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9 Ways to Improve Your Resident Experience

Resident experience is the sum total of interactions and experiences a resident has with their property manager and the rental property itself – from the initial lease signing to the eventual move-out and all the day-to-day living moments in between. It encompasses everything from the quality of services provided, like timely maintenance and communication, to the overall livability and enjoyment of the property. In essence, it's how a resident perceives their rental journey in its entirety. Excellent resident experience management is the mark of a top-tier property management company. It boosts resident retention, satisfaction, and outcomes. In this article, we delve into nine actionable ways to enhance the resident experience in your single-family rental properties, fostering stronger relationships and, ultimately, achieving greater success in property management. Read the full report! If you haven’t already heard, we recently published our first-ever State of Resident Experience Report, which explores resident experience management: the pivotal touchpoints between a resident and a property manager. The report draws fresh insights from the SFR property management industry and explores the three top factors impacting resident experience right now. 1. A Seamless Move-In Experience Ah, the move-in process – the start of a beautiful friendship between the resident and the property manager. It's a bit like a first date – you're setting impressions that could make or break the relationship. A seamless move-in experience is your chance to roll out the red carpet for your new residents, showing them they've made the right choice (and have definitely swiped right on the best property around). And guess what? A resident who's had a great move-in experience is a happier one. Happier residents stay longer, pay on time, take care of the property, and make positive recommendations. Resident experience examples: How to build a perfect resident move-in experience Here's how to ensure your move-in experience hits all the right notes. Clear Communication: Provide detailed information about the new home and move-in process, including key collection, utility setup, and property rules. Who's handling utilities? Where's the best pizza joint nearby? Share all the important details. Welcome Packet: Roll out the resident red carpet with a welcome packet. Not only does it have all the must-know info, but it also says, "Hey, we're glad you're here." Include essential information such as garbage collection days, rules, important contact numbers, and a neighborhood guide. Property Readiness: Nothing dampens spirits like a flickering light on the first day. Ensure the property is thoroughly cleaned, all appliances are working, and any previous damages are repaired before the move-in date. Efficient Paperwork: Let's face it, nobody loves paperwork. Make it painless with easy online forms and digital sign-offs. Personal Touch: A little welcome gift can go a long way. It's like saying, "Welcome home, neighbor. We're going to rock this thing." Second Nature’s Resident Benefits Package includes a Move-in Concierge to ensure the process is seamless and personal. 2. Responsive Communication In the symphony of successful property management, responsive communication is your melody. It's the backbone of a harmonious resident experience, and when done right, it can elevate your property management status from “forgettable” to “virtuoso.” The sooner you respond to your resident’s queries or concerns, the more they'll feel valued. And a valued resident is a happier resident. Remember, good communication isn’t just about speed—it’s about clarity too. It's like being a great tour guide in the bustling city of property management—clear, informative, and always ready to help. Ways to improve communication with your residents Let's explore some best practices: Multiple Channels: Embrace the digital age! Offer various communication channels like emails, text messages, phone calls, and even a resident portal. Variety is the spice of life, right? Be Proactive: Don’t wait for your residents to reach out with issues. Regularly check in and ask if they need anything. Set Expectations: Be clear about your communication protocols. Let your residents know when and how they can reach you and when they can expect a response. No one likes to be left on read! Listen Actively: When your residents speak, lend them your ears! Show understanding and work collaboratively towards solutions. It's a two-way street, after all. Be Respectful: Always communicate with respect and professionalism. Treat your residents the way you’d want to be treated – it’s the golden rule, even in property management! 