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Questions? Need support? Looking to get more out of your membership? Locked out of your account?
Here's where to contact us: 1) POST your social media questions, share ideas, and find referrals for your clients moving out of state/province in our Members-Only Facebook Group (The Social Broker VIP). 2) DM us any time on Instagram! @the.social.broker. 3) EMAIL us your tech support questions at maris@thesocialbroker.com. |
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YOUR CONTENT LIBRARY
DECEMBER 1 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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December is all about giving and I'm passionate about giving back to our community. This year, I am proud to support __________, an organization that __________ [tag your favorite non-profits or describe the charity work you do]. After a year like 2020, these organizations and the people they serve need our support more than ever before.
So if you’re looking to give back and bring some holiday cheer this season, shoot me a message and I would love to share more about how you can get involved. Happy holidays—and happy Giving Tuesday! OR The holiday season is officially here and today I'm celebrating Giving Tuesday by shining a spotlight on a few local non-profit organizations that need our support more than ever after the pandemic this year. @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ [List and TAG 3-5 local charities that need volunteers or accept donations. Describe the charity in a sentence or two.] Tell me what local organizations you support -- let's inspire each other to come together and do some good this season. Happy holidays! POST TIP: Check out the Canva file for the CUSTOMIZABLE versions of the Giving Tuesday graphics. Simply upload, drag and drop your own photos into the designated spaces for a more personalized post.
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DECEMBER 2 - COPY AND PASTE
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Everyone knows that this month is all about holiday celebrations and after this year, I think we all deserve to CELEBRATE as much as possible this year. So here are some fun excuses to celebrate all December long. Besides the BIG holidays, which days are you most excited about celebrating?
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DECEMBER 3 - COPY AND PASTE
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Here are your cozy living room decor MUST-HAVEs!
Are you planning to spend most of the winter curled up on your couch watching Hallmark Christmas movies or reading by the fireplace? Here are my tips for making your living room a space you'll never want to leave. 1) Styled bookshelves. 2) Throw pillows and a cozy blanket. 3) House plants or some sort of faux flowers/greenery. 4) Plenty of lighting -- natural light or a few festive lamps. 5) Comfy seating -- a plush sofa, an accent chair and maybe a few poufs. As long as we're on the topic of cozy nights at home, tell me: what have you been reading or watching lately? |
DCEEMBER 4 - COPY AND PASTE
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Here are two benefits to selling your home during the holiday season. Are you ready?
Even though the housing market typically slows down in December, there are some definite benefits to selling your home during the holiday season. First, buyers have more time to search! This year, people have lots of accrued vacation time that they haven't taken. We are also spending more time at home connected to our devices, which is a perfect time to be online house hunting! In December, buyers on the market also tend to be more motivated. If you're house hunting instead of baking holiday cookies and shopping for gifts, you're probably pretty serious about buying. Sellers who wait to list their homes may miss out on this pool of buyers. What do you think: would you want to move during the holiday season, or would you wait until the spring if you could help it? |
DECEMBER 5 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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Have you put up your Christmas tree yet? I know so many people who put theirs up in November, __________ [me included! We decided to make the most of the holiday season this year/but we waited until after Thanksgiving to put ours up/but we are putting ours up this weekend!].
If you haven't put your tree up yet, here's where to get one in __________ [your city]: @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ [List and 3-5 local tree farms or lots] Where did you get your tree? Or if you have another holiday tradition, tell us about it in the comments! OR Don't you love the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree? Even though my family doesn't celebrate Christmas (we celebrate __________), there are so many family-owned Christmas tree lots and farms in town and I'm all about supporting our local businesses! Here's where to go to get a tree in __________ [your city]: @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ [List and 3-5 local tree farms or lots] Where did you get your tree? Or if you have another holiday tradition, tell us about it in the comments! |
DECEMBER 6 - COPY AND PASTE
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ATTENTION RENTERS: Repeat after me: "I do not have to be stuck with boring white walls until I become a homeowner."
