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12 free seller letter templates

Plain letters to send to owners of houses that may sell: unpaid tax, an inherited house, an owner who lives far away, an open city repair case, a house that looks empty and more. Copy or print any letter, follow the short do and do-not list, and fill the details in the app.

Behind on property taxes

For: Owners with unpaid county tax

Dear {first_name},

The county records show unpaid property tax on {property_address}. If the tax bill has become a burden, you have options, and selling before penalties grow is one of them.

I buy houses as-is and can pay off the back taxes at closing, so you walk away with cash instead of a growing bill.

Call or text me at {my_phone} for a no-pressure offer.

Sincerely,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Say that the back tax can be paid at closing.
  • Write to the owner by name, at the mailing address.
  • Offer a clear, no-pressure way to say no.
Do not
  • Do not threaten to take the house or hint that you work for the county.
  • Do not print the amount owed unless you are sure it is current.
  • Do not promise a price before you see the house.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Facing foreclosure

For: Owners with a foreclosure case or sale notice

Dear {first_name},

Public records show a foreclosure filing on {property_address}. You may still have more choices than it feels like, and selling before the sale date is one of them: it can protect your credit and the equity you have built.

I buy houses as-is and can close quickly if the timing matters. A free HUD-approved housing counselor can also explain every option to you.

If you would like a no-pressure offer, call or text me at {my_phone}.

Sincerely,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Mention a free HUD-approved housing counselor.
  • Be calm and respectful: these owners are under stress.
  • Say plainly that you are a buyer, not the lender or the court.
Do not
  • Do not use the words "save your home" as a promise.
  • Do not make the letter look like a court or bank notice.
  • Do not pressure anyone to sign before they have read a contract.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

City repair orders

For: Owners with an open code-enforcement case

Dear {first_name},

City records show an open code case on {property_address}. Repair orders come with deadlines and fines, and fixing everything is not always worth it.

I buy houses as-is, including the repairs the city has asked for, so the case stops being your problem.

Call or text me at {my_phone} for a simple offer.

Sincerely,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Name the kind of problem only if the city record is clear.
  • Say that you buy the house as it is, repairs included.
  • Keep the letter short.
Do not
  • Do not suggest that you can make the case go away with the city.
  • Do not copy the city's letterhead.
  • Do not mention fines you have not checked.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Inherited house

For: Heirs who now own a house

Dear {first_name},

I'm sorry for your loss. I noticed the property at {property_address} passed to your family {passed_when}, and I know that handling a house is one more thing on a long list.

If you are thinking about selling, I can buy it as-is: no repairs, no clean-out, no agent fees, and a closing date that suits you and the other heirs.

If now is not the right time, please keep this letter. When you are ready, call or text me at {my_phone}.

With respect,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Start with sympathy, in one sentence.
  • Wait a few weeks after the deed is recorded.
  • Offer to work with all the heirs on one date.
Do not
  • Do not mention how or when the person died.
  • Do not write to companies or trusts: this letter is for people.
  • Do not rush: heirs need time.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Estate being settled

For: Executors and families of an estate

Dear {first_name},

I'm sorry for your family's loss. Public records show that the estate that owns {property_address} is being settled, and I know the house is one more job for the person who has to settle it.

If the family would rather sell than clear out, repair and list the house, I can buy it as-is, with no repairs, no clean-out and no agent fees, and I will work around the court's timeline.

If this is not the right time, please keep this letter. You can reach me at {my_phone} whenever you are ready.

With respect,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Write to the person who handles the estate, if the record names one.
  • Say that you work around the court's timeline.
  • Say that nothing is needed from them today.
Do not
  • Do not pretend to know the family.
  • Do not ask for a decision in the first letter.
  • Do not use words like "urgent" or "last chance".
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Long-time owner

For: Owners of 15 years or more

Dear {first_name},

You have owned {property_address} for {years_owned} years. If you have thought about downsizing, moving closer to family, or simply not dealing with upkeep any more, I would like to make you a fair offer.

I buy as-is and you choose the closing date.

Call or text {my_phone} whenever it suits you.

Warm regards,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Use the real number of years they have owned the house.
  • Keep a warm, plain tone.
  • Offer to let them pick the closing date.
Do not
  • Do not assume they are old or sick.
  • Do not say their house is outdated.
  • Do not promise a price.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Tired landlord

For: Owners of rentals who manage from afar

Dear {first_name},

I'm a local buyer interested in your rental at {property_address}. If managing it from a distance, tenants or repairs have become more work than they are worth, I can buy it with the tenants in place, as-is, on your timeline.

