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Move-In Welcome Package - What do you include?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Crye-Leike, Realtors

welcomeI'm curious if you make move-in or welcome packages for buyers when they first move into a home. What do you include or have you heard good ideas about what other people are packaging together.

Here's some information I've seen. I thought these were good ideas. 

  • When does the trash come?
  • Where is the school bus stop?
  • Where's the grocery store?
  • Menus for restuarants that deliver or are nearby.
  • Appliance manuals.
  • Location of the water shut-off.
  • Age of roof, water heater, a/c etc. Recommendations of home service providers.

How would you build on this? Do you actually do this?

Comments (8)

Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Angie,

We do a "First-Night Survival Kit" for our buyers, It's fun, yet useful stuff, they love it. And always a little something for the kids and/or pets.

Feb 01, 2008 03:40 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
Hi Lynda - Thanks. What do you put in the first night survival kit?
Feb 01, 2008 03:42 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Angie,

It's a collection of small things they could use the first night. It varies with clients, yet it usually consists of:

Light bulbs (an assortment) paper towels, pump dispenser of liquid soap, Hefty-type trash bags, scissors (inexpensive), roll of duct tape, pkg. of toilet paper, box cutter, a flash light, small first-aid kit, a small toy (toys) for the kids, chocolate bars (for energy) dog biscuits if appropriate, things like that. We usually purchase ahead of time to have on hand. Items are stored in a large plastic bin (covered type) in our back room. This save a lot of time.

Items are loaded in to a plain brown shopping  bag with handles. Handles are tied with a raffia bow. We label both side of the bag with a large personalized "survivor" labels. I'll email you a sample. I "borrowed" the survivor logo from a few season back. It has their names at the top and it says "blah blah, you first night survival kit from me. The bag is usually placed on the kitchen counter so they see it at that moment of excitemen when they first walk-in their new home.

Much to my surprise I've had people tell me they have actually used everything thing provided. BTW, at one time we had huge personalized chocolate bars made that said thank you and your business card (in chocolate) was inserted in the center. Now we just use store bought.

Hope you find this helpful.

 

Feb 01, 2008 08:25 AM
Bob Myers
Re/Max Realty Services - Rockville, MD
Montgomery County MD Real Estate

I did something similar for a while - included many of the things named in the last post, plus a shower curtain, picture hanging kits, basic cleaning supplies.  I found it to be a little difficult to maintain the inventory, and now just give gift certificates (restaurants, Home Depot) and the like to make it easier. 

 

Feb 02, 2008 08:02 AM
Erik Hitzelberger
RE/MAX Alliance - Louisville REALTOR-Luxury Homes - Louisville, KY
Louisville - Middletown Real Estate
Like Bob, I usually give HD or Lowe's gift cards.  These are simple for the agent and useful for the client.  I do however like the idea of giving small things (scissors, trashbags, etc) to help unpack.  It can be extremely frustrating to have to stop what you are doing and run to the store.
Feb 14, 2008 04:31 AM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team
Great ideas.  I have been trying to come up with something other than wine.  Thanks for the tips.
Feb 27, 2008 12:17 AM
Sanela Sells
Coldwell Banker McMahan - Bardstown, KY
find out when their moving day is and have a pizza deliverd to their new home! Always a hit =)
Mar 07, 2008 02:43 PM
Angela Clark
Tony Clark REALTORS - Owensboro, KY
CRS, Realtor, Broker
Angie, Yes, I acutally do the same!  I include similar information, as well as a community calendar of events.   I do all this and more when the buyer is a transferee: The hardest thing about being in a new area is to meet others and feel a part of the community. I invite clients to getting-to know you parties, too.  
Mar 13, 2008 08:43 AM