Should I get a thank you gift for my agent?

Kristin, no, you do not owe your agent anything. The commission is the compensation and a good agent sends that note because they meant it, not to prompt one back. But since you asked, let me tell you what an agent actually wants, because it is not the gift and this thread has not said it plainly. The three things that genuinely matter to us, in order: A review, posted publicly where future clients will see it. On their brokerage profile, on Google, on the platforms they actually use. Not a private thank-you note, as nice as that is. A visible review from a real client is the single most useful thing you can give an agent, and it costs you ten minutes. Make it specific if you can. "Great agent" does nothing. "She talked us out of a house we were emotionally attached to and she was right" tells a future buyer something real. Name the thing they did that mattered to you. A referral. If a friend at work mentions they are thinking about buying, sending them your agent's name is worth more than any gift you could buy. That is how most good agents build a business, and it is the highest compliment in this job. A testimonial they can use. If you liked working with them, tell them they can quote you and use your first name. Agents rarely ask, and most clients would happily say yes. If you still want to give something, and plenty of people do, keep it small and personal. A bottle of wine, something local, a photo of the house, a note your kids drew. The note is honestly the part we keep. I know agents with a drawer of them. Two things to skip. Do not give cash. It is awkward, it is unnecessary, and compensation in this business runs through the brokerage rather than directly to the individual, so a cash handoff sits strangely against that. And keep anything you do give modest, because some brokerages and many employers have policies limiting what their people can accept. A large gift can put someone in an uncomfortable position. One more thing that costs nothing and matters more than most people realize: stay in touch. Send a photo when you finish a project. Answer when they check in a year later. A relationship with a client who actually likes them is the thing an agent is building, and it beats a gift basket every time. Also worth saying, since you are a first-time client here: keep your agent's contact information somewhere permanent. Two years from now you will want a contractor referral, or a question about your property tax assessment, or a read on whether it is worth refinancing. A good agent answers those calls for free, forever, and most clients never call. So: post the review, keep their number, and if you feel like sending something small, they will love it. But you are not in their debt. I am a real estate professional and I will admit some bias here, since I am describing what I would want. My name is Zoltan Peresztegi and I work in Los Angeles, the South Bay and on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, so I am in your state but not your market. Congratulations on the house. Zoltan

Hello, Kristin, From a Realtor's perspective: absolutely not—it's never expected. The commission is how your agent gets paid, and a successful closing is already the outcome they worked toward. Most agents don't expect clients to buy them a gift in return for the thank-you gift they receive. That said, if your agent went above and beyond and you *want* to show your appreciation, the gestures that mean the most usually aren't expensive gifts. For example: * Leave a glowing Google, Zillow, or Facebook review. * Refer friends or family who are buying or selling. * Stay in touch and think of them for future real estate needs. * If you enjoy giving gifts, something small like a handwritten thank-you card, a coffee gift card, or a local treat is a thoughtful surprise—but it's completely optional. As an agent, I'd say a heartfelt review and a referral are far more valuable than a bottle of wine or a gift basket. They help grow our business and are often the greatest compliment a client can give. So if you're wondering about etiquette: **No, you don't need to buy your agent a thank-you gift.** If you genuinely want to, it's a kind gesture, but don't feel obligated. A sincere thank-you and a positive review are more than enough.

Hello Kristin, Getting a referral from a happy client means more to an agent than just about anything else. If you had a great experience, passing their name along to someone you know who needs help buying or selling is the most valuable thing you can do for them. That said, a small gesture is never a bad thing and is always appreciated. But do not stress over it. The relationship you built is what they value most. Congrats on the new home and enjoy settling in!

You don't need to but that would be so sweet! I'm sure they would really appreciate it!!!

Thank you gift is definitely not necessary. There's tons of agents in every city and the fact you decided to give your loyalty and trust to one is enough of a gift for each and every one of us!

Kristin, this is a personal decision, there is no one size fits all answer to this. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

It's a nice gesture but absolutely not expected. The commission is their compensation for the work they did. Nobody in the industry expects a gift on top of that. That said, if your agent went above and beyond and you want to show appreciation, a small thoughtful gift is always welcome. A nice bottle of wine, a gift card to a restaurant they'd enjoy, or even a heartfelt handwritten note goes a long way. Agents keep those notes longer than you'd think. The single most valuable thing you can give your agent costs nothing. A five-star review on Google, Zillow, or whatever platform they use, and a willingness to refer them to friends and family. Reviews and referrals are the lifeblood of an agent's business and are worth far more than any gift. If you had a great experience, write about it publicly and send their name to anyone you know who's buying or selling.

All the answers here are great: Mine is the same: Recognition, Appreciation, Gratitude, Referrals, and Reviews are all that we want and are greatly appreciated.

Hi Kristin, you already got the best answers - no gift but gratitude and referrals. I wanted to add REVIEWS. Ask you agent to send you a link (or links!) to review them. It helps with SEO (search engine optimization) and will help folks find them on the web.

Yes, it is always appropriate to send a thank you gift to an agent who has provided you with exceptional service. Depending on your budget, this could be anything from a simple card or bouquet of flowers to a more extravagant token of appreciation. Whatever you choose, it is sure to be appreciated and fondly remembered.

The best gift you can give an agent is to tell them that they did a good job and let them know that you would highly refer them to others if it applies.

The best gift can give me is a referral or keep me in mind for future real estate needs.

That is very thoughtful of you! Honestly the best gift my clients can give me is a referral or just to keep me in mind if friends or family have a future need. Congrats on your new home!