Making Buyers Feel at Home | Welcome Letter & Housewarming Gift
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From the moment we made an offer, the process of purchasing our new home wasn’t easy. The sellers weren’t as kind & welcoming as we would have hoped, but that just made me more anxious to wash the walls clean with white. I wanted to restore some of the homes original charm adding in traditional English elements, while making it brighter and airier then I was feeling inside. I can’t wait to show you the progress {& see it myself} next week!
For now, as I watch our belongings being packed, I’m spending my energy on welcoming the buyers of our home through a welcome letter & housewarming gift. I want to make their transition as effortless & fun as possible.
What to Include:
Welcome Letter: I started by writing them a welcome letter. Just a line or two with a list of resources & our favorite activities that we enjoyed in our backyard & neighborhood. It’s simple, but I’m offering it as a free printable should you choose to do the same when selling your home! I shared tips like how to access the creek & the “secret trail” that lies beyond it. This is also a great place to share things like how to care for countertops, garage door codes {so they can easily reset them}, etc. Sandy, of the Reluctant Entertainer created an adorable DIY map if the buyers are moving from out of town.
The basics: Keys & garage door openers. It seems so simple {& is usually required by contract}, but in the hustle & bustle of packing, don’t forget to set them aside.
Paint: I listed all of the paint colors in our welcome letter, but Jen of iheart organizing has a great printable paint chart as well! When possible, I think it’s kind to leave behind the paint, but listing paint colors & sheen can prevent buyers from having to repaint an entire space.
Instructions & Warranties: Warranties are often transferable. If you had a new roof or just installed new appliances, make sure to leave the details of those warranties with the buyers. Instructions for things like how to operate the sprinkler system can eliminate guesswork & added stress.
Supplies: Leave a roll of toilet paper, hand soap & a roll of paper towels for their convenience & a few bottles of water.
Extras: Is there something that adds a little to your home that you don’t necessarily need at your next home? Leave it for the home buyers {after checking with your realtor}. I have opted to leave the patio lights, lavender planters on our front porch & mirror in the walk-in closet.
Welcome Gift: Our realtor told us that the buyers have 2 girls around 7 years old. While moving is exciting, it can also be a difficult transition for children. To keep them occupied & excited about exploring their new home, I put together a welcome gift {coming soon}.
Do you have any additional suggestions? Have you left a housewarming gift to buyers before?
Bill says
We just moved out of our townhouse we bought new in ’08. We wrote a welcome note to the new owner detailing the lovely memories we had in the house. It was bittersweet because we were leaving our first home and the home our son learned to crawl, walk, etc. They buyer seemed to appreciate that.
Julie says
That is so thoughtful of you. Congratulations on your new adventures and memories to be made.
Kari says
I am looking for a welcoming basket for the time our home is for sale. I have brochures from near by eatieries and coffee shops but I think it would be inviting to put some items in the basket, which hopefully don’t travel, like a bag of starbuck’s coffee or other items that reflect the icon of food and fun to people. Ideas?
Julie says
Sweets from a local bakery! It would help them connect with the community.
Anonymous says
Wow
Anonymous says
Cool housewarming gifts ideas. I found your blog on Google. That pot plant is delightful!
Deanna says
Sorry your sellers are so “stiff.” When we bought our home, the former owners threw us a housewarming party in the house about 2-3 weeks prior to closing. They invited all the neighbors to come meet us in our soon-to-be house. It was amazing as I already had names, faces, and phone numbers before we even moved in. Our next-door neighbors just did the same thing for the new family that just bought their home. It is the extra touches that really make a difference when you are moving into an established neighborhood. I liked your idea of gifts for the children.
Julie says
Deanna, that is such an incredible idea! Not only is it a great way to get to know neighbors, but also the history of the home. What a warm & unique welcome to the neighborhood!