more new leads during a sellers market when you point out the advantages. Be specific — if your real estate prospecting letter doesn't adequately express the value of selling when more people want to buy, you may not get the results you were hoping for.
Dear Mr. Smithson,
If you're reading this, chances are good that you own a home in our fine city. And if that's the case, then you're in luck! Our market is currently favoring sellers and you could get a great price for your home. Not only will your property earn a premium, but will also likely sell very quickly!
I'm writing to let you know that I'm a licensed real estate agent with ABC Realty, an affiliate of Coldwell Banker. We're a locally owned and operated company with a great reputation in the community. I'm confident that I can get you the best price for your home, and I'd be happy to provide you with a free market analysis to prove it.
I know that you have a lot of options when it comes to selling your home, so I'd appreciate the chance to earn your business. I'll be available anytime to answer any questions you might have.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Steve Benson
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
Procuring Referrals From Former Clients
Referrals are gold in the real estate business. They're the lifeblood of any agent's business, and most agents get the majority of their clients through referrals from happy past clients.
There are a few ways to go about getting referrals from former clients. You could send them a handwritten letter (the best choice), or an email. You could even call them on the phone (although that can be a little more difficult).
No matter which method you choose, be sure to make it as easy as possible for them to refer you. In your letter, include a pre-written referral card with all of your contact information on it. That will make it as easy as possible for them to refer you to their friends and family members.
Dear Ms. Swanson,
Thank you for choosing me to help you sell your home! I enjoyed working with you and I'm confident that I was able to get you the best price possible.
I hope you've been enjoying your new home! If you're ever in the market to buy or sell a home again, please don't hesitate to call on me. I would love to help you out!
If you know of anyone who might be interested in buying or selling a home, please don't hesitate to refer them to me. I would appreciate it! Referrals save me time-consuming marketing efforts and help me grow my business to offer better service to my clients. If I make a sale, I'm happy to share the wealth with a nice referral gift!
Thank you again for choosing me, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Steve Benson
[CONTACT INFORMATION]
Let Simply Noted Make Your Prospecting Letters Truly Special
Simply Noted is simply the best way for real estate professionals to get the word out. We can craft personalized real estate sales letters in whatever quantity you require, all handwritten with real ballpoint pens by our handwriting machines. Send dozens, hundreds, or thousands of personalized, handwritten real estate letters or cards as easily as you would an email. You can even link your CRM with our servers through our convenient integrations, allowing you to apply modern marketing workflows to your handwritten real estate prospecting.
Worried that automated handwriting won't be convincing? Don't be. We've developed groundbreaking smart fonts, called Infinity fonts, that perfectly replicate the subtle variations in letter shape, sizing, and spacing, found in real handwriting. We've fixed the problems with standard handwriting fonts to create the most convincing automated handwriting experience possible! We can even replicate your handwriting for the ultimate in true personalization.
Add a hand-addressed envelope and you’ll have prospects pinging you around the clock. Simply Noted brings out the true power of a real estate prospecting letter. If you're looking for a way to take your real estate prospecting letters to the next level, consider using Simply Noted. We can help you create personalized, handwritten letters that will stand out from the competition and help you close more deals. Give us a call to find out more today!