If you want to add a little glam to your rental home, consider peel and stick wallpaper as an alternative to painting to refresh your home. Wallpaper is so on-trend right now and there are tons of elegant, impactful patterns at an affordable price point -- without the long-term commitment. What do you think? DOUBLE TAP if you love this idea as much as I do! POST TIP: Feel free to grab one of these fun images from the Dropbox as an alternative! Simply credit @tempaper_designs and tag them in the post!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cnm5zehp4tgj4ks/AAB7n6R--c7WzV6pssGB2FPIa?dl=0 |
DECEMBER 7 - COPY AND PASTE
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It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season in a global pandemic 🎄😷 Double tap if these reminders speak to you on a personal level, too!
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DECEMBER 8 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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How to decorate for the holidays when your home is for sale:
Step 1: Clean and declutter before you decorate. If your house is full of furniture and decor, adding holiday cheer can create can create a cluttered appearance. Pack up your everyday before you drag out the holiday bins and be sure to give your home a good, deep clean before you deck the halls. Step 2: Keep it simple! This is the year to keep the "Best Mom Ever" ornaments and the kiddo's art projects in storage and stick to simple, versatile decorations. Think fresh greenery, white lights and a festive candle that smells like cinnamon spices or freshly baked cookies. Step 3: Play up the warmth of your home. Light a fire in the fireplace to evoke those cozy vibes of winter Netflix binges on the sofa, or set a gorgeous holiday table with flowers and the good china to help buyers imagine their own family gathered around a special holiday meal. Step 4: As beautiful as they are, Christmas trees can make your home feel small and cluttered. If you do put a tree up, choose one that fits the space well and doesn't block a walkway or window. Skip homemade ornaments and decorate simply with a single color scheme that matches your home. Step 5: Create curb appeal with fresh greens or an elegant wreath outside. Swap your doormat for a fun and festive seasonal one -- little touches like this signal that you care about and take pride in your home! Oh, and definitely skip the snowman inflatables or blinking lights -- no one wants to buy the Christmas Vacation house! How do you decorate your home for the holidays? Are you doing anything differently this year? |
DECEMBER 9 - COPY AND PASTE
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Use the first two graphics for a carousel/gallery post with Caption A.
Use one of the quote posts below with Caption B.
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2021 can't come soon enough, am I right?
While we're all eagerly awaiting the end of this pandemic, I also have my sights set on the 2021 real estate market. SWIPE to read a few of the things that home buyers, sellers and investors can expect 2021 to bring. OR 2021 can't come soon enough, am I right? While we're all eagerly awaiting the end of this pandemic, I also have my sights set on the 2021 real estate market. Here are my predictions: 1) HOME PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE. According to Zillow, the median home value in the U.S. rose by 5.8% this year. Analysts also issued a positive price forecast for the housing market into 2021. 2) HOUSING MARKET INVENTORY WILL REMAIN TIGHT. Home buyers in 2021 should allow plenty of time for house hunting and keep an open mind -- it's rare to get everything you want when inventory is tight. 3) HOME SALES WILL REMAIN STEADY. Housing demand among home buyers has been surprisingly strong since May of this year. Expect a strong start to 2021 - especially as the weather warms up! 4) MORTGAGE RATES WILL HOVER AROUND 3% NEXT YEAR. Economists from the Mortgage Bankers Association expect 30-year mortgage rates to average around 3.1% during the first two quarters of 2021. 5) IT WILL BE ANOTHER GOOD YEAR FOR REFINANCING. With rates remaining low, there are still millions of homeowners in the U.S. who could reduce their monthly costs by refinancing their existing home loans. |
DECEMBER 10 - COPY AND PASTE
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4 tips you need to know before you deck the (outdoor) halls. Decorating the exterior of your home can give it a major curb appeal face lift.
1) Add some fresh winter greenery & pinecones. 2) Swap in a festive doormat. My favorite ones say "Sleigh All Day" or "Home for the Holidays." 3) Decorate with white lights -- and don't go overboard! 4) Before you decorate, clear your porch of any fall debris, like dead leaves, pumpkins and gourds. How do you decorate the outside of your home? Tag me if you've posted any pictures of your decorations - I'd love to see! |
DECEMBER 11 - COPY AND PASTE
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Today's finance tip is for every home owner and home renter! Be sure to monitor your credit score regularly! You should always have an idea of what your credit score is and what activities the credit monitoring bureaus are picking up.
