Depends on the person. For my new construction clients  I give a gift card for a Tree at the local nursery. Fot homes that need "fixing Up", I give a Lowe's gift card.

Sometimes flowers and sometimes I deliver pizza if they have friends helping them move in on move day.

It really depends................each client is different................so I try to do something specifically for them.

Missy,

Those are good idea's.  I never though about pizza on moving day. My problem is with this customer I met Wednesday. I had him out twice. I in my car, he on his harley. He has cash, writing his offer Monday, I already know the sellers will take the offer and he want's to close quickly.  He's a contractor. Any idea's?

Karen - I no longer give gifts, we all evolve and go through stages in this profession. When I did give gifts I gave them a catalog where they had the option of picking what they wanted or needed. The catalogs can be bought at different levels 25, 50, 100 dollar gifts etc. The buyer simply mails in a form (believe it can be called in also) identifying the gift they want and it is shipped to them immediately. Not as personal as some gifts but it allows the client to get something they really want or need. Good Luck - and congrats on a quick sale.

Because we sell so many new homes, many of my gifts are an installed mailbox that meet the requirements of subdivision covenants as the buyers are busily moving in.....

John,

Thanks, I never heard about catalogs like that, would you happened to have any information about them anywhere. For some, that is a good idea. Thanks for posting.

Julie,

That's a great idea for new homes. I love new idea's! Thanks for posting.

Karen,

I'm a tightwad, I don't give gifts. I don't believe in it. Many years ago when i first got into sales (construction Equipment) my owner would not buy gifts for me to hand out (hats, jackets, stickers, note pads, pens, ect.) but all my competitors did have these items. I was asked EVERY day for these freebies and told the clients I don't have anything to give but my service and quality equipment. Within 1 year I was doing more business than all my competitors combined. Ever since that first sales job I learned that giving gifts isn't going to bring me more business. I do believe in handing out calendars and occasionally other "long term" advertsing items, but not often.

Sean Allen

Sean,

Thank you for replying. I wonder how many people gift vs. how many people do not? In my area, most people do give out gifts. Some spend hundreds of dollars when closing on a pricey home.

I have thought about this blog myself.  thanks for asking.  Now I can read what people say to yours.  I haven't figured it out as yet.  dinner tends to be my favorite gift since everyone is crazy busy when they move. 

Karen - In this area, most agents and loan officers do not give gifts at closing.  As you know, I host the housewarming party and provide the food and soft drinks (I figured I would be getting into a dangerous area if I gave alcohol - besides, I always seem to have a good time without it).  I have also been toying with the idea of putting the new owner's keys on my personalized keychain at the closing table.  That way, my name and phone number are accessible when their friends and family ask for my info.   One of the agents in my office tried hiring a limo to drive the buyers to the closing.  I bet it was expensive and soon they stopped doing it.  As a new agent, I am always on the lookout for inexpensive ways to promote my business.  Thanks for the post!

Karen - Just remembered another pizza idea with a twist:  You put an empty pizza box in the new owner's refrigerator.  Inside the box is a gift certificate from the pizza place closest to their home that delivers.  It's nice for them to be able to order a pizza on the day they move in. 

Also, John mentioned a catalog.  I've seen something like this and thought all the gifts inside were not worth the price I would be paying for them.   That's how they made money.  Example:  A tool kit for $99 that would have cost me $49 at the local big hardware store.  I felt it made me look foolish for paying so much more for something than what it really cost.

I don't gift in the usual way.  I find out when they are planning on moving in and tell them not to bother cooking that first night and I go by and pick up pizza and sodas or a wing tray something like that.

Well Kathy,

Again, great info. The pizza idea is very cute! And might come in handy.

RE: the Catalog, I see how that is probably the case. Thanks

Sounds like you need to get to know him a little better, find out his interests etc...

Harley people love all the Harley stuff, hats, socks, LOL, etc. Go on the Harley web site.

Karen - Good forms of gifts can be treating your clients to dinners. I read in Realtor Magazine that Instead of giving your clients just two tickets to their restaurants,give them four. That way they can take their friends and they can double date. Why they are at restaurant,your clients can brag to their friends about how you were such a great real estate agent to them. And in the process,you can get referral business. You can also give a non exit real estate agent a gift at closing. I think you know why I said that-RECRUITING. Great post.

Karen Moorehead,

That's a good idea as well. I'm glad I asked, lots of great idea's here.

Thanks for posting.

Kathy,

That is another great idea, a key chain with your info!

Lanre,

Great idea! For four! I like that, that's a great marketing idea!

Hi, Karen

We generally give bottles of wine with our own custom private reserve label.  For those clients that don't drink we generally give them something relating to their hobby.

Karen, Thanks for the mention. What I have done in the past is order wine from a place I found in California. They let you design the label.  It looks like the client has their own wine.  It usually takes about 3 weeks for deliver.

Jesse & Kathy,

That's a good idea! I work in what is know by the locals as Fort Liquordale, so usually that is not a problem! LOL

Thanks for posting.

Matt,

No problem,,,that's a good idea as well. Where is this place? Do you design the label and send it them or do you tell them what you want on the label? 

Thanks for posting :-)

Karen- It depends on the client, but I've found memberships to the zoo and museum are pretty popular. I hope they think of me every time they get their monthly Zoo News. It also helps people who are relocating to get a feel for the community.

Jennifer,

I'll bet that is a great gift for families with children. You are right, get's them a good feel for the community. We have lot's of places like that down here. Thanks for the idea!  :-)

Karen, Next time I get their email I will forward it to you. They have a great site where you can upload photos or design your own label.. Yeah it is overprices but it is soooooooooooooooooooo cool.

Matt,

Cool, I would love to see it! Hey, what's not over priced???LOLOL

great to read everyones ideas.  I have used a variety but always wonder which would be best.  They all seem to appreciate the thought. 

Carol,

It depends on the sale of the property for me...thanks for reading and posting.

Hi Karen,

    I have given gift certificates for restuarants, Also I have given a gift card for her like linens and things and him home depot so they can both shop. my most recent customer I have gifted a home warranty which is $500 a little pricey but it helped to seal the deal otherwise there may not have been one. I guess it depends on who but gift certificates like amex or visa gift cards are able to be used anywhere so they are a safe gift for someone you don't know very well.

Congrads on the sale and happy shopping

Carol,

That is a good idea as well. My problem is that by the time I go to close, I'm like a family member...not really a problem but I feel like I need to find a very nice personal gift.

I always ask if they prefer Lowes or a restaurant gift card.  I always give them $100 gift one way or other.  I have given home warranties to some of my first time buyers if the seller wouldn't include it in the offer.

Susan,

Thanks for your input.  Gift cards do seem to be popular here. I sometimes taylor my gift to the customer, but gift cards are good.

I have given everything from Edible Arrangements to gift certificates to a friends flooring store. I really like Terry Watson's idea of asking them to choose the gift card they like best. You could send them an email that says pick your gift. I think, especially if you haven't spent alot of time with them to become personal, a gift card is fine.

Stephanie,

I too like the "Edible Arrangements"...I am not one to ask my customer's to "pick their gift" as I work diligently with them and become family.