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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
MARCH 1 - COPY AND PASTE
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New month, new holidays to celebrate 🥂 This month is extra exciting since not only will we welcome in the spring, but we're going to gain an extra hour of daylight ☀️ on March 14.
What is something you're looking forward to this month? 👇🏼 Tell me in the comments! |
MARCH 2 - COPY AND PASTE
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Stop here for your list of home tips to reference when you're ready to start those projects. With Spring around the corner, spring cleaning season isn't far behind! 🧼 Here some tasks to help keep your home looking like new all year round.
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MARCH 3 - COPY AND PASTE - CAROUSEL POST
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SHOULD I SELL OR SHOULD I RENOVATE?
We've spent more time in our homes than ever over this past year and if you're getting a little tired of seeing that same wallpaper, you're not alone. Here are five things to consider if you're trying to decide between renovating or selling your home: 1) COST: Will it be more expensive to sell -- factoring in closing costs and moving costs -- or renovate? Be sure to get more than one quote for your renovations to comparison shop. 2) DO YOU NEED MORE SPACE: If you're feeling cramped in your home, new floors and a kitchen remodel might not do the trick. Moving might be the best option if you suddenly need that extra Zoom room. 3) ARE YOU READY FOR A NEW HOME? Beyond the practical factors like budget and timing, think about you feel about leaving your home and whether you're really prepared. 4) DO YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR HOME TO SELL IT? Although cosmetic changes aren't always recommended, if you plan to make updates you might find that you do love where you live after all. 5) WHERE WILL YOU GO? It is a seller's market - which means you might not find your perfect dream home right away. Be sure you have a plan in place before we list! SWIPE for more on each of my five tips and save this post for future reference! |
MARCH 4 - BRAND PERSONALITY: CUSTOMIZE IT!
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Increase your social media engagement by incorporating more of yourself into your feed. Update the provided graphics in CANVA or simply share a photo of yourself for today's post using the caption template below.
Let's get to know each other a little bit better! Today I'm going to share five facts that you might not have known about me:
1) Before I was a real estate agent I __________, and always thought I would be a __________ when I grew up. 2) I met my __________ [spouse/partner] __________ [share how you met] and we got married in __________ [where you married - tag the venue if applicable!]. 3) Most people don't know that I __________ [share a fun fact about yourself - how many languages can you speak, a special skill you have, a piece of info about your background]. 4) I never start my day without __________ {what is something you do religiously, every day]. 5) If I didn't sell real estate, I would __________ [be a photographer - I'm always the picture taker in my family/travel the world - I have major wanderlust!/be a chef - I love to cook and entertain friends and family/whatever you would do if you didn't sell real estate]. What about you? Tell me something about yourself or something we have in common! |
MARCH 5 - COPY AND PASTE
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Remodeling your entire home is no for the faint of heart...and neither is adding up the bill when you're all finished. So I hope this tip saves you some of the stress that comes along with remodeling your home:
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of completely renovating a home that is less than 1,000 square feet is $18,347. For homes in the 3,000 to 4,000 square foot range, the average cost climbs to $36,121. Before you start your home renovation, break out the calculator or your Excel spreadsheet and be sure you have a budget for your project. If you plan to live in your home during the remodel, add a 10% cushion o your project and if you plan to live elsewhere (like in a short-term rental) give yourself 30% margin to account for delays or mishaps during construction. |
MARCH 6 - FREEBIE PROMO
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SELL OR RENOVATE? That question might be crossing your mind with the current market and increasing home values. So, to help you decide, I put together a free guide full of tips and tricks to help make your decision easier.
I'll be sharing some thoughts on social media throughout this month, but if you want to get all of the goods in one place, shoot me a DM with your email address and I'll send you a copy. |
MARCH 7 - LOCAL LIFE: FEATURE AN EXPERT (CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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When you hire __________ [your name/your team name] to sell your home, you get __________ to sell your home. And, as an added bonus, you get my team of experts who I frequently partner with to help my clients through their real estate transactions.
