Neighborhood Letter

[AugustaREGroup]

I am considering selling my personal residence. Before I list it on the MLS I am thinking about sending out about 20-30 letters to the people on my street (similar to a pocket listing). Here is a rough attempt at a template I made.

<Letter>
Want to pick your next neighbor?

Hello <Neighbor>,

I am <your name>, and I live in <your address> down the road. I am also a Realtor® with <brokerage>. I have recently considered listing my home for sale, and wanted to let the neighborhood be the first to know. I have not listed my property on the MLS yet, but will be doing so in shortly. I wanted to tell you a little bit about my home in case you knew of someone that might be considering moving into our great neighborhood.

Address: <long property address>
Specifications: <home specifications: sq ft, beds, baths, features, etc.>


If you know of someone that might be interested in purchasing my home, or you have recently decided to buy or sell a home; please contact me at:

<name>
Cell <cell>
Email <email>
Fax <fax>

Also feel free to check out my website to contact me, or to view other properties listed for sale in <city>, <state>.
<URL>

Thank you for your time,

<signature>

<name>
<brokerage>
<brokerage address>
</letter>

I would look up any neighbor's names that I do not know with the tax maps, and probably just tape the letter in an envelope to the door.

Thoughts, tips, advice? TIA

[Toby Lane]

Just curious, did you ever do this? If so, how did it work out?

[Bob Crain]

I think it is a good idea, but I would state that the home is going into the MLS on ______ date (maybe a week after the letter goes out).

I have used something similar to this in Gated communities... You will be having a chance to Choose your new neighbor".

[AugustaREGroup]

@Toby - I actually forgot about this letter, because I was not as serious about selling my home. But I just made a list of my neighbors looking up the tax assessments.

Should I:
Mail them, stick them on the door, hand write the names, etc.

Any last suggestions on the letter? I put three pictures at the bottom of the page and kept it one page. I put 9 specs on 3 colums.
• 2190 sq. ft.
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 Bathrooms
• Brick Exterior
• Garage
• Hardwood Floors
• Large Deck
• Large utility room
• Tile in Kitchen

Anything else? Should I put the price?

TIA

[Toby Lane]

I think it is an interesting concept and it might just work. I would definitly mail them and hand address the envelopes. I like the part about here is your opportunity to choose your neighbor. Yeah, go ahead and throw out a price. Let us know how it works.

[Tim Shepard Destin]

What's the strategy?

If you aren't serious about selling your home, I'd probably not mail the letter. If you aren't serious, your price probably isn't either.

I sell 3+ homes per year in the neighborhood that I live in and no way would I give my neighbors some alternative ideas for marketing.

Afterall, if that's how I market my own house, why shouldn't they do the same thing?

If the neighborhood you live in isn't one of your farm areas, then I'd just stick a sign and some flyers in the yard and wait a week before entering in the MLS (if thats ok in your area).

[AugustaREGroup]

I am very serious about selling my house. Just considering strategies before listing it on the MLS

[GreenBayRealtor]

What does it really cost you to send it out. It's worth a shot try it out even if it lets your whole neighborhood what you really do!

[dmyre]

Interesting concept. I especially like the verbiage of "Want to pick your next neighbor?"
Try to track the results, and let us know how it goes...

[Byronamus]

That is a very interesting concept, I would also like to know how it turns out.