Finding gifts for loved ones during the holiday season can be stressful—but if you happen to know a real estate investor, I have just made this easier for you.
Here is a wide range of gift ideas for investors, with a few links to products I researched on Amazon (using both user reviews and functionality).
Practical Gifts:
For the holidays every year, my mom would always get me a few of the things I *really* wanted…but I always got a stocking full of things I *needed* that might be less interesting. While some of these might be “boring, practical gifts”, they are things many investors need, and items that newer investors may find difficult to buy for themselves.
#1 Yard signs
Investors use yard signs for several reasons: To sell an investment property, to look for new investors, or to find motivated sellers. I’ll admit… Buying signs for someone isn’t particularly personal. It’s akin to buying someone a bag of pencils…but for an investor who is just starting out and has a small marketing budget, it’s a great practical gift. Here is an affordable option we found with good reviews:
“H” Stakes (Pkg of 10/$2.00 ea)
#2 Business cards
Investors should always have business cards. First of all, they make you look more professional. Secondly, do you really want to write your number or type it into someone’s phone 500+ times?
Business cards are definitely more personal than yard signs, but you have to be careful with this one. Unless you know the person really well, you should probably stick to a gift card. That way, the investor can create and customize their card with their logo, colors, fonts, and other preferences.
Premium Business Cards 500 Full color
#3 Personalized stationery
Stationary is just a step above yard signs, but it can be very practical especially if the investor is using letters to market to motivated sellers. Like business cards, you probably just want to go with a gift card unless you are really confident about your investor-friend’s preferences and branding.
While I couldn’t find any fully personalized stationary options on Amazon, I did find these simple, professional cards and envelopes:
#4 Stamps
Stamps are just as interesting and impersonal as yard signs and stationary…but they are very functional and can be expensive if you are sending a lot of mail.
100 Postage Stamps, Design May Vary
#5 Bug REPELLENT
Yes. Buy this. Period.
#6 LockBox
When you are ready to show a property lockboxes are a great, secure way to give people access. This will save you from driving to the property every time someone wants to see it. And as a bonus, they are pretty affordable. You can buy this one for about $20:
Lock Box, Set-Your-Own Combination, 1-Pack
Spiffy Practical Gifts
These gifts are just as practical as the last ones, but much spiffier.
#7 Keychain with a measuring tape
Very useful. You are always measuring things when you’re an investor, especially when inspecting houses. It’s compact, easy to carry and can be multi-functional.
Keychain Measuring Tape, 6-Feet
#8 Mini flashlight
Shine light in dark places! You can get a small keychain flashlight or go crazy and buy one of those mag-light ones. Your best bet is to get a small one with high lumens (more lumens=more light). Personalizing it would be a nice touch!
Pack of 4, Super Bright Mini Flashlight
#9 Power drill
Real estate investors can always use a power drill, an impact drill or a screwdriver. If a property is vacant, you might nee to take out boards to look at something. Simply viewing properties allows for countless scenarios where tools will be helpful. Bottom line: Tools make an investor’s life easier 🙂
Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill/Driver
#10 Boots
Steel toe boots are a great practical gift. A friend of mine had an old mentor with an amazing get-up he wore for particularly bad houses—boots, tape for his ankles, a mask, and special pants. It was like a hazmat suit, but he only used it for the reeeaaally bad houses.
#11 Mask
A mask is useful for inspecting a property and can be part of your new hazmat suit to inspect those particularly rough properties.
#12 MyHouseDeals membership
A shameless plug! MyHouseDeals is a great, affordable gift for investors. While many people choose to remain a free member, paid members see investment deals TWO weeks before the free members! And that makes a huge difference, since the best deals are always scooped up the fastest.
MyHouseDeals also offers other bonuses and education for paid members, and several price points of membership so you decide how much you spend.
General Gifts:
#13 Amazon gift card
Since investors are always on the go and time is usually of the essence, an Amazon gift card is a great, practical gift. Better yet, buy them an Amazon Prime membership so they can access free 2-day shipping for a whole year!
Amazon.com $25 Gift Card in a Black Gift Box
#14 Lowe’s gift card
You can buy everything on this list with a Lowe’s gift card. This is especially useful for investors who are constantly involved in property rehabs.
#15 Phone charger (portable)
If you know a real estate investor you know that they are always on the go. Having an extra car charger around is never a bad idea, but having a portable phone charger is even better. Anyone in real estate is often on the phone and nothing is worse than having your phone die when you need directions, when you’re in the middle of a call, or when you’re meeting someone or walking a property. The best solution? Carry this back-up in your pocket.
PowerCore Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger
#16 iPad
Having an iPad is like having a phone on steroids and it helps investors stay organized. It’s also great for presentations to motivated sellers or other investors.
#17 Mileage log and expense tracker
This is super useful. Many investors don’t track or will half-ass it, but you should be tracking EVERY mile. You will be amazed how quickly it adds up.
Travel Expense Organizer: Mileage and Fuel Usage Log Book
#18 Camera
Photographs are necessary, but most investors will use their phone. If the investor plans to post houses on the MLS themselves without hiring a professional photographer, it might be worth investing in a nicer camera. Here is great starter camera:
#19 & #20 Coffee or coffee gift card
This one is a given. Real estate investors always need caffeine! Buy them the perfect coffee, and then give them a way to keep it warm:
Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Mug, 16oz
