I don’t think a thoughtful & kind written note is ever unwelcome, I don’t think there is a downside to leaving a note

Not obnoxious. We receive multiple inquiries a month about selling our home. Just last evening my husband received a phone call asking him if he wanted to sell his house. The housing market everywhere is tight, so this is going to happen. Not sure why it was OK in NYC but not where you are now. Not interested toss it and forget about it

@jck910 Thanks for your feedback. I always think of NYC as a tight housing market where you have to hustle and get creative. I guess that is now true for everywhere else too.

They can rip it up if not interested but I would not find it rude , got nothing to lose

It's NYC, nothing is really obnoxious, lol. People will make what they will of it. I would do it, nothing to lose.

I got a call last week offering to buy my house. We talked for a half hour. Go for it. (I really should have asked what number he had in mind….naaaaahhhh. Not selling.)

What is tiresome are the flippers/investors trying to buy your property, I do get irritated by those calls, but if I got a note or letter from someone looking to be in the same building as their mother who is ill, that just pulled my heartstrings. If I was thinking of selling they would be first in line.

When I sold my home my neighbors tried to get it for the husbands sister and family. They wanted to be on the same street. It wasn't quite the right timing for them, but I gave them the opportunity to view before I put it on the market.

My niece just bought a home in NJ and the family decided to sell it to her vs a flipper/investor based on the letter she included with her offer. Hers wasn't the highest offer, but their elderly mom wanted someone to raise a family in the home that she raised her family in.

I agree with la_laGirl about the note.

But I hope you were kidding about the "dispora" outside of NYC. It's that kind of provincial thinking that makes the rest of the country bristle at New Yorkers. And I say that as a native New Yorker.

I had to look that word up…maybe clarify what you were trying to say?

Does this help clarify the issue?

"The work presents the view from Manhattan of the rest of the world showing Manhattan as the center of the world. The work of art is an artistic representation of distorted self-importance relative to one's true place in the world that is a form of perception-based cartography humor." (Italics mine.)

A well-written, sincere note is never offensive.

When I sold my well-preserved 1925 colonial during a peak selling season, the individual letters from buyers definitely impressed me. It’s the lack of handwritten notes in our digital world that makes a nice one so startling.

I believe it would be well received even if someone is not interested in selling.

I was serious about the diaspora. :) So much about house hunting and real estate there is so different that my non-NYC friends always say - you had to do WHAT? Hire an attorney in addition to having a realtor, were required to submit 12 references letters to approved by your coop? A NYC neighbor asked if we hired a good broker to find a rental in my mom and dad's town. (Not a thing in this non-NYC city.)

Some things about NYC are these same as everywhere else. But real estate is just so different, I seriously didn't know if writing a whole bunch of notes to these neighbors would be seen differently outside of NYC or not. Would it seem a creepy aggressive action or not.

I think my concern is that I'm leaving something under their door in their apartment, getting into the building because of our friends. It's pretty normal to get something under your door if you are in a house (unless it is a gated community) but didn't know if it seems obnoxious to get into a building to do that. But, from everyone's positive responses above, I think I'll go for it and see if something great pans out as a result!

I get annoyed by the texts and call from flippers/builders wanting to buy our "lot".

It hasn't been a "lot" since we built a house and moved in in 2022. If they just looked at google maps they could easily see it isn't a "lot"!

I wouldn't have a problem if I got a hand written note from a potential buyer, but we are in a gated neighborhood, so not likely to happen!

You also might want to look at the listings and sold property history in the building and see if there is one agent who gets most of the listings. We have 2 in my community and they get most of the listings and sales between them. They also have "pocket listings" that never get marketed and suddenly appear as sold.

What if you mailed them instead of putting them under the door?

I don't think putting them under the door or taping them to the door would be a bad thing. Use a nice stationary and tell them a bit of your story.

I also get stuff from flippers all the time and I don't like that.

You may also want to sign up with a local realtor so they can also keep an eye out for you.

Best of luck - and praying for a good outcome for your Mom!

I get letters from people fairly frequently stating that they'd like to buy my house. It's only the persistent ones that are annoying. There was one family who decided our house would be perfect for them. They sent a few letters and then they even sent the agent to speak to us (he apologized saying they asked him to). We just cheerfully said we had no interest in selling.

A polite note is fine, persistence is not.

I assume your friends are okay with it? You could mention you have friends in the building if you are concerned about them wondering how you got into the building. I would probably wonder.

Some states are "attorney" states for real estate closings. That is not just a NYC thing. The majority are title/escrow company closings which would explain why some people would not understand the hiring of an attorney.

A polite note is fine, persistence is not.

Good motto @Sigrid

I have reached out to three realtors: two have listings in the building with very undesirable units. The other has two listings that are under contract. I told them to let me know if something falls through with either one.

I live in the original homestead area for the Amish. It is about as different from living in NYC as you can get.

If the people in my town wouldn't be offended and it is something you would do in NYC I think it is safe to say that it isn't offensive.

I wouldn't have purchased many of my homes without sending letters or posting a notice. On highly desirable properties it's the only way buy a place. Saves money is the home doesn't have to be listed on the MLS.

The last time I did this I received a call from a neighbor who indicated their next door neighbor had cancer and wanted to make sure his wife sold their home after he died. I politely declined the referral. No one should make such important decisions when such a life changing situation is occurring. I found another family that was willing to sell to me.

I'd buy a small house, same city. . : ) What is the city out of curiosity?

We're talking full on competition and I'm here for it! Lol. A nice note might get attention but maybe give them a story to remember, especially since you have a unique need. Keep it short, but basically, you're acting as your own condo bounty hunter. Perhaps offer a finder's fee for any unit that contacts you and secures a sale. Money talks :)

As long as the note is polite and not rude, I don't think it's obnoxious at all. I think it's smart.

I think you’re right to ask. Hope everything works out for you and your mom. I recall you were very sensitive in your responses to some of my concerns regarding renovations on my home and my caregiving responsibilities. Always appreciated that. Wishing you the best.

I'd buy a small house, same city. . : )

@JAN MOYER - Stairs are the problem with houses here. It is a very hilly, old city with tons of stairs up to most houses, and 99% of the houses are vertical - laundry in the basement, bedrooms on the second floor. Ranches just aren't a thing here. The few I've seen all have 15 stairs or so leading up to them.

I'm not terribly old but have chronic tendonitis and stairs kill me. I looked at a few two story houses for rent and was in pain just from touring them. Plus, visiting my dog is getting my parents through this hard time. I want a stair free home that they can easily come to for some pet therapy since my dog can't visit them in their apartment.

And, while I hate some aspects of condo/coop living, for a home that I will not be living in full-time, I do think there are some great advantages to being in a condo/coop.

I reached out to the agents for two units that are already under contract in this building. I asked to reach out if either agreement fell through. One agent said the agreement was on the rocks. I put in a back up offer and it was accepted! We are now under contract.

There is a lot wrong with the unit, but I don't care. We have enough money to absorb any losses. Thank god!!!

Wow that is great news for you!

Kendrah, I'm so happy to hear this and I hope the sale goes smoothly. You are doing a very hard thing and I wish comfort and joy for your whole family as you go through this.

Congratulations! I look forward to your future thread on renovating and decorating your new unit.

Congratulations!

I live in a neighborhood in which tear downs are rampant. Right now, I’m one of only 5 original homes on my block. All other houses are mini mansions. I’ve had many offers to buy my house, almost all were essentially a mailed form letter that clearly were being sent to other properties. These went right into the recycling bin. I was, however, personally approached by someone who wanted to buy my house, and that has been the only one that I considered.

So yes, I don’t think a note is obnoxious.