Do you give the other agent a gift?

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Do you give the other agent a gift?

Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes

Do you, as either seller or buyer agent, give the other agent a gift at closing? How much do you spend? What are some things you have given? Have you only given when you are the listing agent or only when you are the selling agent?

Thanks!

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Roy N.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y

@Mindy Jensen

I'm not an agent, nor do I portray one on stage or screen ;-)

However, I have given "thank-yous" to my agent when he's gone above and beyond.  I once had a mobile car detailing service buff and pimp his ride in the parking of his broker's office ... right in-front of the board room window during their weekly sales meeting.

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  • Daria B.
    Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
    10y

    I've gotten gifts twice from my agent as the buyer but I never saw them exchange any. Is this something you do?

    To clarify, I was the buyer and my agent gifted me but I never saw the agents or heard that the agents exchanged or gifted one another.

    Btw, my gift was chocolates. :)

    0Reply
  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    @Mindy Jensen

    I'm not an agent, nor do I portray one on stage or screen ;-)

    However, I have given "thank-yous" to my agent when he's gone above and beyond.  I once had a mobile car detailing service buff and pimp his ride in the parking of his broker's office ... right in-front of the board room window during their weekly sales meeting.

    3Reply
  • Sarah Ziehr
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 531 posts · 266 votes
    10y

    My office sends out a journal to the broker on the other side of the transaction, with a note from me. 

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  • Michael Jobe
    Real Estate Broker · Triangle Area, NC · Member since 2012 · 587 posts · 214 votes
    10y

    I personally don't send the other agent a gift but I have received a thank you card from the other agent after closing a transaction. 

    0Reply
  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    10y

    Ive never given another agent a gift nor received one

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  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    OP
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    10y

    Hey @Roy N., if you're looking for an agent in Colorado, I need my car detailed...

    Thanks for all the responses. This was a kind of sticky deal, and the listing agent (I've got the buyers) was really quite helpful in getting the deal done. I called her office to see if she drinks coffee and she doesn't, but she does enjoy a good bottle of wine...

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  • Jason Miller
    Aurora, CO · Member since 2016 · 7 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    bottle of wine sounds good. I don't have experience with this but I would think that you will have a closer relationship with that agent. Future deals are worth a bottle of wine

    1Reply
  • Seth Nadreau
    Real Estate Agent · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 167 posts · 89 votes
    10y

    Every agent I've ever worked with got 50% of the total commission or more. Also, many of those agents were gifted with my patience and my knowledge as I taught them how to piece together their first contract, tenth contract, hundredth contract, etc. Isn't that enough???

    Seriously though, I've worked opposite some GREAT agents, but the most I've ever sent over is a nice thank you email and/or a good review on one of their many websites.

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  • Julie MarquezPro Member
    Investor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
    10y

    I gave my agent a potted flower, mostly as a way to reconnect after the transaction, say hi, and just catch up. I also gave a potted flower to my title agent because she hustled on my paperwork to get it done quickly. Sure, they are getting paid, but why not have them remember you with something more. I want these good people to hustle for me in the future!

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  • Julie MarquezPro Member
    Investor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
    10y

    @Seth Nadreau I agree with the gift of an online review, a positive recommendation is probably one of the most powerful thing you can do these days!

    3Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    what's "the other agent" mean?  why would there be 2 agents involved? 

    do tell!

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  • Mindy JensenPro Member
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    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    10y

    @George P., I am a licensed real estate agent, and am representing the buyers in the transaction. They bought a house that was listed by another agent. 

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  • Nick Doria
    Real Estate Agent/Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 229 posts · 108 votes
    10y
    I think if it was an agent that was easy to work with that its a great ideal to send over a gift. What's a couple of dollars for building a good business relationship while I'm a newer agent I find that a lot of agents don't really treat the job as well as they should or at least know the very basics of doing the job.
    1Reply
  • George P.
    Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Mindy Jensen:

    @George P., I am a licensed real estate agent, and am representing the buyers in the transaction. They bought a house that was listed by another agent. 

    i never work with a buyers agent unless it's a HUD home or the listing agent is unresponsive.

    i can't even believe that the idea of a "gift" is kicked around, unless it's from the agent to a first time home buyer (housewarming gift). no one gives me gifts at my job for....doing my job.

