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Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
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Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Just wanted some opinions on this. DH and I have been actively looking for a house for 3 years and just bought one. (We are very picky!). Anyway, we've been working with the same agent for all 3 years. I wish I knew how many houses she's shown us. I don't but I'm sure its well into the hundreds. She was always very supportive and patient - never even hinted that she was getting frustrated with us. We really put her through the ringer because we kept changing our minds on the type of houe we wanted, so she would show us a bunch of capes, then we'd say we wanted a split, she would show us a bunch of splits then we would say colonial, etc. We just couldn't make up our minds until we found "the one". Anyway, should we give her something at closing? A tip or a gift certificate? If so, how much? The house we bought is kind of pricey (I think) so she'll do well on the commission, though she has to split it with the seller's agent.
Thanks for your opinions.
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Posted 1/25/07 11:12 AM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource | Long Island Weddings |
pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
maybe a $50 or $100 gift certificate. I think that is a very nice idea
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| Posted 1/25/07 11:24 AM |
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kerrycec03
Mom of 2 beautiful boys!!
Member since 6/06 13519 total posts
Name:
Kerry
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
bottle of wine
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| Posted 1/25/07 11:27 AM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
I would send her flowers
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| Posted 1/25/07 11:35 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
We really liked out agent so we gave her a $200 gift certificate to a restaurant that we knew she liked.
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| Posted 1/25/07 11:37 AM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
One of my buyers sent me flowers and a beautiful card after a closing - I thought it was soooo nice!
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| Posted 1/25/07 12:05 PM |
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leese
Sarge!
Member since 5/05 1965 total posts
Name:
Leese
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
I did this for my last mortgage broker --- hearing other horror shows of mortgage brokers, mine was amazing and got us into our place when others said they couldn't (there were "issues").
So, I ended up sending a really nice fruit/candy basket. She was really surprised but I also sent it to her workplace so her boss knew how great she was.
ETA: My RE agent now is a friend --- and no matter what we know we want to get him a nice GC or something after we are done with him! He's shown us about 30 houses so far!
Message edited 1/25/2007 1:02:03 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/07 1:01 PM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Assuming this is a seller's agent, I'm leaning towards no. She's already making commission. But if you really want to do something, I think a bottle of wine is good enough.
ETA: I think its great that she was so helpful and patient, but I also think you should consider the fact that she wasn't working for you.
Message edited 1/25/2007 1:07:09 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/07 1:06 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by RandJ0806
Assuming this is a seller's agent, I'm leaning towards no. She's already making commission. But if you really want to do something, I think a bottle of wine is good enough.
ETA: I think its great that she was so helpful and patient, but I also think you should consider the fact that she wasn't working for you.
I totally disagree. If I was your agent I def. would have gotten frustrated. I think she deserves an wonderful letter written about her to the corporate and individual office where she works and a nice gift(more than a bottle of wine)
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:03 PM |
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LadyPrincess
Live Life with No Regrets
Member since 5/05 2298 total posts
Name:
Chris
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
my agent was so wonderful ! Picky was our middle name when we were looking. after closing i sent her a gift from edible arrangements. she loved it !
edible gift basket
Message edited 1/25/2007 2:17:55 PM.
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:15 PM |
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houseshopping
LIF Zygote
Member since 1/07 15 total posts
Name:
Kel
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by LadyPrincess
my agent was so wonderful ! Picky was our middle name when we were looking. after closing i sent her a gift from edible arrangements. she loved it !
edible gift basket
I think it would be a nice gesture to do something similar to this. Love the edible arrangement stuff or stuff from: cookies by design
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:51 PM |
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Tfor3
LIF Infant
Member since 9/06 291 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Thanks everyone! I like the gift basket idea.
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:52 PM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by melijane
Posted by RandJ0806
Assuming this is a seller's agent, I'm leaning towards no. She's already making commission. But if you really want to do something, I think a bottle of wine is good enough.
ETA: I think its great that she was so helpful and patient, but I also think you should consider the fact that she wasn't working for you.
I totally disagree. If I was your agent I def. would have gotten frustrated. I think she deserves an wonderful letter written about her to the corporate and individual office where she works and a nice gift(more than a bottle of wine)
I disagree also. I think that if i was a REA I would have lost patience with you a long time ago and blown you off. No offense! I think you should do something nice to show your appreciation. Even if you bought a million dollar property her pretax income on that sale will only be $12,500 (after she splits the commission with the listing agent and her agency). After taxes figure its about $8000. To me, $8000 is not worth three years worth of countless weekends and weekday hours spent trying to find just the right house for you.
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:54 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by lululu
Posted by melijane
Posted by RandJ0806
Assuming this is a seller's agent, I'm leaning towards no. She's already making commission. But if you really want to do something, I think a bottle of wine is good enough.
