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I'm Rethinking the Entire Closing Gift Experience

By Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

Industry Observer with RETIRED / State License is Inactive Inactive License Oregon

March 14, 2011 09:07 AM

As an Exclusive Buyer Agent, I have gifted many a thing to my clients . . .

Delivered pizzas and cold beer when new homeowners were moving in over the weekend -- and had help from friends and family

Left beautiful flower bouquets for clients who would be coming in from out-of-town, time of arrival unknown.

For pet owners, I've hired Doody Calls, a local pooper scooper service

Sometimes I buy new lock sets, or
Had the carpet cleaned for the new homeowners, or
Hired a maid service to clean nook and granny, or
Bought gift cards to local eateries

Now, I'm rethinking the entire closing gift . . .

Kodak Pulse is a digital frame that would be a perfect closing gift. Why, I even could take the photos of their home, and have it wating for the new home owners on their kitchen counter . . . Maybe even fill it fulll of flowers . . . a Nice Welcome (To Your New) Home.

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Robert McArtor

RE/MAX Components - Fallston Maryland - Bel Air, MD

Top Listing Agent for Baltimore and Harford County

I like the digital frame idea...would it be too tacky to put a picture of yourself in it holding a SOLD sign??!!

Mar 14, 2011 09:27 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Hi Robert . . . well, Robert #5 has a good suggestion.

Hey Yolanda -- yes, memorable, Sure beats the pooper scooper guy ;-)

Hi Pat . . . your quite welcome

Hey Maria -- those magazine are good, but the digital frame won't go to the recyle bin (as all peridicals seem to go over time)

Hi Robert . . . I think that would be a funny thing to do, and certainly true!

Mar 14, 2011 09:44 AM

Kristal Wilson

KB Home - Fontana, CA

Cause We Like 'Em New ~ New Home Specialist!

Carla ~ I think the digital frame is a great idea but would you give the same gift based on different prices for the homes?

Mar 14, 2011 09:45 AM

Laraine Shape

Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Glendale, OH

Selling Cincinnati...one kitchen at a time

You had pizza delivered? Carla, I know you don't date out of your own species....but how about if I offered to marry you. Would you consider it?

Mar 14, 2011 11:12 AM

Christine Hooks

Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ

Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

I like that idea, Carla. I can just imagine the buyers walking into the house and seeing your photo slide show. Perhaps for an upper price range home, you could have the frame 'custom framed' to fit their decor? Just an idea.

Mar 14, 2011 11:16 AM

Allison Stewart

St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL

St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

#8- LOL spoen like a true pug!

Carla-the Pizza idea is always a sure fire hit. I like the digital frame too- I usually give a photo album of the before photos.

Mar 14, 2011 12:14 PM

Dawn A Fabiszak

Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO

The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Carla ~ come on now....Are you trying to brown-nose the Kodak contest judges?!
HA! I do think it would be a great idea!

Mar 14, 2011 01:24 PM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Carla, I've done the pizza and gift cards to local stores, but just love your Kodak pulse idea. Besides, as Dawn suggested, its a great way to get the attention of the Kodak contest judges.

Mar 14, 2011 01:40 PM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

There has been a slew of posts on closing gifts this week (was it a competition?). This is another great idea.

Mar 14, 2011 02:22 PM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

Carla - I think this is an excellent gift, something really different and most likely something they'll use for a very long time.

Mar 14, 2011 03:01 PM

Cindy Marchant

Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN

"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Love these contests...this was perhaps the ONLY one that was easy for me...same gift every time. I did do a few of the ones you suggested early on....I was expecting to click on the video and see you in it as Abe Lincoln or something...lol

Mar 14, 2011 03:02 PM

Karen Bernetti

Southington, CT

Love the photo fram idea - but the pizza and beer sure sounds good too!!

Mar 14, 2011 05:00 PM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I think this is a great gift & a great idea. I'm going to check out how much it is.

Mar 15, 2011 04:23 AM

Debbie Rumsey

HomeSmart Realty West, Carlsbad, CA - Encinitas, CA

Realtor, Green, SFR

I just want to know where you found a maid service that not only cleaned the nook but "Granny" too!? Sorry, that typo was just too funny to pass up! Great ideas...

Mar 16, 2011 07:52 AM

Carla Freund

Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC

NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Carla - Lots of great closing gift ideas but, I do like the digitial frame idea.

Mar 16, 2011 12:16 PM

Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Carla - if they are from out of town perhaps pictures of local attractions, eateries, boutiques or historical buildings ..... a look at their new home town

Mar 16, 2011 04:27 PM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

LOL Debbie @15 -- Love the typos!! Nook and Granny . . . that's funny! Thanks for pointing that out. Just proves a valid point . . . writers can't spell! HA HA HA

WOW Kathy #20 -- that's a really good idea!

Mar 17, 2011 04:45 AM

Andi Grant

310-508-4354 | FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com - Los Angeles, CA

Helping 1st time buyers and home sellers in LA!

"Why, I even could take the photos of their home, and have it wating for the new home owners on their kitchen counter.."LOVE THAT IDEA CARLA!

#20 - the combo of you and Carla's idea is really awesome.

Gosh too bad you couldn't PERMANENTLY have a photo of your name and number in the rotation. LOL

Mar 17, 2011 12:16 PM

Barbara Hensley

RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX

Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Carla, same here, I am thinking about that frame also. I am checking out the costs, etc. tomorrow as i have a couple of closing coming up. Also...hard to beat the pizza and beer...but I really like the "keeper" of the frame idea.

Mar 21, 2011 01:03 PM

Kari Wisenbaker

Keller Williams Realty Downtown - Denver, CO

Keller Williams Realty Downtown - (303) 909-0906

Hi Carla,

The frame is great - if you are looking for another idea, check out SageMyNest.com. They offer "kits" that have everything you need for a sage cleansing ritual to encourage positive energy in a new home. They offer pre-packaged, ready-to-give closing gifts which are specifically marketed for Realtors and Lenders. There is a place to put your business card, and they are packaged nicely. The whole experience will leave a lasting memory and impression with your clients.

I used to give more expensive gift cards, and have found a much more meaningful response and level of appreciation from clients when they receive a Sage-housewarming kit for closing.

Hope this helps!

www.sagemynest.com

Jul 23, 2012 08:30 AM

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