What's a great gift for your real estate agent?
December 10, 2020 3:19 PM Subscribe
I just bought my first home and the buyer's agent was kind and helpful. What should I give to him as a thank you gift? He's married with kids. I was planning to spend about $150.
Yes, respectfully, you've already paid this person quite a bit; you just didn't see it. It would be like buying a new car and then getting a gift for your sales guy. Leave a good review, recommend them to your friends, and sleep like a baby.
posted by ftm at 3:31 PM on December 10, 2020 [23 favorites]
posted by ftm at 3:31 PM on December 10, 2020 [23 favorites]
They give YOU gift. You give good review. Send a personal card if you feel especially moved.
posted by phunniemee at 3:42 PM on December 10, 2020 [11 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 3:42 PM on December 10, 2020 [11 favorites]
Yep! My buyers agent got their commission, a personal holiday card in December, and several referrals.
posted by mochapickle at 3:53 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by mochapickle at 3:53 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
The best gift is good word of mouth.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:01 PM on December 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:01 PM on December 10, 2020 [3 favorites]
To be fair, a realtor that doesn't work independently doesn't see the entire commission. The front office takes a very large chunk.
If the person was really helpful, maybe a nice bottle of wine?
posted by JoeZydeco at 4:06 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
If the person was really helpful, maybe a nice bottle of wine?
posted by JoeZydeco at 4:06 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
In Luis's case: a really spectacular skateboard, but he's a great guy and a friend and that was for reasons specific to his interests.
posted by tangerine at 4:16 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by tangerine at 4:16 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
I've bought a condo and a house and both realters gave us a gift (lamish basket of cheese and crackers, but nice enough). I would send a nice card and no dinero. Glad it was a nice experience for you but no need to gift them...
posted by rhonzo at 4:16 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by rhonzo at 4:16 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
Hi! My mother is a Realtor who loves being a buyer's agent. She will buy her clients a bottle of wine (if they drink) or a fruit basket (if they don't) because 1) she loves helping people find and buy houses and 2) she makes money off of the deal.
Refer your agent to others and that is enough.
posted by kimberussell at 4:21 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
Refer your agent to others and that is enough.
posted by kimberussell at 4:21 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
I get where you are coming from. It is true that you did not pay your agent. But, they got paid by the seller.
I ran into my agent about 4 months after my transaction at a small restaurant. I sent her and her husband a round of drinks. When my bill came it was just for the drinks. She picked up my entire tab.
I have sent her several referrals and they have been repeat customers of hers. As everyone above said, give the gift that keeps on giving, a great review or referrals or both.
posted by AugustWest at 5:04 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
I ran into my agent about 4 months after my transaction at a small restaurant. I sent her and her husband a round of drinks. When my bill came it was just for the drinks. She picked up my entire tab.
I have sent her several referrals and they have been repeat customers of hers. As everyone above said, give the gift that keeps on giving, a great review or referrals or both.
posted by AugustWest at 5:04 PM on December 10, 2020 [2 favorites]
We gave ours a gift certificate to a nice restaurant.
posted by Ideefixe at 5:53 PM on December 10, 2020
posted by Ideefixe at 5:53 PM on December 10, 2020
It's an intense experience and you feel a connection. I recommend a donation in the agent's name to a program that serves the homeless or provides food to people who need it. Good review, referrals, heartfelt note of thanks.
posted by theora55 at 6:38 PM on December 10, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 6:38 PM on December 10, 2020 [5 favorites]
I was a broker briefly and worked in an office with a lot of high-producers. Every day the reception area was full of giant gift baskets and bottles of wine and other things that were gifts from the brokers to their buyers.
Referrals are absolutely the best gift. The only way brokers get listings is by "making the network work."
posted by bendy at 9:11 PM on December 10, 2020
Referrals are absolutely the best gift. The only way brokers get listings is by "making the network work."
posted by bendy at 9:11 PM on December 10, 2020
I gave my agent a gift Card to a local electronics store
posted by brujita at 11:29 PM on December 10, 2020
posted by brujita at 11:29 PM on December 10, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
Good internet reviews from satisfied customers are highly appreciated by the real estate agents I've worked with. I'd suggest taking some time and effort into writing your review, citing specifics, and posting it broadly. A thank-you note would also be appreciated, I'm sure.
posted by kdar at 3:28 PM on December 10, 2020 [46 favorites]