So, did you tip your realtor?

[shortbun]

We've had a very good experience with this realtor. She's effervescent, hard working, 100% reliable, found us our dream house and got us in it before it went on the market(thus it is ours), put up with the seller's horrible old man realtor, chased our lender for us instead of our having to do it, lined up all the inspections and was on the money each and every time with all her recommendations. We love her and want her to be part of our family,

So, has anyone ever tipped their realtor? I know, I know, she's making money off the sale. That's not the point - the money, I mean. Her customer service has been stellar, without flaw. She deserves some sort of attaboy as a token of our heartfelt thanks.

Not looking for a debate, I just want some suggestions. K?

 

[Rafiki31]

I would not tip her, since she is already making cash on the sale, but it would be nice to send her a gift basket or something like flowers and write a really nice letter that she can frame or hang to show future clients. Or perhaps offer to be a reference for her in the future.

The nicest thing you can do is also pass it on word of mouth so she can get more business. I would also make sure that her boss or company she works for gets a letter to make sure she is recognized for going above and beyond.

She is probably making thousands on the sale, so a tip would be odd.

 

[dumboiu]

So, has anyone ever tipped their realtor? I know, I know, she's making money off the sale. That's not the point - the money, I mean. Her customer service has been stellar, without flaw. She deserves some sort of attaboy as a token of our heartfelt thanks.

You are kidding.....right? I think this is taking tipping to a whole new level.

 

[Robinrs]

Some cookies, some flowers, a card, not a monetary tip. She's doing her job helping you find a home and she is paid for that effort. You can thank her in other ways, though.

 

[RitaE]

Send her a holiday gift basket with a card.

 

[yoopermom]

I've been thinking about the same thing. Our realtor is a divorced 60something woman, lives with her elderly father, and works her you know what off doing her job. She sold our house for us 3.5 years ago, and has literally shown us a bajillion houses since then. (My DH is VERY picky, don't blame me!) I really do feel that when she finds us the "right" place, we're going to owe her, big time. She's become as much a friend as a realtor. If nothing else, maybe a BIG gas card and some food gift cards, for all the driving she does? I love ours, and wouldn't trade her for the world!

Terri

 

[tar heel]

The idea of tipping a highly paid professional is just odd in my opinion. My last realtor made about $1,000 an hour on us, so definitely no tip.

There is no way in heck I would tip a realtor. If he/she did a great job for me, I would send referrals, though. OP -- it sounds like your realtor did her job well, which is exactly what you should have expected and received.

 

[suzannen]

My SIL is a real estate broker and so was my MIL for 10 years and their "tip" was their commission, which in NY is 6%. They were the ones who would then send an expensive gift basket to their client (the seller or the buyer) not the other way around. The BEST gift you can give is let them know that you will be telling all of your friends that if they need a realtor, you'll be giving their name - that's worth more than anything.

 

[Magic Mom]

uummm ....NO. Not that he wasn't great, but he made plenty. No need to tip. He is on our Christmas card list though.

 

[Kimberle]

No, a Realtor is a Professional. I don't tip my doctor or dentist, so I wouldn't tip my Realtor.

 

[C.Ann]

No - I didn't.. He's a very close family friend and never would have accepted any sort of "tip".. He did however ask me if I would make one of my special dessert recipes for him the next time he was up to the lake and I did..

 

[wenrob]

We've had a very good experience with this realtor. She's effervescent, hard working, 100% reliable, found us our dream house and got us in it before it went on the market(thus it is ours), put up with the seller's horrible old man realtor, chased our lender for us instead of our having to do it, lined up all the inspections and was on the money each and every time with all her recommendations. We love her and want her to be part of our family,

So, has anyone ever tipped their realtor? I know, I know, she's making money off the sale. That's not the point - the money, I mean. Her customer service has been stellar, without flaw. She deserves some sort of attaboy as a token of our heartfelt thanks.

Not looking for a debate, I just want some suggestions. K?

