How Top Agent Ashley Elizondo Uses Client Appreciation to Gain a Year’s Worth of Warm Real Estate Leads

One client appreciation housewarming party can give me 20–30 warm leads and multiple closed deals within a year.

I can tell you one thing for sure: none of my buyers have ever forgotten the day I threw them a housewarming party. Almost all of them have said, “I’ve never even had an agent call me after closing, let alone throw me a party.”

That’s exactly why I do it, because most agents disappear after closing. I don’t. Hosting a client appreciation event like this is my favorite way to thank my clients, meet their friends and family, and fill my pipeline with warm leads who already trust me.

It’s not a huge investment, around $250 per party, but it delivers more genuine connections and long-term business than any cold lead system I’ve tried. And with Brivity, I can make the whole process repeatable without losing the personal touch.

Why This Client Appreciation Strategy Works

In real estate, you can’t just compete on ad spend. People work with agents they know, like, and trust, and you can build that trust in one afternoon if you do it right.

When I host a client appreciation housewarming party, I’m not just congratulating my clients. I’m meeting 30–50 people who are important to them. I’m shaking hands, sharing laughs, and putting a face to my name. By the time I follow up, I’m not a stranger, I’m the person who brought tacos and celebrated their friend’s big day.

My Client Appreciation Housewarming Party System

1. Plant the Idea Early

I bring up the party during the buyer consultation:

“If you’re open to it, I’d love to throw you a party after closing.”

When I mention it again after we’re under contract, they’re even more excited; it’s something fun to look forward to in the middle of the paperwork grind.

2. Get the Guest List

Right before or just after closing, I ask for the names, phone numbers, and emails of their guests. If they need a little time, I follow up until I have it. Then I personally call each guest:

“Hi [Name], I’m calling on behalf of [Client]. They just bought a home, and we’re throwing them a housewarming party. They said you’re someone important to them — can I get your mailing address so I can send you the details?”

It’s never awkward, because it’s not a sales call. It’s a personal invite.

3. Host the Party

I let my clients choose the vibe — taco bar, Chick-fil-A trays, bagel breakfast, etc. My budget is $250, and I often split it with a lender.

I show up early, greet every guest, and take a group photo. The event is short, about 30–45 minutes, but it’s long enough to connect with almost everyone in the room.

4. Follow Up the Right Way

After the party, I use Inked (Available through Brivity) to send a personalized card along with the group photo.

People put those cards on their fridge. That means my face, and my client’s smiling face, is in their kitchen for months.

About a week later, I call each guest to check in:

That’s when I ask if they rent or own, if a market report would be valuable, or if they have any real estate needs on the horizon. From there, I add them into Brivity on an action plan so I can keep the relationship going with regular touches and market updates.

By that point, I’ve already earned the right to ask, and it feels like a natural next step, not a sales pitch.

The Client Appreciation Results I See Every Time

• 20–30+ warm contacts per party
• Multiple deals within 6–12 months
• Referrals and even business partnerships that last for years

Every single client appreciation event fills my pipeline. Some guests call me that year, others years later, but they all know who to call when they’re ready.

Your Quickstart Client Appreciation Checklist

1. Add a housewarming party offer to your buyer presentation
2. Build a Housewarming Guest Auto Plan in Brivity
3. Write a simple call script for guest outreach
4. Use Inked for personalized, photo-based thank-you cards
5. Follow up with a call that focuses on value, not just “checking in”