Buyer Love Letters
As we all know, there has been a strong seller’s market for the past couple of years, which means we have been in a very competitive buyer’s market. Buyers are using all kinds of tactics to make their offers stand out, like waiving the appraisal contingency, not asking for home warranties, escalation clauses, agreeing to not ask for any repairs, and even waiving inspections (strongly not advisable, from our experience).
One other approach we have been seeing for a long time - but more so recently - is personal letters from the buyers to the sellers being submitted with the offer. Most often, these notes include expressing their love of the property, telling a little of their own personal story, and why the house would be so perfect for them. Some are even going as far as recording videos to stand out from the crowd! These personal appeals can and sometimes do make the difference in an offer being picked over several others - But in today’s litigious environment, even these seemingly sweet and harmless gestures can be wrought with potential legal peril.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, or familial status when buying or renting a home. These are known as protected classes. Recently, the state of Oregon banned these buyer “love” letters on the basis that they could be used by sellers to discriminate against these protected classes. The new law, which goes into effect in January 2022, states a seller’s agent must reject any communication other than customary documents from a potential home buyer, including photographs. These letters often paint a personal picture meant to tug at the heartstrings of a seller, but critics say they can also reveal information about buyers that could be used to discriminate against them or others, consciously or otherwise, in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Even something as innocuous as “We can see our kids running down the beautiful staircase on Christmas morning” can potentially open the door to discrimination against at least 2 protected classes - religion and familial status. New York has also recently passed restrictions on buyer letters.
In addition to potential problems for buyers and sellers, the Realtors are also at risk for being complicit in discriminatory acts merely by sending or presenting these personal appeals. FHA discrimination fines are imposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and they start at a very hefty $16,000 per incident. Keep in mind, too, that any fine levied is in addition to any civil lawsuit that may arise from a victim of discrimination.
We at The Kolb Team take Fair Housing matters very seriously. Arizona has not taken any steps regarding “buyer love letters” yet, but it is a topic of discussion in all Fair Housing continuing education classes, so it is likely the Grand Canyon State will be addressing this in the months to come. To serve our clients and communities better, we are going to be proactive on this subject. On all of our new listings, we will be including the following language in the MLS: “No buyer letters or videos will be presented with offers.” Additionally, we will be advising our buyers of the risk and potential downside of submitting letters or videos.
Another Shred-A-Thon Is Scheduled!
Mark your calendars for another Shred-A-Thon this fall:
When: October 23, 2021 8-11AM
Location: Near the Field of Dreams Sun Lakes, AZ
Inspection
The home inspection is one the most important stages of the purchase process. This limited, non-invasive examination assesses the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of it. These inspections are usually conducted by a trained and certified home inspector who has the knowledge and qualifications to perform this indispensable service.
A home inspector should:
- Search for any structural, mechanical, and / or other flaws in the property
- Inspect all heating, air conditioning, electrical wiring, plumbing, and other systems in the home
- Examine the exterior of the home (including roof, foundation, and chimney)
- Look at the attic and the home’s interior for proper venting and insulation, and test electrical outlets
- Test all appliances and plumbing fixtures to verify they are all in working condition
- Inspect all bathrooms for moisture and / or if it has affected the areas around the tub, shower, or sink
- Conduct termite inspection and pool inspection (if the property has a pool)
For more information, just email us at info@thekolbteam.com.
Searching for That Perfect Home?
When looking at pictures online, it can be tricky to figure out the layout of a home. We can help you with that! On our website, you can access the most popular floor plans in Sun Lakes, AZ. Just click the button below!
Not All Realtors® Are Created Equal!
When it comes to quality of service, The Kolb Team does more for you!
- Our team knows the local active adult communities better than anyone else because all of us live, work, volunteer, and play in Sun Lakes.
- We have a full-time licensed real estate assistant to help with all steps of the transaction to make sure you don’t miss any costly deadlines, avoid delayed closings, and reduce your stress.
- We forge relationships with our clients, and we go the extra mile to help with signing and we even drive our clients to appointments and more.
