The real estate market in Texas, just like everywhere else, is crazy right now. There are too many potential buyers and too few houses for sale. This has buyers doing various things to make their offers stand out — such as writing to sellers. This practice isn’t new; people have done this for years, but now there are concerns that rejecting an offer based on the contents of one of these letters could lead to accusations of discrimination.
Legal consequences
Choosing a buyer based on discriminatory reasons is illegal. If a buyer suspects his or her offer was rejected due to discrimination, based on the contents of a letter written to a seller or anything else, it may be possible to take legal action against the seller — regardless of whether there is any merit to their claims. This can end up costing sellers a lot in the end. It isn’t worth it.
Keep emotions and personal feelings out of it
While challenging to do, it is best to keep emotions and personal feelings out of the home selling process. Treat it like a business transaction because that is what it is. By keeping this mindset, sellers can make the best decision and accept the offer that serves their best interests in the end. They can also free themselves of potential claims of discrimination.
Get help
Selling a home can be incredibly stressful. Should home sellers read letters from potential buyers? That is a personal decision; just know that there may be negative consequences for doing so. Thankfully, with the assistance of an experienced real estate law attorney, home sellers in Texas can take steps to protect themselves as they go through the selling process.