3. Better Maintenance Services with Quick Response Times Think of maintenance services as the superheroes of the property management world. When done right, they swoop in to save the day, ensuring minor issues don't escalate into supervillain-sized problems. Quick response times? That's your superhero's super speed. The quicker the response, the happier your resident, and the safer the day. How to improve maintenance services and response times Here's how to get your property management cape (sorry) flapping in the wind: 24/7 Maintenance Line: Offer a dedicated line for maintenance requests. To belabor our superhero analogy, it’s like having a bat signal for your tenants – they know help is just a call away. Online Reporting: Make it easy for tenants to report issues. An online system can keep things organized and ensures no request gets lost in the shuffle. Prompt Follow-up: Act swiftly on maintenance requests. Even if you can't fix the issue immediately, acknowledging the request and providing a timeline can ease the resident's mind. Regular Inspections: Regular property inspections can help you catch potential issues before they become major headaches. It's all about that ounce of prevention! Trusted Vendors: Work with reliable and professional vendors who provide quality work in a timely manner. They're your sidekicks in maintaining property harmony. 4. Resident Surveys and Active Feedback Gathering Resident surveys and feedback gathering are your property's annual check-up, a key health indicator for your relationship with residents. These invaluable tools allow you to take the pulse of resident satisfaction, uncover hidden issues, and celebrate what's working well. When residents see their feedback being valued and acted upon, it creates a sense of involvement and community, enhancing their overall living experience and driving resident retention. Importantly, active feedback gathering shows your residents that their voices matter. It instills a sense of ownership and care that can often lead to better property care and longer tenancies. How to turn resident feedback into a better resident experience Here are some ways to champion feedback in your property management: Regular Surveys: Don't just wait for the annual survey. Keep the feedback coming in regularly, like a monthly check-in or a quick poll after a service call. It's like catching up over a virtual cup of coffee – relaxed and informative. Feedback Boxes: Consider setting up a digital feedback box where residents can drop their thoughts, ideas, or concerns anonymously. Think of it as your modern suggestion box. Act on Feedback: Here's the real deal – taking action. Show your residents that their feedback isn't just being heard, it's being actioned. 5. Resident Rewards Resident Rewards are a huge factor in resident retention and satisfaction. Rewards make residents feel appreciated and have proven to incentivize habits like on-time payments and better care for the property. Perks like this can significantly boost resident satisfaction, increase lease renewals, and even stimulate referrals. It's a win-win all around! For multifamily and apartment community managers, that might look like community-focused programs. For single-family property managers, we’ve got some other tips. Second Nature’s Resident Benefits Package includes a robust resident rewards program. How to improve the resident experience with resident rewards Here's how you can sprinkle some rewarding magic into your resident experience: On-Time Rent Rewards: Create a system that rewards residents for consistently paying their rent on time. It could be a small discount or a gift card to a local coffee shop. Longevity Rewards: Celebrate lease renewals or long-term residents. A gift, a discount, or even a personalized note can make your residents feel valued for their loyalty. Referral Rewards: Turn your residents into ambassadors! Offer a discount or a bonus for any referral they make that signs a lease. Surprise Rewards: Keep the excitement alive with occasional surprise rewards. It could be as simple as a movie ticket or a voucher for a free car wash. 6. Incentive Programs Incentive programs are the next level of resident engagement that professional PMs offer. They can positively influence resident behavior, promote a sense of belonging, and even enhance your property's appeal to prospective residents. When residents feel that their good habits (like timely rent payments) are being recognized or they're being offered valuable services (like credit reporting or identity protection), it builds loyalty and satisfaction. It's like saying, "We're in this together, and we've got your back!" How incentive programs can boost the resident experience Here's how to serve up a great menu of incentives for your residents: Credit Reporting: Offer a program that reports timely rent payments to credit bureaus. It's a win-win: they pay their rent on time, and they build their credit! Identity Protection: In a world where digital safety is paramount, offering identity protection services can be a powerful incentive. It's like providing an invisible, protective bubble around your residents. Rent Discount for Referrals: Encourage residents to become your ambassadors. Offer a rent discount or a gift for successful referrals. It's like having your very own fan club. Early Payment Incentives: Reward residents who pay their rent well before the due date. It could be a small discount or a token gift, but it makes them feel appreciated. Rewards for Green Habits: Encourage residents to adopt environmentally friendly habits, like recycling or energy conservation, and offer incentives for their green efforts. This can really help in SFR when you don’t have the same level of control as PMs managing an apartment building. 