Closing Gifts: Why Gift Baskets are Forgotten (and What to Give Instead)

Make Every Sale Memorable with a Personalized Touch

I’ve spent a lot of time working with realtors across Vancouver Island, and I’ve noticed a common challenge.

You’ve spent months helping a family find their home. You’ve navigated the inspections, the paperwork, and the stress. But when it comes to the closing gift, many agents fall back on the standard gift basket: wine, crackers, and maybe a branded cutting board.

The problem? The wine gets finished, the crackers are eaten, and the cutting board ends up in a drawer. As a marketing professional, there’s a better way to stay top-of-mind without being "loud" or "salesy."

The Referral Engine on the Mantle

Most realtors know that their best business comes from referrals. But a referral only happens if the client remembers you two years after the sale.

I’ve been working with a few local agents to create custom watercolour home portraits. These aren't just cute art; they are strategic branding tools. Here’s why they work:

• Dwell Time: Unlike a gift basket, a painting of their new home goes on the mantle or the gallery wall. It stays there for years.

• The Conversation Starter: When friends come over for the housewarming party, they ask about the painting. The client’s response? "Our realtor, [Your Name], had this made for us." That is an organic referral. Seriously, I was at a party recently, and the host went 'Look at this cute photo our realtor had made for us!" and I went oh small world, I actually painted that for you! Your realtor is great!

• The "Personal" Touch: It shows you weren't just looking at the commission; you were looking at the home they fell in love with.

As someone with a background in project management, I know realtors are busy.

You don't have time to chase down artists. I’ve streamlined this process to be as "hands-off" for you as possible:

1. The Photo: You email me a photo of the listing (or a clear shot from the curb).

2. The Execution: I paint it on high-quality 8"x10" cold-pressed paper.

3. The Delivery: I handle the local delivery in Nanaimo or ship it across BC.

It’s a straightforward transaction with a high emotional return on investment.

For many realtors, closing gifts are a legitimate business expense. Instead of spending that budget on generic items, you are investing it into a piece of custom, local art that actually supports the Vancouver Island creative economy. I can give you an invoice and I charge GST.

How It Works

1. Send me an email: We can discuss pricing. All portraits are completed on 8"x 10" cold-pressed watercolour paper and delivered unframed.

2. Submit a Photo: Email me a clear image of the home's exterior. This is where the magic begins!

3. Receive Your Portrait: Pick up or have it delivered locally, or shipped across British Columbia for an extra charge.

   
   

If you're a realtor in Nanaimo or anywhere in British Columbia, this is your chance to turn a simple closing into a heartfelt celebration.

Contact Lys today to get started.