October 2020

YOUR OCTOBER CONTENT LIBRARY

Welcome to your OCTOBER content calendar! ✨ This month I am so excited to bring you a variety of seasonal content and exclusive lifestyle photography (shot by Kailley Lindman), along with a series of tips from a special expert guest!

Here are some announcements...

EXPERT GUEST TIPS: ALI WENZKE, THE ART OF HAPPY MOVING
Ali Wenzke is a nationally-acclaimed blogger and author of The Art of Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness. Ali is THE guru on organizing for a move: her family moved 10 times in 11 years! Ali created her brand to help the millions of people who move each year by providing practical tips on how to build a happier live before, during and after the move.

This month, your content calendar this month includes a weekly tip from Ali, plus a variety of other great ideas inspired by her book. In addition to weekly tips, you can also use one of the introductory posts to explain to your audience who Ali is and why you've teamed up with her.

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER MEMBER TRAININGS:

Tune into the Facebook Group LIVE on Friday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m ET / 12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. PT for a quick mini-training on how to use expert tips in your social media content.
Check into the Facebook Group on Monday, October 19 to learn more about The Art of Happy Moving and hear some fresh tips from Ali about how to help your clients maintain their sanity -- and keep laughing -- through a particularly stressful move.

Questions? Visit our FAQs! If you can't find your answer, head to our Facebook Group or send us a DM on Instagram @the.social.broker.

AGENT RESOURCES

DAILY CONTENT CALENDAR

BONUS | OCTOBER SERIES INTRO (POST BEFORE 10/6): COPY/PASTE

Did you ever think you'd read the words "stress-free" and "moving" in the same sentence? Neither did I, until I found @aliwenzke's book, The Art of Happy Moving. Ali moved 10 times in 11 years and is pretty much THE expert on all things decluttering, packing and moving.

This month, I am teaming up with Ali to bring you some of the juiciest tips about selling your home and settling into your new one all the while minimizing stress...and yes, laughing along the way because sometimes, that's all you can do!

We're going to talk curb appeal, decluttering, packing, staging, moving with kids and pets, and so much more.

Tell me in the comments: what is your biggest challenge when preparing for a move? Maybe we'll address it in a future post!

POST TIP: In the Canva file, you'll find an editable graphic so you can personalize with your own photo, too,

OCTOBER 1 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Happy First Day of October! 🍂 Be honest, how many pumpkin flavored beverages have you already consumed? ☕️ I am excited for this month -- not only is it __________ [my favorite holiday -- Halloween!/my favorite month of the entire year/my birthday month/name one happy thing you look forward to this year] but I will be sharing some of the best selling + moving tips this month including a few from @aliwenzke, the author of a fabulous book called The Art of Happy Moving.

Tell me one thing you are looking forward to in October in the comments below 👇🏼

ALTERNATE PHOTO IDEA: Snap a photo of yourself outdoors enjoying the fall: wearing a scarf, holding a latte, something seasonal that feels on-brand for you.

POST TIP: If you live in a warm climate, replace the 'fall' references with something your community loves about this time of year

OCTOBER 2 - FILL IN THE BLANK

This month's holidays are especially fun! I don't know about you but I am all about __________ [the al Pastor tacos at Big Star and you can bet I'll be celebrating!/desserts -- give me all of the chocolate. please! Where is your favorite spot for a sweet treat?/pumpkin-everything and October 26 sounds like a great day for a pumpkin carving contest. I love to roast the seeds!].

Comment below with something you're celebrating this month! 👇🏼

ALTERNATE CAPTION:

Halloween might be a month away, but there is lots more to get excited about this month! Here is a list of some of the holidays and occasions in October. What are you most excited to celebrate?

ALTERNATE PHOTO IDEA: Pick one October "holiday" that feels on brand for you and take a photo of yourself enjoying that holiday.

These holidays are meant to be fun fodder for your followers or occasional inspiration for you, but you should never feel like you have to bend over backwards to make them relevant!

OCTOBER 3 - COPY/PASTE

The thought of selling your home can be overwhelming, especially when you know that you're going to need to make a lot of updates before you can put your home on the market.

The good news is? Some of those updates that you think you need to make might not even be necessary. The last thing I would want is for you to spend a ton of money on renovations only to have the new buyers come in and tear it all out to make their own updates.

So, here's something that I like to do with my clients. Make a list of every area of your home: exterior, foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms closets, basement, outdoor space -- all of it!

Then, step outside of your home (go all the way outside if you live in a condo building!) and walk in as though you are a prospective buyer. As you walk through your own home, make note of what you think you could do to improve each space. Then, give me a call and we'll go through the list together.