7. Support Tools Support services work behind the scenes, often unnoticed, but they play a crucial role in streamlining the resident experience. From filter delivery subscriptions to online payments, these services add a layer of convenience and assurance for your residents. Integrating support services into your property management strategy can not only elevate resident satisfaction but also reduce your workload. It's like having a friendly assistant who's always ready to lend a hand, both to you and your residents. How to create support services that add convenience to your resident experience Here are a few ways you can amplify your resident experience through support services: Filter Delivery Subscription: Offering a filter delivery service for your residents ensures their HVAC system is always protected. It reduces your maintenance issues and costs and ensures they have a safe living environment. Second Nature’s filter delivery reduces resident and PM costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Online Rent Payment: Providing an easy-to-use online portal to process and automate rent payments and lease renewals adds a layer of convenience for you and your residents. Maintenance Request Portal: An online system for maintenance requests helps keep track of issues and ensures timely response. It's like having a 24/7 maintenance desk at their fingertips. Digital Notifications: Use email or SMS notifications to keep residents updated about important things like maintenance schedules, community events, or changes in property rules. Proptech solutions can help with digital support. Resident Portal: A comprehensive resident portal where tenants can access services, find information, and connect with management can significantly enhance the overall resident experience. 8. Concierge Services Concierge services are the above-and-beyond offerings that can truly set your property apart from the rest. This personalized attention can transform the often stressful processes into a smooth and enjoyable experience. How concierge services help with resident experience Here are some other examples of concierge services: Move-in Concierge: Who doesn’t want a personal assistant during the often chaotic time of moving? A move-in concierge helps with utility setup and pricing comparisons and provides local area information. Learn more about Second Nature’s Move-in Concierge in our Resident Benefits Package. Cleaning Services: Offering access to trusted cleaning services, whether for regular use or during the move-out process, can be a huge convenience. Maintenance Scheduling: A service to help residents schedule routine maintenance can keep their homes running smoothly without them having to worry about coordination. 9. Insurance While, as a property manager, you carry insurance for the physical property, it's equally important for your residents to have renter's insurance. Your coverage protects your owners' real estate investment. Renter’s insurance protects residents’ personal belongings and covers them for liability, and it's a small investment for significant protection. Plus, in case of a mishap, it can help the recovery process go much more smoothly. Resident experience examples: How to leverage a renter’s insurance program Here's how you can integrate insurance into your resident experience: Educate Residents: Make sure your residents understand the importance of renter's insurance, what it covers, and what it doesn't. This is critical information that every renter should know. Insurance Requirements in Lease: Include a clause about renter's insurance in your lease agreement. This helps to set the expectation right from the start. Annual Reminders: Send out annual reminders for policy renewals. It's a small step, but it ensures continuous protection for your residents. Renter’s Insurance Program: While most property managers require insurance, less than half of renters maintain coverage. Second Nature has developed a renter’s insurance program that has 100% compliance and leaves residents – and you – with the coverage they need. How SecondNature Improves Resident Experience Resident experience – those pivotal touchpoints between a resident and a property manager – can significantly shape the success of a single-family rental home. At Second Nature, we’ve built our entire company on the idea that resident experience can change the game in property management. Our Resident Benefits Package wraps up each of these strategies into an all-in-one resource for property management companies. It saves money for you and your residents and delivers the best in convenience and resident experience. Learn more about the Resident Benefits Package or read our State of Resident Experience Report.

Calendar icon July 18, 2023

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What Are The Best Indoor Air Cleaning Plants?

