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Add A Little Bit Of 'Sparkly' To Your Real Estate Closings

Today I was at a closing with one of my favorite agents on the other end. We had a few minutes to chat while waiting for the checks to be cut (yes we get checks to take back to our Brokers at closing!!) and the subject turned to interesting closings we have had in the past.

I mentioned one I had where I was working with a really cute first time home buyer. I had also just heard of a sweet new closing gift to give so I thought I would give it a try. The gift consisted of bringing a bottle of sparkling apple juice, plastic wine goblets and some cookies to closing. The idea was to open and celebrate right there at the closing table.

Happy Closing Having gotten to the closing a bit early and being this was my first time trying this new gift out, I sat everything up so that when everyone arrived it would be all ready. As the Buyers and Sellers walked in and saw what I had put out on the table the mood was, quite frankly, happy as everyone started giggling and a party mood took over.

As I filled each goblet and passed the cookies around the table the closing officer arrived. She took one look and her jaw dropped to the floor. What are you doing??? she asked in anguish. Do you not know we can not sign papers if everyone has been drinking??

All eyes turned their attention to me in total astonishment as if I had done the most terrible thing. As the stares stayed steady I calmly looked the closing officer in the eyes and said but this is apple juice. Can we not even drink apple juice before signing?

Then all eyes turned to her to hear her answer. But none came forward. Her face said it all though as we watched the flood of relief move across her face as she plopped down in her chair. That's when everyone realized what she had been thinking and the room filled with laughter. As the closing officer regained her composure and the laughter calmed down we continued onward with settlement.

That day still brings a smile to my face and today it reminded me of how wonderful it made everyone feel at the closing. The feeling of celebration of two parties coming together in mind and spirit over the sale of a home was truly priceless.

That was my one and only sparkly adventure as I never brought another bottle to a closing. But after recalling the story today I think I am going to start doing so again. After all with the level of market stress for Buyers, Sellers and for us agents as well, a little moment of celebration is such a perfect ending to what always seems to be a not so ordinary transaction anymore.

This time though I am going to wait until AFTER the papers are signed before I pull everything out.

No need giving another closing officer a near heart attack.

Posted by Martha Brown Annapolis and Anne Arundel County RE on 10/23/2009 09:37 PM

Comments (53)

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53 Comments on Add A Little Bit Of 'Sparkly' To Your Real Estate Closings

OCT

Hi Martha;

Great post and super tips I thank you for sharing with us, good luck.

How fun! I wish we had 'closings' here in Canada. I'd love to shock some one in a good way! Nice post.

Now you can get in trouble for SWI? Never heard of that before. I know that you cannot be in an impared state or they can challenge the documents.

But we wont' go into how many/much valium all the professionals have had to take to make the deal go through.

: )

Hi Martha - What better time to have a bit of fun? And it only adds to the fun that she was so shocked!

Anthony- It was a fun thing to do I am going to have fun bringing it back for my Buyers. :0)

Susan- Wow no closings. Well maybe you can plan to do it on your first meeting after they have moved in.

Mike- That is probably the only thing that saved the closing officer from a true heart attack. LOL

Susan- Recalling the story today did remind me of what fun that one time was. And you are right, maybe I will just keep adding to the fun by serving a tad earlier. LOL

Martha...I use to use a Closing Attorney that gave both the Seller and the Buyer a bottle of champagne at the END of the closing. We never opened it at the table, but it was a nice touch!

I like your idea and it certainly makes for a festive closing...altho when both sides have to write checks, I think we'd probably need something alot stronger than champagne.

OCT

I think that was priceless! Those moments will be forever remembered :)

Martha,

I couldn't figure what was wrong with this story until Susan hit it. We don't have closings like that here.

We don't have seller and buyer agent at the same table. We sign at different times. Nice to hear of another way of doing things!

Good message. Closings can be an enjoyable and relaxing experience for sellers and buyers.

Lately, I've had to request separate closing meeings for buyer and seller due to anger on the part of the seller over the price they received for a property that was price far higher a year or two ago.

Even real champaigne wouldn't have changed that seller's attitude.

I had the best closing yesterday...it's the subject of my blog a little later in the day today. Thanks so much for sharing your story. This was the neatest idea that I've heard in quite a while.

Closings should be celebrations. Buying a home is one of the big moments in life. Occasionally attorneys hold closings in my office for convenience, then we go to the pub next door to celebrate.

What a great idea. Most of the settlement agents I use have these big containers full of chocolate sitting at the closing table. Everyone usually digs in before settlement and then it creates a discussion about our favorite chocolate which helps break the ice. Yours is a great idea which I may borrow.

That is a great idea. I always make closing fun for my clients but I also usually take them to lunch right after to have the bubbly.

Once upon a time, long long ago, I owned a real estate settlement company. We always gave the buyers and sellers a bottle of champagne at the end of closing, tied with a ribbon and their own agents' business cards. It was a huge hit. (We were even known to open a bottle in the office after everyone left - but just occasionally.)

I've been to closings where we all should have been on the REAL thing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martha:

I guess buyers and sellers are supposed to have their wits about them before signing all of those documents. I can see why the attorney was so stressed out. Being tipsy could have actually brought the closing to a halt. (Wise that it was only apple juice.)

Thom & Ray- I have been to closing where they do the same thing. I often wonder if they actually open and celebrate at home or not. Unfortunately not all settlements are conducive to this kind of celebration and writing checks may be one where it would be better to refrain. But then again.....

Sally- Recalling the story made it come to life as if it was just yesterday. This business now a days is hard enough so a little laugh at the end is certainly priceless.