No showings, no repairs, no commissions.

Reach me at {my_phone}.

Best regards,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Say you can buy with the tenants in place.
  • Mention no showings and no commissions.
  • Write to the owner's mailing address, not the rental.
Do not
  • Do not contact the tenants about the sale.
  • Do not call a landlord "tired" in the letter.
  • Do not promise to keep the tenants' lease terms unless you will.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Owner who lives far away

For: Absentee and out-of-state owners

Dear {first_name},

I'm a local buyer. The county sends the tax bill for {property_address} to an address that is not the house, so I understand you may own it from a distance. Insurance, upkeep and tax on a house you cannot see add up.

If you would rather not keep it, I can buy it as-is and take care of everything on the ground: no repairs, no showings, no agent fees. You choose the closing date.

Call or text me at {my_phone}, or write back to the address above.

Best regards,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Say you can handle everything on the ground.
  • Offer a way to answer by mail, phone or text.
  • Mention that they do not need to visit.
Do not
  • Do not say the house is empty or neglected unless you have seen it.
  • Do not guess why they live elsewhere.
  • Do not send the same letter twice in a week.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Empty house

For: Owners of houses that look vacant

Dear {first_name},

I'm a local buyer and I noticed {property_address} may be empty right now. An empty house still costs tax, insurance and upkeep every month.

If you would rather sell it as it is, I can make a cash offer, take care of any clean-out and close on the date you choose.

Call or text me at {my_phone}.

Best regards,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Say that you noticed the house may be empty, and keep it a question.
  • Offer to handle the clean-out.
  • Drive by first, if you can.
Do not
  • Do not say the house is abandoned.
  • Do not enter or leave notes on the property.
  • Do not suggest the city will act against them.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Vacant land

For: Owners of lots and acreage

Dear {first_name},

I'm interested in buying your land at {property_address} (parcel {parcel_number}, about {acres} acres).

If the lot is costing you taxes every year without being used, I can make you a simple cash offer and handle the closing costs. No agents, no listing, no waiting.

Call or text me at {my_phone}.

Sincerely,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Use the parcel number and the acres, so the owner knows which lot you mean.
  • Say that you cover the closing costs.
  • Mention that there is no listing and no wait.
Do not
  • Do not claim you can build or rezone it.
  • Do not guess the value in the first letter.
  • Do not mail a lot that is an HOA or government parcel.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Agent: what is your home worth?

For: Listing agents farming a street or area

Dear {first_name},

Homes near {property_address} have been selling well this year. If you are curious what yours could sell for, I'll prepare a free, no-obligation market analysis with the recent sales on your street.

Call or text me at {my_phone}.

Kind regards,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Offer a free market analysis with real sales on their street.
  • Put your license number and brokerage on the letter, as your state requires.
  • Keep to one clear next step.
Do not
  • Do not say a home is "worth" a number you have not run.
  • Do not write to owners who are already listed with an agent.
  • Do not promise a sale price or a timeline.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Second letter

For: Anyone you wrote to a few weeks ago

Dear {first_name},

A few weeks ago I wrote to you about {property_address}. I am writing once more in case the first letter got lost in the mail.

My offer is simple: I buy houses as-is, I pay the closing costs and I close on the date you choose. If you are not interested, just tell me and I will not write again.

Call or text me at {my_phone}.

Sincerely,
{my_name}
{my_company}

Do
  • Wait three to four weeks.
  • Say that you will not write again if they tell you.
  • Change the envelope or the first line a little.
Do not
  • Do not send more than three letters in total.
  • Do not write to anyone who asked to be taken off your list.
  • Do not make the second letter sound angry or pushy.
Fill it with the owner's real details in the app →

Questions

Can I really use these letters for free?

Yes. Copy them, print them, change them. They are plain letters; fill the {brackets} with the owner's details.

How many letters should I send to one owner?

Most investors send two or three, a few weeks apart, and stop when an owner says no. The follow-up letter is written for the second mailing.

Do I need a license to send a letter to an owner?

Rules differ by state. Agents must follow their license rules, and several states have rules for wholesalers. Ask a local attorney before you mail.

Where do I get the owner's name and address?

From the county records. In LeadCounty each property shows the owner of record and the mailing address, and the Letters tool fills these letters for you.

How we make these guides

Written by the LeadCounty editorial and data team from official county, court and state sources and our own weekly counts. We name the office behind every number, say what we cannot see, and fix mistakes when you tell us. See our editorial standards and methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice. Refreshed weekly.

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