By Alice Noyes

It’s very common these days to be asked for a letter of explanation, especially when the lending institution decides there is a skeleton in the closet that requiers an explanation. For example, 10 years ago, Mr. Buyer made a late payment on a charge account before he ever met and married Mrs. Buyer. How can they prove that perhaps he had a legitimate reason.

One of the most memorable letters was acceptable to the bank, once I removed the coffee stains from it and ran it throught the spell check. In memory of that whole affair, I took the most common errors made in letters of explanation and composed my own little version of dos and don’ts. When I pass this sample out to my clients, I often inform that I know of a ghost writer for hire if they should need one. First, I show them a letter which needed more than a spell check. Luckily, it was one of a kind, and as I said, I do know this ghost writer. (See sample below.)

To Whom it May Concern,

On April 24th, 2010, we leased a car from All Way Leasing Co. and by meantime we thought we got scr—d in the deal. And we called them for a car that was in are budget that wasn’t a leasing car. The kept on telling us to wait. We waited a month then brought the car down to them. They took the keys and and parked the car in there lot and it as there loss. They knew they were wrong for taking the keys and car. So they turned around and put are names in the creited bureau. I hope this doesn’t hurt are chances to get a loan. Thank you.

Alice Noyes is an 18-year real estate veteran and an agent with Choice Realty in Manchester.  Her column, “Alice From the Palace,” will be published every other Monday here, at the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS blog, nhpluse.com.  She can be reached at alice@nhchoice.com.

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