Yep, it's true. Certain plants can actually help clean your air. Second Nature is in the business of delivering clean air. Most commonly, this is done by automatically sending you the exact filters you need, exactly when you need them. However, there are some additional ways you can keep the air you and your family breathe clean... there are many plants that actually improve indoor air quality by removing some pollutants from the air, operating as a natural air filter! While these plants cannot replace a regularly changed pleated air filter, they act as a supplemental cleaner to be used in addition to regularly-changed air filters. ‍ NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (LACA) did extensive studies on how to create healthier environments in outer space. Due to this research, we now have much more information about how to use plants to help with the air quality indoors on our own planet! They found out that some of the common issues holding our air quality back were chemicals like: ‍ Formaldehyde: Found in particle board, foam insulation, cleaning products and treated papers/fabrics. If you own particle-board furniture, grocery bags, tissues, paper towels, or anything that's been treated basically to make it stiffer/wrinkle-resistant/fire retardant/water repellent - you have formaldehyde in your air. Xylene: Xylene is used as a solvent in the printing, rubber, paint and leather industries. Over time, exposure to xylene can greatly affect the central nervous system. Benzene: Being one of the top 20 chemicals for production volume, benzene is found in pretty much anything created using manufacturing processes like paints, glues, furniture wax and detergents. A major source of benzene exposure is tobacco smoke and benzene has been linked with causing cancer. Trichloroethane: As known as “methyl chloroform,” this solvent can be found in adhesives, varnishes, paints and some consumer products. ‍ Not to fear! The moral of this story in particular is that air purifying plants can help rid your house of these toxins. ‍ All plants provide some benefit to air quality, but research shows that tropical plants (grown as houseplants in cooler climates) are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Because they grow in dense rainforests with very little light, they have evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. In addition, as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. ‍ Here are some of the best plants you can have around to help increase your air quality! Orchids Orchids typically get a bad rap for being very difficult to grow (personally, I have never managed to keep one alive) But according to some articles, orchids are typically killed with too much water and sunlight. If you leave your orchid alone, it will help rid your air of some of the xylene we previously mentioned and they also give off oxygen at night! Mother-In-Law's Tongue Also called snake plant, this is an evergreen perennial plant that is extremely easy to grow in a house or office. Note that during winter it needs only one watering every couple of months (many people kill theirs by overwatering them). According to the studies by NASA, this is single-handedly one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality as it passively soaks up nitrogen oxides formaldehyde. Palms Palms are extremely hardy, extremely good plants for people who tend to kill off their attempts at a garden every year. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is especially effective (and low maintenance). They particularly target the toxins produced by cigarette smoke so keep these plants in mind if you ever need to give a gift to a friend who can't kick the habit! Philodendrons Philodendrons, particularly Heartleaf (Philodendron scandens ‘oxycardium') are easy houseplants that make them pretty but also pretty good at sucking toxins out of the air. English Ivy English Ivy naturally originated in Europe but it makes for a great houseplant in North America, too. Be mindful to keep this plant a houseplant, however, as it is very effective at taking over gardens and has been labeled an invasive species in a lot of areas where it has been introduced. Ferns The large fronds of fern plants have helped get rid of pollutants in the air for over 360 million years, believe it or not. They also help remediate contaminated soils due to their hardiness and unique properties. Gerber Daisy Known for looking too pretty to be true, Gerber Daisy plants are excellent at dealing with trichloroethylene (from dry cleaning) and benzene (from inks). Just make sure you give them a lot of light! Schefflera Schefflera are waxy-looking plants but are extremely hardy, long-lasting and can even be easily rooted to create more plants (I've done it and now both of mine are over three feet tall!) Dracaena Dracaena, particularly Dracaena reflexa, is a very good plant to grow in many different types of light as it absorbs unhappy toxins from the air. Be careful as these, like peace lilies, can be poisonous for pets. And you may have already gotten one accidentally before - rooted stem cuttings sold as “lucky bamboo” are actually just dracaena plants in disguise. Ficus The common ficus (also known as fig trees) are keystone species in many rainforest ecosystems, which can make them extremely helpful in processing gases in your house. Caring for a ficus tree can be difficult at first to figure out a good placement for it and ideal watering conditions, but once you're set these trees can last for a very long time.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Introducing Second Nature, The Preeminent Home Wellness Brand

