What kinds of closing gifts do realtors give?

Many real estate agents, realtors and real estate companies give closing gifts to their clients when a property has been sold to them. This is a way to show thanks and also show ongoing support for the future. You never know when a past client will have need of your services again, after all. It’s a good idea to let your clients know that you value their business and don’t hesitate to show that in the form of respect and service as well as hospitality. The real estate closing gift is a version of this type of hospitality that will make your clients feel right at home.

The simplest real estate closing gifts are gift baskets that include items for a new home or office. These may include household items and/or certificates for services that new homeowners may need. You can find all types of home warming gift baskets that make great real estate closing gifts.

Other items that make nice real estate closing gifts are a bottle of champagne presented in a nice basket or gift container of some sort. Paperweights and ceramic or crystal vases make appropriate office real estate closing gifts. As does any type of large decorative bowl.

Some real estate agents may even give a nice basket with an informational packet about the local schools, hospitals and clinics as well as information about the local shopping stores. This type of gift basket could also include coupons and gift certificates to various stores in the area.

According to the survey conducted in 2003 by Realtor Magazine, 49% gave flowers, 43% gave gift baskets, 39% gave personalized home accessories, 32% gave distilled liquor, champagne, wine, cordials or liqueurs and 26% gave food or sweets. On an average realtors spend an average of $54.20 per business or closing gift.

Missing your College Student?...Send him/her a CARE PACKAGE !

Sending your student a care package is by far one of the most touching things you can do. We all like money, but a real care package, with items that you've handpicked for us, is extra special! Send a message that college isn't always just about grades but is also about having fun and enjoying yourself !!!

Just the sight of another student lugging a box from the mailroom makes everyone else jealous. Some schools offer a care package service, where they pack and deliver treats to your student, but it means so much more when you take the time to pick out something you know your kid loves.

Or we can always do it for you.... :)

So what do you put in that care package? Home-baked treats top the list, but be sure to send them overnight or 2nd day air. After all, most grandmas don't include preservatives in their brownie recipe. Packaged snacks hold up much better (Have you ever seen a moldy Twinkie?), but to make the package really special, try to include a favorite snack that's not available where he or she goes to school.

If there's a holiday your child won't be coming home for, why not send some gift cards for Target or Walmart or so that they can pick out some holiday goodies from the stores? College kids still like to celebrate Halloween and St. Patty's Day, and a lot can't even make it home for the bigger celebrations like Thanksgiving or Easter.

Another thing that's great to send in a care package is clips from the local paper. Look for names of your child's friends in the social pages, college news, etc. If he or she played in high school or followed local sports, send clips about their teams. Send news about his or her old school.

Besides the obvious edible goodies, other great things to include in a care package are useful supplies like pens, pencils, post-it notes, stamps and the much-revered roll of quarters for the laundry or snack machines. Fun stuff like markers, stickers, silly notepads and rubber stamps are also appreciated, since most students don't have a lot of disposable income to blow on fun stuff.

Just remember parents, with a little time and postage, you can really make your student's day!

Follow-Up on Gift Card Fraud

Here are some great tips on how to avoid Gift Card Fraud.

"Gift card fraud is a growing concern among retailers nationwide," said Joseph LaRocca, vice president of loss prevention for the National Retail Federation, an industry trade group.

Watch this video by Businessweek Online.

Here are some great tips from SCAMBUSTERS.ORG

8 Tips for Protecting Yourself From Any Gift Card Scam:

There are plenty of things that you can do to protect yourself from gift card scams. And the best part is that none of these things will take more than a few minutes.

Just follow these eight simple tips to make shopping for gift cards safer:

Don't buy gift cards from online auction sites. Since this is a large source of gift card fraud, these cheap gift cards may well be worthless to you. Sure, some of these cards are real, but many are stolen, counterfeit or used. It's not worth the risk.

Only buy gift cards directly from the store issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer's website -- no matter how much cheaper they may be somewhere else. If you do buy a gift card online, make sure you buy it from the place that you plan to use it.

Don't buy gift cards off of publicly displayed racks in retail stores. In addition, don't assume that because gift cards are inaccessible to the public, they are safe. After all, store employees can participate in gift card scams too.

Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you can see a PIN number, put the card back and get a different one. If a gift card looks like it could have been tampered with, don't buy that gift card.

Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you. This will guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the balance you just charged it with. This will also protect you from crooks who exchange worthless cards for the cards you think you are buying.

Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase as long as there is money stored on the gift card. Since many retailers can track where the gift card was purchased, activated and used, if the card is stolen, some retailers will replace the card for you if you have your receipt.

If possible, register your gift card at the store's website. Although not all stores offer this option, you can uncover any misuse of your gift card sooner and report it more quickly.

Finally, never, ever give your Social Security number, date of birth or any other unneeded private information when you purchase a gift card. No reputable company will ask for this info.

Gift cards are convenient and make great gifts. Following these easy tips will help you ensure the person you buy the gift card for is the one who benefits from it!

Holiday Shopping Made Simple

For many people, finances and schedules are turned upside down during the holidays, and that can make get-togethers, gift-buying and even gift-receiving a stressful time. It can be difficult to smile when spending is out of control. Getting yourself organized and contentious of what you are spending can generate a lot of peace of mind.

For the nearly half of all shoppers who find gift-giving the most challenging aspect of the holidays comes some simple advice.

1. Creating a budget early in the year, or at the very least, at the beginning of the holiday season. Include all holiday-related expenses in that list. Keep it from year-to-year, and write down actual expenses as they incur. Don't forget Holiday parties for which you have to buy hostess gifts too.
   
2. Create a list of the people you plan to buy gifts for and establish your budget. Include notes on each person's hobbies and interests to help build unique or creative gift ideas.


3. Combine shopping trips to minimize your store visits.
   
4. Shop and browse online and see the new items for the Holiday season before you go to the store.
   
5. Eliminate the hassle and pick up great gifts at "unexpected" locations that you are already visiting.
   
6. Don't fall into the trap of trying to match or out-spend those with whom you exchange gifts.....Stick to your budget! Watching expenses in November and December can decrease stress in January when the bills come due.

So if you have done your planning right you will have the time to enjoy the holidays and the days that follow ! Happy Shopping !

Housewarming Gifts ~ Advice for gift giving !

A new home comes with a brand new beginning for the new owners. Bringing them good luck and a welcome gift is usually given within the first year or even 6 months of them settling down.

It is a time honored tradition that new owners invite their friends, family and relatives over for a housewarming party of sorts to share this moment of joy.

Housewarming gifts are different for different person. For your closest friends, housewarming gifts can be personal, humorous, and special, while for new neighbors or acquaintances you may want to make more generic gift choices.

5 Good Gift Ideas

1. Plants make great generic gifts.
2. Platters are welcome by any hostess.
3. Candles and aromatics make a sensual gift.
4. Coffee Table books make great gifts.
5. Gourmet Gift Baskets are perfect as they can be customized.

3 Bad Gift Ideas

1. Paintings make bad gift ideas as every one's perception of art differs.
2. Small Kitchen appliances are very personal and therefore should not be given, unless you are sure of the make, brand and kind the person wants.
3. Cleaning gadgets ! :) Although there are so many cute and useful cleaning gadgets that you might want in your house, refrain from giving those.
   

The gift that you give will reflect your values and class. So choose something that is personal if you know the people well or something generic. But always give them a gift certificate so that they are able to exchange it if necessary.