I got the e-mail I've copied below today. It's probably the best link request example I've ever gotten. Even after realizing that it was probably an auto-generated and mass-sent e-mail, I considered responding to let him know I appreciated the kind words. People are always asking how to phrase their link request letters, so here's a sample:

Hi, Nate here from the Veteran's Loan Center and I wanted to drop you  line and just compliment your site. Nice layout, good info, good resources. I was looking around at a few different sites for realty information and I definitely thought your's was one of the best.

That being said, I also noticed you guys have some great content related to homes.  I currently work for a company that maintains a website that offers home financing, www.veteranloancenter.com. We are a nationally recognized, reliable source for VA loans on the web and I was wondering if you'd be interested in us paying to advertise via text links on your site. I realize that there are sometimes set rates/fees involved in such placement of text links so feel free to name your price.

If not, thanks for the time and keep up the good work!

Thanks,
Nate

Not bad, eh?