Front Page Forum: Gifts for Brokers?
On the Brownstoner Forum today, a reader writes, “I’m buying my first apartment and the closing will take place in a few days. Do I get a gift for my real estate broker?” With nine responses so far, the answer is a unanimous “No!” If we recall correctly, the listing broker who sold our apartment…
On the Brownstoner Forum today, a reader writes, “I’m buying my first apartment and the closing will take place in a few days. Do I get a gift for my real estate broker?” With nine responses so far, the answer is a unanimous “No!” If we recall correctly, the listing broker who sold our apartment in Manhattan for us gave us a gift, and other commenters note having received gifts from brokers like a book about Brooklyn and a stress ball in the shape of a house. But this one comment kinda sums up the consensus about giving presents to brokers: “You got her a gift: 3% of the value of your new apartment.” If any brokers are reading, have you ever gotten gifts and what do you think of the practice?
Do I Get a Gift for my Broker? [Forum]
I bought an investment (rental) home in another city a few years back, and I gave my agent a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in the area. I just bought another house through him, and will do the same.
I think a lot of agents are overpaid these days, with the high price of homes, but in this area it’s not so inflated. Either way, the commission the agent receives is not a tip, that’s his or her salary.
My agent gave me exceptional service, relentlessly going far above and beyond the call of duty to insure my satisfaction and a smooth transaction all the way.
In the current sale (as just one example,) he and the seller’s agent each gave up part of their commission to bridge a gap between my absolute maximum and the seller’s absolute minimum. So giving him a token of my deep and sincere appreciation is not at all out of line.
Of course, if you are dissatisfied or unimpressed with services rendered, then tipping is absurd.
Yeah I gots your gift right ere!
i got my broker a small gift card after she sold my house – i know it’s not necessary, but i appreciated and saw how she was putting extra effort in and didn’t pressure me to sell to the lowest bidder which is what i was expecting…
9:33, that man sounds absolutely wonderful. However, he still could have learned a thing or two about customer service from a real estate broker. For instance, he could have also continued showing the car to other potential buyers despite making you feel you had a done deal (just to make sure you didn’t feel slimy for not paying two or three times what the seller paid three years ago). He also could have made up stories about already having multiple offers above the asking price, which you would have to beat, but would love for you to be the one to get the car.
Dear Brownstoner,
I just bought a used car. The salesamn was really nice – a snappy dresser, he really seemed to have our best interest in mind. We saw something we liked, but it was a lot more than we had planned on spendng. He had us wait in his office while he went and talked to his boss. Because he liked us so much, he convinced his boss to give us a special deal, only we had to make a decision quickly before his boss changed his mind. My wife Mabel was wondering if we should have left the nice man a tip for all his hard work and his willingness to really put himself on the line with his boss and all. Do you think we should have tipped him?
Shit, the best gift i ever got was a a little oral after i found this girl an apartment in Chelsea. I knew she wanted to bang the whole time i was with her. but when we found the place she loved she went to town.
Another great gift was an eightball from these investment banker kids, good guys… they actually dropped it off at my office in a box of choclates. cute, right..
what else..
an investor i work with once took me to a rub and tug with him, that was fun, he paid for the massage and the extra forty for the hj…
with all the stunod clients i deal with , i’ve had a couple good ones… anyone else get cool things like that?
6:41, it’s not the cost, it’s the thought.
If I had a broker who worked hard to sell my apartment and got a good price for it or even bought the perfect apartment from a broker who showed me many appropriate apartments and really listened to what I wanted, I might give them some flowers or a bottle of wine.
If I were a broker, I would ALWAYS give some sort of token gift to both buyer and seller, unless I did not want their business again.
I am an experienced broker and for the record: we are not allowed to give gifts that exceed a certain amount (I think it’s something like $35.) It is considered a bribe to the seller and a future bribe for the buyer. I know I know. I don’t agree with this and usually will give a little something to my good clients to keep an ongoing relationship…
My buyer’s broker sent me 8 bottles of decent champagne. Not bad. Seller’s broker didn’t do anytthing, but sleeping with me would’ve been a nice gesture.