To Give or Not To Give Closing Gifts?

L&L...

According to my last client, I AM supposed to give a closing gift! Now I feel obligated!

Strictly case by case for me and almost never. I work very hard for my clients, and after the transaction I still work hard for them...keeping in contact, periodic meetings, client appreciation... the closing gift is in short an anachronism.

I give 'thoughtful' closing gifts.  I do not follow a strict rule.  It all depends on the individual needs of the client.  100k first time home buyer may need a gift card from Home Depot but a 700k buyer may like a nice bottle of Champagne.

I agree w/Melody.  It's really about the buyers.  Price range really hasn't been relevant to me.  I try to focus on the clients wants/desires and adapt to their needs.  For a client that needs lots of home improvement - they get the gift card.  For someone that has a special hobby, like gardening, I give them my gardener for a week.  Customization is key for the ultimate experience.

I have been rethinking closing gifts lately too.  Several top producers in my area are firmly against any gifts, the rationale being..  I would pay thousands to a surgeon, does he send me flowers, rebate a portion of his fees to me or anything? no, are we professionals?  Yes we are.  I did a great job for my clients, I will keep in touch, but closing gifts are now in the range of a nice bound book for all their house buying receipts, or perhaps a plant for the yard or gift card to the local home improvement store, of a minimual amount. 

It's always a case by case situation, and my closing gift varies.

Since it's the holiday season, I've dropped by the houses of my buyers to deliver fresh wreaths. For each sale, I give a standard one-year home warranty.

Recently a couple of my buyers were doubly stressed (and I was doubly blessed) because I listed their house, and then they bought one of my listings, resulting in three sides for me. To alleviate their stress, I paid for the gas cut off valve (at the house they sold --- it's mandatory), and also paid for the house cleaning at both properties. I also gave them a fresh wreath and a home warranty. Then my lender and I are going to take them out for a dinner next week, for a bit of holiday cheer.

Thus, I hope they will remember that this time around their realtor --- moi --- served them above and beyond the call of duty. Promise, and over-deliver!

I always send pizza the night they move in. I have a deal with the pizza company t call the buyers and and ask when they would like then ( they don't always want them the first night). Then I follow up a month later with a Basket with a coupon for free movies, popcorn, and a two liter bottle of Coke and Pepsi. I also kept these prepackaged and setting around my lobby so people will ask what are those for?

I have over the past few years given many different gifts.  It depends on the client and the transaction.  I used to always give a home record book. (to keep receipts from major items like furnace, etc.  and dates of events of the house in)  Everyone seemed to like it, not everyone used it.

I don't think people expect a closing gift.  (maybe a few).  I gave a nice candle holder to my last closing.  I knew the client was deeply religious and bought her something that meant alot to her.  It was $10 - you would have thought it was $100.  She loved it.

Moral of my story:  Get something personal, it doesn't have to be expensive!

Hey, my clients give me closing gifts!  All kidding aside, you don't have to spend a bunch of money.  I try to get to the fridge right after the walk thru with some wine, brie and Stoned Wheat Thins.  If they don't drink alcohaul, put in some sparkling cider.

I also provide a gift, and it's always a plant, usually a pony tail palm, a heartleaf philodendron, or a pothos ivy. All are very difficult to kill, easy to grow inside with low light, low humidity, and heating and cooling drafts. Additionally, whenever they water that plant or get comments on it from family and friends, my name comes up.

I definitely base it on the client.  As mentioned in some earlier comments, sometimes a gift card to Home Depot or Lowes would fit for a 1st time home buyer or an investor, where other times we have had clients that always talk about their kids or grandkids and we get them a pretty picture frame.  We have even had some clients that have bought a waterfront home and have commented on some of the decoration in the home and we buy them similar.  Base it upon the client's situation.