Creative Ways to Say Thank You

Most top real estate agents find ways to welcome their clients to their new home. A common theme is a bottle of wine and some wine glasses for that first post-threshold toast, or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up that empty living space until the furniture arrives.

But are you truly being as creative as you can with your appreciation? Here are some innovative gift ideas that will truly keep you front of mind with your valued customers and assure their gratitude and repeat business, not to mention a slew of referrals.

1. How about a streaming video device, like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick? There’s a good chance your clients will not have their cable service up and running for a few days, and this is an excellent way for them to enjoy their television before they get that connection going. Bundle it up in a basket with some DVD’s for the kids, and don’t forget all necessary cables.

2. Matching bathrobes and Bath kits: Fleece or terrycloth bathrobes and a basket filled with highend his and her body scrubs, bubble bath and other luxurious pampering items can make the first night in a new home feel like a check-in at a fabulous resort and make the memory of that first night one to cherish. Again, don’t forget the kids!

3. Arrange a catered meal from a local vendor. Ascertain in advance dietary preferences and restrictions, and have a wonderful, healthy meal delivered on move-in night. To complete the magic, provide brand new plates, silverware and glassware to serve it all on.

4. For homes with swimming pools or Jacuzzis, a stack of fluffy pool towels is always appreciated and will be used by family and friends for years to come. Additionally, acrylic stemware for celebrating safely can be provided alongside them.

5. If it’s winter time and the home has a fireplace, make sure there’s plenty of wood to burn. Some fireplace accessories and a log holder will certainly make your clients appreciate you on every chilly night to come.

So when it comes to gifting your buyers, the trick is to be creative. A bottle of wine lasts one night, and the flowers wilt in a few days. Try coming up with something a little more creative that will remain with your clients in their day-to-day lives and remind them of you consistently. The little bit extra you spend to show your gratitude can reap huge dividends when it comes time for your client to purchase a second home or refer a friend.

LINDA & LOUIS ERICE

With their combined experience of more than three decades, Louis and Linda Erice are elevating the real estate industry. In 1992 after a career in retail, Louis decided he wanted to make a change and dived right into real estate. Linda worked in the travel industry and in 2001, she chose to make a career move. Today, they run highly successful practices in residential, commercial, and luxury.

Although they operate different aspects of the business, working together on a team is the perfect lifestyle for the Erice’s.

“Linda runs the residential side and has a general manager supervising team members,” Louis explains. She also has a business partner that she works luxury with. Louis oversees the three Keller Williams offices in Miami-Dade County and has a highly successful commercial real estate practice. “I opened up the first Keller Williams franchise in 2003, the second in 2017.”

In 2022, while continuing to run the already accomplished first and second offices, they applied and were approved for a luxury KW portfolio office. “It is one of the first portfolio offices approved in the state of Florida by Keller Williams, the office is a real estate brand compromised exclusively of agents synonymous with the pinnacle segment of the luxury market in an upscale environment.”

Not surprisingly, Linda and Louis’s repeat and referral business is an impressive 75 percent, one reason being their unwavering commitment, market expertise, and passion for helping clients achieve their real estate goals. “It’s our level of service and our knowledge of the neighborhoods, market, and overall industry,” Louis says. Understandably so, staying in touch is of utmost importance to them.”

The Erice’s were named Real Trends 2021, top 1.5% in the country, and were number 26 in Florida. Louis sold significant properties, such as the $50,000,000 development site near Coral Gables, a half block in Coconut Grove, an 80-story development near the Brickell City Center Louis specializes in development, hospitality, industrial, and retail. In the luxury division, Linda, and her partner Michelle broke records in elevating prices per square foot thanks to their staging, marketing, and international connection through US and Europe.

When it comes to their favorite part of having a career in real estate, Linda loves it all. “It’s more of a lifestyle than a job,” she says. “You’re involved from the moment you get up to the moment you go to bed. Helping clients get what they want. That’s important to us.” As for Louis: “It’s about the deal, the excitement of putting it together and negotiating. It’s a business we both enjoy. Even though we don’t do the same thing, we work together.”

Linda and Louis are highly active in their community, a notable testament to their character. “We contribute a lot,” Linda explains. “Through donations to charities in our community like, Miami Rescue. They also participate in Red Day through Keller Williams. “One day a year in May all Keller Williams Market Center agents and leadership step away from daily business duties to serve our communities with local causes to support in person,” Louis says. “Every office selects a community event. It’s a wonderful way to give back to our communities.”

When they are not working or contributing to their community, Linda and Louis love boating, the beach, traveling, dining ou, and exercising. Looking forward, they plan to open another Keller Williams office and continue to build their practices. “We do a lot of business with people in New York and Rome and plan to grow those markets, but mainly our focus is Miami,” Louis says. Linda continues: “We’re growing our team so we can be in more of a management role. We’re enjoying our lives and the business. We’re going to be involved for a long time.”