It’s no secret that the real estate market across the United States right now is hot, hot, HOT!

The market is so hot, in fact, that real estate might be the new dating market. Love letters are being written across the country, and they’re not from secret admirers—they’re from eager home buyers. 

“Love letters” are the latest controversy in real estate. If you have your heart set on a home, you may wish to send a letter to the property owners to share how much you love the home and why it will make for the perfect home for you and your family. However, this is not advised; in fact, love letters have been shut down in many states.

CNN reports that as the real estate market has grown more competitive in recent years, letters addressed to homeowners quickly evolved into “pick me” letters. Prospective buyers began including photographs and even videos in their letters. Letter templates became a popular item on Etsy for prospective buyers to add sophistication to their letters.

Vox reports that the National Association of Realtors warned that “buyer love letters” could open up realtors and clients to legal liability. The letter could reveal information about the prospective buyer’s familial status, religion, ethnicity, or medical history. 

Using protected characteristics as a basis to accept or reject an offer, as opposed to price and terms, would violate the Fair Housing Act.

— “The housing shortage makes housing discrimination much easier”, Vox

Those who have bought or sold in the California real estate market have likely heard of at least one real estate law firm in Orange County or Hollywood Hills, areas that have garnered even more real estate buzz thanks to reality TV shows “Selling Sunset” and “Selling The OC”. 

Read Gabriel L.‘s review of Burris Law on Yelp

“Selling Sunset” showcases real estate agents, brokerages, buyers, and sellers, giving audiences a glimpse of what really happens behind the scenes of a real estate negotiation. Some buyers are willing to go to great lengths to seal the deal on their favorite property, offering to buy the property with all-cash upfront and no contingency. While these terms are legal, they aren’t accessible to the average American home buyer. Most people do not have the cash reserves or don’t have the financial abundance to incur the risks of acquiring a home on the terms of waiving all contingencies.

Buying and selling a home is an intense experience, financially and emotionally. This is why laws exist to prevent bias that could lead to discrimination. Healthy competition in the real estate market should ultimately be a bidding war. The stakes are high for both the buyer and the seller, with sales and negotiations involving a high-value asset worth hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Offering anything other than the highest bid in an attempt to convince the seller of a home may not be legal in many states. 

If you are seeking legal counsel on matters involving real estate, you can give Burris Law a call today.

Burris Law
488 S Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866