"Pick me": Writing letters for homes could break the law
The National Association of Realtors says the letters could violate the Fair Housing Act.
The National Association of Realtors says the letters could violate the Fair Housing Act.
The National Association of Realtors says the letters could violate the Fair Housing Act.
If you're trying to buy a home around Omaha, you'll probably take any advantage you can get.
An old-school tactic could break the law. Some prospective buyers are writing letters to sellers.
So what are they writing about?
"What does someone like about your house, why [they would] be a good candidate for your house," Omaha Area Board of Realtors president Bill Swanson said. "You don't know if it's true or not."
It's a little T.M.I. and it could break the law, depending on where you live.
The National Association of Realtors says the love letters could violate the Fair Housing Act if it sways a seller.
The Omaha Area Board of Realtor's president says the trend in Omaha is waning. For example, Swanson says a hot property that garnered 26 offers only had four letters.
"I think that they've started to wane just because of the fever pitch of the market," Swanson said. "Many buyers are now trying to get their fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth offer accepted and maybe they just got weary."
Swanson says there's nothing illegal about furnishing a letter to go along with your offer. The seller isn't obligated to read it, but there's nothing illegal about it in Nebraska right now.
In the end, it's all up to you, because the realtor might not even read it—or it could put you ahead of a multi-offer situation.
"Put your best foot forward," Swanson said.