Dear Owner: I'm Not That Into Your Pad
By now you’ve probably read the Times article about negotiating for a home by sending a letter explaining a lowball offer; it’s been one of the top e-mailed stories on the paper’s web site for a couple days. In it, Rob Lieber drafts sample letters from both the buyer’s and seller’s sides. Apparently, epistolary haggling…
By now you’ve probably read the Times article about negotiating for a home by sending a letter explaining a lowball offer; it’s been one of the top e-mailed stories on the paper’s web site for a couple days. In it, Rob Lieber drafts sample letters from both the buyer’s and seller’s sides. Apparently, epistolary haggling is all the rage nowadays in places where the market’s tanked. Here’s part of the pretend buyer’s letter:
Dear Seller:
I’m writing to let you know that I would like to make a bid on your property. I love the area and am committed to buying a house nearby. And your home fits my needs. But given that my offer is well below your asking price, I also feel I owe you an explanation. First, consider the big picture. Nationwide, home prices in the first quarter of 2008 fell 14.1 percent compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index. That’s the biggest decline in the 20-year history of the data. And just in case you’re wondering, during the housing downturn of the early 1990s, the decline was never worse than 2.8 percent. Not only that, earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors pointed to the huge number of existing homes on the market. As of the end of April, the total number was 4.55 million. At the rate people are buying right now, that represents an 11.2-month supply. So buyers have options right now. A lot of them. I’m no different. Your home is great, but it isn’t unique…
Whoa! It’s a crazy letter-writing jungle out there. Anyone heard of this happening here?
Negotiating for a House? Start With ‘Dear Seller’ [NY Times]
Photo by The Fuzzy Squid.
SHUT UP BTG AND BIFF!
God, it’s only Monday morning and already you’re getting on my nerves. If only you guys were as funny as you think you are.
Biff…I actually though of Goldfinger when I first saw it as well or maybe Goldmember..so that’s Pushy Galore then?
I’m half Scottish and loved that accent.
But like Bold Type Guest says…we better get beck on topic here.
there is definitely a ficus tree growing from the pot, you can see one little ficus leaf near her toe.
Bold type guest (sorry about the BTG, I was taking far too many liberties), you’re right about the boots. I like the whole outfit – she looks like she just walked off the set of Goldfinger. Speaking of Goldfinger and mixing up Brownstoner items, perhaps this picture was meant for the Inside Third & Bond feature?
i think the connection is: what would a potential buyer’s letter to a homeowner sound like, if that potential buyer’s head was about as close as anatomically possible to being up her own a**?
I want to bring this discussion back on topic now lest we see a barrage of faded type guests denouncing this lovey dovey discussion.
JUST MAKE AN OFFER, NO F*&@$ING LETTERS!
Biff I looked closely and didn’t see any “shrubbery.”
Those boots were meant for walking, but maybe she wants to return them.
based on the shag rug, the textured carpet, and the groovy typewriter, I date this picture circa 1970 AD.
Biff..I’m not sure we have yet become friendly enough for you to be calling me by BTG. More importantly these days, no one wants to be reduced to an acronym IMHO. LOL