When I bought my first home, my real estate agent gave me a beautiful inlaid wood oval mirror that fit perfectly in the entrance way of my home.  It hung on that wall for 20 years.  I never forgot her or her thoughtfulness.  I even remember that she picked it up while on vacation on Cape Cod and it was handmade by a craftsman.  This is the type of closing gift I aspire to give and have never achieved.

I'm a listing agent, so I tend to deal with sellers, which means that my clients sometimes move away.  We live in a remarkable water community and one of my creative outlets is photography, so very often I give them one of my limited edition photographs to remind them of the beauty of Black Rock (see photo on right).  In one case, I used Kodak's online photo service to upload high definition photos (www.kodakgallery.com) to create a beautiful linen covered coffee table book with photos of their former home.  I used the photos that I had a professional photographer take when marketing the home.

For buyers, I like to give them a large gift basket of food and a bottle of champagne (& glasses) and deliver it to their door the day they move in.  Most buyers forget about food on moving day and are famished. 

I do wish I could find gifts that are as stunning and creative as the one I received.  It remains my standard for closing gifts, but I know I fall short of that. 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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11 Comments on Closing Gifts Are a Challenge in Themselves

MAR
09
2011

A thoughtful closing gift is very difficult.
10:53am • #1

I try to make it personable if possible, but also rely on gift certificates to restaurants and gift baskets of food and wine.  I sold a log home a couple of weeks ago, and the couple that bought it has a 2 year old son.  I gave them a lincoln log set for their son to build his own log house...that was a fun gift.
10:55am • #2
465,520 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I got a throw blanket with our names and address sewn into it...It is great I use it daily!
10:58am • #3
1,358,177 Points 243 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gail it is gifts like what you received, and like you give that are remembered for a long time.  The wine that I give just helps them forget any painful memories associated with the transaction :)
2:40pm • #4
715,410 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Roger - I agree.

Lynda - I love the Lincoln Log set for your client's son!  That was inspired!

Sussie - I wouldn't have thought of giving that gift. 

George - That's precious!  Sometimes I think something stronger is in order.  LOL
8:59pm • #5
221,523 Points 1 Featured Post

The photo is beautiful. Your gift basket of food and drink is perfect as people would rather stay at their new home and enjoy themselves on the first night. 
9:05pm • #6
1,152,956 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gail, because I lack the creativity and imagination for gifts, I do the charity donations. It gets remembered as long as that delivered pizza and wine when they move in but does more good.
10:03pm • #7
MAR
10
2011
648,061 Points 63 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Gail - I gear it to the individual   Sometimes -if they have a move across country into our area - I offer them a night out at a great restaurant.  In one case, the family loved hiking - so I bought them "hiking trails of Westchester"  Complete with maps and photos...But that's not something I would give everyone.
12:02am • #8
715,410 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

JoAnn - Glad you like my photography.

Ed - Your charity donations are a wonderful idea.

Ruthmarie - Sometimes you can personalize the gift, but sometimes it is hard to do that.
6:53pm • #9
MAR
11
2011
227,366 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gail, Your gifts are thoughtful and I'm sure they are very much appreciated.
11:10pm • #10
MAR
14
2011
143,960 Points 3 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I really like to idea of personal art! I think it is also very true that food, is forgotten on moving day. Champagne and pizza sounds like the perfect match!
4:44pm • #11

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Gail Robinson, REALTOR, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Fairfield, CT

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William Raveis Real Estate, Southport, CT

Address: 2525 Post Road, Southport, CT , 06890

Cell Phone: (203) 521-0768

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