30 Fun Pop-by Ideas: Small Gifts for Your Real Estate Clients
This article is part of a larger series on Real Estate Lead Generation and Marketing.
A fun and effective way to stay top of mind with past real estate clients is by giving them pop-by gifts. These are small and usually inexpensive real estate client gifts, often accompanied by a note of appreciation, that you give to former clients when you “pop by” their house. Sending clients pop-by gifts, even small ones, communicates your appreciation for their business more than an email or personal message can.
Pro tip: Because of the pandemic, avoid stopping by your clients’ homes without announcement. Instead, send pop-by client gifts through the mail or call or email ahead and drop them off at the door.
To make gifting an easy part of your follow-up strategy, use a top real estate customer relationship manager (CRM) to keep track of and initiate client communication and to get reminders for important dates. Pipedrive CRM is an affordable CRM with easy-to-use tools, pipelines, and schedulers.
Here are our top 30 inexpensive pop-by gift ideas for real estate agents to delight your former clients:
1. TicTac Mints: ‘This Home Was ‘Mint’ to Be Yours!’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Purchase pre-made tags on Etsy or create your own on Canva
- Where you can purchase: Local convenience stores, grocery stores, or Amazon
- When to use: As a follow-up pop-by gift for after closing or as a simple gift for a real estate client any time
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
2. Marshmallow Peeps: ‘Have Your Peeps Call My Peeps!’
(Source: Pinterest)
- Card ideas: Purchase pre-made tags on Etsy
- Where you can purchase: Grocery or convenience stores
- When to use: To ask for referrals or as real estate client gifts in the spring or for Easter
- When not to use: For clients who may not celebrate specific holidays
3. Dog Biscuit Ingredients: ‘You Had Me at Woof’
(Source: Momtastic)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva and attach the recipe to the jar
- Where you can purchase: Jars and ingredients can be found at grocery and other local stores
- When to use: For clients with pets, or for a pet’s birthday or adoption anniversary
- When not to use: For clients who don’t have pets
4. Candy Apple: ‘You Are Awesome to the Core’
(Source: The Creative Mom)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Local candy shops or grocery stores (to make yourself)
- When to use: To pop by with as a client thank-you gift after closing, after receiving a referral, or to ask for referrals
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
Pro tip: Keep in mind that many clients may not appreciate homemade food for sanitary and allergenic reasons. Keep all edible gifts wrapped and sealed to mitigate these concerns.
5. Custom Koozie: ‘Keep Your Drink Cold & Get Your Home Sold’
(Source: Odyssey Custom Designs)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Etsy or individual online shops
- When to use: During the summer as a check-in
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
6. Ice Cream Scoop: ‘Get the Scoop on the Real Estate Market’
(Source: Pinterest)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores, convenience stores, Amazon, or purchase personalized ice cream scoops available on Etsy and other online shops
- When to use: During the summer, for an occasional check-in, or to ask for client referrals
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
7. Donuts: ‘I Donut Know What I’d Do Without Your Referrals’
(Source: Make Bake Celebrate)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten card
- Where you can purchase: Local donut shops
- When to use: As a client pop-by gift to thank clients after closing, for a referral, or to ask former real estate clients for referrals
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
8. Hand Lotion, Soap, or Sanitizer: ‘I Can Give You a Hand’
(Source: Creative Party Ideas By Cheryl)
- Card ideas: Use a pre-made tag, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Any grocery or convenience store, or purchase in bulk on Amazon
- When to use: After closing, as a real estate client gift on the anniversary of closing, or as a check-in pop-by gift any time
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
9. Potted Plant: ‘Thanks for Helping Me Grow’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Wooden tag, custom paper tags, or pre-made gift boxes
- Where you can purchase: Local nursery
- When to use: As a thank-you client gift for a real estate client referral or review
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
10. Rustic Wall Mount Bottle Opener: ‘There’s Always an Opening in My Schedule for You’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Etsy or Amazon
- When to use: As a check-in or to ask for new referrals
- When not to use: For any alcohol-sensitive clients
11. Pie Server: ‘Any Way You Slice It, I’m Grateful for Your Referrals’
(Source: Popbys.com)
- Card ideas: Pre-made tag, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores, Amazon, or customizable pie servers available on sites like Etsy
- When to use: As a pop-by gift for clients who close around Thanksgiving time or as a real estate client gift when asking for new referrals
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
12. Candle: ‘Working With You Just Makes Scents’
(Source: Not On the High Street)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Local grocery stores, home decor stores, online shops
- When to use: Celebrate a recent closing, thank them for a referral, ask for new referrals, holidays
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
13. Popcorn: ‘Your Referrals Make My Business Pop’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Pre-made tag, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Any grocery store
- When to use: As a real estate client thank-you gift after a referral or to ask for new ones
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
14. Cookies: ‘No Matter How the Cookie Crumbles, You’re the Best Part of My Business’
(Source: Pixabay)
- Card ideas: Purchase pre-made tags on Etsy
- Where you can purchase: Local grocery stores or candy shops
- When to use: As a client pop-by gift to say thank you after a recent closing, after receiving a referral, or to check in
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
15. Jar of Honey: ‘Thank You for Bee-ing Amazing Clients’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use a pre-made tag, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery store, local shop, or specialty online stores
- When to use: As a real estate client thank-you gift after closing or receiving a referral
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
