BRITS have hit out at an estate agent for using “s****y tactics” after one homeowner received a letter encouraging them to sell their house to an allegedly widowed OAP.
The letter, from agency Haart, was received by one homeowner over the weekend, who was left questioning its legitimacy after reading further.
The letter weaved a tale about an elderly woman apparently looking to relocate closer to the seaside following the death of her husband.
It billed the homeowner’s house as ideal, based on the area and price, before going on to offer services to help them find their own ideal property – even if it’s “not currently on the market”.
The letter has since been dubbed a “scummy” attempt to get properties on the market by employing dubious tactics.
The full letter reads: “Hello. Our buyer, Jill, who is currently retired and lives in Oxford, is looking to move closer to the seaside after the death of her husband.
“I am writing to you on her behalf as your home is in the area and price range she is looking for.
“Jill is keen to find her ideal home rather than rush a property transaction, so we would have plenty of time to find you a new home.
“There may be a home you have already seen on the market. We can help.
“Haart uses advanced technology and local agent expertise to help get you moved- even if it’s not currently on the market.
“Home values in our area have increased slightly or remained static in the last 12 months despite the prevailing pricing trends in other areas, so that’s great news.
“This could be the perfect time to sell. If you would consider selling to Jill, please give me a call.”
The letter was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: “S****y estate agent tactics.
“Got this through the post yesterday. Apparently ‘Jill’ is desperate to buy my home, since her husband has died, she wants to relocate.
“This just looks like a generic mail shot, probably to hundreds of different houses in the area.
“To me, it seems like a pretty distasteful way of getting more property on their books.”
The post has since received over 2,800 likes and more than 370 comments from disgruntled Brits sharing their views.
One said: “I believe it’s even worse than that. No one wants the house specifically, Haart just want a house on the market through them and they’re persuading you to do it.
“Scummy.”
Another commented: “I bet Jill doesn’t exist. Return to sender so they can pay the postage to return.”
A third wrote: “Report them please.”
A fourth said: “Just googled ‘Haart estate agent letter,’ seems they have sent out loads of suspicious letters and got in trouble for it. Seems they haven’t learned their lesson.
“A number of reviewers have had your letter, they just get told they are on their marketing list and won’t take them off.”
Another quipped: “Haart actually hired a hitman to kill Jill’s husband so that she’d use their services to buy a new house. Very clever.”
