I send them a cake in a lovely tin saying thanks for the "sweet" referral! That, of course, in addition to a thank you note as soon as I receive a referral.

Yes, but it is not dependent on if the referral results in a sale but for thinking of me

Absolutely and the gift depends on their likes/dislikes. Past client referrals are always appreciated.

Nathan Gesner - I am a Buffini & Company's student! The personal 'Thank You' note goes out with a token gift card - whether referral worked or not!

Working By Referrals is one of the best lead generation system for our business.

Thank yous are important, few of my clients expect a bribe, other than the assurance that I have helped a friend of theirs.

Legally we do not give anything of value to unlicensed people for referrals...

Yes, it is always important to make sure that you value every referral and especially a person who recommended you. 

Settlement Table gifts don't belong in real estate ! 

We always do handwritten notes of gratitude.

A referral whether it or not it results in a sale is always appreciated and worthy of an appropriate acknowledgment.  

Yes, absolutely whether it ends in a sale or not.

Jeff Dowler nailed this one!

We send out Thank you cards with a gift card. It has really paided off. Our clients feel so special that we do this.

Thank you, and dinner together or a great bottle of wine.  A

Gift...

It depends upon the situation. Thank you cards are always appropriate and appreciated.

I think it is appropriate to at least say "thank you" through a hand written note. 

You are treading on dangerous waters, I usually do a birthday gift  or other type of a gift to make sure I stay in compliance

Yes, I send a personal, handwritten note with a gift card enclosed regardless of whether or not it works out.  I want them to know I appreciate them referring business to me.

Yes. Thank you note for the referral and when the transaction closes ... a gift is mailed to them. 

Definitely at the time of referral regardless of if it results in a sale (reward the behavior).  I usually include a gift card for a "coffee break on me".

     Be careful in Florida.  If it has monetary value, both you and the receiver of your gift may be in violation of the law. 

send handwritten thank you card

YES, but not because it closed-upfront for the referral itself. I give a gift at the point of referral-I don't wait for a closing. REWARD THE BEHAVIOR NOT THE RESULT. I also take them out to a meal if if closes too.

yes...always.... I always show an expression of thanks by giving a gift....some better than others!

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some people turn down the Starbucks thank you card, etc.

Of course.

Actually I give TWO.

You bet; however, our state law is the gift cannot be larger than $50, can not be cash, or anything that can be converted to cash.

Yes, but i try to make it personal to the person giving it

Yes

I am always generous when it comes to saying Thank You and yes I always give generously, Endre

Of course I always want to show my appreciation and reward behavior I want repeated

I write a note of thanks and include a gift card. But I am going to stop sending the gift cards, because certain referees were starting to hint of comparisons between my potential commission and the amount of their gift card (like they deserved to get a bigger piece of the action while I do all the work). I do not like that. And we're not supposed to give "gifts" of this sort to unlicensed individuals, anyway.

Every referral whether it closes or not receives a gift card from me. I like to recognize their effort and trust in me.

A thank you card right away, and sometimes a dinenr.

I was taught to reward the referral when it happens.  Whether or not it results in a sale is irrelevant.  For people who refer me often, I do more.

Abolutely!  Food or a gift certificate for a nice dinner and a hand-written thank-you!

I do sometimes but not always. It depends but I alwasy send a handwritten thank you card.

I would give them a gift and include a thank you note. I've done chocolates and nice cookies.

I thank them and let them know their friend will be in good hands.  Never once has someone expected $$ or a gift in return.  I do not give either.  Just had two referrals from one past client last week and one from another the week before.

I take them to dinner

Yes, but each situation is different.

I'm with Kenneth J. Jones, Dennis Swartz and Fred Griffin on this one.  A nice thank you card, call or some sort of acknowlegement is in order, but anything of monetary value directly tied to a referral I am not comfortable with. -Kasey

Yes. At least a thank you for anyone offering leads.

Got a call, the guy wants to buy a home with VA with zero down.  A fix upper that no one wants will do.  After probing around he says he can afford to rent a room only.. I still thank the guy who gave the referral.

Sometimes.  It really depends on the situation.  On occasion, I think they should give me a gift.

A bright shiny new front door key

they should have a visit made upon them that causes a big smile

Usually.

I thank my clients all year round and not monetary.  I provide excellent and constant service and information that they can use.  It's valuable and a proven way based on the consistent referrals I receive.  Service first, sales will follow always. 

When my doctor, attorney or CPA start giving me gifts for referring them I might consider doing the same. 

'I just don't think it's what we need to do or actually expected.  I think it comes from listening to other agents who subscribe to this as the thing to do.

Nathan Gesner I thank them for thinking of me.

I do - I make gift baskets and they get one