In today’s modern world, it’s easy to neglect your home. That’s why we developed a convenient subscription delivering home wellness solutions direct to your door. Rebranding What's in a name? Shakespeare would seem to argue not a whole lot given his infamous "a rose by any other name..." quotation. But, as I can personally attest, names are a big deal (just ask any soon-to-be parent...or someone leading a rebrand for a company). For anyone who might be curious, changing the name of a company isn't something that occurs overnight. Nor is it something that transpires without a hearty discussion...or fifty. There can be so much history, so much emotion, so much pride tied up in a name. And, of course, everyone has an opinion they firmly believe is the right opinion. ‍ So, why and how does a fast-growing company determine whether it should change its name and then embark on the daunting journey to rebrand itself? You might imagine a bombastic owner or a dogmatic CEO banging her fist against the table, proclaiming she's bored of the company's name and has a brilliant idea to revitalize the company's image. Or, maybe you envision a youthful, energetic start-up holding a naming contest among its employees, drawing a final name out of a hat during a happy hour. These scenarios may very well transpire at some companies, but they could not be further from how we arrived at the decision to rebrand our company from FilterEasy to Second Nature. ‍ Truth be told, we never set out with the explicit purpose to change our look...or our name. Rather, we began by challenging ourselves to think long and hard about how we could create more value for our customers—how we could surprise and delight them with every interaction. We knew we needed to be smarter, more strategic, and more laser-focused if we were to broaden our company's ambitions, and we agreed building a beloved brand would be the best way to win with customers. At that point, everything was put on the table for evaluation, including the name FilterEasy. ‍ The FilterEasy Era Our company has experienced an incredible journey since 2012, and it began when two North Carolina State University students harnessed their passion for entrepreneurship and honed in on an opportunity to create a better experience for homeowners who struggled to stay on top of an important but out-of-sight, out-of-mind home maintenance task: changing out dirty air filters. The idea was simple yet brilliant—make it impossible to forget to change air filters by automating delivery direct to homeowners' doors on a customizable schedule. The solution was so obvious to them and made conquering a simple household chore so easy, they almost immediately decided to name the company FilterEasy. ‍ The company's history follows the classic storybook start-up success story. Two passionate and ambitious students drop out of college to pursue a business idea, set up operation in a garage, live off of ramen noodles and peanut butter, move locations countless times, and, through hard work, grit, and determination, scale up a super successful business servicing hundreds of thousands of customers. The chronology follows the happy path so tightly, one might infer nearly all start-ups experience the same success story toward "making it". In reality, the start-up scene can be trying and tumultuous, and our company has proven to be a diamond in the rough. While a little luck is always involved in any start-up breakthrough, our success has directly correlated to our ability to solve a clear and present customer pain point and our resolute focus on doing right by our employees, our partners, and, most importantly, our customers. In fact, our passion to create real value in the market has been our guiding light and is purely what prompted our journey to rebrand to Second Nature. ‍ The Decision to Rebrand So, why would we make the decision to change our company’s brand if we had achieved a number of successes in a relatively short period of time, all under the banner of an intuitive brand name that communicated our offering? Well, the answer to that question is simple but long-winded. And, it’s centered on some tough questions we asked ourselves as we reflected on a successful 2017 and looked forward into the future: Did we fundamentally understand our market and the opportunities that existed within it? Did we understand our customers’ needs, wants, desires, dreams? Did we know how they wanted to spend their free time? What stressed them out? What kept