Today I want to introduce you to __________, my home staging partner. Although in many cases, we can stage your home with just a few small tweaks or additions, there are situations that occasionally require the pros! And __________ is one of the best in the business. SAMPLE POST:
When you hire the Maris Callahan Group to sell your home, you get the Maris Callahan Group to sell your home. And, as an added bonus, you get my team of experts who I frequently partner with to help my clients through their real estate transactions. Today I want to introduce you to @signaturestaging, my home staging partner. Although in many cases, we can stage your home with just a few small tweaks or additions, there are situations that occasionally require the pros! And David Cieslak and his team are some of the best stagers in the business. OR When you hire the Maris Callahan Group to sell your home, you get the Maris Callahan Group to sell your home. And, as an added bonus, you get my team of experts who I frequently partner with to help my clients through their real estate transactions. @signaturestaging is one of the leading home staging companies in Chicago and I just love how they use pops of color to bring every space to life. |
MARCH 8 - FILL IN THE BLANK (CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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This International Women's Day, I want to honor the most special women in my life: __________, __________, __________, __________ and __________. When the real estate life gets crazy, you ladies inspire me!
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MARCH 9 - COPY AND PASTE
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What is Underwriting? 📒
Underwriting is the part of the mortgage loan application process where the bank is scrutinizes all of your credit and financial documents to determine your loan eligibility. Once you’ve submitted your mortgage application, a loan processor will submit all of your documentation to an underwriting who will look at your credit history, income/ability to repay the loan and market value - to ensure that they’ll be able to recover any unpaid balance once you sell. This is why the appraisal is so important to ensure that the property is priced fairly in a current market. The underwriting process usually takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If problems arise during the process, don’t panic! Missing signatures or issues with the appraisal may not necessarily be deal breakers if you are able to respond promptly and correct any problems that do arise. Questions? Shoot me a DM and I’d be glad to connect you to one of my lender partners to walk you through the mortgage application process. |
MARCH 10 - COPY AND PASTE
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Whether you planning to sell or renovate your home, you don't need to break the bank while doing it.
Here are some of the most popular ways to rehab your kitchen whether you want to splurge...or save for your next down payment. Tell me: what would you splurge on and where would you choose to save? |
MARCH 11 - COPY AND PASTE (CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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💬 Let's talk about your favorite home features.
If you are building the home of your dreams from scratch, which three features are non-negotiable? Tell me in the comments 👇🏼 |
MARCH 12 - COPY AND PASTE (CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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I love a good before/after picture. One of my favorite things about real estate is helping my clients buy their dream home....and then seeing how they make it uniquely their own.
Have a good home renovation picture? Post it to Instagram and tag me. I'll share it with my followers so we can all inspire each other! |
MARCH 13 - COPY AND PASTE
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My top three tips for entertaining post-pandemic ⬇️
Has it been awhile since you've invited friends over for dinner and drinks? If you're ready to start entertaining friends or family; here are my favorite tips. ⏩ Prepare as much in advance as you possibly can and make sure the dishwasher is completely empty when guests arrive -- this way you can clean as you go! ⏩ Don't stress over decor -- just set a table with some brightly colored cloth napkins or napkin rings to add a fancy touch. ⏩ Save on tableware (simple white plates from Target will do!), but splurge on wine glasses. ⏩ Consider serving individually portioned meals - think bento box style or mini crudité or charcuterie plates. ⏩ Make it as easy on yourself as possible! If that means passing around a takeout menu and ordering a few of your favorite dishes, your guests won't judge you! So, who wants to come over for dinner!? 🍽🍷 |
MARCH 14 - COPY AND PASTE
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TRUE OR FALSE: You need to update your home before you put it on the market.
Well, I'm going with false here, but with caveats! We need to stage your home before we put it on the market. That means cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing and maybe making a few tweaks to your decor. In most cases, you don't need to make major updates or take on big renovation projects before you sell -- we'll just price it accordingly based on comparable properties and market conditions. Imagine if you spent $30,000 on a brand new kitchen only for the buyers to come in and rip it all out to start new? If you have neon green walls, I might tell you to paint them beige, but 99% of the time your home will only need small updates to get it market-ready. If you are considering selling soon, feel free to drop me a DM. We can do an initial walk-through and decide whether or not your home needs any pre-market updates. |
MARCH 15 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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Clean your pantry, clean your closet, you've heard it all before! So instead, I want to help you tackle a different kind of clutter this spring.
Think digital: your inbox, your desktop, your email lists and your passwords. When was the last time you changed that email password you've been using since 2005? Here are my four top tips: 1️⃣ Organize your desktop files into clearly labeled folders. 2️⃣ Unsubscribe to those email lists you delete every day and never read. 3️⃣ Clean out your inbox and unsubscribe from mass email lists. 4️⃣ Change your passwords regularly to protect your account from hackers. Save this post when you're ready to do a little digital decluttering -- I promise you'll thank me later! |
MARCH 16 - LOCAL LIFE: FAVORITE SPOTS (FILL IN THE BLANK)
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It's no secret that I'm a lover of all pets. When I'm showing homes and run into a new four legged friend? Best day ever!
