A Different Kind of Gift Basket for New Home Owners
May 4th, 2007 at 09:38pm Lorie Obernauer
I just read an article about a new web based business called Homes.org. If you browse their site, you will see that Homes.org’s mission is to help new “would be” home owners by providing information about moving companies, realtors, utility companies and other service providers in the location where the move is planned. Most often, this information is delivered in a “gift box” that includes moving supplies, maps and other relevant items.
Although this service is geared to people who are planning a move, it occurred to me that a similar service could be provided to any new homeowner who has recently arrived in a new neighborhood and needs to quickly learn the ins and outs. I recently moved to new city and had no idea where to grocery shop, take my dry cleaning, find doctors, or a groomer for my dog. So I started to ask my neighbors and slowly I gathered some resources. But it would have be great to have a “relocation” package with some of this basic, neighborhood information so that I could get some routines established more quickly in my new neighborhood.
So what’s this have to do with gift baskets? Many of you already work with local realtors who order gourmet baskets to send to their clients who have just purchased a home. But if I had received a gift basket when I moved to my new home, here’s what I would have wanted:
- A local map of the neighborhood plus surrounding neighborhoods.
- A list of the following including addresses: grocery stores, dry cleaners, gas stations, hospitals, banks.
- Directions to the local Home Depot (or other similar store) where all new homeowners spend an enormous amount of time!
- Information about registering my car, and getting a new driver’s license.
Of course, along with this information, some cookies, candies and other gourmet treats would have been greatly appreciated. Not to mention some coupons from local restaurants, beauty salons, and other businesses that I would gladly try since I didn’t know where else to go!
If you as a gift basket business owner, delivered this to my home when I moved in, I would have been grateful forever! And of course, I would be thinking about you the next time I wanted to send a gift.
Entry Filed under: Business Tips
9 Comments Add your own
1. Gift Baske Business | May 6th, 2007 at 11:03 am
You’ve made excellent points regarding what makes a great housewarming gift basket.
Savvy real estate agents nationwide understand how this small investment creates big sales in the future. It’s up to us to help them realize this for a win-win-win effect for them, the homeowner, and us.
2. Jonathan Beekman | May 7th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Thats funny that you mention the gift box. My broker actually provided me with one of those gift boxes and it was perfect! I am guessing she purchased the gift box on their website, but it couldn’t have been more helpful. It had some useful items in it, but the key was the homes concierge service that I called to set up my utilities and tv, internet, and phone. I was very impressed with how seamless the process was.
Now I am moving into my new home in a few days and all my service installations will coordinate with my move in date. The best part is i didn’t have to spend hours searching the phone book for the service providers in my new area.
3. Lorie Obernauer | May 7th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Thanks Jonathan. I hope that your comment will be read by many gift basket business owners so that they see how great this kind of basket can be! Sounds like you’d send one to a friend who was moving.
4. Flora Morris Brown | May 8th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
This gift box is a fabulous idea. Realtors who have served the same area for many years are in an excellent position to know where all the key places and services are located.
A gift basket designer with such realtors as clients could assist in gathering the information that would be included, along with snacks, in this signature gift box. Tie it off with ribon imprinted with the realtor’s name and walla! a memorable gift that will surely lead to repeat business for you and your realtor client.
5. Lorie Obernauer | May 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Thanks Flora for adding your ideas for creating this “welcome to the neighborhood” basket. There are many ways to increase our customer base. Working with other business professionals and business owners is a sure-fire way to get our name out to potential customers.
6. Gloria Robertson | May 15th, 2007 at 10:25 am
WOW, thanks Flora and Lorie such a good idea. I am a member of a realty group and this will go over big with them and my other realtor clients I have.
GOD is good all the time.
Gloria
7. Kathleen Wyatt | May 16th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I am just in the thinking stage of starting a business making gift baskets. I was wondering if someone would possibly help me as a mentor with this?
8. J & M Fields | May 17th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Adding gift baskets to your line for realtors is a great idea. Giving baskets to new neighbors is also a wonderful welcome to the neighborhood.
9. Lorie Obernauer | May 17th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Kathleen, Check out two web sites for a tremendous number of great resources and ideas for starting new gift basket business:
http://www.giftbasketbusinessworld.com/
http://www.giftbasketbusiness.com/
Also, be sure to establish relationships with reliable wholesale distributors of shelf stable gourmet foods. This will be an important partnership and important for the success of your new business venture.
http://www.apexgiftfoods.com/
Good Luck!
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