If you see any incorrect or fraudulent items on your account (like a bill that you paid on time or a charge that was inaccurate or incorrect and sent to collections), head to the credit bureaus' websites and dispute them directly. This can help raise your credit score and lower your interest rates when you apply for your next loan. |
DECEMBER 12 - COPY AND PASTE
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Instead of Googling this every year, hit the bookmark icon to save these VERY important holiday season tips 😉
-Never use an an apostrophe when signing your last name. -If your last name ends with a X, Z, CH or SH, add an "-es" to the end. -If your name ends in any other letter, just add an "-s" to the end. Let me know if you'd like me to share more fun life hacks like this one! |
DECEMBER 13 - COPY AND PASTE | MULTI-IMAGE POST
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REAL TALK: no matter how much we prepare, there are a lot of things in any real estate transaction that are completely beyond our control. Financing issues, appraisal problems and inspection issues are going to come up -- it's all part of the process.
The most important thing you can do is work with an agent who is prepared to roll with the punches no matter what happens! Here are 5 things that *might* go wrong in a real estate transaction and what to do if they actually happen. Swipe for more info and if you have any questions, shoot me a DM and I'd love to be a resource for you. POST TIP: You can upload up to 10 photos or videos in a single post on your Instagram Feed:
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DECEMBER 14 - COPY AND PASTE
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I know you've seen the posts that say, "You don't need to put 20% down to buy a house!" And that is true, and great news if you have been too busy paying off student debt or starting your career to save that full 20% down payment.
Here's the thing though: your lender would really prefer you to have 20% of equity in your home. If you don't, they may still approve you for a mortgage loan, but on the condition that you must pay mortgage insurance (sometimes referred to as PMI) until you have paid off up to 20% of the home's sale price. Mortgage insurance protects the lender in the event that you have to default on your mortgage loan. The good news? Once you have accrued 20% of equity in your home, your mortgage insurance will drop from your monthly loan payments. |
DECEMBER 15 - COPY AND PASTE
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FACT: The way your home smells can have a major impact on potential buyers. Smell is a huge part of branding -- think about how your Anthropologie or even your favorite hotel always smells amazing!
Around the holiday season, buyers (or guests..or even your home family) love those festive scents that smell like home. I love scented candles and essential oils, but you could also create a fresh-smelling simmer pot. Fill a sauce pan with water -- or better, apple cider! -- and simmer 1-2 orange peels (lemon works too), some fresh rosemary, and a few cinnamon sticks. Bring it to a boil and allow it to simmer for several hours. Your home will smell -- and feel -- warm and welcoming to anyone who walks in the front door! SAVE this tip to come back to later by tapping the bookmark icon below. |
DECEMBER 16 - COPY AND PASTE
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Answer this question in the comments 👇🏼
I know we aren't traveling as much this year but in normal times, the holiday season is all about visiting family and friends. I'm wondering: are you someone who has to have the house immaculate before you head out of town? Or can you rest easily even if you left a dirty dish or two in the sink!? I __________ [am such a clean freak and I need my house to be immaculate before I leave for work let alone vacation!/do my best to straighten up and make sure there are no dishes in the sink but I'll confess: sometimes the beds don't get made/tend to be lax about housework - my spouse is the neat freak!]. How about you!? |
DECEMBER 17 - COPY AND PASTE
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One of my favorite holiday traditions -- making a perfect cheeseboard to enjoy with wine and a crusty baguette for a simple dinner or a casual night entertaining friends! Here is how to make a perfect cheese and charcuterie platter for any occasion:
🧀 Stick with 3-5 cheeses, which allows you to cover the main styles without creating overkill. 🧀 Pick 2-3 meats to complement the cheeses. Pair regional meats and cheeses for a fun themed board -- like Italy or Spain! 🧀 Add accompaniments for your cheese, like crackers, bread, or crostini. 🧀 Complement your cheese board with dried fruit and nuts. 🧀 Serve something sweet -- honey, jam or compote is delicious on a cheeseboard. 🧀 Add something briny, like pickled vegetables or olives. 🧀 Pick a perfect beverage pairing -- you don't want your wine to overpower your cheese! A medium-bodied white wine is usually a safe bet and a crowd-pleaser. Tell me: what do you love on a cheese/charcuterie board? |