I love taking my __________ [your dog's name] out with me to one of our local dog-friendly shops. Here are a few of the places in __________ that are dog friendly: 🐶 @__________ 🐶 @__________ 🐶 @__________ 🐶 @__________ 🐶 @__________ What else would you add to this list? Comment below and don't forget to save this post for future reference! |
MARCH 17 - COPY AND PASTE
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It's going to take more than a little luck to get under contract in today's market 🍀 If you want to buy a home this year, it's going to take a strategy, planning and attention to detail. When I'm your agent, I will be your trusted advisor and support you every step of the way.
Here are a few of the steps we're going to take before we even start scheduling showings: 👩🏼💻 Zoom or in person buyer consult: I can meet via Zoom or for a socially-distanced coffee if you are thinking about buying and want to get a head start. In this meeting we can get to know one another and I'll go over the typical home buying process with you (or give you a refresher). 💻 Start an online search: I'm not just talking about the site that starts with Z and ends with 'illow' 😉. I'll set up a custom search for you through the MLS to give you access to properties as they hit the market. I also have a wide network of agent colleagues and can often get you access to pre-market (pocket listing) homes so you can see properties before they're available to the masses. 💰 Get pre-approved! We cannot start looking at homes until you have a pre-approval letter on file. At our first meeting, I'll give you my list of recommended lenders and you can start gathering your financials and getting your pre-approval as I set up your search. 🏡 Open Houses: In the meantime, start going to open houses. Even if you're not quite ready to make an offer, seeing properties in person can help you narrow down your list of needs and wants. If you're ready to start the home buying process, shoot me a DM and I'd love to chat about your goals and how I can help you get there. |
MARCH 18 - BRAND PERSONALITY: CUSTOMIZE IT!
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What questions have you always wanted to ask your real estate agent? I've got your back!
Send me a DM or comment below and tell me what questions you have - about the real estate market, buying or selling, the real estate biz -- you name it! I'll get back to you personally and may even address your FAQs in a future social media post! POST TIP:
Head to the Canva file to customize one of these graphics with your own photo. Or, simply share a picture of yourself that you like with the accompanying caption. |
MARCH 19 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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Is there a word that sucks the fun out of a household project faster than the word "budget?" If there is, I haven't heard it.
The only way to make the budgeting process less painful is to plan ahead! Keep these four tips from the National Kitchen & Bath Association in mind if you have a home renovation project - large or small - in the works any time soon. ↪️ Avoid making structural changes to your property. Cosmetic updates are usually more cost-efficient than things like moving walls or systems. ↪️ If you place an order for materials or product, try not to change your mind! You don't want to pay hefty cancellation fees or wind up stuck with 60 boxes of hardwood floors you don't want. ↪️ Be super specific when you do comparison shopping. Make sure you're comparing similar type appliances or fixtures. ↪️ If you can do a showroom visit in person, always go! It's better to see your materials in person than online to guide your decision. What's the next home project you're planning on doing -- large or small? |
MARCH 20 - COPY AND PASTE
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There's nothing like the spring/summer home decor aisle at Target, am I right? Spring is officially here and if you're loving the bright and sunny vibes that come with this change in season (even if the weather hasn't quite caught up), here are five easy and inexpensive ways you can add a little sunshine to your home decor.
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MARCH 21 - LOCAL LIFE: LIVING IN __________ (CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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Today I'm spilling all of the secrets that you must know about living in __________. Here are a few things I want every resident to know!
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) What favorite spots would you add to the list? SAMPLE POST:
Today I'm spilling all of the secrets that you must know about living in __________. Here are a few things I want every resident to know! 1) In the ⛱ summer, the rooftop pool at @therobeychicago is the perfect place to grab a cocktail 🍹 and take a quick dip. 2) Floyd's Pub in Bucktown has the best bar fare -- we pick up their crispy beef tacos for Taco Tuesday almost every single week 🌮 3) My favorite 💅🏼 nail salon is in Wicker Park: @jukodivisionst plays Schitt's Creek reruns during your mani/pedi and offers complimentary wine. 4) The @freshthyme grocery store on Elston has the best oatmeal raisin cookies 🍪 and the best Pinot Noir 🍷 selection (not that I know from experience or anything...). 5) @ettarestaurant has my favorite chopped salad -- their pizza and pasta is also so delicious, but I'm all about the balance! 🥗 What favorite spots would you add to the list? |
MARCH 22 - COPY AND PASTE
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You know you're officially an adult when you're more excited to buy a stove than for your Saturday night plans. If you're full-fledged "adulting" here are a few things that every homeowner should know before they head out to shop for appliances:
1. Do you have a choice in fuel source? Different homes are wired differently, so know before you shop if you have a choice between a gas or electric range. 2. What size can your kitchen accommodate? Most ranges run about 30" and vary in height, so grab those measurements before you head out to shop. 3. What style are you looking for? There are three types of ranges: freestanding, slide-in and drop-in. While most kitchens will accommodate any of the types, you might have to do additional renovating to fit. Planning a kitchen rehab? Tag me in your before/after photos -- I want to see them! |
MARCH 23 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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If you see this word in the listing description of a home you’re considering, the odds are good that it isn’t exactly in perfect condition.
