It’s that time of year again. The holiday commercials are streaming, and the eggnog is chilling. For real estate agents, the perennial dilemma of what to give their real estate clients as gifts for the holidays remains top of mind.
The last thing a busy real estate agent needs at this time of year is to stress over last-minute gift-giving. Here, we’ve compiled 5 ideas to help simplify your holiday gift-giving options and add a little more joy to your season.
In a 2016 Inman survey, only about half of the survey respondents said they give holiday gifts to their real estate clients. Of those gift-giving real estate agents, nearly 28% favored edible and drinkable items; nearly 27% were partial to plants, calendars and homemade items; 20% opted to give items for their clients’ homes; 17% gave restaurant gift cards; nearly 5% offered subscriptions to a service or publication; and the remainder gifted gift cards to a boutique, a book, tech gadgets and event tickets.
Whether you plan to give food and drink or something a little more unexpected, here are a few real estate gift ideas to help you check off one more thing on that holiday to-do list.
Sure, a bottle of wine, homemade cookies and pies offer a safe bet for real estate agents to show their appreciation to clients during the holidays, but why not place a spin on the old standbys for a truly memorable gift-giving experience.
A bottle of locally sourced honey or fruit offers a welcome touch, especially for residents new to the area. Or, you may host a hot chocolate bar and a cookie decorating station to help spread the holiday cheer.
Throw in a family photo booth station with a larger-than-life frame bearing your logo and you have a keepsake that will help raise your brand awareness year-round.
Want to generate some extra holiday excitement while promoting your brand? Create a house decorating contest and reward the top winners with a free home evaluation, gift card or featured imagery on your website. Branded flyers and using social media to target specific zip codes can help promote the content.
Every year, Zillow welcomes viewers to Santa’s House, a $1.2 million winter lover’s paradise nestled in its own virtual space in an idyllic cabin in the North Pole.
This year, Santa’s House is getting the Listing Showcase treatment, a new listing experience from ShowingTime+ designed to give agents powerful exposure on Zillow and expand their marketing reach.
If you have clients who are thinking about selling their homes, an invitation to Santa’s House on Zillow may provide the perfect holiday-themed introduction. Consider upgrading your sellers’ listings with a Showcase listing, featuring an AI-powered virtual tour, interactive floor plan, dedicated emails to interested shoppers and amplified exposure in personalized search results.
A great way to welcome new homeowners is to give them personalized swag bearing their new home address. Custom mailboxes, cutting boards with the family’s name and pet collar tags with the family’s new address offer fun, thoughtful options that let your clients know you’re thinking of them.
A personalized home address stamp is another practical and thoughtful gift that your clients can appreciate year-round. They can use the stamp to easily add their new address to envelopes, letters and other documents. Choose a design that matches their style and include their name and new address. This gift not only helps them settle into their new home but also serves as a lasting reminder of your assistance throughout the buying or selling process.
Capture the beauty of your clients' new home with a customized home portrait. Hire a local artist to create a hand-drawn or painted representation of their property. This unique and personalized gift serves as a beautiful keepsake and shows your clients that you value their home and the memories they will create there.
Whether you’re gifting pies or a custom family portrait, you can personalize the gift with a handwritten note to express your sincere gratitude for your clients’ business. By adding this extra detail, you’ll not only strengthen your client relationships but also differentiate yourself as a thoughtful real estate agent.