The spring real estate market is already here. Despite the strong competition, it's a great time for home buyers to score their dream home because of high market inventory. And soon, there will be fresh batches of buyers who have just finished closing and will soon be moving.
Purchasing a new home is a big milestone for anyone, so welcome your friend or loved one to their new life with a thoughtful housewarming gift. It could be something practical, sentimental, or anything in between. Remember that they can have a list of things they are going to need for their new home but they might have a tight budget after paying the down payment and other costs, so a nice thoughtful gift will be appreciated.
In case you need help in coming up with ideas, we’ve collected some of the best gifts you can give to new homeowners. If you’re still in doubt about what to choose, remember that it will always be the thought that counts.
1. Fresh flowers or a plant in a beautiful vase
Who wouldn't love smelling a lovely bouquet of fresh flowers, especially if you’ve been surrounded by boxes and packages in the last few days? Brighten up their new abode with some colorful blooms that will be more attractive if you put them in a beautiful vase that new homeowners would love to keep. Studies have long established that flowers can help decrease anxiety and worries, so they can definitely help reduce moving-related stress. If you want to give something that will last longer than a bouquet, pick out a plant that is low-maintenance but could still add life to an otherwise empty space. Gift a succulent (which is a growing trend nowadays) in a cute vase, or go for a good luck bamboo or a snake plant.
2. A welcome mat
A welcome mat can certainly make a new home feel pleasant and welcoming. Perhaps this is something they were planning to buy later, so you'd be doing them a nice favor by giving this simple yet thoughtful gift. You can always get something plain and basic. But if you want to make a lasting impression, go for a custom-made mat with their initials, a fun saying, or a quote that you know the homeowner would love. Yes, it will be better to pick up something beyond those that say “Welcome!”
3. Gift certificates or gift cards
There's nothing more wonderful than receiving gift certificates for a certain restaurant or service. Since a new homeowner may still be overwhelmed with a lot of things to do, help them take a break by giving them a gift card for a nearby coffee shop or restaurant. It will allow them to get more acquainted with their neighborhood and discover new weekend favorites. Since packing and moving all require hard work, you could give them a certificate for a massage and spa to help them relax after all the hard work.
4. Tool kit/toolbox set
Being a homeowner means getting ready for important home maintenance and repairs (as well as the costs!), so give them a set of essential hand tools, including a hammer, measuring tape, screwdriver, wrench, pliers and such. A toolkit can be especially useful for those who are moving to their very first home and have not immediately thought of acquiring most of these basics. You could also gift a humble set of gardening tools if you know the new homeowner has a green thumb and is now itching to tend to their garden during this spring season.
5. A spa-like gift set
Scented candles and oil diffusers are one of the best housewarming gifts due to their aromatherapy properties. Candles can evoke feelings of warmth and relaxation and can be a nice addition to a new home. Choose a fragrance that the new homeowner loves and could help them relax, like lavender, vanilla, or eucalyptus. You can even personalize these candles by attaching a card or putting a lovely rustic packaging for that stylish look, then bundle them with a nice set of bath towels and aromatic soaps to complete that perfect spa-like gift set.
6. A fun household game
There's no stress a fun game couldn’t relieve, especially for a young family who just moved in. It’s especially perfect for anyone who’s invited friends over to their new place. Bring in fun card games like Cards Against Humanity and Uno, or classic board games like Scrabble and Monopoly, that will surely be loved by the new homeowner and enjoyed by everyone.
7. A trinket dish or any lovely home decor
Because not all gifts should have a functional purpose, why not give a trinket dish or any stylish home decor for a new homeowner who also aims to make his/her home “instagrammable.” Trinket dishes, decorative plates and bowls, and even marble coasters would look beautiful on a tabletop, mantel, or desk. Choose a decor with a natural but elegant design, and perhaps made out of unique materials like exquisite wood or marble.
8. Freshly baked goods and sweets
Who can resist the smell of freshly baked goods and sweets? Especially if the homeowner has a sweet tooth, you can bake a fresh batch of sweets yourself and bring them over. Or, if you're not the type who loves to bake homemade goodies, head to a local bakery near their new place or pick up something from their favorite bakery in their old neighborhood. The aroma of those baked goods can certainly evoke special memories and make everything slightly better.
9. Cooking spices
Since cooking spices and herbs are a staple in every pantry, why not give a starter set for the new homeowner, especially if he/she also enjoys cooking. It's both a flavorful and essential gift for any home cook. There are spice gift boxes already available in major supermarkets, so you can just wrap them up in lovely ribbons before giving them as gifts. If you’re a lover of homemade gifts, you can also get ideas online to help you create the perfect DIY spice mixes.
