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Leave a Lasting Impression A Guide to Closing Gifts
By Paige Brown
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For agents and clients everywhere, closing day is one of the most rewarding moments in a real estate journey. Whether you’re representing the buyer or the seller, closings should be celebrations of all the time, stress and hard work it took to navigate the transaction.
But just because you reach the finish line doesn’t mean the relationship is over. From endless phone calls and emails to signing stacks of paperwork and meeting deadlines, you and your clients have been through a lot together. Closing gifts are a great way to express your gratitude and celebrate your client’s new beginning.
Choosing the right closing gift, however, is very important. You want to show your clients that you’ve listened to their wants and needs, while reminding them how much you care, not just about the transaction, but their future in their new home. Additionally, closing gifts can be the key to a successful and thriving real estate career. Why Closing Gifts Are a Good Idea It’s important to show your clients that they’re appreciated and leave a lasting impression to not only maintain these relationships, but keep you top-of-mind, grow your sphere of influence and build even more relationships through referrals. As a real estate professional, you should always strive to foster genuine and personal connections with your clients, especially when it comes to the success of your business.
With personalized and mindful gifts, you’re also creating a memorable experience that will stay with your clients for years to come. If your clients have real estate needs in the future, they’ll pick up the phone and call you—and they’ll pass your name and contact information along to family and friends who may be considering a move. This can also help motivate them to provide positive testimonials and reviews that can be shared across
your social media accounts and on your website.
How to Determine What to Gift Your Clients When it comes to closing gifts, practicality and sincerity are where you want to start. You’ve worked with your client for some time now to get them to this point, so you should have a good idea of their lifestyle and interests. Consider who lives in the home—whether it’s a young couple, a family with children or a retiree— and give a gift that will resonate with everyone.
It’s also important to give a gift that will benefit your clients, rather than something they can’t or won’t use. If you’re gifting them something they can put to use right away, or something that can help them out once they’re settled into their new home, make sure you’re thoughtful and deliberate.
How Much to Spend on Closing Gifts Before you go out and purchase a gift, understand your budget. Begin with your market, the type of property you sold and the type of client. For example, if you’re working in a luxury market and your client just closed on a luxury property, your gift should reflect that. Or, if your client happens to be a family with young children, consider gifting something they can all enjoy, rather than something just for the adults or the home.
Keep in mind that cost isn’t everything. The more meaningful or personal the gift, the better. If your client is new to the area, consider a gift card to a local restaurant or experience in the area to help get them acclimated to their new neighborhood, town or city.
Closing gifts can also be written off as a tax deduction, but there are rules. If you plan to purchase a gift for your client, the IRS only allows a $25 deduction limit per individual. If, however, your gift is decked out with your personal branding, you may be able to deduct the entire gift as a promotional or advertising expense.
Closing Gift Ideas for Your Next Client When it comes to choosing a gift for your client, you may become overwhelmed, but remember to keep their interests and needs in mind. Refer back to your notes and conversations from throughout the process, consider if they’re new to the area, or simply ask them if there’s anything on their housewarming wish list to fill that void. Below is a list of closing gifts to help you stay top-of-mind and leave a lasting impression.
– Custom Return Address Stamp. Celebrate your client’s purchase with a custom stamp featuring their new address. This will be especially helpful if your client plans to send out holiday cards or invitations to a housewarming party. – Local Gift Card/Membership. A gift card to a local restaurant, or a membership to a local museum or club will make a great gift the whole family can enjoy. – Local Experiences. These types of gifts can include everything from cooking classes at the local bakery to tickets to an upcoming film festival or fair. – Video Doorbell. Smart home technology is quickly becoming a must-have for homeowners, and your client will appreciate a lasting gift to keep their home safe. – Subscription Boxes. There are monthly subscription boxes for just about every interest. Consider who your client is and what they like to do, and you’ll be in their minds each month when their subscription box arrives at their door. – Yard Games. Backyard family fun is the gift that keeps on giving. Add customization for a truly unique gift your clients will cherish for years to come. – Recipes. A classic housewarming gift, recipes can get your clients excited about cooking in their brandnew kitchen. Create a few recipe cards and add your information to the back to keep you top-of-mind. – Home Decor and Art. If you have a good idea of your client’s style, this can be a great gift. Consider purchasing a painting from a local artist, creating a custom piece of art featuring their new home or putting together a collection of frames to put their favorite pictures on display. – Gift Basket. Go the extra step and feature multiple gifts thoughtfully compiled into a gift basket. A candle, a bottle of wine, a coffee table book, a collection of coffee and new mugs, kitchen or bath essentials can create a beautifully presented and purposeful gift basket. – Professional Services. Use the relationships you’ve cultivated with local landscapers, interior designers and painters as leverage for client gifts. Refer your clients to these companies in exchange for free consultations or discounts on their services. Your local partners will appreciate the new business, while your clients will appreciate the services for their new home. RE
Paige Brown is RISMedia’s content editor. Email her your real estate news ideas to pbrown@rismedia.com.