Most of the time, pre-market home renovations are relatively inexpensive. If your closets are bursting at the seams, potential buyers may think there is not enough storage space, so a closet clean-out may be in order. If you're worried that there isn't enough natural light, swapping dark and heavy drapes for inexpensive white curtains might do the trick.

If you are ready to get started, even if you're a year or more away from selling, message me anytime and I'd be happy to help you get your home prepped and ready!

OCTOBER 4 - COPY/PASTE

There is nothing worse then watching your home sit on the market for days and days when you're excited and ready to move on to your next chapter.

That's why when we work together, I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen! One of my tools is home staging. Staging is so important because you want buyers to envision their life in their new home instead of the life you are currently living.

According to the Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes sell 90% faster than homes without staging.

Are you surprised that this number is so high? Or did you think it would be even higher?

OCTOBER 5 - COPY/PASTE

When your home is on the market, we aren't just selling four walls and a roof. We're selling a lifestyle. That means we need to help buyers envision what their lives would be like in your home: baking cookies at the holidays, having wine and cheese night in the living room, playing in the backyard with their kids.

In order to sell your home most effectively, I always ask my clients why they love their home. Chances are, if you loved lighting a fire in the fireplace and snuggling in for Friday movie night, or sipping your morning latte on the balcony off the primary bedroom, your buyer will too!

So, just for fun, tell me in the comments: what do you love most about your home?

OCTOBER 6 - COPY/PASTE

There is no such thing as selling your home without first decluttering. The good news is, I have some tips for you from the woman who wrote the book on decluttering -- literally!

Here is what blogger, author and moving pro @aliwenzke recommends:

(1) If you are not someone who enjoys decluttering, then ask a family member or friend for help (and find out their Starbucks or wine order!). You can also consult with a professional organizer who can help you declutter your home virtually.

(2) Declutter by category and always start with the heaviest items first -- weight matters. Decluttering for a move is different than when you're channeling your inner Marie Kondo, decluttering to spark joy.

(3) Always create five piles: donate, sell, trash, keep (to pack), and keep (to display). Have your trash bags and moving boxes ready, so you can pack your items while you declutter.

Are you interested in more STRESS-FREE SELLING tips? DM me and I'll send you a copy of my Stress-Free Selling checklist1

OCTOBER 7 - COPY/PASTE

It is pumpkin patch season 🎃 and pumpkin picking is a great social distance activity (don't forget the 😷 and the 🧼)! Tell me where you love to go to get into the seasonal spirit!

POST TIP: List a few of your favorite local pumpkin patches to get the conversation started.

OCTOBER 8 - COPY/PASTE

Having the "moving talk" with kids is never easy and almost never goes entirely as planned. Here are my tips:

Have the conversation as early as possible - better they hear the news from you than a neighbor or an overheard phone conversation.

When you do have the conversation, don't leave it open ended. Be clear that no amount of convincing will change your decision.

That said, give your kiddos plenty of time to ask questions! Depending on their ages they will have lots of questions like 'will I still get to see my friends?' and 'can the dog come with us?' The more information they have, the more in control they will feel.

Even if the move is not something you're 100% excited about, be as optimistic as you can be. Recognize that some sadness is natural, but helping your kids see all of the benefits of the move (a bigger house, closer to the grandparents, etc.) can help everyone in the family prepare.

How old were you the first time you moved!?

OCTOBER 9 - COPY/PASTE

Remember when we talked about decluttering? If it seemed overwhelming, today we're going to take the stress out of that closet clean-out.

Here is author and moving pro @aliwenzke's suggested order for decluttering your home.

Be sure to save this post to come back to next time you are planning to sell or move so you'll feel completely prepped to clean those closets with ease.

OCTOBER 10 - COPY/PASTE

I tour a lot of homes and it's always fun to see what is hanging over the fireplace! Some households use the space for a television while others use it to display art. If you have a fireplace in your home, what hangs above it?

OCTOBER 11 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Do you decorate your home for Halloween? We __________ [don't go overboard, but you can bet there is a pumpkin on our front porch!/usually don't but in 2020, you gotta celebrate everything you can, right?/love Halloween and our house is kind of the one the neighbors talk about].

If you post your Halloween decorations, please tag me -- I want to see them all!

OCTOBER 12 - FILL IN THE BLANK

It's time for a game: let's pretend someone stops you on the street and hands you $20,000, but the catch is that you have to use it for a home improvement. How would you spend the money?

I would __________ [redo my kitchen/remodel our primary bath and add a Jacuzzi tub/finish our basement and create an extra family room space - our kids totally take over our living room!/buy my dream sofa and refinish our hardwood floors/whatever you would love to do to your home].