them up at night? And, most importantly, did we understand why we fit into our customers' lifestyle and where we could provide even more value? ‍ In early 2018, we invested in some prudent market research to better understand our customers and the broader market, as well as to evaluate our business challenges and opportunities. As we peeled back the layers of the proverbial onion, we defined our target audience and learned some fascinating insights about our existing customers. Still, we wanted to learn more, so we conducted interviews and focus groups to gather additional insights that would help us better contextualize our target audience. In short time, we began to comprehensively understand our target’s lifestyle and need-states, and new business opportunities lit up our radar. As we refined our strategy in light of the market insights, we developed a more unique and compelling market positioning. We saw an opportunity to harness our existing platform, centered on delivering convenience to busy professionals and families, and expand it to help customers tackle home maintenance tasks that were oft-forgotten but could impact the health of the home environment and potentially cause costly repairs and replacements. Ultimately, we decided we wanted to help our customers take better care of one of their most valuable assets, their home, and we knew that convenience was the vehicle to facilitate our refined purpose. ‍ Through the lens of our newly articulated brand purpose, we scrutinized the name FilterEasy. We questioned whether the name would continue to intuitively communicate our value proposition or whether it would potentially water down or confuse our vision for the future of the company. Through multiple ideation sessions, concept tests, and analysis, we determined the best, most strategic option was to rename the company and relaunch the brand. We developed a number of viable strategic brand names we thought would provide a great runway for us, and we tested them with our target audience. Time and again, Second Nature outperformed the other options. The answer was clear: we had found our new name. ‍ Introducing Second Nature Second Nature is the synthesis of a lot of smart market research. The name embodies our brand’s mission to empower the modern-day homeowner to be master of his or her household, never forgetting to stay on top of all of the out-of-sight, out-of-mind to-dos. It also provides a great strategic base on which we can bring to life and grow our brand and continues to evoke the ease and simplicity of our convenience model. We aim to transform people’s home habits so that important home wellness tasks become second nature and never go neglected. Additionally, the secondary, almost subconscious, meaning of the name allows us to pursue products that are eco-conscious and help our customers do their part in restoring nature to its purest state, and, in a way, bring about a second nature. We know it’s hard to keep up with everything related to health and wellness these days, but with us, our customers are able to make home wellness a habit. As we move forward on our journey, we will empower our customers to better care for their refuge from the busy, chaotic world. In doing so, we hope they’ll see that good home wellness habits lead to a better sense of personal wellness. ‍ With Second Nature, we have developed a new identity system that includes illustrations, iconography, packaging, web design, and photography art direction. The identity should evoke a fun-loving and optimistic personality that is compassionate and empathetic in its approach. We want our customers to view Second Nature as a brand that selflessly puts others a mile ahead of itself and is willing to help out family and friends when they need someone they can count on. By the same token, we want customers to view Second Nature as a colorful brand that knows how to have a good time and gets along with other people effortlessly. Think of us as the zany yet responsible friend who implicitly knows when you need a good laugh, when you need a shoulder to cry on, and when you need a helping hand because you’re feeling overwhelmed in the moment. ‍ Our new logo takes the shape of a spiral floral pattern inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence, which is a mathematical pattern found everywhere in nature and throughout time. It explains the natural order of our world. All around us are rhythms and cycles we hardly notice, but without which we wouldn’t be able to function. The bloom reflects patterns of growth spirals such as those found in pine cones, sea shells, seeds, and flowers. And, like the healthiest of flowers, proper home wellness is dependent on a cyclical influx of the right elements. For fields of daisies, we’re referencing sun, soil, and rain. But, for the homeowner, it’s the products Second Nature dependably, continuously provides. ‍ We will continue to push our brand in new and exciting directions in the months and years to come, and we’ll be guided by our customers. We plan to release several new products and