16. S’more: ‘I Would Love S’More Clients Just Like You’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Pre-made tags from Etsy
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores, custom s’more pops from Etsy and specialty stores
- When to use: A perfect gift to pop by with when asking for real estate client referrals
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
17. Jar of Jelly: ‘Real Estate Is My Jam’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores or local shops
- When to use: Pop by with this client gift to check in or to ask for new referrals
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
18. Succulent: ‘My Business Would ‘Succ’ Without Clients Like You’
(Source: Market Dwellings)
- Card ideas: Pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local nurseries
- When to use: As a thank-you gift for a recent real estate client referral or to ask for a new one
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
19. Bottle of Wine: ‘Sip, Sip, Hooray!’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores or liquor stores
- When to use: Great real estate client gift idea to celebrate closing day, a birthday, or an anniversary
- When not to use: For any alcohol-sensitive clients
20. Reese’s Pieces: ‘I’m Thrilled to Pieces to Have Your Referrals’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery or convenience stores
- When to use: As a thank-you client gift for a recent referral or to ask for new ones
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
21. Bananas: ‘We’re Bananas for Your Referrals’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Any grocery store
- When to use: As a thank you for a recent referral or to ask for new ones
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
22. Flower: ‘Your Referrals Help My Business Bloom’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local nursery or florist
- When to use: As a thank-you gift for a client referral or to ask for new referrals
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
23. Lottery Ticket: ‘May Your Birthday Be Filled With a Lotto Fun’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local convenience stores
- When to use: A fun client gift idea for celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or a special occasion
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
24. Sand Toys: ‘I Dig Your Referrals’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Big-box store, toy store, or Amazon
- When to use: As a client gift for real estate clients with children who sent you a referral or to ask for referrals
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
25. Condiments: ‘Just Wanted to Ketchup’
(Source: Pinterest)
- Card ideas: Include a handwritten card or create printable tags with Canva
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores
- When to use: As a check-in anytime, particularly fitting around sporting events
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
26. Pumpkin: ‘We’re Always Willing to Carve Out Time for You & Your Referrals!’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local nurseries, grocery stores, or hardware stores
- When to use: In the fall to ask for new referrals
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
27. Goldfish: ‘Fishing for Your Referrals’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores, big box stores, or Amazon
- When to use: To ask for new referrals, particularly appropriate as a real estate client gift for families with children
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
28. Packaged Peanuts: ‘Your Referrals Are a Home Run in My Business’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Grocery stores
- When to use: As a thank-you gift for real estate clients who sent a referral, who love baseball, or to ask for referrals during baseball season
- When not to use: Keep allergies in mind with all edible gifts
29. Coffee Shop Gift Card: ‘Coffee & Your Referrals Keep My Business Running’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local coffee shops
- When to use: A thank-you gift for real estate clients who provided a referral or to ask for more
- When not to use: Safe for any situation
30. Nail Polish: ‘Mani Thanks for Your Business’
(Source: Etsy)
- Card ideas: Use pre-made tags, create your own, or include a handwritten note
- Where you can purchase: Local grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, or Amazon
- When to use: To thank clients after closing or for sending a referral or positive review
- When not to use: Safe for most situations
How to Choose the Right Pop-by Gifts for Real Estate Clients
Knowing your audience is the key to all marketing, so one of the best tips for new real estate agents as well as experienced agents is to pay close attention while working with your clients. Make an effort to get to know them more personally and, in the process, gather information that can help you identify meaningful pop-by gift ideas for your real estate clients.
Add important details about your clients’ lives and lifestyle to your CRM (or your client files), and use that information for inspiration. For instance, do they have kids? Think of family-friendly gift ideas. Are they corporate professionals? Send a gift card to a local coffee shop. Do they love cooking? Send a branded item they can use for food prep or entertaining. Do they have pets? Pet treats or pet supplies could be the ideal real estate client gift to pop by with after a transaction closes, on special occasions, or just to check in.
Staying top of mind with former clients is a significant part of being a successful real estate agent. Pop-by gifts can make a big impression on your former real estate clients when given on birthdays, holidays, or soon after closing dates. Even if your client isn’t ready to move again yet, they may know someone else who is. Your gift can lead not just to repeat business, but to client referrals as well.
There are three general categories of pop-by gifts for real estate clients:
- Relevant or useful client gifts: Based on your clients’ interests or hobbies, e.g., a fishing lure, gardening tools, writing journal, or team memorabilia
- Seasonal gifts for real estate clients: Such as candy for Halloween or Valentine’s Day, ornaments during the winter holidays, or a calendar planner for the New Year
- Clever pop-by gift ideas: Such as an ice cream scoop with a note that says “I have the scoop” on local listings
You can purchase pop-by gifts for real estate clients individually or order products in bulk. Ordering pre-made tags or labels from Etsy can help you prepare and deliver a large number of pop-by gifts to save time, but there will be instances when you want to include a personalized or custom message. When you want a customized label with professional-quality design, use Canva. You can use Canva’s templates to customize a printable design in minutes.