    0Reply
  • Blair Knowles
    Real Estate Agent · Burlington, VT · Member since 2015 · 108 posts · 46 votes
    10y

    @Mindy Jensen in my market area agents do not give gifts to each other. I've never even thought of doing it. I do think that if the other agent is easy to work with and pulls a lot of the weight (as often buyer's agents do) a nice bottle of wine and a pre paid gas card would be a very nice gift!

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    @Mindy Jensen In all my years in real estate I've never seen an agent give another agent a gift. However; the fact you thought of it speaks volumes to your character! 

    1Reply
  • David Hunter
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2008 · 579 posts · 225 votes
    10y

    No.

    But, it might only help your real estate career.  Agents might think... "I like working with Mindy.  I'm going to try to sell her house... blah blah blah."

    So you never know what might come out of it.

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  • Melissa Gittens
    Real Estate Broker · Windsor, CT · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 268 votes
    10y

    I have never received anything, how ever I send thank you cards to all parties that were involved in the sale.

    0Reply
  • Jake Thomas
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2013 · 803 posts · 689 votes
    10y

    Thank you cards received at most. I would never plan on giving or receiving any type of gift. It sounds harsh but closing transactions is our job as realtors. Every time I had a good day at my 9-5 day job they didn't give me anything just the standard paycheck. But I do agree some agents are more helpful than others is getting a transaction closed. I have worked with bad and good agents and tend to avoid the bad ones in the future if I can. 

    1Reply
  • Robert Nason
    Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 99 votes
    10y
    I have two friends that are real estate agents, one on the commercial side and the other more in residential and multi families. They're both always scouting the ground for me and when one finds a property that I end up buying I always get something for the other. I want to keep them both motivated to keeping me in mind when good deals come around. I can typically get something that I know they enjoy a new golf bag, or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant etc. etc.
    0Reply
  • Mindy Zimmerman
    Investor · Maryville, IL · Member since 2015 · 11 posts · 7 votes
    10y

    I think the fact that so few have experienced this or even considered it proves it would be a great way to stand out and make a good impression.  It wouldn't even have to be something expensive.

    I'm not an agent but I brought along some fancy chocolates to my last closing and everyone seemed to love it.  I got the idea from my house inspector.  People can't always remember his name, but they do remember him...even if he's referred to as "you know, that inspector who gives out candy."  lol

    2Reply
  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    OP
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    10y

    Thanks, @Mindy Zimmerman. 

    I ended up going with a nice bottle of red wine. I'm grabbing a bottle bag and wrapping it up nicely and will give it to her tomorrow after closing.

    Thanks for all the comments, everyone!

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  • Nick Doria
    Real Estate Agent/Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 229 posts · 108 votes
    10y

    @Mindy Zimmerman and @Mindy Jensen

    I also think its crazy to not got a little out the way and say thank you for a job well done. Yes that's what all agents are SUPPOSED to do is their job but, how many really do let's be honest here probably half of the people who have a license should not have one. There are so many people looking for a home so why does everybody have to be so cut throat about it relax a little seems like over half of the comments on this post were like they were insulted at the idea haha. Remember we should treat people how they want to be treated yes real estate is a sales job but it's more of a customer service job and relationship business above all else. 

    0Reply
  • John Santero
    Investor · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2012 · 227 posts · 114 votes
    10y

    I buy and keep gift cards ranging from 10-50 bucks good at local restaurants. I figure if they helped me out, I should tip-nothing big, just a thank you. Plus it is something that they remember for the next deal...

    1Reply
  • Nick Doria
    Real Estate Agent/Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 229 posts · 108 votes
    10y

    @John Santero work smarter not hard right ;)

    0Reply
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