1,543,225
Who's paying has nothing to do with expressed gratitude. The buyer is spending the most; in fact-the seller can only pay because of the buyer and the lender. Because in reality, we all are contributing to the COE.
I'm with Endre Barath, Jr. Do you really have a problem with expressions of gratitude towards our clients? The seller is paying them, true. But, I've seen sellers give champagne to buyers to thank them for the transaction. I've seen buyers give thank you notes to sellers. An attitude of gratitude Bob Crane, being called into question?
In reality, a buyers agent works for the buyer and in either case, I thank my clients for their business. I give buyer & seller gifts. Unexpected extras are what contribute to if not define my USP. Gratitude is never out of fashion nor misdirected.
When I list, I gift the seller.
When I sell, I gift the buyer.
I also take my TC and Escrow Officer to lunch.
PEOPLE LIKE TO FEEL APPRECIATED. I've had clients buy me gifts, or take me to or cook me meals. This is a PEOPLE BUSINESS.
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Barbara Todaro
Franklin, MA
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Beverly Hills, CA
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
5,104,806
I am not a big closing gift giver.... at the end of the day other professions don't give you gifts at the end of a transaction. I'm more likely to send a small gift when someone refers a new client to me. I send a contribution to Children's Miracle Network from each commission and let each client know via letter that a contribution was made in their name. When I give a gift, I often order return address labels and a 50 postcards with their new address. After people move into their home, I will send them a cake in a lovely tin wishing them many sweet years in their new home.
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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JoAnn Moore
Georgetown, DE
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
1,513,143
I leave a certificate to a local restaurant or pizza place at the home the morning of closing. Many have thanked me later as they really were not thinking of the evening meal after moving.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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JoAnn Moore
Georgetown, DE
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
1,712,676
I think a gift is more about being thoughtful and freely given.
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
1,196,912
Mixed emotions here, I agree it does not make sense
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
4,319,419
Bob Crane - the best answer from Endre Barath, Jr. and my friend who follows the same philosophy as I do, Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS.
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Beverly Hills, CA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
3,988,007
The buyer's agent is hoping to be remembered for a future sale. Sometimes selling clients get gifts too.
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Julie Larson Realtor® ...
Sarasota, FL
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Beverly Hills, CA
3,344,906
Gifts for me are not about who is paying me or what I am being paid for. If I give a gift it is for a very special reason ... tied to nothing other than why I want to give a gift to a particular person.
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Julie Larson Realtor® ...
Sarasota, FL
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
2,182,502
A Settlement Day gift is the wrong posture for a Realtor. If you feel led to give a gift , it should be a House Warming gift , clearly demonstrating that the relationship(post closing) HASN'T ENDED, but continues !REALTOR for LIFE
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
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Michael J. Perry
Lancaster, PA
556,536
Agents are always questioning why we are not treated like professionals and this is just one of the reasons. Professionals do not give gifts to their clients. If the job was done properly then the gratitude should be towards the professional. A gift shows the client we think we were overpayed and not sure of ourselves.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
2,684,009
If I feel obligated to give a gift, then it is no longer a gift.
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Brenda Mayette
Glenville, NY
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
809,258
I think of closing gifts as more of a "welcome home" or housewarming gift. Sure, we are professionals but we are in a relationship business and one in particular where it is a tradition for new homeowners to be given gifts by friends and family to warm their new house. Why wouldn't we be a part of that housewarming since we were one of the biggest players in the transaction alongside the buyers? That is how I look at it and so in that light we give gifts to buyers. We don't give gifts to sellers or investors.-Kasey
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
2,781,013
I have a book with over 800 positive sayings that makes the rounds for no specific reason and for many good reasons....
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Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,583,278
well, they spent the most money of anyone in the transaction....
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Beverly Hills, CA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,390,113
We give closing gifts to clients whether they are the buyer or seller.
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Endre Barath, Jr.
Beverly Hills, CA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
4,800,082
If we ever have a transaction, I'm giving you a gift, Bob.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Kasey & John Boles
Boise, ID
2,220,323
Great point Bob Crane
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
1,153,794
I rarely gift and would never consider such a gesture at the closing table. I believe that's poor taste if and when it occurs. There's a time & place for everything, not at closing!
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
4,456,325
Why not Bob?
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Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
763,783
I guess it is a good idea. I often think I've missed the boat by not doing so. But then I close another one and don't give a gift.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,868,372
I too give buyers and sellers gifts. They have choices, but they chose me to represent them. I want to say thank you.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
900,008
The agent sold YOUR listing, didn't she? She chose that home to show to HER clients. You paid her for it. She's giving a gift to HER clients for having chosen her and in hopes of future business, either from them or via referrals. You got YOUR share of the listing commission. All fair.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
151,633
I like to bring a closing gift to the buyer at closing! It's a really great day for them and it's fun to bring something to help celebrate the occasion!!!
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
4,272,548
4,434,127
I do not expect gifts but few have given me a gift.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
4,935,551
I do house warming parties and hve them invite 30 to 60 people, I pick up 3 to 4 buyers
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,502,848
I'm not a fan of the closing gift concept. For friends, yes. For random clients, no. When doctors and lawyers start giving them out and teachers give their students apples, then maybe I will.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
3,986,258
It has to be a very special client or situation
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
142,796
Whether buyer or seller, it's my way of letting them know how much I appreciate the opportunity to serve them.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,844,171
Yes why? I don't see a reason as you've done your job. I don't want a bottle of wine from my dentist when I get a filling.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
785,106
I dont. My gift is the follow up after closing to remind them to apply for a homestead exemption, to pick up their mail if they haven't move in yet, to help them understand all the paperwork they'll receive after closing and etc, etc.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
259,005
I've given house warning presents to my clients when we complete building their house. It's a celebration.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,466,207
Bob Crane It's hard to break old customs especially in this business.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,772,575
Bob,
In commercial real estate, it is not a common practice. It is a B to B world. That being said, we did become friends as Corinne Guest, Managing Broker stated. A
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
1,617,916
1,725,896
We don't and if we did, we would not give it at the closing table.
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
989,552
I'm with Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS on this - the listing agent is more often than not, not the selling agent - most listing agents in my area do nothing to market a property other than to post it in the MLS
Why would I gift someone who hasn't done anything to earn it?
I on the other hand spend thousands of dollars annually to market properties and maintain my website - heck if anyone deserves a gift it's ME!
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,215,388
Bob, great point! Not a fan of closing gifts in general. Have given a seller a closing gift in the past! And a few buyers before I quit!
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
3,071,489
7,834,939
1,045,440
hmm Bob Crane you were the SELLER? or the BROKER for the seller? I've never considered that the BROKER pays the agent (Legally in Va. agents can't receive DIRECT compensation for the sale or leasing of real estate) but the agents produce the deals and I believe it is actually the TRANSACTION that pays the commission.