Although summer months are usually moving season, plenty of families want to spend their holidays in a new house.
According to realtor.com, one of the highest-traffic days for online house shopping is Dec. 28. And about 80 percent of real estate agents choose to purchase closing gifts for their clients.
With all of these closings packed into the holiday season, it becomes even more important to find something unique and memorable to purchase for your clients.
After all, they’ll most likely be receiving many different gifts for the holidays, and you want yours to shine. A closing gift isn’t just a way to say thank you — it’s a way for your clients to remember you and their homebuying experience, and recommend you to their friends and family.
I talked to real estate agents for inspiring closing gift ideas that will resonate with clients. Here are some of the most creative and personalized ones they came up with:
1. The gift of experience
Jeffrey Brooks, of Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design, said he likes to give clients experiences.
“One year, I noticed that none of the people I was working with had good family pictures,” he said. “So, I wrapped up gift certificates for a sitting with a professional photographer for everyone, and people went nuts — the good kind of nuts!”
“I’ve given a wine tasting, a ride in a hot air balloon, and one year, a hayride to a picnic dinner,” Brooks said.
Of course, this kind of gift needs the most personalization. You have to know your client to choose something they’re going to enjoy.
Some families might appreciate dinner and a movie, while others may opt for a more exhilarating gift, such as a trip to a local theme park. This can also be an excellent opportunity to help the new homeowners learn more about their neighborhood.
2. Letter-writing materials
A new home has a lot of new things, but the biggest change is the new address. You can give the gift of a personalized return address stamp so your clients can write thank-you notes, send out housewarming party invites or notify change of address in a simple and cute way.
You could also set them up with some personalized stamps with a picture of their new home so they can send mail in style.
3. New address sign
This is another gift that would have to fit with your client’s home. Many home address signs are worn and weathered from enduring the outdoors. If your client’s new home has an outdated address sign, consider buying them a personalized upgrade on their house numbers.
You can also use a new address to create internal home décor. Something like a picture frame with the address printed on burlap could be a nice addition to bare walls — especially if you’re working with first-time homebuyers.
4. Custom portrait of new home
The new homeowner’s address is changing, but only as the result of something bigger: their home is changing. To celebrate that, consider purchasing a custom home illustration.
Many options are available depending on the price range you’re looking for. Here’s an example of a watercolor painting that’s around $37 for a small portrait and a digital painting that’s around $100. You can pay more for enhanced detail — depending on what you want to give your clients.
5. First-day survival kit
If you’re more of a practical gift-giver, consider creating a first-day survival kit. When your clients are moving into the home, there are many things they will forget in the stress of the moment.
Pack cleaning supplies, toiletries, toilet paper and paper towels, plastic dishes and silverware as well as a few ready-to-eat snacks or meals.
6. Welcome mat
What better way to welcome your clients into their new home than with a welcome mat? There are thousands of ways to personalize what adorns the front stoop, and that’s where your knowledge of the clients comes in handy.
If you think the family would be happy with a classy version of their last names on a mat outside their door, the Web offers many options.
If your clients would like something with more personality and less personalization, finding handmade and hand-painted welcome mats online is easy, or you could special order one to fit your client’s taste.
7. Personalized woodcarving
If your clients are less concerned with updating the outside of their home, consider a gift that they will use time and time again such as coasters or a cutting board. It’s easy to find both with personalization options online.
8. Home warranty
Finally, a great closing gift that will help you stand out is one that includes protection for your client’s new systems and appliances.
If your real estate transaction doesn’t include a home warranty already, considering giving one as a gift.
Just make sure you help your clients initially understand what’s covered and what isn’t to avoid questions when something does fail from normal wear and tear.
What gifts do you give for closing? Please share in the comments section below.
Whitney Baum-Bennett is the SEO Specialist at Landmark Home Warranty; see more of her content here.
