love letters

Definition

Personal letters from buyers to sellers describing their emotional connection to a property and why they should be chosen. Technically discouraged for fair housing reasons, but still ubiquitous.

Example Usage

Against her agent's advice, she included a love letter detailing how the backyard was perfect for her kids.

Origin

Informal practice that intensified during competitive housing markets in the 2000s and 2010s

Fun Fact

Oregon became the first state to ban buyer love letters in 2022, arguing they enable discrimination based on protected characteristics.

Source: Modern real estate sales practices

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