Closing gift question

Hi Adam,

I will tell you what has been working really well for me is "personalized door mats"...

High quality door mats with their name etc on the front (or top).  Clients love the personal touch it gives...and they always remember you when they are coming home or leaving..

You can find them all over the net...I hope this helps!

 Don Orason

Personalized calendars always work for me.

When my wife and I moved to Boise, the folks who handled our sale gave us a basket that included gift certificates to local Boise businesses, including a bookstore, a garden center, and a restaurant.  Now that I'm in the business, it is a gift iddea that I plan to use myself (although most folks I've dealt with to date are not moving out of state).  All it takes is a quick phonecall to your friendly Active Rainer in the town your clients are moving to in order to find out the "hot" places.  You'll find most businesses now are willing to do a certificate for you, even if they have to make a "one of a kind"... 

 Hi Adam, since you asked... I thought I'd let you know about a new line of closing gifts we have that combines fine art with branding for realtors.

 If you're looking for something that is affordable, out of the ordinary, will be remembered, talked about and can be tastefully branded, we can add your name to any of my limited edition photographs or fine art prints with a tag line such as... The Inner Child, compliments of Adam Dalton, Century 21

 I also have a line a mini original paintings that can be used as closing gifts. Everything comes with a certificate of authenticity(that can also be branded) and a gift card.

 Prices start at $25 US. If you have questions, you can reach me thru my website or my Active Rain profile. Ignore the retail prices listed on my website, I have wholesale prices for realtors, no minimum purchase requirements and many other options are available.

 Let me know if you need more info, I'd be happy to help, to custom design something for you or to offer other suggestions.

How about a Lowe's gift certificate. You can buy them on their site with a 5% discount. Or Home Depot...you can't go wrong. Partner Paul and I have even given "Tractor Supply " gift certificates. That was to the cattle man!

How about a book (coffeetable type, photos, history or hobby-related, for example TX gardening) of the area they are moving to? You could order online from Amazon or B&N and write your good wishes on one of the front pages.

A great closing gift I got was a big basket full of lunch meat, crakers, cookies for the girls, pop(soda) and other things. The whole reason my agent did it was because she knew we were going to start moving the next day and you always have to worry about what you are going to feed the hungry friends that come over to help. Although it was not something that I could keep, I thought it was a great idea!

My favorite:  Get something tangible or a gift certificate to a store that handles items that will be seen everday such as wall paintings, etc.  This way you are always on your client's mind when they see it.

The other holiday dilemma is what do you give your friends, family and business associates?
One of the most popular ideas is a gift certificate, although sometimes it may appear a bit impersonal. What if we could find a gift that is specific enough so it shows we care, but not so specific that they may not like it? After hours of browsing the web and looking for alternatives, we found the perfect gift. One that is the middle ground between a gift card and a gift we specifically picked out. A Gift & Incentive Album. Choose from several albums including up to 50 gifts each.
http://iwarman.ordermygift.com/

I just discovered a wonderful gift and I have purchased a bunch to give. They are beautiful cotton throws with a three line embroidery that reads "Welcome to Your new Home Pam Hofmann. The throw is a cream color and the writing is in a soft gold. It comes in a wonderful gift box with tissue. The writing is subtle so the throw will be used every day and not pushed into a closet. They will remember me I'm sure. Great idea!!

The worst closing gift I received (and still laugh about this day...)

1st home purchase. We bought a home that had a glass front door. The agent gave us a closing gift wrapped nicely. Oh, thank you.

Then we opened it. She had given us a personalized brass door knocker that you screw into your front door. Hmmmm, guess she got those gifts for everyone and didn't really pay attention to the fact that we couldn't use that with a glass front door. We still talk today about how that gift obviously had no thought associated with it. Whatever gift you choose, make sure that it is appropriate for everyone and/or change it if it doesn't fit.

This comment is more intended for others reading through this post. Adam was already on track looking for a gift that suits them. Hopefully it went well.