DECEMBER 18 - COPY AND PASTE
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3 perks to buying a home during the holiday season:
If you're in the midst of house hunting, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed between trying to wrap up your year at work, getting ready for the holidays and searching to find the perfect new home. Before you pause your search, here are a few perks to home-shopping during the holiday season. 1) Sellers are often motivated! People who are moving at this time of the year may be doing so for a job transfer, to move out of state or because their family is expanding and they need more space. Motivated sellers may be more open to negotiations on your offer. 2) If you buy your home before the end of year, there might be tax benefits for you, too, from deducting mortgage interest to property taxes. Check with your accountant on the specifics! 3) It's holiday sale season -- the holiday and year-end sales upon us make this a perfect time to be furnishing and accessorizing your new home. Look for savings as you buy new home goods, kitchen ware and more. If you're thinking about buying a new home in 2021, drop me a DM. It might be worthwhile for you to have that initial conversation now! |
DECEMBER 19 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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Holiday lights festivals are the perfect social distancing activity -- in most cases, you don't even have to get out of your car! So, gather up the family, swing by the Starbucks drive-through for a round of peppermint hot cocoas, and visit one of these beautiful lights displays to channel your holiday spirit!
@__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ @__________ [List and 3-5 local Christmas lights shows or displays. If there is a street or even a house in your neighborhood KNOWN for their holiday decor (think: Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation!), talk about that too!). |
DECEMBER 20 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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3 ways to deal with a home without a dining room:
We've all been there: you find a rental home that is perfect in every way, except for one thing. There is no space for a dining room or dining table! If you're tired of balancing a plate on your lap in front of the television, here are a few ways to make your breakfast bar or kitchen island feel a little bit more special for those holiday meals, date night dinners or even weeknight dining. 1) Use the space for dining only -- in a lot of homes, the kitchen counter is a catch-all for keys, schoolwork, paperwork, and other household items that somehow find their way into the kitchen. Make your counter/island a clutter-free space for dining! 2) Set the table. If your breakfast bar is set with your favorite dishes, pretty placemats and a pretty plant or centerpiece, you'll be more inclined to dine there vs. in front of the television. 3) Get comfortable counter stools. If you're planning to be living in your rental for a few years, invest in comfortable kitchen or barstools that you'll actually want to sit in to relax over a good meal. Even if you do have a dining room, you'll probably eat most of your meals at your island, anyway! Have you ever had a home without a dining table? How did you navigate it? |
DECEMBER 21 - COPY AND PASTE
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Here is my totally irrational Christmas list 🎄😉 What would you ask "Santa" for if the sky was the limit?
POST TIP: This is a great one to customize in Canva! Replace the text with your own wishes -- "All I want for Christmas is a house with a saltwater pool and swim-up wine bar, an end to world hunger, for my kids to stop fighting indefinitely and a second career as America's Next Top Model."
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DECEMBER 22 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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Are you hunkered down at home for the holidays? I am, and you can usually find me eating __________. drinking __________ and watching __________ [all of the chocolate chip cookies, drinking my coffee with my favorite Peppermint Mocha creamer and watching Love Actually on repeat!].
Tell me what you've been up to! |
DECEMBER 23 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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It might be the holiday season, but real estate never stops! This week, I've been busy with __________, working on __________ and finishing up __________, before I take a break for the holidays. How about you: what's on your agenda this week?
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DECEMBER 24 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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I am convinced that there are two types of people on Christmas Eve: you are either so far behind, have gifts to wrap, stockings to stuff, and treats to bake, or you have been wrapped, baked, decorated and ready to go for days.
