Book excerpt: Shopping for a home in Los Angeles? It's a sellers' market, where real estate is in high demand and no shortage of money is thrown sellers' way. It's competitive, it's fierce, but it's not always the highest bidder who comes out on top. DEAR SELLER: REAL ESTATE LOVE LETTERS FROM LOS ANGELES features memorable letters by those who attempted to win the hearts of home sellers with their words and stories in order to win the bidding war for the home of their dreams.Each letter paints a portrait of its author -- her or his family, background, and values (economic and personal), as well as future aspirations -- using social capital as well as actual capital in the effort to be selected. Here narrative becomes the currency.DEAR SELLER shares the diverse voices of everyday Angelenos writing from the heart (versus simply their bank accounts), while also offering a colorful look at the interesting architecture of the city -- and a peek at what lies beyond our neighbors' doors.