

"We were supposed to get a gift?!?!"
"Mine just sends me ads for more houses for sale. Guess that's the thanks I get for paying them"
"My agent gave me a handwritten thank-you card asking for referrals"
"Mine gave us a $10 bottle of wine from Walmart. We don't drink."
So, I recently went on Reddit to get some ideas of what sorts of things realtors have given their clients to say "thanks for trusting me". I have to admit that I was shocked by some of the things people had gotten. One person said their realtor had given then a kitten! Really?
So here is some advice (as someone who was in the real estate industry for several years) for realtors trying to give their clients a meaningful & memorable gift for trusting them through this process of home-buying.
1. Listen to your clients.
There is an art to gifting. You know that person who always seems to get just the perfect, most thoughtful thing for everyone they know? Well first off they listen, they listen to their clients when they talk about their likes/dislikes, their favorite vacation spots, their favorite types of food, their favorite sports teams.
Realtors are in the unique position of helping people through a rather intimate experience, buying a home. They also spends LOTS of time with people, sometimes riding around in their cars with them.
2. Don't make it all about promoting yourself.
I'm a business owner, so I get it. I want everyone to know where they got their gifts and you want everyone to know that you're the best in town BUT you're clients don't need another water bottle (or blanket) with your logo splashed all over it. (yes, there is a time and place for branded merch).
Curating a thoughtful gift that promotes your values and that will have your clients saying "look what our realtor DID for US?" is far more important and impactful.
3. Don't forget about your clients after the closing papers have been signed.
The transactional part of your relationship might be over for now but you're clients can become your best forms of advertising. Don't forget about them! Touch base every now and then. Thank them when they've sent you a referral or bragged about you social! Send them a gift when they have their first baby! Wish them a Happy Birthday! Gifting doesn't have to be costly but it should be thoughtful.
4. Don't underestimate the value of a handwritten note
These days I relish the times when I get the mail and I see a card in there or something that isn't a bill or junk mail. My husband and I once had a spectacular meal at a steakhouse in Charleston and 2 weeks after we went we got a note in the mail (!) thanking us for visiting their restaurant. I still remember that and that was years ago. Do you know why? Because it's so rare that we get handwritten mail anymore. Sending a warm, sincere note in the mail on special occasions or when you give a gift is as important as ever in our digital age.

If you're a realtor or other service professional and don't want to add one more thing to your to do BUT you do want to WOW! your clients, reach out and let us handle all of your custom gifting!