10. Cozy blanket
A home wouldn't be complete without a cozy blanket. And since a first-time homeowner can never have too many of those, it can still be appreciated especially on cold nights where you only want to snuggle down and relax with friends and loved ones. Include a decorative or trendy pillow and you’ll be wishing a good night’s sleep to the homeowner who, after what could be years of house-hunting and surviving the stressful closing, finally have a place they can really call their own.
If you're a home buyer or a new homeowner, you might as well share this with your family and friends, too! That way, they’ll have an idea of what to give you on your future housewarming party. Cheers and Happy Housewarming wishes in advance!
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- Prepare the buyer for executing a buyer representation agreement
- Explain agency relationships to the buyer and get state required legal consent to represent, if needed
- Inform the buyer of working relationship based on state law, the REALTORS® Code of Ethics, and the broker’s business policies
Building a Relationship
- Learn the buyer’s wants and non-negotiable needs
- Understand the buyer’s budget and what will be needed financially
- Help the buyer understand what property their chosen budget will buy
- Consider having the buyer fill out a homebuyer’s checklist
- Assist the buyer in examining how much they can afford to spend
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- Match the buyer’s needs with available property
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- After ensuring the buyer understands what is done for them, how it is done,and the benefit to them, obtain signatures on the buyer representation agreement
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Educating the Buyer
- Communicate the working relationship based on state law, the REALTORS® Code of Ethics, and the broker’s business policies
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- Reassure the buyer that their personal information will remain confidential
- Inform the buyer that you will always disclose all known material defects
- In accordance with state law, provide information on checking the sex-offender registry and crime statistics for the neighborhood
- Discuss available resources that the buyer can check to learn more about prospective neighborhoods
Preparing the Buyer
- Explain the timeline for house hunting, mortgage approval, and closing
- Explain the local market and how it impacts the buyer
- Show statistics on what percentage of list price sellers in the area are currentlyreceiving
- Inform the buyer on what home features are popular
- Identify current average days on market
- Share the dangers of using the price per square foot to figure home values
- Explain the concept of absorption rate and how it impacts the buying process
- Indicate current listing months of market inventory
- Share estimated potential out-of-pocket costs to complete the transaction
- Assist the buyer in analyzing the loan estimates
- Qualify the buyer for financial ability to purchase
- Help the buyer account for the complete costs of homeownership
- Prepare lender for listing agent calls
- Assist in comparing different financing options
- Help the buyer select for viewing only those homes that fit their needs
- Proceed in showing homes that fit the buyer’s must-haves
- Caution the buyer on posting information to social media
- Review the sample sales contract so the buyer is prepared when it comes time to make an offer
Showing Properties
- Schedule showings and provide access to all listed properties as soon as they become available in their local MLS broker marketplaces
- Educate the buyer on the immediacy of new listings appearing in their local MLS broker marketplaces and the lag time for them to appear on some websites
- Collaborate with the buyer on properties they may have learned about through their sphere contacts
- Research and assist on all unlisted properties the buyer wishes to see
- Preview properties prior to showing if needed
- Network with other agents to source properties not yet in their local MLS broker marketplaces
- Contact homeowners in focus areas to see if they are considering selling
- Set up an automated email alert system through their local MLS broker marketplaces that immediately notifies the buyer of properties that fit discussed requirements
- Arrange a tour of areas, schools, and key points of interest
- Provide resources containing neighborhood information on municipal services,schools, etc.
- Inform the buyer of negative aspects like nearby venues or operations that may result in issues that could impact value
- Collect and share any other vital information on available homes, remembering to follow all fair housing laws at all times
- Check applicable zoning and building restrictions
- Help the buyer decipher public property and tax information
- Collect and share pertinent data on values, taxes, utility costs, etc.
- Compare each property shown to the buyer’s wants and needs list and remind them of what they were looking for
- Help the buyer narrow the search until the buyer identifies top choices
Negotiating Offers
- Assist the buyer in getting the best property at the best price
- Suggest that the buyer learn more about the neighborhood prior to makingan offer
- Prepare a comparative market analysis (CMA) in advance of making an offer
- Prepare the buyer to have the most attractive offer in the current marketplace
- Explain common contract contingencies and include approved protective clauses in the purchase offer
- Ensure that the buyer receives and understands all state and federally-required disclosure forms
- Prioritize contract negotiation goals with the buyer
- Help create a negotiating strategy
- Use strategies such as an escalation clause to maintain a competitive offer
- Prepare the buyer for a multiple offer situation and develop negotiation strategies
- Write an offer that has a reasonable chance of being accepted
- Recommend optional contingencies and explain the pros and cons of using them
- Provide information on purchasing incentives that may be available
- Discuss financing alternatives
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