Tell me what you would do in the comments ⤵️

OCTOBER 13 - COPY/PASTE

Here is some good news for my sellers: home staging can be done on any budget! Although in some cases I might recommend a professional stager, in many cases, some simple DIY staging can go a long way.

If you're considering the DIY route, my author friend @aliwenzke suggests answering these four questions:

1. Who is your target audience?
2. What is your budget?
3. Does your house look and feel move-in ready?
4. Does each room have one (and only one) purpose?

If the answer is no, we have some work to do! So here are my top DIY staging tips:

-Paint any accent or brightly colored walls white, grey or beige.
-Balance bold furniture with neutral pillows or decorative throw blankets.
-When in doubt, add a plant to help freshen the air.
-Remove anything that will remind the buyer of housework, like paint cans, cleaning supplies or the toilet plunger (trust me, I've seen it all)!
-Lighten and brighten your space by removing heavy rugs and curtains, and adding light bulbs with 800-1000 lumens.

Comment below and tell me one thing you already know you'd need to do if we were staging your home today.

POST TIP: If you have your own staging tips, feel free to replace the tips above with whatever your go-to tips are for clients.

OCTOBER 14 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®?

A real estate agent is someone who is licensed to help consumers buy and sell commercial or residential property. A REALTOR® is a trademark referring to someone who's an active member of the National Association of REALTORs® (NAR).

I am proud to be a __________ [REALTOR®/real estate agent] and I always abide by the strict NAR code of ethics.

ALTERNATE CAPTION:

As a real estate agent, I wear a lot of hats 😉 I am a 🚪 door-opener, ☕️ coffee-bringer, 🍷 wine-pourer, 💰 financial advisor, 🛋 home stager, 🖼 interior decorator, 🍼 baby-sitter, 🐕 dog walker, and yes, even a __________ [psychologist or matchmaker]. Whether the job entails a particularly tough negotiation or a run to Starbucks, I am always happy to do it for my clients 🤗

OCTOBER 15 - FILL IN THE BLANK

You're going to want to save this post for your next move ⤴️ Here are some of my favorite moving tips designed to help you keep your sanity from closing day until you're popping the champagne in your new home.

Last time I moved, __________ [pick the tip that best resonates with you!] was a lifesaver! How about you? Add your tips in the comments so we can all help each other.

OCTOBER 16 - COPY/PASTE

So you're buying a new home (or refinancing). Here's one tip that almost everyone needs to hear: once you have been approved for a mortgage, avoid making any major purchases or opening up a new line of credit. Even if you're opening that department store credit card to save 30%, it can impact your loan.

Once you've closed on your home, you can buy that car or boat, but until then, assume that any impact to your finances could prevent you from qualifying for the mortgage amount or rate you want.

If you have questions, drop me a DM. I'd be glad to connect you to one of my favorite lenders for an initial conversation!

OCTOBER 17 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Let's get this out in the open once and for all: I __________ [love pumpkin flavored treats. They taste like fall even when it's still 95 degrees out/love a good pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving but that's about it/will confess: I can not stand anything pumpkin-flavored: can we still be friends!?]. How about you, where do you fall?

ALTERNATE CAPTION (PERSONALIZE IT!): __________ [I'm not much of a baker but/I love to bake and] there is something so comforting about the smell of fall baking spices. I am known for __________ [making my famous pumpkin cinnamon rolls for the school's bake sale/baking pumpkin bread at least once/whipping up a batch of my famous apple cider before trick-or-treating - spiked for the moms and dads/whatever your favorite fall treat is!].

What are your favorite recipes to cook and bake around this time of year? Tell me in the comments and I just might be DMing you to ask for the recipe!

OCTOBER 18 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Whether you're ready to sell now or gently entering the "obsessed online window shopping" phase in your new home search, you have a lot of choices when it comes time to select a real estate agent.

Of course, I would love it if you called me 😉 but you would be remiss not to do your homework first! Here are my tips:

1️⃣ Drive around the neighborhood(s) you are interested in and see whose name is on the for sale signs. You'll see mine in __________, __________ and __________ [list out the areas where you do the most business/are concentrating on building your business]. I am a little addicted to the MLS and make it a point to get to know the neighborhoods as well as local market conditions everywhere I work.

2️⃣ If you need referrals, skip social media and talk to your most trusted friends and neighbors. Look, I love social media but the truth is, if you go to Facebook and state that you are thinking of buying or selling, you are going to get hit with dozens of messages to sort through! Ask someone you know who has recently bought or sold and skip the crowdsourcing.

