How to write an offer letter to buy a property (with free template)
Our tips for writing a great property offer letter (along with a free template)
August 2025
You’ve found the property you’d like to buy – now what? Before you can turn it into a holiday rental, you need to actually purchase it. That process begins with an offer letter. If you’re not sure how to write the perfect property purchase offer, then read on – or your simply use our free offer letter template!
Why do you need to write a property purchase offer letter?
Technically, you can make an offer on a property in two ways: verbally or in writing. However, we strongly recommend doing it in writing. For one thing, it means you’ll have proof of your offer — something that is impossible with a mere conversation.
Writing a housing purchase proposal also sets a good precedent. Ideally, during a property purchase, you want everything in writing, as this enables you to consult your documents further down the line and confirm that everything is correct and above board.
Don’t panic if you’re not a natural wordsmith. Writing a letter of this kind is straightforward. In fact, you can easily find purchase offer letter templates online if you’re really struggling. Just make sure to look for an offer letter template for a property purchase in the UK or in whichever country you are buying the property, as the contents can differ from one nation to the next.
Who should I write my property purchase offer letter to?
Your purchase offer should be addressed to the estate agent handling the sale. Unless it’s a private sale, do not address the seller directly.
In the UK, the estate agent is legally obliged to pass all offers they receive to the seller, so you don’t need to worry about your offer being withheld for whatever reason.
How to write a property purchase offer document
When creating or using a property purchase offer template, make sure your letter contains the following information:
- A personal introduction. This explains who you are, what has attracted you to the property, and why you want to buy it.
- A summary of your offer. Include the amount that you are offering and any terms and conditions.
- An overview of your financial situation. This should include evidence of your deposit and your mortgage agreement in principle. If the purchase will be part of a chain, you will need to mention this, too.
- A compliment to endear yourself to the seller. For example, you might want to praise their choice of decor or the way they have maintained the property.
- Something specific about the property that you like. This could be the garden, the fireplace, or some other special detail.
- A polite closing remark. For example, many property purchase offer templates close with something along the lines of, “I hope you’ll consider this offer and I look forward to your response.”
Do I need to disclose that I plan to turn the property into a holiday home?
Yes. Your property purchase offer contract should include an explanation of what you plan to do with the property. If you want to rent the house for holidays and short stays, you will need to mention this.
There are a few reasons why it’s important to include this in your letter:
- You may need to apply for planning permission to change the use of the property.
- Your mortgage will be different from a regular mortgage. In the UK, there are a limited number of mortgage providers who offer support if you plan to advertise your new property as a holiday home.
- The seller may have knowledge that will affect your plans. For example, they might already have tried to turn the property into a holiday home and suffered a setback due to planning permission, a neighbour dispute, or some other matter. This is something you’ll need to know in advance.
Be aware that some sellers may not want their property transformed into a holiday rental. This could be their beloved former home that you want to rent as a holiday flat. In this case, you’ll just have to shrug it off and move on. Remember, the seller can refuse an offer for any reason they like, regardless of how irrational it may seem to you.
How should I word my property purchase offer letter?
It’s extremely important to be polite and professional when writing an offer letter. You should also be sincere and respectful to the seller. Do not include anything that might hurt their feelings. For example, it would be inappropriate to suggest a lower price because you think the decor is tasteless.
When using a purchase offer letter template, make sure your letter is not too long or emotional. Do not reveal anything that a predatory estate agent might see as a weakness. That means you should not mention a maximum budget or make it seem like you are desperate for a quick purchase.
House offer letter template
Dear [Estate Agent],
This letter is to formally submit my offer for the purchase of [address of property]. My offer is [amount]. Please find attached a copy of my mortgage agreement in principle, approved by [name of mortgage company], which provides proof of my ability to obtain financing for this purchase.
I am interested in using this property as a holiday rental and am particularly attracted to this property because [details here].
Based on the condition of the property and the market conditions in the area, I believe my offer is fair. I have taken any necessary renovations and repairs into account.
I am happy to move forward with the purchase process as soon as possible, and I’m at your disposal to answer any questions you might have. You can contact me at [contact details].
Thank you for considering my offer, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
[Your Name]
What happens after I’ve sent my property offer letter?
Now it’s time to play the waiting game. The seller may reply in one of three ways: they might accept your offer, reject it, or make a counteroffer.
Remember, in the UK, acceptance of a property purchase offer doesn’t mean the deal is set in stone. Until the contracts are exchanged, both parties can still withdraw without any form of penalty. Other countries have different rules and often make it harder for either party to withdraw from the process. Make sure you’re familiar with the rules in your particular area.
If your offer is rejected, you can always reply with a higher offer. Don’t be discouraged if the seller rejects it a second time. Buying and selling a property can be an emotional process, and the more rational and calm you can remain, the better.
However, if your offer is accepted and your purchase goes through, you may want to consider advertising your holiday home on a rental booking platform. We would recommend advertising with Holidu, as we work with some of the best booking platforms in the market. In the Holidu portal, you only need to write one ad, which you can then publish on multiple platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb. Each time you update the ad or receive a booking, the bookings are logged automatically in your calendar and the ads are updated across all platforms – meaning you can avoid overbooking as well as tediously updating multiple ads when things change!
Holidu is also relatively easy to get started with, as you won’t need to pay any subscription fees like you would on some other big booking platforms – you only pay a small commission whenever you get a booking.