I've been thinking about the same thing. Our realtor is a divorced 60something woman, lives with her elderly father, and works her you know what off doing her job. She sold our house for us 3.5 years ago, and has literally shown us a bajillion houses since then. (My DH is VERY picky, don't blame me!) I really do feel that when she finds us the "right" place, we're going to owe her, big time. She's become as much a friend as a realtor. If nothing else, maybe a BIG gas card and some food gift cards, for all the driving she does? I love ours, and wouldn't trade her for the world!

Terri

Your Realtors are making you feel invested in them because that's part of their job. Selling Houses (and Cars) 101. Not that they aren't sincere but if you are friends with them then you won't be walking away will you? No tip and I tip for everything, lol. It's their job to bust their butts for you, that's what they're getting paid for. And they should be sending you a gift basket when all is said and done. Maybe invite them for a home cooked meal?

 

[Disney Doll]

My SIL is a real estate broker and so was my MIL for 10 years and their "tip" was their commission, which in NY is 6%. They were the ones who would then send an expensive gift basket to their client (the seller or the buyer) not the other way around. The BEST gift you can give is let them know that you will be telling all of your friends that if they need a realtor, you'll be giving their name - that's worth more than anything.

Actually, their commission is their paycheck, not their tip. Most realtors don't draw a salary...at least not most of the ones who do listing and selling. Once they get into management, they do draw a salary.

OP, if you want to do something nice, how about a gift basket or a gas card or a gift card to a store you know she likes. A thank you letter extolling her virtues cc'd to her office manager and the owner of her company wouldn't hurt either!

 

[Disney Doll]

And they should be sending you a gift basket when all is said and done.

Really? Do you send your boss a gift basket every payday???? Because essentially when you hire a realtor, you become their "boss" and they become your "employee". The commission is their salary.

 

[okeydokey]

Gave ours a bottle of wine because I was thrilled at how smooth and easy she made the whole process.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Nope. Our realtors all gave us something.

 

[FireDancer]

I gave her a hug and a kiss, but that's because my Realtor was my mom.

I don't think she has ever gotten a cash tip but she has had clients get her things like gift baskets or gas cards. She doesn't expect them though and they are the exception.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I would not tip her, since she is already making cash on the sale, but it would be nice to send her a gift basket or something like flowers and write a really nice letter that she can frame or hang to show future clients. Or perhaps offer to be a reference for her in the future.

The nicest thing you can do is also pass it on word of mouth so she can get more business. I would also make sure that her boss or company she works for gets a letter to make sure she is recognized for going above and beyond.

She is probably making thousands on the sale, so a tip would be odd.

ditto. A nice letter of appreciation, stating specifically what she did that was so awesome, cc'd to her boss, would be the best. Some token if you really want to. But I'm with the others. Every realtor I've used has sent me a gift afterward, thanking me for my business. I've never seen it done the other way around.

 

[wenrob]

Really? Do you send your boss a gift basket every payday???? Because essentially when you hire a realtor, you become their "boss" and they become your "employee". The commission is their salary.

Really. Their commission is their salary but we're not talking a couple hundred bucks here, we're talking thousands. Any Realtor or agent in the end has sent me a token gift. Now I've not discussed the reason why with any of them but it's a safe bet it's because I could have chosen from hundreds of them to do the job for me, I didn't have to choose them. The dynamic is a little different than boss/employee it's more of a partnership IMHO. The Realtor has their job to do but so do you in order to get things moving. (keeping the place spotless, letting strangers roam through your home at all hours etc.)

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Really? Do you send your boss a gift basket every payday???? Because essentially when you hire a realtor, you become their "boss" and they become your "employee". The commission is their salary.

Well, not really. If they became your employee, you'd have to give them a W-2, withold taxes from their salary, pay unemployment insurance on them, etc.

Like someone said, they are professionals. You are the client. It's different. IME, vendors give customers gifts more than vice versa.