A personal touch goes a long way. Rather than using a generic thank you note or a commercialized card, a custom note will show you really care.
If you’re sending a thank you to a friend or loved one, a handwritten thank you note can further your relationship and help express your appreciation. And if you’re in real estate, a custom thank you note can help you develop a more personal relationship with your clients, as well as prompt potential referrals in the future.
What to Write In a Thank You Note
When writing a thank you note, it’s important to keep things simple. Express your gratitude, be specific about what you appreciate and don’t be afraid to get personal. Still stuck on what to say past the initial “thanks again!”? Try out any of the following tips to craft a letter that’s warm and inviting.
Keep an Appropriate Tone
While thank you notes should always be friendly, your note’s tone should match the situation. For example, if you’re sending a thank you note to a business or client, make sure to keep things professional. But you can be more casual and upbeat when thanking someone you know personally, such as a family member or friend.
Have a Clear Purpose
Expressing your gratitude is just one of the reasons to write a thank you note. Other reasons include maintaining a business relationship, networking and setting yourself apart from the competition. Being honest about your intentions will help you avoid rubbing someone the wrong way and make your letter that much more successful.
Get Specific
Since you don’t have that much room in a typical thank you letter, being specific about what you’re thankful for is crucial. After addressing your recipient, get straight to the point. Specify the exact gift or opportunity you’re writing about, and tell them why you’re thankful. This ensures your letter comes off as meaningful and makes the recipient feel appreciated.
Personalize
Adding a personal touch is a great way to solidify your connection with the recipient and helps further convey how grateful you are. Personalize your letter by including an inside joke, referencing a previous conversation or suggesting a future opportunity to work together.
Explain the Why
Explaining why you’re thankful is just as important as expressing your gratitude in the first place. If you’re thanking someone for a gift, explain how you’ll use it or why you love it so much. If you’re sending a professional thank you note, include what you enjoyed learning about the recipient or their company before signing your name.
Talk About the Future
While the recipient of a thank you note is not expected to reply, referencing a future get-together or project is not out of the question. After all, a thank you note is a great way to help create a professional or personal relationship that can last a lifetime! You could suggest getting together for coffee or leave your number to encourage them to reach out in the future. Either way, it’s sure to make a lasting impression.
Benefits of Sending a Thank You Note
Writing a thank you note isn’t just good for your relationships; it goes a long way for your physical and mental health as well. So the next time you put pen to paper — whether to thank someone who sent you a gift or congratulate a client on purchasing their dream home — remember that you’re gaining other benefits as well.
Builds Relationships
Handwritten letters have fallen to the wayside in favour of emails, online invitations and text messages. That’s why when you do receive a handwritten note every now and then, you treasure it. Taking the time to write out your gratitude for your friend, client or colleague is an easy way to make sure they remember and think well of you for years to come.
Increases Happiness
Whether you’re writing in a journal or sending out a thank you note, expressing what you’re thankful for is a great way to boost your happiness and train your brain to think more optimistically. Write thank you notes consistently to get a boost of serotonin, reduced feelings of anxiety and regulation of your stress hormones.
Boosts Your Brain’s Health
Acknowledging what you’re grateful for and expressing yourself via handwriting are two acts that change the way your brain behaves. Given how much time we all spend on computers, it’s rare that we actually write out notes by hand. But there’s a strong case for going old school, as handwriting activates more parts of the brain than typing. So this means a simple thank you note is not only good for business but your cognitive health as well.
Improves Your Memory
If you have trouble keeping your client’s names straight, writing thank you letters can be a great way to work on your memory. Handwriting activates the portions of your brain associated with learning and can help reinforce the connection between your clients’ names and other small details about them. By including these small details in your letter, you can impress your clients and improve your memory at the same time.
Classic Thank You Note Example
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to write letters tailored to unique situations, it’s important to understand the basics of a great thank you note. After all, creating a sincere thank you note only takes a few lines of writing, as long as you do it right. Try to mirror the following example (or use the customizable PDF template below) to write a letter that shines.
Note: Before printing, adjust settings to “Two-sided Printing” and select “Long-Edge Binding” if available.
Example:
Hi Steven and Ashley,
It was so great to see you both at my housewarming party! I couldn’t stop eating that buffalo dip you brought. You’ll have to send me the recipe sometime.
I wanted to thank you for the gift you got Paul and me. We have been wanting to start cooking more now that we have our first home and the pan is perfect for the job! Plus, the colour goes perfectly with my kitchen.
Hope you and the kids are doing well! Let’s get together some time for dinner to catch up.