- Unlike other agents, we return all phone calls and messages promptly.
- We have a vast network of trusted and time-tested vendors for everything you need to prepare your house for sale, including repairs, and we help coordinate it all even if you are out of the area.
- We offer the most competitive commission rates in Sun Lakes.
- Other agents might offer discounts and little service. We offer the most competitive rates and never discount our service.
To us you are more than a transaction. Experience the difference!
Recipe of the Month
Amaretto Chicken
A summer recipe for the crockpot that allows you to enjoy slow-cooked flavors without heating up the entire kitchen!
Ingredients:
- 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp Madras curry powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1-10½ ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1-4 ounce can mushrooms (or use fresh)
- ¼ cup amaretto
- 1 tsp gravy master
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
- Mix flour, Madras curry powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a plastic zip-top gallon-size bag or large paper bag.
- Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts, then add them to the bag with flour and spices. Toss well to coat.
- In a pan over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Brown chicken quickly in hot oil.
- Transfer browned chicken to crockpot.
- Mix remaining ingredients together and spoon over chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Delicious served with rice!
Vendor of the Month
Wildcat Landscaping specializes in landscape installation, outdoor lighting solutions, irrigation systems, structures, masonry, custom designs, and more. If you’ve been thinking about installing or upgrading an outdoor kitchen, barbeque pit, ramada, or veranda, be sure to give them a call at 480-234-9368 or visit their website.
- Chandler buyers looking for a home in Oakwood with a pool, private yard, and 2.5 car garage.
- East Coast buyer looking for a home in one of the Sun Lakes gated communities. 2BR, 2BA with a den or office. Prefers it to be somewhat updated.
- California buyers looking for a home in one of the Sun Lakes gated communities. Desires 3BR and a pool.
- Tempe buyers looking for a home with 2+ BR, a private yard, and nice landscaping.
Tales from the Home Inspection Trade
As we outlined earlier, inspections are highly recommended for anyone looking to buy a home. It’s important to know what you’re getting into! After learning about some very interesting situations some on-the-job home inspectors have found themselves in, we’d venture to guess they feel the same way.
Goats are a common sight on Arizona properties, and this story offers a good tip – or at least an option for a self-defense mechanism when the often-horned “beasts” have you cornered… or ‘crawlspaced’!
Brought in to examine a century-old farmhouse, a home inspector slowly and carefully made her way, in modified Army crawl fashion, into the crawlspace. Everything was going as fine as it could (all things considered) until about 15 feet into her expedition when a sound coming from behind her got her attention. Quite understandably, she rather quickly shimmied herself around 180 degrees and found that a pair of goats squeezed themselves in behind her. They are very curious creatures and have an uncanny knack for finding mischief. The home inspector described the goats as medium-sized and was concerned about the animals thrashing around if their horns were to become entangled on the plumbing or if they felt cornered or inescapably confined. Needless to say, the pipes weren’t the only entities in that small area that could have gotten injured if a melee broke out. Her powerful flashlight in their faces and “screaming bloody murder” (as she put it) produced absolutely nothing except a “bored stare” from the goats, but her next idea was the winner.
In what must have been quite a sight to behold, she shrieked while charging at them! Well, she did as much “charging” as one can do in a crawlspace while utilizing elbows to propel forward with toes engaged for added speed – and the goats retreated, scrambling toward the daylight and out into open space. Neither the plumbing nor the home inspector sustained any damage, and even after too many crawlspace inspections to tally, in recounting the story, she stated, “I still sometimes glance towards the entrance and fear I’ll see a bored-looking goat staring back at me.”
See What Our Clients Are Saying!
“Your team showed us many styles of houses at the start allowed us to hone in on what we really wanted.”
Bob & Carol
- New York
We Are Committed to Helping End Polio Now!
We will donate $100 in your name to end polio around the world, when you list your home for sale with us!
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Real Estate Update
Wondering about your Neighbor’s Home Sales Price? Find out here to see what sold last month. The report is broken down by HOA, address, and floor plan (if the agent listed the model in MLS).