sample offer letter to purchase property

How to Write the Perfect Offer Letter to Purchase Property (Free Template)

You’ve finally stumbled upon the perfect property in an ideal location and are envisioning the launch of your dream vacation rental business. But here’s the catch—you’re not the only one who’s fallen in love with this home. Multiple offers are vying for the seller’s attention.

In this situation, you’ll want to ensure you’ve learned how to craft that perfect sample offer letter to purchase property. While there are other factors at play, the right offer letter to purchase property could turn your dream into reality or force you to resume your search for the perfect home.

So, how can you draft a winning property offer letter that captivates the seller without revealing too much personal information and sounding desperate? We can help!

Whether you’re looking to buy a vacation home for those summer getaways or an investment property to diversify your portfolio, we’ve got what you need. We’re about to provide you with a free house offer letter template and show you how to personalize it to make your offer stand out.

Download our free real estate offer letter template now and start your journey towards securing that dream property.


Don’t see the form to download our offer letter template? Click here.

What is a real estate offer letter?

A real estate offer letter is your chance, as a potential buyer, to tell the seller why you’re the ideal candidate to take ownership of their cherished home. It’s usually a written document, and it’s not unlike a cover letter to a resume when you apply for a job—it’s your one opportunity to make a lasting impression, both in terms of your offer’s value and your suitability as the buyer.

While every sample offer letter to purchase property will look slightly different, here’s a preview of what ours looks like, which you can download for free here.

Free real estate offer letter template

Why do I need a property offer letter?

While a competitive price is undoubtedly a significant factor when wooing the seller (especially in the current housing market), real estate transactions aren’t solely about money.

Many homeowners share a deep emotional connection to their properties, and they want to ensure their prized possession goes to someone who will cherish and look after them the same way they did. So while writing an offer letter for a house isn’t a legal necessity, it is your chance to convince the seller to consider your offer, even if it isn’t the highest.

Your property offer letter should strike a balance between professionalism and personal touch, showcasing your sincerity. Basically, it’s an opportunity to show the seller that their home will be in good hands.

What should you include in your house offer letter?

While there’s no fixed legal requirement regarding the contents of your letter of offer in real estate, most follow a standard format. Using a sample offer letter to purchase property can help ensure you cover all the essential bases for crafting an effective offer letter. Here’s what most free house offer letter templates include…

Typing a letter on a laptop

Personal details of the seller

This is the person whose property you want to buy and whom you’d like to impress, so we recommend you address your letter to the owner personally and include their physical address.

The bottom line

Although the vendor is probably already aware of the financial details of your offer, it’s essential to include the price you’re offering to pay for the property. You don’t need to worry about mentioning property taxes or other additional fees at this stage—just the bottom line, which is how much cold hard cash you’re offering to pay the seller.

When and how do you plan to pay

By informing the seller when you plan on paying what amount, you show them that you’re a serious buyer with a clear plan to finance your purchase. This can help reassure the owner that you’re a trustworthy buyer. It also just demonstrates that you mean business and that you have a plan in place should they accept your real estate offer letter.

Writing a check

Clauses of conditionality or exclusivity

If your offer will be subject to certain conditions or you’d like to negotiate a period of exclusivity, it’s important to include this information in your offer letter. For example, if your offer will be subject to a home inspection, mention this in your letter.

Offer validity date

By setting a validity date typically between 5 to 15 days, you encourage the buyer to make a decision quickly, avoiding the insecurity and headaches of a drawn-out bidding process.

Create a personal connection 

Share a bit about yourself and your enthusiasm for the property. Discuss what you appreciate about the home, how you envision your life there, and your excitement about joining the neighborhood. Find common ground to connect with the seller.

But play it safe. Now is not the time to mention your collection of pet snakes or that the home lends itself perfectly to all-night parties.

Cute walkup apartments

Show your appreciation for the home

Telling the owner how much you love their home by including some details you loved and what attracted you to the property in the first place adds a nice touch. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and complimented for their excellent taste. Of course, the caveat here is: Don’t overdo it and be genuine. Fake praise leaves a bad taste.

Try to relate to the owner

As with many transactions, establishing a personal connection with the seller could count in your favor. Make a mental note of anything you see during your home viewings that could help you connect with the owner. For example, if they have a dog, mention that you think the house will be perfect for your dog too.

What should you NOT include in your letter to buy a house?

By using a house offer letter template, you’ll not only sidestep common pitfalls but also ensure that your intention to purchase a home is conveyed effectively and professionally. However, let’s take a look at what you should definitely steer clear of when composing your letter to guarantee the best chance of success.

Too much information about your financial status

Avoid explaining the intricacies of your financial situation beyond the offer price and deposit. Excessive financial information can complicate negotiations and, depending on the circumstances of the purchase and how many details you give, can make it look like you’re hiding or overcompensating for something.

Any kind of criticism

Now is not the time to talk about how much you hate the wallpaper color or how you plan to knock out a few walls to make the house feel less cramped. Show appreciation for the home and avoid criticizing the owner’s style.

Contradictions

Even though the property offer letter isn’t a legally binding contract, you want to be sure that if things go well and you sign a purchase agreement, there are no surprises for the vendor. It could cause them to lose faith in you.

Man writing in legal book

Pushy or aggressive language

Yes, you’re trying to sell yourself—but avoid sounding too pushy or competitive. Try to persuade the owner that you’re the right person without criticizing the competitors or bragging about your financial situation. Remember, your letter is more about persuasion than a hard sell.

Avoid sounding desperate

Maintain your composure and confidence. Desperation can give the seller the upper hand.

FAQ about real estate offer letters

Take a look at any free sample offer letter to purchase property, and you’ll see that you can write this letter in various ways. The best way to write a successful one that makes your offer stand out from the crowd is to become an expert in writing offer letters. To help you with that, we’ve tried to answer some questions you may still have on the topic below.

Can a real estate offer letter be sent via email?

Although it’s standard to send a real estate offer letter as a physical document, most people accept email offer letters these days, too. Depending on who you’re working with, a written letter might convey more professionalism and respect.

Does a real estate agent need to be involved?

No, you can submit the home offer letter yourself. However, real estate agents bring market (and off-market) expertise and negotiation skills to the table, making their involvement worth considering.

Real estate agent

Is an accepted offer binding, or can the seller still walk away?

Once the seller accepts your offer to purchase a property, they can’t back out unless specific conditions are not met, such as a failure to pay the deposit or meet other contract stipulations.

Can you make an offer on a house that is under contract?

Absolutely. There are several instances when sales don’t go through. For example, when the payment conditions are not met. However, as explained above, the seller can’t consider an alternative offer while the property is still under contract.

Sample offer letter to purchase property

At Lodgify, our goal is to make your life as a vacation rental owner or aspiring property owner as effortless as possible. That’s why we work hard to provide you with all the tools you need to establish and manage your business. As promised, we offer a customizable sample offer letter to purchase property in PDF. Download it, make it your own, and set the wheels in motion for snagging your dream property.

Once you’ve secured the sale using our house offer template, and you’re ready to embark on your vacation rental business journey, explore our vacation software solutions to simplify the setup and management of your venture.


Don’t see the form to download our offer letter template? Click here.

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