3️⃣ Go ahead and interview a few agents. If you know more than one agent, it is good to speak to a few people so that you can find the perfect fit. It is so important to me that my clients and I have a genuine connection! But if you're looking for someone who values open communication, complete honesty, blending market knowledge with a little bit of instinct and __________ [champagne at closing/hand delivering your closing gifts when I come for a tour of your new home/name something you do to go above and beyond for clients] then I think we're going to get along perfectly.

Tag a friend below who is thinking of buying or selling this year. I love to meet new people and am always glad to be a resource for you!

OCTOBER 19 - COPY/PASTE

This is one of my favorite questions! Tell me in the comments: how many times in your life have you moved? I've moved __________ times!

OCTOBER 20 - COPY/PASTE

If you've ever moved with kiddos, then there is probably one four-letter word that you never want to hear again: TOYS.

That's why our moving expert and mom of three @aliwenzke created the "Toy Store Method" to use when it comes time to declutter. Instead of questioning whether you want to get rid of items, decide with the kiddos what you want to keep.

Here's what you do:

🪁 Take every single toy from the house and set it up in one room. Create separate sections for dolls, cars, puzzles, and board games and display everything like a toy store.
🪁 Give the kids shopping bags and they can "buy" any toy they want to keep. Depending on their ages, you can give them a set number of bags or boxes for their toys, or incorporate a reward system for each toy they donate.
🪁 At first, the kids will seem to buy everything. But, surprisingly, they generally begin to slow down and in the end, you'll have dozens of toys left over to donate or sell.
🪁 If you find that this works for your family, use the same method with other categories of items like clothing, books, and sports equipment. How much do you love this tip?

Are you interested in more STRESS-FREE SELLING tips? DM me and I'll send you a copy of my Stress-Free Selling checklist1

OCTOBER 21 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Attention: Halloween is not cancelled! It might look a little bit different this year, but we can still celebrate. We are planning to __________ [fill in your Halloween plans, if any].

Tell me your plans in the comments and tag a friend who could use the ideas or inspiration!

OCTOBER 22 - FILL IN THE BLANK

Moving can be hard on the whole family -- fur family included! You know I am a total __________ [dog/cat/animal] lover, so here are a few tips to help your four-legged friends through your next move:

🐶 Get your pet used to moving supplies. If your cat or small dog will be riding in a carrier to your destination, leave the carrier out in the living room with a favorite toy or a treats a few weeks before the move.

🐱 For a local move, find a trusted pet sitter on moving day. You'll be more productive without having an anxious pup or cat underfoot.

🐶 If your move requires air travel with your pet, be sure that veterinary records are all up-to-date.

🐱 If your move is local, take your dog on frequent walks in the new neighborhood to get him used to the sights and smells,

🐶 When you get to your destination, update your pet's microchip at the vet with your new address and be sure that your contact information is correct.

If you have questions about moving with pets, feel free to DM me anytime and I'd be happy to help!

OCTOBER 23 - COPY/PASTE

With the pandemic dragging on, most home buyers are having their "first showing" online, a whopping 90% according to the National Association of Realtors.

What this means for my home sellers is that digital marketing is more critical than ever before. Here are some of the tools in my digital marketing toolbox that I will use to get your house SOLD and for the best possible price.

1️⃣ PRICING STRATEGY: In order to get the most online exposure, it's crucial that we pick up a price that will help your home get maximum visibility. I like to avoid prices like $599,990 because if a home buyer has started their search at $600,000, they might not see your home in a digital search.

2️⃣ PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: This is a MUST in 2020! Most home buyers will not make it past the photographs if they see something they don't like OR if the photos are incomplete. A four-bedroom house that only has seven photos is a telltale sign to buyers that something is off. I always invest in the best photography that will tell not only your home's story but give buyers the best first impression.

3️⃣ SOCIAL MEDIA: I use a modern social media marketing strategy to expose my listings to the largest possible pool of buyers. That means Facebook, Instagram, Instagram Stories...I'm all over it! I do it in an authentic way that tells your home's story.

4️⃣ VIDEO + VIRTUAL TOURS: When the pandemic shut down in-person tours and open houses, I had to get creative! If you aren't completely comfortable with buyers coming in and out of your home, I will conduct FaceTime or Zoom tours with prospective buyers and buyers' agents to give them a feel for your home. Only when we know they are serious buyer can we set up that in-person showing.

If you have any questions, shoot me a DM. If you're ready to set up a seller consultation, I'm here for you from the comfort of our couches and laptops!

OCTOBER 24 - COPY/PASTE

Seriously though, can Alexa figure out how to do that?

OCTOBER 25 - COPY/PASTE

Home improvements do not automatically increase the value of your home. Sometimes, it's the small stuff that can actually have the best impact on your sale price.

