Posted:Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:50 PM CST
Please critique and/or improve my letter to renter
Many of you know, that I work as a real estate agent. I have been doing this for a number of years. I wanted to share the following letter that I e-mailed to renters that showed up to my open house on Sunday. I am doing this for 2 reasons. #1) I feel it has valuable information for all USA readers and #2) I am always open to suggestions for improvement. So, feel free to critique and/or make suggestions.
Hello,
it was very nice meeting you and your wife yesterday at (address of open house here) in (town). You seem like a very nice family (I only send this out to people I like) and I would absolutely love to help you obtain a home that is right for you.
I am very happy that you are on the road to owning your first home. I'm truly excited for you. It is an intelligent move and now is an EXCELLENT time for it. Interest rates are very low, prices are lower and it is still a buyer's market. It is critical that you start building equity and frankly the sooner the better. Let me explain why.
As you know, each month that you rent, is a total waste of money. Whenever you move, the only thing you can possibly get out of it, is your security deposit and a small bit of interest. You also have little control over your living situation. However, when you become a home owner, you get tremendous tax write-offs each year, improvements add more value to the home and over a long period of time the value of the home goes up by itself. Indeed, it often doubles in value during approximately a 10 year, or so, period.
So, think of real estate as a long term investment, because long term, it is a path to wealth. Just for a moment, think how many years you would have to work to SAVE $300,000 ?????? Probably forever, right ? But, lets say, that you own a home, that is worth $300,000 (or $500,000 or whatever) now. Lets say, that in the future it doubles in value (say $600,000 $1,000,000 or whatever) and you sell. Now, here's the best news;
for married couples the federal government charges NO taxes on $500,000 PROFIT !!!
So, you take the net sales price minus the price you paid and minus whatever improvements you paid for and (as a couple) you are allowed $500,000 profit - tax free !!! (for single people you are allowed $250,000 profit).
So, what really often happens is that the average person ends up making & saving a LOT more net money just from owning & selling their homes, than they do from working a job 5 days a week. Interesting, huh ???
I guess I got off on a tangent, but it's an important one, that I want you to realize. I didn't want to cover this at the open house, because I felt it was more important for you to focus on what the home offered. However, the application of the knowledge that I've covered here, can truly change your life.
The bottom line is, that I would love to help you find the home that is right for you and your wife. It will be my duty and my pleasure to help you. I enjoy helping people. Since I have a lot more experience than you in this regard, I can provide excellent help to you every step along the way and it doesn't cost you a cent to have me help you. Indeed, it is likely to help you save a LOT of money. My past clients and I have become good friends and if you like, I hope we will eventually do the same.
Now, I have three questions for you;
#1) Has anyone prePruepareporepreypurepyreperPRPrprPrenPrespeeprefpreppresprevOreorePERerePROPrupropryPRCPoepieDreareereirePr's-qualified you for a loan yet ?
This is a very important first step.
Please check with several loan officers and see what APR they are offering you.
This compares apples to apples.
Its not just the interest rate. The APR is the interest rate PLUS fees.