Buyer Love Letters Are Legal in Oregon — But Use with Caution


For years, “buyer love letters” were a common way to help offers stand out in a competitive market. Buyers would write personal notes to sellers, sharing what they loved about the home and often including details about their lives.

While heartfelt, these letters stirred up serious concerns around fair housing compliance — and in Oregon, they were even banned for a time.

Where Things Stand Legally

In 2021, Oregon passed a law banning real estate agents from passing along buyer love letters in an effort to reduce potential fair housing violations. The concern was that even well-intentioned letters could reveal protected class information (like race, religion, family status, etc.) and open the door to implicit bias.

But in 2022, a federal court ruled the law unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. The ban was struck down, and as of now, buyer love letters are once again legal in Oregon.

That said — legal doesn’t mean risk-free. There are important guidelines to follow.

What’s Okay to Include in a Love Letter

If you’re a buyer considering including a personal letter with your offer, focus on:

  • What you love about the home itself
    (e.g. “The built-in bookshelves and south-facing windows remind me of my grandparents’ house growing up.”)
  • Your excitement and readiness to purchase
  • The lifestyle you envision in the space
    (e.g. “I can already see myself hosting dinners in the backyard.”)

What to Avoid

To stay compliant with fair housing laws, buyers and agents should avoid:

  • Describing your family makeup or marital status
  • Mentioning your religion, race, or cultural background
  • Including photos of yourself or your family
  • Referencing anything that could identify you as a member of a protected class (including disability, national origin, gender identity, etc.)

In short: Keep it about the house, not about you.

Do Sellers Have to Read Love Letters?

Nope. As a seller in Oregon, you can tell your listing agent whether or not you want to receive love letters at all. This preference can be shared upfront, and buyer agents are expected to respect it.

From a Broker’s Perspective…

Love letters can absolutely humanize an offer — especially when buyers share what they genuinely love about the home. But in my experience, it’s 50/50 on whether sellers want to see them or not.

Some sellers appreciate the emotional connection. Others find that knowing too much about the buyer makes it harder to make a business-first decision. Selling a home is personal, yes — but it’s also financial. Not every seller wants to hear the backstory before choosing the next steward of their home.

Bottom Line

Buyer love letters are back on the table in Oregon, but they’re not a guaranteed advantage — and they’re not without risk. Whether you’re buying or selling, talk to your agent about your comfort level and strategy.

Every situation is different. What works for one deal might feel totally out of place in another. When in doubt, lead with professionalism — and let the offer speak for itself.

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