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Cool Closing Gifts - Top Ten

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Blue60.com

Early in my career, I ran into a client at Home Depot a couple months after closing.  We had a quick chat and I thought we had made a good connection through the sale process and beyond.  Then, just before leaving - he turned to me and said "You know, my wife was surprised we never got a closing gift". I was stunned.  I had never really thought a lot about it.  I worked hard to find them a good home at a great price.  But I thought closing gifts just weren't my style.  He said his wife was still talking about it months later.  I guess I blew it, but I learned my lesson.  So here is a Top Ten list of Cool closing gift ideas!

  1. Name Frames - cool real photos that spell out a name. 
  2. Custom Home Sketches - provide a photo and give your clients a custom sketch of their new home!
  3. Personalized Door Mats - a door mat with your clients name or initial.
  4. Custom Candles - definitely a unique idea.  They offer custom soy candles and will mail one every month for a year after closing.
  5. Personalized Wine - wine, champagne & water with custom labels you create!
  6. Custom Moving Boxes - not the most personal touch, but a unique idea.  Custom moving boxes imprinted with your logo & information. 
  7. Custom Coffee & Chocolate - create custom labels for gourmet coffee or chocolate. Use your marketing info or put pictures of your clients on the labels!
  8. Photo Throw Blankets - have any picture knitted into a throw blanket.
  9. Custom Bath Towel - monogramed personal bath towel, but that's not all.....read on 
  10. Meat Branding Monogram Iron - this is just too weird to pass up.  Sold by the same folks as #9 - the Custom Bath Towel, you can get a monogrammed meat branding iron to put your initials into everything you cook on the grill.  Serious BBQ'ers only please.  Offered by The Personalization Mall, they have hundreds of personalized products you can order for cool closing gifts (Chef hats, carving knives, door knockers, address plaques & more!)
Alisa McKeel Willson
Appraisal Pros in Texas - Huntsville, TX
Certified Res. Appraiser

I think knowing your clients likes and dislikes is important when choosing a closing gift.  My own first home purchase is  a case in point....our agent didn't really know us at all.  His idea of a closing gift was to offer to take us in his small plane for a dinner at a Napa popular spot.  Little did he know I am deathly afraid of heights and for me to fly it has to be a BIG plane...and I never get a window seat. 

Our second home purchase was  better..smile...when the owners moved out it looked like they did motor cycle repair in the family room and throughout the home.  Such a change from when we first saw the home.

Our agent was wonderful...when I saw the house and how bad it looked, I cried. So she had it professionally cleaned -- carpets, windows and all as our gift.  Now that was someone who understood.

Your list is great and I think anyone could find something to match the clients likes on there.

 

Apr 28, 2008 06:56 PM
Cedric (Ced) Reynolds
Covina, CA
(909) 263-4569
Good ideas Bo.  Closing gifts that make a difference will also make a lasting impact.
Apr 28, 2008 06:58 PM
Retha Arrabal
Doug Ashley Realtors, LLC - Chestertown, MD
GRI, Associate Broker

One of my first gifts, to a family who bought a wonderful home in the historic district of Chestertown, was a babysitter for their two kids during their move in.  I took the kids and sitter to the pool at Chester River Yacht and Country Club, gave the sitter my account number, 30 sunblock (lifeguard on duty),  The kids made friends, had a great day, lunch and snacks on me. 

 I have received three referrals from this family, who still talk about how wonderful their move was, two of these referrals have resulted in sales.  Not all families have kids, so sometimes I bring in lunch for the moving day,  provide "muscle" for unpacking day. I try to tailor the service to fit their needs, and also check it out with them first!

You make a lasting impression when you don't just walk after after closing.  Great ideas for the monogrammed gift.

Apr 28, 2008 07:38 PM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor
Bo, connecting with your clients while thanking them for their business and giving them a neat remeinder of your relationship is good.
Apr 28, 2008 10:11 PM
Jim Dvorovy
Cutler Real Estate - Canton, OH
REALTOR - Canton Ohio Real Estate
A gift certificate in an appropriate amount at one of their favorite restaurants seems to be well received in our local market. While out showing homes and getting to know the buyers is a perfect time to ask where they like to dine.
Apr 28, 2008 10:11 PM
Tiffany Wilson
eReal Estate Corp - Redondo Beach, CA
SFR, First Time Home Buyers & Investors
Bo, I love your ideas, but I guess I take a bit more of a utilitarian and practical stance when it comes to closing gifts.  I like the idea of a gift basket of environmentally friendly cleaning products, a list of where they can buy these products, as well as coupons from local stores/restaurants (dry cleaning, hair salon, hardware store, etc.) that will help them get settled into their new home.
Apr 28, 2008 10:44 PM
Susie Blackmon
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

It is always important to show appreciation for people who have confidence in us.  I do not skimp on things like that.  Goodpost subject.

  

Apr 28, 2008 10:47 PM
Misty Thomas
Houston Realty - Crosby, TX
Realtor Crosby, TX
Love this list! i think I am going to buy the branding iron for my husband who swears he is the master of the grill! I am bookmarking...I have somegifts I need to buy for closings I have coming up that I want to be special...thanks for posting!
Apr 29, 2008 12:06 AM
Timothy Schwartz
Century 21 Mack Morris Iris Lurie - Marlboro Twp, NJ
I will sell advertising on my burgers if anyone is interested, just send your brand to my grille and a check for 25.00 :)  Golly, what's next?
Apr 29, 2008 02:42 PM