ETA: I think its great that she was so helpful and patient, but I also think you should consider the fact that she wasn't working for you.
I totally disagree. If I was your agent I def. would have gotten frustrated. I think she deserves an wonderful letter written about her to the corporate and individual office where she works and a nice gift(more than a bottle of wine)
I disagree also. I think that if i was a REA I would have lost patience with you a long time ago and blown you off. No offense! I think you should do something nice to show your appreciation. Even if you bought a million dollar property her pretax income on that sale will only be $12,500 (after she splits the commission with the listing agent and her agency). After taxes figure its about $8000. To me, $8000 is not worth three years worth of countless weekends and weekday hours spent trying to find just the right house for you.
I agree Lulu. I would also make sure I recommended her to EVERYONE that I knew was looking for a home. She is obviously a saint
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| Posted 1/25/07 2:58 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
An edible arrangement or flowers or something would be very nice. That is so nice of you, and I think she will appreciate knowing that you recognized her hard work (and patience).
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| Posted 1/25/07 3:08 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
I sent mine something from edible arrangements and she loved it.
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| Posted 1/25/07 7:15 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
All this talk about edible arrangements is making me hungry for a basket. Maybe one with Choc. Covered Strawberries. YUMM!
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| Posted 1/25/07 7:41 PM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
i would def go that extra mile and give her a gift......if you thought you were getting frustrated just imagine how she felt! im sure you isnt expecting something but its def a nice gesture.
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| Posted 1/25/07 8:49 PM |
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alnem
This is gonna be a good year!
Member since 2/06 9562 total posts
Name:
Emily
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by melijane
Posted by lululu
Posted by melijane
Posted by RandJ0806
Assuming this is a seller's agent, I'm leaning towards no. She's already making commission. But if you really want to do something, I think a bottle of wine is good enough.
ETA: I think its great that she was so helpful and patient, but I also think you should consider the fact that she wasn't working for you.
I totally disagree. If I was your agent I def. would have gotten frustrated. I think she deserves an wonderful letter written about her to the corporate and individual office where she works and a nice gift(more than a bottle of wine)
I disagree also. I think that if i was a REA I would have lost patience with you a long time ago and blown you off. No offense! I think you should do something nice to show your appreciation. Even if you bought a million dollar property her pretax income on that sale will only be $12,500 (after she splits the commission with the listing agent and her agency). After taxes figure its about $8000. To me, $8000 is not worth three years worth of countless weekends and weekday hours spent trying to find just the right house for you.
I agree Lulu. I would also make sure I recommended her to EVERYONE that I knew was looking for a home. She is obviously a saint
definitely agree with melissa and lulu! maybe get her a gift certificate or take her out to dinner!
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| Posted 1/25/07 9:00 PM |
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Tine73
Member since 3/06 22093 total posts
Name:
*********
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
I was thinking about getting mine this Burberry cashmere scarf. Its on sale for $99. She has a couple Burberry coats, so I thought she would like it.
Too personal? I think of her more like a friend now
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| Posted 1/25/07 9:38 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by BackInNewYork
I was thinking about getting mine this Burberry cashmere scarf. Its on sale for $99. She has a couple Burberry coats, so I thought she would like it.
Too personal? I think of her more like a friend now
IMAGE
I think that is a great gift and so thoughtful! She will love anything you give her!
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| Posted 1/25/07 9:46 PM |
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MrsT
Enjoying wedded bliss.....
Member since 4/06 1323 total posts
Name:
Katrina
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by lululu
We really liked out agent so we gave her a $200 gift certificate to a restaurant that we knew she liked.
This is a great idea. I got a similar gift from recent customers. It's to a restaurant I have never been to but a very popular and well rated restaurant. I appreciated it very much.
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| Posted 1/25/07 10:24 PM |
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MrsT
Enjoying wedded bliss.....
Member since 4/06 1323 total posts
Name:
Katrina
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
Posted by melijane
I totally disagree. If I was your agent I def. would have gotten frustrated. I think she deserves an wonderful letter written about her to the corporate and individual office where she works and a nice gift(more than a bottle of wine)
This is great too. It's always nice to have such letters in your personal file. The gift cert. customers sent a lengthy letter to the principals brokers about that deal. 
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| Posted 1/25/07 10:27 PM |
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JMF
LIF Infant
Member since 3/06 230 total posts
Name:
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
It would certainly be nice... funny thing our agent bought US a gift when we bought our house. We were thrilled, we didnt think if getting her something
She got us a huge ceramic planter with our name and house number on it!
Message edited 1/27/2007 5:37:26 PM.
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| Posted 1/27/07 5:36 PM |
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Nicole728
My Happy Girl
Member since 7/06 8198 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Tip or gift for real estate agent? (unique situation)
we sent our REA an Edible Arrangement
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| Posted 1/27/07 5:38 PM |
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