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I got my license 3 months ago, and just closed on my first sale (my listing) yesterday. I had planned to send a thank you card to my sellers but wondered if it is customary to send a gift as well? It was a 700k sale if that makes a difference in your response. And whatever it is, I'd have to send 2 since my clients are separated. Any comments, gift ideas, ect appreciated!
As a buyer and seller, I've received gifts from realtors. And sometimes I haven't. Guess what? I remember the names of the ones that sent me something way better than the realtors who didn't.
Of course, those realtors were also the type that had established marketing programs to keep in contact with prior clients, to remind me of them when I was ran into someone buying or selling a house. I also had one realtor who helped us sell a house who continued sending $5 Starbucks cards for months. I made sure I referred her as often as I could (and still do) - but she was also the BEST realtor I ever had.
The gifts I liked best were the ones personalized to us, for our interests. A personal touch.
I always send a gift to both listing and buyer clients after a closing. Hefty gift certificate to a nice restaurant, generous gift basket, floral arrangement, whatever seems to fit that person. And don't forget them in years to come either, at holiday times or occasions they like that you're aware of. I like to use Thanksgiving Day and St. Patrick's Day as times to send a nice card or funny postcard to previous clients to keep in touch.
I almost always give a gift to my clients. I want them to know that I'm appreciative that they entrusted me with such an important responsibility. Whenever possible, I try to avoid gift cards. Instead, I try to give my clients something they'll hold on to and use often. So, when they use it they'll think of me.
my realtor gave us a gift card to restaurant in new town, and she also bought a child a bunch of clothes when he was born (my wife was pregnant while house hunting). We will use her again.
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
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I bought the first 30 yard dumpster for a client that bought a REAL fixer ($380). Come to think of that, I've done it twice. I paid for all the inspections up front for a VA client including a home inspection that wasn't part of what I promised to do. (Over $500).
Case of local wine here, case of local wine there. (Over $100 each time)
I've even bought a queen sized bed and mattress for a client that bought an empty house and uses it as a weekend thing to start them out. (A yard sale find @ $300)
I'm sort of amazed that I see the $25 gift certificates as somehow being enough or appropriate for the circumstances. I have to add, I did give a hefty gift cert for a restaurant to a guy who granted an easement (25'X 75" on a 20 acre parcel in a corner) to make a deal happen.
In return, I've had a client grace me with $800 worth of pot (I don't smoke it myself) that I passed on to a close friend who supplied me with the value.
I also tip big at restaurants, so maybe I'm just generous
I almost always give a gift to my clients. I want them to know that I'm appreciative that they entrusted me with such an important responsibility. Whenever possible, I try to avoid gift cards. Instead, I try to give my clients something they'll hold on to and use often. So, when they use it they'll think of me.
^^This
Quote:
Originally Posted by DMenscha
In return, I've had a client grace me with $800 worth of pot (I don't smoke it myself) that I passed on to a close friend who supplied me with the value.
I love that story I don't understand how people stick to the $25 thing either. I too try to match the gift to the client. I have paid for builder upgrades and most recently paid a piano tuner to tune my client's grand piano after it got moved. He loved that gift (or so he told me).
I'm sort of amazed that I see the $25 gift certificates as somehow being enough or appropriate for the circumstances.
Even worse are the agents who give absolutely nothing. I sat down at a closing last week and had a bottle of wine with me. The other agent leaned over and whispered to me "you're making me look bad!" It's a good thing for her that the real thank you gift for my clients in the trunk of my car awaiting the end of the closing.
Thank you, I appreciate the comments. They totally took a huge risk on me, they knew I was newly licensed and I am so appreciative beyond words. A closing gift for a buyer is easy, but coming up with something suitable for a seller who has everything was more challenging. There is a local winery/restaurant that I chose to support by loading up a gift card there; thank you for the ideas!
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I don't understand how people stick to the $25 thing either. I too try to match the gift to the client. I have paid for builder upgrades and most recently paid a piano tuner to tune my client's grand piano after it got moved. He loved that gift (or so he told me).
