Why It’s Time to Dump Home Buyer Love Letters
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.
In today's hot housing market, buyers feel pressure to bring their A-game. Besides making their "highest and best” offers, some eager buyers go an extra step and include a personal letter in hopes of winning the seller's heart.
"We're newlyweds and your house will be a perfect place to start our family!"
"Our kids will love the backyard!"
"We look forward to walking to church from your house!"
Home buyer love letters, as they're known in the real estate industry, may seem benign on the surface. But greasing the wheels of a home sale with a letter that includes certain personal characteristics can open the door to housing discrimination.
Here are reasons to steer clear of buyer love letters and focus on making — or choosing — the best offer instead.
Fair housing law and buyer love letters
The federal Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for home sellers, real estate agents and other housing-related service providers to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or disability. Many states and local governments also have fair housing regulations that include additional protected classes such as age, gender identity, sexual orientation or military status.
It's not against the law for a home buyer to write a personal letter to the seller. But some buyer love letters can invite sellers to unwittingly violate fair housing laws.
"A theme behind a lot of love letters is 'pick me...