If your home is currently on the market, there is a good chance an unexpected letter, postcard or handwritten-looking note will land through your letterbox at some point.
They are usually designed to feel urgent and personal. Often from an estate agent you have never instructed, the message tends to follow a familiar format:
“I believe I have a buyer for your home. Please give me a call.”
These “ready buyer” letters are specifically targeted at homeowners already listed with another estate agent.
To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with prospecting. Estate agents have every right to market their services, and when done professionally it can be perfectly reasonable. However, if one of these letters arrives while your property is already on the market, there are a few important things sellers should understand.
1. The word “believe” matters more than you think
This is where a little caution goes a long way.
Belief is not the same as having a genuine buyer. If an estate agent truly has a qualified purchaser specifically suited to your property, they should be able to explain:
- the buyer’s budget
- whether they are in a chain
- how financially prepared they are
- why your home matches their requirements
If those details remain vague, it is worth asking yourself whether the purpose of the letter is really about your buyer, or about winning your instruction.
2. Genuine buyer matches are usually handled agent to agent
If an estate agent genuinely has a suitable buyer for a property already listed elsewhere, the professional route is normally straightforward: they contact the instructed agent directly.
That allows both parties to work together in the seller’s best interests, while keeping communication clear and compliant.
When a card is sent directly to the homeowner instead, the intention is often less about introducing a buyer and more about creating an opportunity to secure a future instruction.
3. You could unintentionally expose yourself to two fees
This is one of the most important warnings for sellers.
Many homeowners do not realise that engaging with a second estate agent while tied into a sole agency agreement can create complications around commission fees.
The small print on these letters often states that if their buyer purchases your home, their standard fee becomes payable on completion.
At the same time, your existing contract may still entitle your current estate agent to a fee as well. Depending on the terms of your agreement, that can potentially leave sellers liable for two separate commissions on one transaction.
This is why reading the small print and understanding your contract matters.
4. You are already paying for professional representation
If one of these letters arrives, the best first step is usually the simplest one: speak to the estate agent you have already instructed.
Send them a photo of the letter and ask:
- What does my contract say about this situation?
- If there is a genuine buyer involved, can you handle communication directly?
- Have other sellers received the same approach?
A good estate agent should be transparent, calm and able to guide you through the situation clearly.
Estate agency built on trust
The property industry does not always enjoy the strongest reputation, and understandably so in some cases. That is why professionalism, transparency and ethics matter more than ever.
At Ensum Brown, we are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network, and currently the only local agency to have passed its standards assessment process.
Those standards are reassessed every six months to ensure accountability remains ongoing, not just promised once.
If you have received one of these letters and would like straightforward advice, or simply want clarity around your options as a seller, we are always happy to help.
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