Top 10 Realtor Closing Gifts
Many readers have written to me asking for gift suggestions. They don't want to come across as ungrateful, especially if their agents have worked their tails off or sprinted that extra yard. But clients also want to appear thoughtful and give a gift that will be appreciated. So, what do you do?
Because it's not as though the agent hasn't earned a tidy little sum known as a commission for bringing the transaction to a successful close, which means the agent can buy herself or himself almost anything he or she desires. Moreover, a common concern among some home sellers and buyers is does the Realtor even deserve a closing gift? Some don't. Realize that closing gifts from a client are never expected, and you're under no obligation to deliver a gift.
But let's say your Realtor does deserve a gift, a small token of your appreciation and gratitude. What kind of gift should you send? Here is a list of the top 10 Realtor closing gifts -- but pay special attention to the number one closing gift because it carries tons more weight than anything else you could give . . . read more about Realtor closing gifts.
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Comments
Great suggestions, I think gift certificates are always a good idea. Thanks!
I think it’s rediculous to give a closing gift to a real estate agent. Real estate is the most ridiculous job in the world! It only takes about $800 and a couple weeks of classes to become a licenced agent, and for that they make thousands of dollars off of your home purchase and/or sale? Seriously, become a agent yourself and save the $6,000, but certainly don’t buy them a gift for making money off of you already!
LOL. Tell us how you REALLY feel, Josh.
Oh really Josh, Go get your license and see for yourself, If you really think it’s that easy to earn that money.
I know how hard I work for my money. I am a 24/7 agent. In most cases the commission isn’t all that huge and it takes months to earn it. Every one of my clients deserves the effort and time I spend with them. One thing I would never expect or want is a gift from my buyer or seller. At the end of a transaction most clients write letters to the broker and refer business to the better agent. That’s the gift I want – for someone to be so happy with my services that they would refer me to someone else.
It takes a tremendous amount of time, effort, patience and persistence to bring a buyer or seller to a close and the money earned is a nice bonus. There’s so much legal responsiblity you take for your clients too. In some cases you may have worked months with clients and they change their mind or their situation changes and you have to just smile, let them know you’re there when they need you and move on. These are the kinds of things that most people don’t realize we go through. They just look at the times when things do work out.
Whoever started this has little or no respect for the realtor’s time. I know, personally, I go above and beyond for my clients. I would love to make a top 10 gift list for the person who wrote this column. Before they speak, they need to be in our position and see how hard we fight on behalf of our clients.
To Josh,
Your comment sure comes from someone who NEVER walked in a Realtor’s shoes. I challange you to get your license then you will see why 80% of the agents get out of the business in the first year. We just make it look easy.
I was very disappointed with my realtor. She would send me listings, but I was not interested in any of the homes she sent. Each and every house we looked at, I had found. When it came time to close, her associate told me my gift was in the mail. I never received anything. I called my realtor three times after the closing for various reasons and she never returned a single phone call. All this left a distaste with me. I had two referrals for her and she couldn’t be bothered to return my calls.
That is unfortunate that your agent, for whatever reason, never called you back. I’ve had clients ask me at closing: “So, does this mean we’ll never see you again?” I tell them no. I never go away.