Years ago it seems somebody, I don't know who, hired this Welcome Wagon company to stop by newly moved in residents in neighborhoods. The idea was to give them an introductory basket of many useful goodies to get them going in the new house. I don't know if times have changed or we're moving just faster nowadays but you don't hear about this as often.
The concept is a good one though. We should all practice to
BE A WELCOME WAGON TO THE WORLD.
Being friendly to others. Newcomers and strangers alike. Showing appreciation for what others do and for just who they are. Saying thank you will make you happy. Did you know that?
Try taking a little of the Welcome Wagon in you out into the world each day. You may not be able to change the WHOLE world. But you sure can change the part that's right there in front of you!! Good luck.
Gary,
What a wonderful idea. Not sure we even have the Welcome Wagon program in our community.
How sad is that.
Good suggestion to find out and what an opportunity if there isn't.
Thanks Gary - I was with someone today who asked me how friendly people were here. She said she had heard that most neighbors don't even acknowledge each other - what she heard is sadly true. I told her it was important for her to reach out even though she's the 'newbie'.... later in the conversation she mentioned that she was a Christian and I invited her to church on Sunday - her face lit up like a Christmas tree. It's obvious as a 'newbie' here that she is starving for that ol' down south hospitality that is not very common is Las Vegas.
Gary, It is always nice to show people you appreciate them. I know it makes me feel good to be appreciated!
I think this is a great idea. I don't think the welcome wagon, as such, exists any more, at least around here.
Linda: Maybe we can rejuvenate the Welcome Wagon company or just be the light ourselves.
Hi Mary: I am so glad you connected with that lady and can invite her over to your church.
Roberta: Everyone you are right, thrives on appreciation.
Christine: I guess if that company went out of business, then it is definitely up to us!
Love the idea. I remember the Welcome Wagon's for sure. I have always wanted to make newcomers feel welcome in many settings.
I will ponder how to incorporate this into my world! Thanks Gary, you never cease to amaze me!
BethAnn in Spokane
Gary, We are the welcome wagon of our neighborhood. As a matter of fact our 9 year old is the one that encourages us to bake when a new family moves in, a neighbor is not feeling well, or if someone has a baby, just name it she is there to welcome everyone she meets.
BethAnn: Just being friendly will make any newcomer feel welcome. We probably can all do a better job of this since know one seems to know where the Welcome Wagon went.
Hi Mana: That is so cool. What a great 9 yr. old and family you have. Of course, knowing you, I knew it would be the greatest :)
I do this everytime a relocation call comes in....info...kind words etc. A little kindness goes a long way.
mmm almond roca and caviar! lol........quite the lush welcome basket you are! :-)
I had forgotten about welcome wagons. Perhaps I thought the selling Realtor would have a raised eyebrow if I did it.
Gary, Sharing the life and light within you with those around you as well as just saying welcome to the neighborhood. Awesome sir, we have moved away from that and do not even talk to those right next door to us. Thank you sir for the reminder.
Gary - when I would move into a nieghborhood people used to come and introduce themselves and say hi. The last two places I moved to, strangely enough, both in the south, not one neighbor did that. I have gone and introduced myself to several. I do try to welcome new folks as they come in. I take the caviar out of the basket though;^)
Gary,
I usually give those types of gifts to my clients at the closing table and they actually give me gifts sometimes too:) My neighbor just gave me some wine and just because I fixed the lock on their door when they couldn't get the key out.
Gary- If we could all be a little more welcoming what a better place the world would be, one person at a time- It only takes a spark..... Thanks great post!
As of two years ago, we still had Welcome Wagon, but it is a great idea. My neighborhood welcomes new folks but a cassorelle of some sort, we all know no one wants to cook when you move into a new home.
Gary, they are still out there.....when my family and I buoht our house 10 years ago, there they were. It is a great idea and should be "welcomed" by everyone.
Great post....let's all show our love for each other!
Bo
Gary...
I think that most agents miss the boat by not welcoming neighbors that bought from someone else ...what a great time to get your foot in the door, and who knows, you just might make a new friend!
Excellent idea and post. This is a great way for agents to make and keep good clients!
Have a nice day!
I can be a welcome wagon wacko... and get too carried away sometimes... I just love presentation, which I've learned can translate big time to marketing... when I meet new-to-this-town customers that I'll be spending several hours with, I always have a basket of granola bars, snacks, apples & bottles of water in the back seat.. sometimes extra fun if they have young children. It provides sustenance for the hours of "work" and makes them feel "at home". I've always loved putting special baskets together for gifts. If I could make $$ doing that, I'd probably scamper away from the RE scene! Thanks for your wonderful posts, Gary, and sorry to get carried away!
Gary, Unfortunately the welcome wagons are long gone from here...it's a shame. But you're right, we can all welcome people every day--and it's so easy!
Nothing like that in my area--it's a shame. I actually went to a house to introduce myself. I sold the house (had the seller) and another agent had the buyer, so it should not have been TOO STRANGE for me to knock on the door. It's even in my own neighborhood. The woman was very cold and acted as if I was a real pain. She had kids and I told her the bus stop location & time... and told her to call if she needed anything. She was so rude! Not warm at all. THey moved again about 2 years later.
Gary: I love to be the welcome wagon....even in reverse. When my husband and I were the last to move into our brand new community, no one introduced themselves to us. So I did it. It was great! I just think in this day and age, some people don't want to feel like they are "bothering" you.
Gary, I still think this is a wonderful idea. Our town used to do it but stopped. They were told that unless every business could have something in the basket, then they were being discriminated against. Can you believe this?
Gary - Too bad Welcome Wagon has become a thing of the past! It was a very nice concept. As agents we can make the effort. I often thought about throwing a getting to know you luncheon for the neighbors to meet my buyer clients after they move in - but I never figured out just how to do this without putting my clients on the spot. If you have any ideas let me know!
I remember Welcome Wagon but I hadn't thought about it in years. I do wonder if it is still around.
One thing is for sure, everything is moving faster nowadays and I'm not sure it is entirely a good thing! I don't know if it was the Welcome Wagon company but someone did recently drop by our house and welcomed us to the neighborhood with a bag of goodies and coupons (that was the first time I ever had that happen!).
We like to get to know our neighbors and we exchange things from our gardens and orchards.
Gary-What a wonderful sentiment. I like giving gift baskets to friends and clients. Thank you for reminding us all how important it is to be charitable.
The Welcome Wagon in our area of Denver, NC stopped ten years ago. My in-laws was one of the last to receive a visit from them while moving into an adult community. Since then though two women have formed "The Welcome Basket". They have turned it into a pretty profitable business...
Many times, the agent that sells someone's home to them is their first friend in an area. We should all try to remeber what it feels like to be the new kid at school.