Terry- Another one without closings. Now I am curious....how do you transfer property from Seller to Buyer??

Carla- Sounds like your set up is perfect for a bit of sparkly especially if you are representing the Buyer.

Lenn- Don't you just hate when that happens. It so puts a damper on the Buyers side when a Seller acts that way. But then again a bit of sparkly when you representing the Buyer will take the edge off the tension caused by the angry Sellers

Judi- Can't wait to read about your great closing later today.

Millie- having a pub next door is quite the convenience for sure. A real celebration.

Cindy- By all means borrow away. Recalling the story has made me realize I need to do it more often myself. We all could use a smile at settlement

Laura- Yes they should. Most of my clients have trucks loaded and friends waiting to help them move as they get their keys at the settlement table so I stopped the going out afterwards.

margaret- I should have known with your background that you would have had something to do with a settlement company. you are amazing for sure!!

Michael- me to!!!!!!

Claudette- Yes it could have. She was someone I had not used before so I guess she did not know I was one who has my wits about me too.

Hi Martha -- I would have loved to been a fly on the wall and captured that closing agent's expression on video!

Cheers to all, hopefully the closing agent then tipped a glass of Apple juice too.

Martha - I love this idea. A neat little twist to lighten the air. Sparkling apple juice allows a festive mood. I may try this one myself. Cheers

Martha - We don't have closing meetings that you have in the USA. In Ontario, the closings are handled via the lawyers.

Waiting until afterward is a great idea. First, let's get the deal closed...before we celebrate. Second, no sticky apple juice to ruin paperwork is a good thing as well. Otherwise, go for it. It certainly helps when there is less tension all around!

Martha That is absolutely hilarious - a little Martinella does the trick and is legal Karen

Now that was funny! What a treat and a great memory.

Great story Martha thanks for sharing.

You make excellent points here ... thanks for your efforts! I think I speak for all people in all the land when I say, "We appreciate you!"

Super story Martha. Can't wait for my next closing. I too think that with this market there needs to be a bit more celebratory atmosphere! I have brought a basket with champagne and flutes to closings for the "after closing" gift but I like the celebrating during the closing. Many times there are tense moments between buyer and seller and this may just be the icebreaker needed. Love it, Thanks!

Martha, I think it was a wonderful idea. Doing it before really had an element of suprise :) It's a wonderful and thoughtful gift and I'll bet the homeowners were delighted!

Martha, LOVE THIS IDEA! There are certain clients that this would work well with. Thanks :-)

I've never thought of bringing something to closing to share, but I will! The best closings are when the buyers and sellers meet each other, bond, and wish each well. I wish it happened more often, but a lot of sellers pre-sign and never get to meet the buyers.

Interesting idea haven't tried that one before

Hi Martha~ What a great idea! I love it that she thought it was champagne at first!

Martha- Thanks for the smile this morning....I would have loved to see that closing officers look, both times LOL :) And laughter at a closing is a great way to end a transaction, glad you will bring your idea back for todays stressed sellers :)

Funny story, I bet har face was a piture! What a nice idea though, one I shall use. You could always add a bottle of bubbly for the buyers to celebrate later.

Very nice idea for the buyers.....

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Oh Martha, what a great idea -- but yes, waiting until the end for the sparkly may be the best decision! Good story!

Martha, great story! It sounds like everyone had a good laugh, which is a good start to the closing process.

Martha -- this was such a nice touch, especially if the transaction was a particularly difficult one. Have one coming up next week. Might give this a try.

Nice idea, especially with all the stress these days.

Here we also get checks most times, to take back to the broker. And in my office, if I'm there I cut the agent a check immediately. No waiting for payday!

Now that is funny! Sometimes we need to relax just a little bit.

Martha - You sure know how to write great posts and congrats, I wish I could write like this! (Funny stuff)

Martha - In my market it is rare that the buyer and seller even get to meet. I guess I could try this with my buyer clients though. Great story!

I bring cider, balloons and cake to closing. Sometimes closing agents who are new to me find it odd though they usually enjoy it, and my clients love it.

Hi Martha...No matter what you do, take good care of those closing officers.

Kate

OCT

Cute story and a great idea. We don't have buyers and sellers together but we do have the buyers sign their docs, usually with a notary...I just had one Friday night at 8:30 p.m. and they asked me where the champagne was? I think I'll try your idea with the A.J. :)

We don't get to have any of that fun here in Bakersfield, California. We don't have actual closings where everybody gets together. We just work like crazy in the few days before closing to meet all the lender demands then we wait with baited breath to get the phone call or email telling us that it has recorded. In fact, many of the transactions we are doing now are REOs and the closing agent isn't even located in the area. I guess I could toss one back with the FedEx guy when he brings the check the next day.

Great idea...closings can be challenging in this market and to have everyone feel as good as they can and relieve a little stress with some "party" atmosphere (without the alcohol) would probably be good for all of us. I work in an "attorney'd" state so I think we could all benefit.

That is a great idea and I can see myself telling the closing agent to settle down to keep her from further embarassment.

OCT

Very cute idea!! :)

Martha,

I hope you kept that bottle of apple juice to show the closing agent. I guess you also shouldn't bring O'Douls (non-beer) to a closing. Too funny, and a great story. thanks for sharing.

Jeana Cowie, Broker Associate, Re/Max Real Estate Ltd., Bergen County, NJ

OCT

Martha, how thoughtful and fun. I remember one client of mine who, after signing papers, looked around and said, "Okay, where's the champagne?" The closing can be anti-climactic, and it sounds like your sparkly idea is just what is needed. Thanks!

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