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Gift baskets for closings - handmade

By Karen Hurst

Real Estate Broker/Owner with RICOASTALLIVING.COM

March 01, 2009 05:46 AM

conimicut litehouse basket There have been a few posts here in Active Rain regarding baskets for closing gifts. I thought I would upload one that I did for a client.

My intention was to "make it personal". I wanted something that the client would actually use and remember me when they used it. Of course each client is a little different so every basket has to be a little different.

This particular couple liked wine and sitting in their backyard at night by the pool. They also lived near the Conimicut Lighthouse which I happened to have done a painting of a few years back.

Because I belong to Cafe Press, I was able to have the painting reproduced on a small box (see photo) and also a Notebook (which you cannot see but is in back of the box). A couple of fancy wine glasses, both white and red wine and a couple of candles with holders completed the basket.

I liked the idea that this basket used both my paintings in a useful way and was "personal" to the buyer. Obviously the basket you make would "fit" the house sale and this one did.

Any other ideas or photos out there?

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Lourdes Hoglo REALTOR® Three Village & North Shore Suffolk Co. Long Island

Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Setauket, NY

Karen, that is a beautiful basket, and I am sure your clients will appreciate it!

Mar 01, 2009 10:17 AM

Ron Withers ----Retired Mortgage Professional

Kissimmee, FL

Karen:

As I read your post I recollected something from a few years ago. My mother-in law had sold her home and bought one a little bigger just a couple of miles away. A moving party was organized to get enough manpower to facilitate a quick and easy move.

By lunchtime we had made substantial progress and decided to sit down for a break. We had just stopped when there came a knock at the door. Her Realtor stopped by with a basket of fruit and cold cuts and snacks for the moving crew. Thoughtful.....absolutely! Was I impressed.....indeed!....moreover she is consistent in her follow-on contacts with cards, etc. That was 5-6 years ago. She has got referrals from this and she is now helping mother-in law to find an investment property. Personal touches are rewarding!

Mar 02, 2009 12:36 AM

Anonymous

Consuela Greene

Karen,

You did a great job creating the gift basket for your clients. The ribbon and bow are very pretty. My gift basket company has done a number of gift baskets for realtors. Their home buyers always enjoy that "personal touch" that my clients have me design for them.

Consuela

Mar 02, 2009 03:28 AM

Sylvie Conde

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

Karen, very thoughtful and very creative. I always personalize the gift, as well (although I may not always make it myself). :)

Wine and wine glasses are always included for my clients who love to sit and have a glass of wine.
I also usually include a gift certificate for a local restaurant, so they can sit down and have a meal on me, after moving in (and I've also been known to bring food and wine and drop it off, if I know they have small children and can't make it out for dinner; etc. and this meal I COOK MYSELF!!).

Just recently gave someone a spa certificate, because I thought that's what she needed the most (high school teacher).

I think our clients do appreciate knowing that we took the time to match the gift to their 'likes' or 'needs'.

Mar 02, 2009 04:22 AM

Jim Mushinsky

Centsable Inspection - Framingham, MA

Hi Karen. Very nice. I eapecially like how you make it personal, something you have learned about your client that you know they will appreciate.

On the last house I purchased I also received a gift from my realtor. At the time I didn't think much of one of the items, yet now I really appreciate them. The realtor printed up nice 4x6 photos that were used in the listing. It is great to look back on what we purchased and how we have changed the house to make it our home.

Mar 02, 2009 04:36 AM

Karen Hurst

RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Waterfront!

Judy, Thankyou, probably not very original but I like it:)

George!! How are you? I have not been in (on) ? here as much as I would like, probably missed all kinds of things:)

Ron, That proves my point!!! You remembered!! And remembered in a good way.

Lourdes, thankyou, they "seem" to but one is never sure. I'll invite them on this post to comment:)

Consuela. thankyou for your nice comments! It's especially warming to hear from a professional!

Sylvie, I would lose the client for life if I cooked for them!!!lol...I have four things that I can really cook well and that's it!!! Although if someone were to give "me" a basket, I think I would like a home cooked meal:)

Jim, thanks for that idea! And all Realtors have photos of the homes, so it's not a big leap to print.

Mar 02, 2009 08:14 AM

Bill Gassett

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA

Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

I do gift baskets from time to time. I actually make them up myself with wine cheese and other goodies.

