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Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I have received many gifts... the best of which was their ongoing friendship.

Jun 06, 2016 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

one of my sellers ( I've sold 6 homes for them) gave me a name plate for my desk that read: Cut The S _ _ T  .... I guess I said it enough times to them during a tough deal on a two family that had a rogue tenant....the tenant shot his live in girl friend and he committed himself to a mental institution so he wouldn't go to jail.... and that held up the closing for months.... 

no one died!!!

Jun 06, 2016 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

My favorite was a client that told me what he was willing to pay for the home and did not want to hear any of the details of negotiations...only the bottom line.

It took me 3 weeks to negotiate and I got the property for about $200,000 less than he was willing to pay.

My "gift" was A $20,000 bonus. A real nice surprise.

Eve

 

 

Jun 06, 2016 09:34 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

The best gift I ever got was a $400 gift certificate to the best spa in town. I've received flowers from time to time.

Jun 06, 2016 10:51 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Many years ago, I helped a violinist and his wife who had fled the Solviet Union in the '60 with the clothes on their backs, his violin and 4 paintings a friend did of Stravinsky ballets rolled into the violin case.  He gave me The Firebird.  It is beautiful and has given me great joy.

Jun 06, 2016 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have received flowers and gifts certificates and appreciated them all.

Jun 06, 2016 09:49 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

Many of our clients have received gifts from their sellers.  In our practice, we received bottles of champagne at Christmas time from building owners where we had placed our clients...definitely dinners at some of LA's finest restaurants.  And Carol Williams is definitely right about friendship.  A

Jun 06, 2016 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Ditto under Carol Williams and Scott Lawson 

PA requires that all $$$ comes via broker to us.  Guess they could join us at Starbucks for coffee.

Jun 06, 2016 08:58 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Yes.  A very happy Short Sale Seller gave us a set of "Mr. Bean" (Rowan Atkinson) - hilarious!

Jun 06, 2016 10:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Yes Fred. I got a $100 gift card to Whole Foods. I worked really hard for then and they knew it.

Jun 06, 2016 12:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I have received a lot of gifts Fred but the best was a young couple didn't like my sorry little computer monitor so thay bought me a nice big one.

Jun 06, 2016 11:56 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

A very nice bottle of wine 

Jun 06, 2016 11:04 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I have recieved doo-dads and misc this or that. If they only knew to just give money....

Jun 06, 2016 10:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,435,300
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Several of my buyers have given me presents some of them little trinkets, I have received several bottles of wine and I love my vino!

Jun 06, 2016 09:21 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

One of my buyers baked me a cake once.  It was so sweet - literally!

Jun 06, 2016 09:01 AM
Rainmaker
108,016
Scott Lawson
America's Home loans - Santa Rosa, Petaluma Mortgage Broker - Santa Rosa, CA
Mortgage Broker FHA, VA, refinance or purchase

Referrals....Lots of referrals....

 

Wine....Care baskets.....Gift card to Starbucks....All of the above--but referrals are the gifts that keep on giving...

Jun 06, 2016 08:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,562,386
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Many different times.  I've received thank-you notes, cards, gift certificates, boxes of chocolate, flowers.

However, THE NICEST GIFT was a hand-crafted bead bracelet.  

What was so special and unique?  It was my business card!

Jun 07, 2016 11:00 AM
Rainer
334,783
Linda Metallo DiBenardo
RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

Hey, is there a Realtor Registry where we can sign up for gifts? Like for baby showers/weddings?    Just kidding!

I have received some nice gift certificates and thank you letters over the years.   I've also gotten the gift of  some clients who have become good friends.

Jun 07, 2016 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Just my commission check...

Jun 07, 2016 03:59 AM
Rainmaker
873,507
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

My biggest gift was a bonus on a sale...but not quite as much as Mike & Eve Alexander received!!!  But the best gift is getting to know so many great people I otherwise would never had met...including one who is now one of my closest friends...and we have done multiple million$ + deals together!!  Plus he out-buys me on a 3-2 basis at lunch!! 

