Finding the right closing gift for a client can be stressful. 

You don't want to look cheap. You want to give them something genuinely delightful. And you want it to be the perfect capstone to an enjoyable experience and important moment in their lives.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. But the following are some ideas for what NOT to do. 

Gift Cards

Let’s be honest. A gift card is the quintessential “phone it in” gift.

Maybe you can actually select a gift card to a business that the client really does love. But even then, gift cards are really a cash grab for businesses who know that a significant portion of the gift cards they sell won’t be redeemed.

You can do better and get something more personal to your clients.

That said, I have gotten gift cards for my clients before. A gift card to Lowes, and a gift card for pizza for an easy “first night meal”.

But neither were the only thing I got my customers.

If you do want to do gift cards, consider getting something for a local restaurant or business rather than the big brands.

Cutting Boards

The classic closing gift. A custom engraved cutting board!

If Etsy sales numbers are to be believed, these things sell like hotcakes to Realtors looking to put a personalized stamp on their closing!

But it's starting to perhaps become a cliché.

Also, engraved cutting boards aren’t always the ideal cutting surface as wood is porous and the engraved grooves will only make it even harder to keep properly clean. They have to be handwashed, can stain, and possibly trap odors. Then there is also the risk of cross contamination if a wood board is used interchangeably for meat and fruits.

If you are gifting cutting boards, consider including a mineral oil designed for cutting boards to help preserve the cutting board. And apparently bamboo is a safer, less porous wood choice.

Wine

Not everyone drinks.

And some who do, shouldn’t!

And others who do are particular about what they imbibe.

Suffice it to say, getting alcohol is a hit or miss gift idea depending on the client.

Obviously if you are well acquainted with the client and their tastes, adding some alcohol can be a solid gift. Especially if it is something local, like a six pack of Texan Shiner Bock or the wine of a local vineyard.

But I would recommend trying to find less intoxicating options as the staple of your closing gift. 

Box Subscriptions

A year’s subscription to a seem like a popular gift idea given how often it comes up in recommendations in articles on Google about the “best closing gift ideas for Realtors”.

But I would be wary of such an idea. Not all clients are likely to be eager for a box of random crap showing up at their door monthly.

The contents of these subscription boxes tend to be cheap stuff, I think it is fair to say. Sometimes, I've wondered if the entire business model is a sneaky way to try to clear excess inventory that couldn't sell through its order. Stuff it in a mystery box, and suddenly people will pay for stuff they never did when it was actually on the shelves! 

Maybe I'm too cynical, and no doubt there are some worthy subscription box ideas. But I would focus on something that they aren't likely to throw away lest it clutter their home. 

Your Own Swag

Apparently “swag” is actually an acronym, standing for Stuff We All Get.

Which perfectly encapsulates why it makes a terrible closing gift.

Your own promotional materials are things you’d probably give to just about anyone. 

It's not special. And it's all about you instead of the client.

Does that mean you can’t give your own marketing materials to clients? Of course not! It’s still called SWAG. Stuff we all get. Including clients! Throw some swag into your Home Shopping Kit or send them home with a goody bag after your first buyer consultation.

But swag shouldn’t be the final closing gift. That should be something special, more expensive, and ideally personalized to your clients and the transaction.

Furniture

Grills, tables, outdoor equipment, appliances....anything requiring setup will probably be met with a lukewarm reception unless it very specifically rubs a particular need for your client.

It’s one thing to get a subscription box with several small items your client may not care for or use. But what are they going to do with an unwanted bulky item like furniture or outdoor swing set?

At a minimum, if you know it’s something they want, consider also either setting it up or having a professional do so. In the midst of a move, they probably will appreciate anything you can do to take work off their plate.

Nothing

Worse than a bad gift is no gift at all!

Can a gift make up for a bad transaction? Bad advice? A disappointing house? Of course not.

Will it ruin a perfect transaction, where the got a great deal, had a smooth transaction, and the house of their dreams? Probably not. 

But is it the small detail that will set you apart from other Realtors who are also delivering smooth transactions on great deals? Will it be something shareable on social media that your clients might share with friends? Will it possibly turn a happy client into a zealous client?

Absolutely. 

Conclusion

Here at RealZeal, we are building a business designed for real estate agents who want a personalized touch before, during, and after the transaction.  

We'd love to help you make your customers zealous referral machines with great closing gifts.