Submitting Creative Bids in the Spring Market Frenzy

It's that time of year again. The spring market is in full swing and crowds of buyers are fighting over their dream house—or at least the closest thing to it, considering this year's nationwide inventory shortage isn't leaving many options. So, what does that mean? For the most part, higher prices, more competition, and a whole lot of bids.

Listings in good condition and desirable neighborhoods tend to get multiple offers this time of year, and buyers are putting forth their strongest submissions—cash offers, over-asking, fast closings, no contingencies, etc. But creativity is the name of the game in this year's competitive market. Buyers are inspired to win over the seller's emotional side. Here are the latest home-buying trends for beating out the competition in a swarming spring market:

Love Letters to Sellers with Offer

While they've been around for a while, they're getting a lot more popular, being used by buyers as a last-ditch effort to win via the seller's emotional attachment to the home. Most letters talk about favorite design choices the seller incorporated and proclamations that the home is "the one" after a long and tough home search. Letters usually tell the seller that the buyer is serious and willing to take care of the home. Depending on the seller's personality, it's a toss-up, but it may not hurt to try. 

Something to consider before taking the time to write a letter to the seller is the risks involved. Some listing agents are discussing how the seller would like to handle receiving letters from interested parties on the front end. In a litigious society some sellers may not be willing to read or receive letters from buyers as it could be construed by interested parties as a form of discrimination if the letter discloses the letter writers age, familial status, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected classes. Sellers could be accused of being biased toward or away from a letter writer and may instruct their agent against giving them the letter so their decision is made solely on the terms of the offers at hand. 

Personal Video to Sellers

These are a little newer, emerging after YouTube's digital push into vlogging, or video blogging. While they can come off as cheesy, they are a little more personal than handwritten letters, because sellers will feel like the potential buyer is talking directly to them.



According to REALTOR® Magazine , a couple recently won a bid on their dream home by making a music video to "Our House," which just so happened to be the song the sellers sang to each other when they first lit the fireplace in their home. The connection instantly won the sellers over, beating out another offer that was $20,000 over the buyers' submission.

Before writing and sending any letters or videos be sure consult your agent and/or attorney to help avoid any phrases that could endanger your transaction. As with letters buyer videos could be even more difficult to remove any remnants of a protected class that is naturally part of each individuals life. 

If you don't have a great agent helping you navigate the minutia and details of buying or selling your home with the needed speed for today's market, give us a call! 336-265-7253