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The Closing Gifts...that keep on giving!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

For the March Kodak/ActiveRain Challenge,  we were asked to consider the importance of a great closing gift. Think we are looking for the gifts that keep on giving!

 

Over the past twenty years, I have given few gifts..one I affectionately named the ROME-BA  

                                                            ROMEBA HomeRome 410-530-2400

Another time a special shoe cover dispenserShoe coverHomeRome 410-530-2400 

This is a perfect gift for any kind of construction that may be planned. Also a wonderful item when we have a bit of messy weather. Perfect for the movers going in and out. And I also use this for an impromptu  open house.

And several years ago, I got talked into these digital photo key chains, where pictures of the house and family could be loaded. When kept by the client, my branded information was quite visible. Until this contest, I had forgotten and still have a few brand new ones in boxes. Thanks for the contest idea...I now have a couple extra gifts.

                                    Digital Key chain HomeRome 410-530-2400  Digital Key chain HomeRome 410-530-2400

 

My routine now and all time favorite closing gift (although I never considered it a closing gift until I read about the contest described above) is to break bread right after settlement. Depending on the time...it can be a brunch, lunch or dinner. Sometimes, I will invite my husband to join us. Other times not. It is the perfect time to relax, share good times or smooth over some of the rough spots.  It is a special time to share with clients a bit of personal information. And it is good for future business and friendship. Besides it is very enjoyable!!

There are other times that I will include the lender and/or title attorney. On several occasions I have invited the other party and/or the other agent.

During the course of the transaction, you get to know your clients, their likes and their dislikes. Before closing you have an idea of an appropriate place. This is not the time to try out a new bistro, pub or restaurant. You want a good place where you are welcome, comfortable and know the menu. You are the one doing the entertaining, the hosting and  they are your guests!

This is a good time to do a photo or video shoot of the restaurant and the guests, if they are up for it. Write a blog as soon as possible and then email  and better yet, print out the article in color, laminate and send it to your clients.  Another laminated  review  about the restaurant, can be sent or hand delivered to the restaurant owner on your next visit. This is the gift that keeps on giving!

 

 

For the March Kodak/ActiveRain Challenge,  we were asked to consider the importance of a great closing gift. We are looking for the gifts that keep on giving!

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Radio Host ALL ABOUT REAL ESTATE
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Author: Real Estate The Rome Way

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Comments (75)

Brenda, Ron, Lee Cunningham & Tara Keator
West USA Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Realtors, Homes for Sale - Phoenix Metro

The keychain is great.  Dinner together is always great, but I still like a gift as well.

Mar 16, 2011 01:26 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Brenda and Ron, What is your gift of choice?

Mar 16, 2011 01:45 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Really liked your thought to put some thought into the gift, i.e., something that you have determined they will easily relate to and like.  It will even better if it is something that will be readily visible, of frequent use, and is durable in terms of its life span.

Mar 16, 2011 02:06 PM
#58
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I have just contacted the vendor for the key chains and found out he is no longer in business. The items can be found easily on the internet...the problem ... finding someone who will personalize them in small quantities.

Mar 16, 2011 02:10 PM
Kimberly M Addelman
Realty USA - Williamsville, NY
Kim Addelman-Williamsville,New York- Realty USA

Love the photo key chain idea!

Mar 16, 2011 02:22 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kim, Seems like everyone likes the keychain.

Mar 16, 2011 03:56 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-939-2727
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Dear Margaret -

Thanks for another interesting article.  The keychain idea was certainly a big hit!

Have a happy day - 
Lynn

Mar 16, 2011 05:15 PM
Julie Baldino
Front Door Realty - Vancouver, WA
Opening Doors to New Chapters...

Definitely love the digital keychain. Super idea!

Mar 16, 2011 05:26 PM
Anonymous
Maya Garg

Hi Margaret

Love the idea of the key chain.  Thanks for sharing

Mar 17, 2011 12:44 AM
#64
Anonymous
Rosalie Frankel

LOVE the idea of the digital keychain!  Thanks so much!!!!

Mar 17, 2011 04:01 AM
#65
Eugene Adan
Adan Properties, Carlsbad, CA (760) 720-9710 - Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad Real Estate

Margaret,

I like your closing gift ideas.

Mar 17, 2011 05:21 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Margaret, I love the idea of the breaking bread!  Very special.  Thanks for all the other great ideas too!

Mar 17, 2011 05:32 AM
Sandra Bild
"Bild" a Better Business / Social Media Manager - Iowa City, IA

Yes, I did write my article on closing several months ago. I had seen some super great ideas and wanted to share them.

When I was a broker, I really enjoyed my closing gift I handed out of a loomed afghan with my Company's name on it. As I wrote in my article, I had repeat buyers because they wanted more afghans - and I got SO many referrals because they saw their friends have one and they wanted one, too. In fact at the listing appointment, they put their order in for what color they wanted! It worked very very well. My article had the link - Pure Country. AWESOME to work with!!

Oh, if you want a SUPER tomatoe Basil bread recipe - send me an email - SandyBild@gmail.com - it's super!

Mar 17, 2011 09:33 AM
Debra V. Edwards
edwards builders and realty, inc. - Cashiers, NC
Realtor/Builder, Cashiers, NC., Highlands, NC., Glenville

Like MaryBeth in #19, I too, give gifts according to their specific personalities or needs.

A porch swing on a wrap around porch was a nice and very much appreciated idea, I thought.

A gift certificate to a 'loved' restaurant can be specifically appreciated when one is tired after moving in all day.

My husband and I have some unique crafts that he/we make and I might give one of those.  Like I make eyeglass necklaces, a hard item to find and he, a builder, is always getting his non tip over benches, 'accidentally stolen' often from his jobs...so we might give a nice, painted one of those.  The list is entirely unique tho.

Mar 17, 2011 12:55 PM
Conrad Bituin
Elk Grove, CA

Thank  you for the ideas! Its funny how something so small, but personal, can have a tremendous affect on business and on life. Thank you for sharing!

Mar 19, 2011 09:29 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Lynn, The forgotten keychain seems to be a big AR hit.

Adam, Thanks for stopping by.

Julie, Maya and Rosalie, Yes, that was a nice gift.

DeeDee, Sharing a meal after closing, seem right most of the time.

Sandra, The hand made custom afghan...now there is a fabulous gift!

Debra, There is nothing better than handmade gifts. Good for you.

Conrad, It's true that sometimes it is the little things that wind up important. Thanks for stopping by.

Mar 27, 2011 12:17 PM
Ranji Singh
Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. - Newmarket, ON

Hi Margaret,

 

Love the digital keychain. Love the bread breaking more. A gift I love is a magazine subscription based on interaction through the buy/sell process - this becomes a drip all year long.

 

Cheers.

Mar 27, 2011 01:15 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Ranji, Good idea about the magazine so they remember you during the year.

 

Mar 27, 2011 01:49 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
I know you break bread but now I have found the post I had not discovered before!
Oct 31, 2012 12:06 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
cheryl, Thanks for continuing to read and bringing these older articles back to life
Oct 31, 2012 12:17 PM