Mar 02, 2009 10:18 AM

Lisa Glowacki

Lisa Glowacki - Rhode Island & Massachusetts - Tiverton, RI

Real Estate Broker - RI & MA

Karen, I love it.

Mar 03, 2009 07:02 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I LOVE to make baskets! I love to do the bathroom ones with all the same matching towels, rugs, curtain and accessories.....

Mar 03, 2009 10:54 AM

Judi Morgan

RETIRED - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, TX Real Estate

Karen, very nice basket. I'd love to receive a gift basket with a print of one of your paintings. :) As you know I also put personal baskets together for my clients and really enjoy finding things that I know or think that they'll enjoy.

Mar 03, 2009 12:09 PM

Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

Karen: Beautiful basket and I know I would love a painting that was actually done by my Realtor. I think clients really appreciate the extra care when the gift is personalized. It makes them feel very appreciated. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Mar 03, 2009 12:27 PM

Karen Hurst

RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Waterfront!

Bill, It's so nice to hear that from a man:)

Lisa, Thankyou:)

Sally, Now that's something I never thought of, bathroom baskets. There's a site called personalcreations where I might be able to personalize a towel. thanks for the idea!

Judi, Is that a hint:)?

Donna, I would like to actually paint the house, but it's a little time consuming and just in case that house doesn't sell, I will have spent a lot of time for nothing.

Mar 04, 2009 01:33 AM

Judi Morgan

RETIRED - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, TX Real Estate

Karen, ummmmmm, yes!!! Glad you read between the lines. :)

Mar 04, 2009 11:24 AM

Ginger S

Wilkinson & Associates, Wilmington NC - Wilmington, NC

Wilmington NC Real Estate & Relocation~

Karen, You are an amazingly talented artist! Any client would be thrilled to have this lovely homemade special gift. Awesome!

Mar 17, 2009 05:44 AM

Karen Kruschka

RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA

- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Karen You gave me a great idea. My husband's hobby is bread baking - he speializes in artisan and sourdough - now I've got the start of a basket and I don't have to do the work as you did with your painting. Thank you, Karen

Mar 25, 2009 06:25 AM

"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.

President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Karen...

I'm still stuck on making them give us closing gifts. We're the ones that did all the work :)

TLW...ROAR!

Mar 31, 2009 10:59 AM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Karen

Nice touch! I've given closing gifts, too, but I can't create like you can. Some of my clients bought Victorians and Craftsmen that are typical in my area ---- so I bought them books about the type or architecture of their home, even a book on colorists for vintage homes. They make good reference materials and coffee table displays.

I have also offered to give/help with housewarming parties.

The best time I ever had was bringing wine to my clients, and I ended up staying and sharing wine, cheese and pate with them.

Apr 07, 2009 07:59 PM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Karen, I've done baskets, some with homemade bread. Sometimes I use the Magazine closing gifts, sometimes I send a Lowe's card, especially if they bought one that needs work. I try to fit the gift to the client. BUT definitely believe in closing gifts. The surprise has been a closing gift to me from the client, this has happened several times.

Apr 07, 2009 09:46 PM

Yolanda Hoversten

Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL

Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Hi, Karen! Great idea! I'll buy a house from you just so I can have a copy of that painting. : ) You also point out that we should pay attention to what our clients' interests are. Happy Easter!

Apr 11, 2009 06:14 AM

Karen Hurst

RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI

Rhode Island Waterfront!

To all, please let me apologize for this late response. I did not know there were comments here!

Ginger, thank you, It's always nice to here compliments. Artists are their own worst critics!

Karen, That's a great idea!! If I could cook well, I would definitely put some cakes in the baskets. My neighbor makes a Friendship cake and gives to all of us at Xmas. I look forward to it every year.

TLW:) You're right, I'm going to ask my buyer what she thinks:) Glad to see you out and about.

Pacita, I think architectural books are a good idea. In fact I was just online looking for a book on the history of an area that I have just sold two homes and both buyers are from out of state. Thought I would include that in the basket. As for the wine, maybe I shouldn't put it in the basket:)

Judi, Sometimes it's difficult to find just the right gift. Especially since we do not know everything about the client. I got flowers from a buyer where I was the Listing Agent! That was awesome.

Yo, anytime you want to move to RI......though I expect that will be never:) Guess I will have to make copies of that lighthouse! Actually i just made mousepads for my office with that lighthouse. Nice to see you:)

Apr 15, 2009 11:38 AM