Thanks Fred Griffin for reminding me of the true value of a client relationship...

8:09 am AR time: Funny and true edit:  The client turned close friend called me just as I hit the send button on this answer...and we just talked about an investor we want to solicit for a farm purchase...and planned lunch and a few field tours for tomorrow...crazy...and fun!!

Jun 07, 2016 12:42 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Rarely do I work with young families so when my Buyers appeared at my office door after their closing I didn't know what to think.  Their little girl (4 or 5 years old) wanted to present me with a Thank You gift . . .  it was a small collection of little rocks she'd collected, painted and put stickers on especially for me -  they remain on my desk to this day.

Jun 06, 2016 11:47 PM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

I represented a Liquor Store owner on the sale and purchase of a home. She gave me four exquisite, hand-blown Belgian, single piece crystal wine glasses - $95 each. When I'm feeling special or have company, we use them. I love them.

Jun 06, 2016 11:33 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Never have gotten a closing gift from a client. Not expected.

Jun 06, 2016 11:11 PM
Rainmaker
206,062
Sandy Williams
eXp Realty, sandy@sandywilliams.com - Sarasota, FL

Yes, a bottle of wine, candy but best of all were the referrals.  That says job well done!

Jun 06, 2016 11:01 PM
Rainmaker
152,661
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

A client knit me a blanket. It was so thoughtful and everyone in the house fought over it because it was so soft. 

Jun 06, 2016 10:52 PM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

Last year, I worked with a buyer who was considering either a townhome in the middle of the city or a big home in the suburbs.  We found the home in the suburbs and the day after inspection, he found that he was being transferred to California.  They, of course, opted out of the deal. He and his wife (and cute as a bug, 2 year old daughter) stopped by my office a week later with chocolates and a card.  Inside the card was a check for $1000!  They told me it wasn't really a gift, but compensation for all my tme and trouble!

Jun 06, 2016 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

My favorite gift was front row seats to a Red sox a game. Most often restaurant gift cards are a blessing for an hour away from the hustle and bustle of work.

Jun 06, 2016 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I get quite a few gifts, however one stands out to this day:

One of my buyers gave me $200 in gift certificates to a local restaurant - one that I always recommended for itt's good food and service.

My husband and I were happily using them and then one day we went to use another certificfate and were told it was too old and they would no longer  honor it because it expired!

Too old, expired? it was only 1 year since given - are you greaking kidding me? How can a gift cerficate expire?

Needless to say this business no longer gets any recommendations from me nor any of my business!

Jun 06, 2016 09:51 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

in nearly the quarter century in the business I have had many. wine, books, cash, gift cards and things.  One seller gave me a beautiful Tiffany lamp

Jun 06, 2016 02:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Flowers and a gift card were nice and a small basket that was made for me by a client whose hobby was woodworking.

 

Jun 06, 2016 02:01 PM
Rainmaker
713,282
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

I have received many gifts. Mostly wine, or gift cards to restaurants. I did have a client give me a $100 JUG of maple syrup...yes it was very good!

Jun 06, 2016 01:42 PM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It's not common but a few nice bottles of wine, a very nice gift basket, and in one case the use of their vacation home for a week in Lake Tahoe

Jun 06, 2016 01:42 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

A few times, nothing real expensive.  It wa reported to the Broker and then released to me

Jun 06, 2016 11:52 AM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

We have gotten flowers, candy, cookies, imported items from a native land...wine and liquor...most importantly....and most remembered...a thank you card.

Jun 06, 2016 11:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

The best closing gift I got from a client is when he hugged me and cried.

Jun 06, 2016 10:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Yes, all of the above. I received a thank you card with significant cash in it, flowers, dinner cards, a care package, a bottle of wine and most of all, many happy tears and loving hugs.