According to RIS Media & Zillow, there are five manageable projects that you might want to consider before listing you home for sale:

💡 Upgrade your light fixtures (at minimum, take them down for a deep clean).
🚿 Replace faucets to elevate your bathrooms and kitchen.
🚪 Paint or replace your front door. Those first impressions count! When you bought your last home, what made the biggest impression?
🌳 Private outdoor space is in high demand this year so it's important to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.
🔥 Add a fire pit to your backyard. Is it a must-have? No. But it just might give the buyer that cozy backyard vibe they want.

When you bought your last home, what made the biggest impression?

OCTOBER 26 - COPY/PASTE

What updates have you done since purchasing your home? Why did you make the update? Do you love the result? As your agent, I'll want to know the details like this! Even if an update you made isn't something that will add major ROI (like adding a rack in the kitchen for pots and pans or updating light fixtures), the smallest details can signal to buyers that you took impeccable care of your home.

So tell me: what updates have you done to your current home? I want to hear about them!

OCTOBER 27 - COPY/PASTE OR PARAPHRASE

No matter what season it is, curb appeal is critical to the presentation and sale of your home. If you want to make the best possible first impression this fall, follow moving pro and author @aliwenzke's top curb appeal tips:

🏖 Store any items that are "out of season" (even if you're still using them). If the pandemic inspired you to buy an inflatable pool, a croquet set, and a volleyball net, it's time to declutter your yard and store those items until you get to your new home.
🏮 Invest in outdoor lightning since the days are getting shorter. Especially important for the front of your home so that prospective buyers' first impressions isn't a dark and dreary entryway.
🍁 Add pops of fall colors, like potted mums or a fall wreath. You can decorate your doorstep, but keep it simple and tasteful and avoid scarecrows or anything that might block your walkway.
💡 If you live in a condo, highlight your front door and make your entryway special. Replace hallway light bulbs so they shine brightly and hang up a fall wreath.
🚪 Place a large, welcoming rug in your doorway/entryway. When buyers walk into your house, they will stand on your mat until they decide whether to take off their shoes. You want the rug to feel large enough that they don't feel stuck on a tiny island. You want to promote a feeling of spacious living.
🥾 Remove any clutter from the front door area, including shoes and anything that might remind the buyer of housework (like garbage cans or a lawn mower). Seeing a rake next to a pile of leaves that reminds buyers of the housework they will inevitably need to do!

To improve first impressions, your home should be aspirational. Think -- dream space to sip apple cider on a fall day or to curl up and read a book.

If you're thinking of selling, let's have a conversation and I'd be glad to drive by your house and give you some suggestions. Just DM me your address and your Starbucks order, and I'll be there!

OCTOBER 28 - COPY/PASTE

If your home sells more quickly than you expect it to, that's a good thing, right!? For most sellers, it's a resounding YES. For others, that might mean you're scrambling to find a place to live before your next closing date.

In certain situations, we might negotiate a leaseback with the buyer. A leaseback occurs when the buyer agrees to rent a home back to the seller for a predetermined period of time so that they can remain in the property.

This is an option for sellers who get an offer before they've found their new home, as it assures the funds to make an eventual move plus a grace period so you don't have to rush into another purchase.

OCTOBER 29 - COPY/PASTE OR PARAPHRASE

It's all fun and games until you get that out of state job offer and suddenly have to pack up all of your belongings, get your home ready for market, sell the house, and find a new place to live in a brand new city...all in, oh, about 30 days.

Luckily, I've been there and done that and I've got you! Here is a list of things you should do to keep your sanity.

Save this post and if you find yourself moving out of state (or even buying a secondary home) DM me anytime and I'd love to set up an initial consultation.

OCTOBER 30 - FILL IN THE BLANK

If you're in the midst of a home purchase or refinance, I have a quick tip for you: just as you should avoid making any large purchases, avoid making any large deposits to your account, too.

Even if you've been gifted money from a relative for your down payment, your mortgage lender will expect complete transparency when they look at your bank statements to ensure that you have the assets you claim to have.

It might seem counterintuitive, but remember that a lender's job is to make sure that you'll be completely secure in your mortgage loan. If they see discrepancies in your account and application, they may take a second look and request documentation.

At the end of the day, it is one more issue that could potentially delay the loan processing and keep us from getting to closing day!

OCTOBER 31 - COPY/PASTE

Happy Halloween! 🎃🦇👻

ALTERNATE PHOTO IDEA: Share a fun Halloween photograph -- you in your costume, your kids in your costumes, an old school photo of you as a kid in your costume, or my personal favorite, your pet in his costume!