Thanks again,
Samantha
Thank You Note Examples for Property Sellers
If you’re a property agent, it may be tempting to write out a standard thank you letter for your clients after they’ve signed the dotted line (especially if you have a rather robust roster). But your relationship with them isn’t over once they find their dream home. Clients may return to you when they want to sell their home, or they might send their friends looking to buy or sell your way, so ending that relationship on the right note is just good business.
After Meeting With a Potential Seller
When you’re trying to convince a seller to work with you, it’s always a good idea to follow-up. There are a few different ways to go about it — such as calling to chat or emailing after a meeting — but writing a letter can help set you apart from the other agents they may have met with. To help seal the deal with your potential seller, check out the example thank you letter below.
Example:
Hi Jessica,
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for meeting with me last week. I hope I was able to answer all your questions and get you one step closer to selling your home.
I would love to help you sell your property. Based on our previous discussion, I think I can help you get a great offer for your home. I understand your need to sell quickly and desire to minimize offer-letter maintenance requests. I also have a thorough understanding of the current market as I have been working and living here for ten years.
We can start your MLS listing whenever you’re ready to start selling. I can assist you throughout the whole process, including planning, staging, photography and showings.
My ultimate goal will be to listen to your needs and market the property to attract potential buyers in order to get the best offer.
Thank you once again for your time. I’m looking forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Monica Smith
Smith Realty
(555) 555-555
monica@smithreality.com
monicasmithrealty.ca
After a Listing Presentation
Sometimes you’ll find a seller that agrees to work with you but hasn’t yet settled on the right list price. That’s when you can offer up your market comparables, neighbourhood analysis and expert insight. But sending them this info will be a lot for the client to digest, no matter if they’re selling their home in a big city like Vancouver or someplace smaller and more remote. To avoid being pushy, give them a day or two to read over your suggestions and follow-up with a custom note.
Example:
Dear Hunter Family,
Thanks for meeting with me last week. I loved getting to discuss the best strategy for listing and marketing your home. As mentioned, I have 15 years of experience working with buyers in the area. Because of this, I understand what they want as well as what is and isn’t selling nearby.
As you consider your next steps, I wanted to let you know I am available for any questions you may have about the information I sent your way. I can’t wait to get started on getting you a great price on your home!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Nick Wilson
Wilson Home Service
(555) 555-555
nick@wilsonhomes.com
wilsonhomeservices.ca
After a Client Decides to Work With You
Finding a great agent can be difficult for home buyers and sellers. So while it can be easy for you to forget the small, courteous tasks once you get started selling a client’s home, it’s crucial that you thank them for their business. Using a template, you can quickly and effectively reinforce your new client that their decision to work with you was the right one.
Not only does the note offer a personalized touch, but it reminds the new client that you’re on top of the big tasks without forgetting the little details — an attitude that builds trust and faith as their agent.
Example:
Dear Adriene,
I’m so excited to be working with you on the sale of your home! Based on our conversations and the going rate in your area, I feel confident that together we will secure a great offer for your home.
My ultimate working goal is to have satisfied clients who have a less stressful life and, if I may be so bold, an enjoyable experience. To that end, if you have any concerns or questions about anything during this process, please know I’m here to help.
Don’t hesitate to give me a call, send me a text or email me.
Cheers!
Kate Tills
Vancouver Home Group
(555) 555-555
Kate@vhomegroup.com
vancouverhomegroup.ca
After Successfully Selling a Property
Quite often, the thrill of getting offers from potential buyers is enough to prompt celebration — but don’t stop there. Remind your client how attuned you are to their needs by sending a thank you card after a successful sale. Send this personalized note shortly after they sign the contract or after the closing date. This thank you letter aims to join in on the celebration with your client and reinforce this successful relationship in their mind.
Example:
Hello Anderson Family,
Let me congratulate you once again on the successful deal!
After decades in the real estate industry, we know that selling a home can be stressful and also very rewarding. Thank you for all the effort you put into making it work. We really appreciated how prepared you were for every step of the process.
Now that your home has sold, however, let me remind you that we’re still here to answer questions and help you with anything real estate-related, now or in the future.
I hope you’re satisfied with our service and that we have a chance to work together again.
All the best,
The team at Lavoie
Lavoie Real Estate
(555) 555-555
info@lavoierealesate.com
lavoierealestate.ca
Thank You Note Templates for Clients Looking to Buy a Home
For your buy-side clients, thank you notes are just as crucial to building and maintaining a positive relationship as they are for clients who’re selling. Buying a home is no easy task, and given how much money your clients will be spending, they will likely have a lot of questions. You can help open the lines of communication by following up after important milestones throughout the buying journey.
After Meeting With a Potential Buyer
Buyers will often get referrals from friends and family and look at neighbourhood signs to find the right real estate agent to work with. You’ll probably be one of several agents that they talk to, so following up can be a great way to help them remember who you are and how you conduct business.
