I’m sure we can all agree, real estate is a relationship business. Consider your closing gift as en extension of your relationship. But before we get into the different types of gifts, it’s important to understand why you are giving it and what message you want to achieve by giving it.
What are you trying to say with your closing gift?
If you think about your recent transaction, it will tell you what you want to say. If your customer was stressed about something that may have gone awry at the closing table, then consider these choices to ease their mind:
- A spa gift certificate
- A certificate to a favorite restaurant
- Booking a local fishing guide for the day
If you sold them a new home, then think about things they may need:
- $200 to spend on window coverings
- An under the kitchen sink organizing system
- A high quality kitchen trashcan
You see the direction you can take. Look at the situation and make a fitting gift that lets them know you care and want them to have the best possible home ownership experience possible.
Giving a closing gift does not mean you will work with them again.
Many agents think that giving a closing gift to a new homeowner is the key to getting future business. Things sure would be easier if this were the case.
But if you think about it, a gift is a gift. It’s a thank you. And even though the number one reason a closing gift is given is because agents want an endless stream of real estate referrals, nothing about giving a gift is designed to say “hey, think of me next time you bump into someone that wants to buy or sell.”
If you want repeat business and referrals, nothing tops a good post closing follow up system.
It’s easy to get into a rhythm of moving from one closing to another. Time spent building a book of future business is many times hard to carve out, because, well… there just are not enough hours in the day.