"As is" doesn’t necessarily mean that a home isn’t worth looking at, as you’ll usually get a great deal, but if does mean you might need to put a little more work into the property to make it feel like your home. |
MARCH 24 - FILL IN THE BLANK
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🔔 Stop scrolling for the home renovation projects with the highest ROI 🔔
It might seem like you're sinking tons of cash into your home remodeling projects, but the good news is that you will recoup a lot of those costs when it comes time to sell your home. According to HGTV, these home remodeling projects have the highest ROI 👇🏼 -Minor bathroom remodel - 102% -Landscaping - 100% -Minor kitchen remodel - 98.5% -Exterior improvements - 95.5% -Attic bedroom conversion - 93.5% -Major bathroom remodel - 93.2% -Major kitchen remodel - 91% -Deck or patio addition - 90.3% -Basement remodel - 90.1% -Replacement windows - 89.6% What do you think: does any of this surprise you? |
MARCH 25 - BRAND PERSONALITY: CUSTOMIZE IT!
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Real estate agent confessions: I spend way more time here on Instagram than I probably should!
Not only do I love using this platform to share information and stay in touch with my friends and clients, but I also get tons of inspiration from this space. Here are three accounts that I love and think everyone should follow! 1) 2) 3) Tell me your "must-follow" accounts in the comments below! |
MARCH 26 - COPY AND PASTE (OPTIONAL CUSTOMIZE IN CANVA)
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Be honest: how much time did you spend at Home Depot (or your home store of choice!) after you bought your home!?
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MARCH 27 - COPY AND PASTE
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There is a lot of real estate advice floating around the internet -- and not all of it is entirely true.
Here are some of the most common myths I hear about real estate....and the truth behind them! If you have questions or want to talk more about any of these topics, drop me a DM any time.
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MARCH 28 - COPY AND PASTE
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These days, buying new floors can be quite overwhelming with so many different solid and engineered wood choices.
So, let's break it down: what is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood? SOLID WOOD: Solid hardwood flooring typically comes in long planks, milled with tongues and grooves on opposite edges so that the boards interlock when installed. It is always nailed down to the subfloor, a process that requires some skill. Because it is solid wood, this flooring can be sanded down and refinished several times over its life. ENGINEERED WOOD: Engineered flooring looks like solid hardwood, but it's made of a thin layer of hardwood bonded over a premium-quality plywood layer for added stability. It is both less expensive and easier for DIYers to install than solid hardwood. |
MARCH 29 - COPY AND PASTE
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What's stopping you from reaching your goals? Let's make today the day we say goodbye to excuses and get it done 💪🏻💪🏻
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MARCH 30 - LOCAL LIFE: LOCAL EXPERTS
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Today I want to send my appreciation and gratitude to our wonderful doctors who have worked so hard to keep our community healthy and safe during the pandemic. Happy National Doctor's Day!
ALTERNATE CAPTION:
Happy National Doctors Day to all of the healthcare workers who have worked so hard to keep our community healthy and safe this year! If you're new in town and looking for some of the best docs, here are a few I always recommend to friends: Family Physician: @__________ Ophthalmologist: @__________ Dermatologist: @__________ Pediatrician: @__________ Physical Therapist/Chiropractor: @__________ Thank you for everything that you do! |
MARCH 31 - BRAND PERSONALITY: CUSTOMIZE IT!
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You see the for-sale signs and the fancy websites, but how do you really get to know your real estate agent?
Today I'm going to give you a glimpse behind the scenes and introduce you to my __________ [kids/dog/spouse/best friends/mom/dad/sister/etc/whoever is important to you]. *Talk about who this is and how you know each other. * Why do you love this person. * Give a quick anecdote about them and what makes them special. |