A personalized, handwritten (or typed) letter helps establish a connection with your potential client and can be a great talking point when you touch base later on in the home buying process.
Example:
Hello Rebbeca and Alex,
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me the other week. I hope I was able to answer all your questions and solve any uncertainties you might have about the buying process.
It would be a pleasure if I could help you find your future home. I have a clear understanding of where we can start, and I’m excited to help you find the perfect home that’s within your budget and suits your needs.
Thank you once again for your time. I’m looking forward to working with you!
Sincerely,
Preston Mattheson
Mattheson Realty
(555) 555-555
preston@matthesonrealty.com
matthesonrealty.ca
After Your Buy-Side Client Purchases a Property
Your job isn’t over once your client purchases their dream home. After you’ve helped them craft the perfect offer letter and negotiated the needed repairs with the sellers, it can be tempting to turn your focus to other clients. However, now is the perfect time to send a congratulatory message to your buyers, thanking them for the opportunity to work together. Taking this extra time at the end of a sale can help ensure that your client returns to you the next time they have an MLS need.
Example:
Hi Happ Family,
I’m so excited for this new chapter of your life, and it was my absolute pleasure to help you find your dream home. Your new neighbourhood is perfect for your pup, I’m sure he’ll love getting to explore the park once you get settled in!
If you have any questions or concerns about your home, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m happy to help in any way I can.
Once again, congratulations!
Sincerely,
Billie Laplante
Laplante Homes
(555) 555-555
bill@lhomes.com
laplantehomes.ca
Follow-up Thank You Letter for a Home Buyer
There are many little tasks needed to get to closing, and it can be easy to lose track of where your client is in the process. To make sure your client knows they are still your top priority, send a follow-up letter shortly after there’s a finalized contract. The key is to use this personal letter as a way to congratulate your client and to reinforce the fact that, as an agent, their needs as a client are front and centre.
Example:
Hi Helen and Lindsey,
It’s officially been two months since you moved into your new home! I hope it has been everything you hoped for and more. I am sure that you and your family have already created some unforgettable memories.
As part of your home buying team, I just wanted to remind you that I’m here should you have questions or need my help. Please feel free to reach out to me. I am more than happy to help with any real estate needs you might have.
All the best,
Mackenzie Gagnon
North Vancouver Realty
(555) 555-555
mackenzie@nvrealty.com
northvancouverrealty.ca
Thank You Note Examples to Touch Base With Former Clients
You likely gave your clients a lot of advice throughout the home buying process. And hopefully, all that work you did will be enough to earn their return business or have them send a few referrals your way. But to be sure, it can never hurt to send a letter to check-in on their needs and help them remember you’re a committed agent.
Clients Who Have Sold or Bought a Home
Once a client lives in their home for a few months or years, the memory of all the hard work and effort required to sell or buy a property can fade. To remind them of your commitment, set a reminder to send a personalized thank you note.
Example:
Hello Joe,
It’s officially been one year since you bought your home. How time flies! I know that over time it can be easy to forget all the work that went into such a monumental transaction — but not for me.
As a Realtor dedicated to my clients, I remember what’s required to buy your home and how happy you were when you got the home. As such, I just wanted to touch base and express my gratitude to you for allowing me to be a part of that experience.
Plus, as a dedicated real estate professional, I just want to remind you that I’m here should you or your friends have any real estate needs in the future. Feel free to reach out if you should need my help.
Best regards,
The team at Rose Canada Realty
Rose Canada Realty
(555) 555-555
info@rosecarealty.com
rosecanadarealty.ca
Referral Thank You Note Example
Buyers and sellers often ask friends, family, colleagues and real estate professionals for referrals to good real estate agents. Don’t ignore the goodwill of the person who referred you to a potential client. Remember to send personalized thank you notes to anyone that offered a referral — it’s a great way to remind them that you’re committed to building relationships and working hard for your clients.
Example:
Hello Price Family,
Thank you for recommending me to the Johnsons. I assure you that I will do my best to help them find a great deal for their home.
I really appreciate your confidence in my work, and I’m excited to help your friends on their home selling journey.
Cheers!
Jason McGinnis
McGinnis Homes
(555) 555-555
jason@mcginnishomes.com
mcginnishomes.ca
Expressing Gratitude Is Beneficial for All
Your clients are entrusting you with one of the biggest events of their lives, and that’s not a job that you should take lightly. Expressing your gratitude via a handwritten note — no matter if it’s a congratulatory message after a sale or a follow-up to a potential client — can help you come off as more professional and grow your business over time. Interested in learning more about how to better serve your clients? Read up on MLS trends, home tips and more on the Zolo blog.