Jun 06, 2016 10:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Not often here. One time an agent pulled her purse out handed me $ and thanked me getting the transaction completed. She worked on it for 5 months. 

Jun 06, 2016 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,209,215
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

It's happened a few times, and it's humbling.  Warm and fuzzies for sure!  

Jun 06, 2016 09:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,084,061
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Over the years, flowers, gift cards, wine, etc.  But my most exciting gift was candle sticks from  Tiffanys...

Jun 07, 2016 09:48 PM
Rainer
358,136
Blatt + Cutino
Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA
Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

I have received many closing gifts over the years! The most meaningful gift that is in the forefront of my mind is - an unexpected lunch in their home with hours of conversation and laughs...

Jun 07, 2016 08:28 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Yes, many times and always such a lovely surprise.

Jun 07, 2016 12:52 PM
Rainer
2,735
Shauna Wilson
RealtyONEGroup - Glendale, AZ
Fun Realtor® w/ RealtyONEGroup - The Family Team

I have received many, some better than the ones I give!  My biggest gift was an oven.  Gorgeous, black, brand new.  Somewhere in the middle of our working relationship I mentioned that mine had died - and they remembered.  Couldn't believe it!  

Jun 07, 2016 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
885,790
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

I had a client give me a painting of the Hudson River, I have been given wine, and gift cards. Best of all are reviews and referrals, and an occasional text just to say hello.

Jun 07, 2016 09:59 AM
Rainer
2,395
Michael Palmer
Realty For Success - Seattle, WA
Realty For Success - ACTUALLY Achieve Amazing

Interesting question - Unless you happen to be the owner of the real estate brokerage or a principle in the property sold I would think you might run afoul of licensing laws by accepting gifts directly from sellers or buyers.

The only gifts I ever asked for were testimonials.  

Jun 07, 2016 08:37 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I'd estimated that 90% of my clients give me gifts.  Flowers. Candy. Wine. Gift Baskets. Catered lunch to my office. Gift cards for massages. Referrals. 

I've even received gifts from agents! 

Jun 07, 2016 02:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,068,720
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Yes, I have received many gifts, many referrals, repeating businesses, friendship and jewel, cash, bonus, chocolates, cookies,  hand made winter hat and many more.

Jun 07, 2016 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Yes, I have received small gifts - e.g. candles, potted plants, meals - and all were much appreciated.

Jun 07, 2016 12:50 AM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Yes, nice wine and wonderful friendships, like many of us have experienced!

Jun 07, 2016 12:45 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I have received closing gifts.  Mostly gift certificates to local restaurants.

Jun 06, 2016 11:28 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Received a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue from a buyer! A real surprise!

Jun 06, 2016 11:03 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

No sir, just a referral once in awhile

Jun 06, 2016 09:17 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Yes but not typical.

Jun 06, 2016 09:06 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No, but whenerever some hinted about giving me one, I would jsut tell them that I'm not allowed to accept gifts. I am not a fan of shopping, closing gifts, or receiving gifts.

Jun 06, 2016 08:33 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Over the years, I've been quite fortunate and received many nice gifts.   Of course, friendship and/or a referral(s) have always been a very nice benefit.  

Jun 06, 2016 06:21 PM
Rainmaker
4,333,761
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

The best, which is referrals!

Jun 06, 2016 04:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin oh yes - I am fortunate in that department....

Jun 06, 2016 04:02 PM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

Before I became a realtor, Roger did receive a wonderful Gift Card to a very, very nice restaurant, at an Inn in Tucson.  We went there for a special occasion, and have been back many times for other special occasions (anniversary, holidays), and even toured the property.  It is very old and very beautiful, and I love going back Fred Griffin.  This was totally unexpected!!  

Jun 06, 2016 10:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,280,748
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Yes. We've received a gift from a client. Usually a gift card.

Oct 08, 2016 05:40 AM