Which is it? Please tell me I'm not the only __________ [holiday-obsessed overachiever/disorganized procrastinator with 15 gifts to wrap!]. |
DECEMBER 25 - COPY AND PASTE
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Merry Christmas! No matter how (or if) you celebrate, I hope you are able to take some time this weekend to relax, recharge and connect with your loved ones. 2020 has not been an easy year, but there is still so much good around us and a lot to be grateful for today ❤️
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DECEMBER 26 - COPY AND PASTE
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I have a question for you!
We are all making an effort to unplug and spend more time focused on family this weekend. But, in real estate, it's hard not to be tethered to my phone! How long do you think you could go without looking at your cell phone? No judgment -- I promise! |
DECEMBER 27 - COPY AND PASTE
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I'm going to let you in on a little secret today: it's okay if you don't fall in love with your home the first time you see it!
Our industry is full of HGTV shows where buyers fall in love with multiple dream homes in one day, social media posts with buyers finding "the one," and real estate agents telling you how easy the home-buying process is. How overwhelming is that!? Now, it's true -- all of those situations do happen. But, you know what else happens? You might see 12 different homes before you decide that the first one you saw was actually your favorite. It's not always love at first sight! Other times, finding the perfect home requires a little bit of creativity. You have might have to imagine that glass block wall as shiplap or picture the outdated tile countertop in white quartz. Sometimes you need to look at the layout, the foundation and the location and think, "could I make this my dream home?" I think that is part of the fun of becoming a homeowner! When you bought your first home, did you love it right away, or did you need to get a little creative first?
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DECEMBER 28 - COPY AND PASTE
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Picture this: you buy your first home and on day 3, your roof starts leaking. By day 7, you have a gas leak from your furnace. And on day 10, your washing machine breaks down. Sounds expensive, right?
A home warranty is an annual service contract that covers the cost to repair or replace parts of home appliances and systems that break down over time. Sometimes, the seller will pay for the buyer to have a home warranty in the event that the home is older and there's an expectation that major appliances or systems will soon need to be replaced. Home warranties typically cover major appliances, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Keep in mind that you'll need to work through your home warranty company to schedule your service appointment and use their in-network providers. |
DECEMBER 29 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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2020 will go down in the history books, that is for sure! We had wildfires, a UFO sighting, murder hornets....and let's not forget the global pandemic and subsequent toilet paper shortage!
If you wrote a book about your life in 2020, what would the title be? I'll go first: I think I'd call mine: __________. |
DECEMBER 30 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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We all know that this year had a major impact on how people view the meaning of home -- and how people design their homes to suit their needs.
Here are a few home design trends that I think we can expect to see even more next year. 🔸 PLENTY OF PLANTS: 2020 was a year, for many people, of getting back to basics -- bread baking and gardening. Expect to see even more people brighten their moods and freshen the air in their homes with pretty house plants. 🔸 MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACES: A lot of us had to rethink how we use our living spaces in 2020. Although some people will upgrade to larger homes, others will turn to creative storage and home design solutions to help dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms double as home offices. 🔸 COLOR IS KING: People are gravitating from neutrals to more dramatic and lively palettes, like navy and forest green, to brighter, whimsical patterns on wallpaper and accent pieces. Starting with a small space, like a powder room, can be a great way to dip a toe into the waters without being too overwhelming. 🔸 TEXTURE IS QUEEN: Texture in interior design is important because it impacts sensation and touch. In 2021, texture will be a main theme for walls and surfaces and we'll see a revival of stone, marble, wooden beams and wall panels. Textured wallpaper designs will be a simple and affordable way to bring more complex textures into the home without major renovations. 🔸 HEALTHY HOMES: Homeowners are more health-conscious than ever right now, and we're going to see more people pursuing organic textiles and materials, safer paint, healthier air and cleaner water in their homes. Are you going to incorporate any of these into your home design this year? What other trends do you think we'll start to see? |
DECEMBER 31 - COPY AND PASTE
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Time to let you in on a secret: I kind of love staying home for New Year's Eve! Ordering yummy takeout, snuggling in with a good movie, and popping the good champagne! So, that's exactly what we are doing this year.
But, let's have some fun first! In a fantasy world where it's safe to travel, which New Year's Eve experience would you choose? Tell me in the comments! |
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