services over the next twelve months, including a refrigerator water filter product coming this winter. We aim to provide easy solutions to common problems, and we’ll always be enthusiastic about sharing. We’ll also upgrade our experiences and create surprise and delight interactions that provide a moment of relief for our busy, time-starved customers. We want everyone to feel encouraged and energized after an interaction with us or our content. Drop our Customer Care team a note if you have any comments you’d like to share—we’re always open to feedback and want to know how we can better serve our customers. ‍ Parting Thoughts So many people think a rebrand simply involves locking a handful of designers and copywriters in a room so their brains can conjure up all sorts of interesting colors, patterns, typefaces, etc. While contemplating these types of artistic elements is certainly part of the process, there are so many other activities and conversations involved when reimagining a brand. We truly think we got it right in developing Second Nature. And, our excitement for our new brand is held with conviction because we listened to our customers and asked all sorts of insightful questions that got us to where we are right now. Second Nature isn’t the brainchild of one or two people at our company; it is the brainchild of a collaboration with our customers and our target audience. ‍ This rebrand has, by far, been the most exciting, the most rewarding, and the most fun business endeavor I've had the honor of leading in my career. I hope each and every customer falls in love with Second Nature to the degree the team and I have throughout the process of developing it. I'm confident it will quickly become one of your trusted, beloved brands because our company is obsessively focused on creating meaningful value for customers by helping homeowners maintain a healthy home environment for themselves and their loved ones.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Everything You Need to Know about Ragweed Allergies This Fall

Thanks to ragweed pollen, fall allergies can be a pain when you're trying to enjoy the changing weather. Prepare for ragweed below. Pollen sucks. Its existence is essential to life itself, but it’s an absolute menace to allergy-afflicted individuals throughout the spring . . . and the fall. “Wait, and the fall?” Yes, and the fall. “That’s like half the seasons. I didn’t sign up for that.” Well, the summer as well. That’s when grass pollen comes out. “. . .“ “So if spring is tree pollen and summer is grass pollen, what is fall pollen? Bush pollen?” Ragweed, mostly. Ragweed pollen is public enemy number one in the fall for allergy sufferers. ‍ The good news is that you aren’t allergic to all pollen because you are allergic to one type of pollen. Just because tree pollen, the yellow dust that coats entire cities in the spring, causes you to sneeze and itch, doesn’t necessarily mean ragweed pollen is going to do the same. ‍ Tree pollen in the early months of the year is generally a more prominent allergen. That’s why springtime gets the most hubbub when talking about allergies. Despite this, a larger number of Americans actually suffer from a fall pollen allergy than a spring one. ‍ So, what is ragweed and what does it look like? Keep reading to learn all about this sneaky irritant that may result in an unsuspecting ragweed pollen allergy. What is ragweed & what does it look like? What does ragweed look like? It’s a flowering plant that looks about like this: Ragweed can be found growing in fields, on roadsides, or anywhere there is open space in every state excluding Alaska (do you think Alaska feels sad for always being excluded?). There are lots of different species of ragweed, such as sage, eupatorium, and just in case ragweed wasn’t a gross enough name for you, there is also mugwort. ‍ The two primary offenders in the case of allergen production are the cleverly named common ragweed and giant ragweed. These species of ragweed can be identified by their lobed leaves, which other species don’t have. Lobed leaves look like this: The difference between giant ragweed and common ragweed is that giant ragweed is bigger. You’re welcome. ‍ Ragweed vs. Goldenrod Goldenrod is a very similar looking plant that, like ragweed, can be found just about anywhere in the United States. Genetically, it’s extremely different from ragweed, and its pollen is not an allergen. Nobody in the country is allergic to Goldenrod pollen. People often confuse it with the allergy factory of ragweed because of their similar appearances, and also probably because it's bright yellow and that is the color people associate with pollen. It is harmless though. Below is a side-by-side comparison so you can tell the difference. ‍ When is ragweed season? Like tree pollen season, ragweed pollen season can vary slightly by geographic location. It usually starts a little earlier and ends a little earlier the farther north you travel. While the plant can begin flowering as early as July, August is typically the month when ragweed pollen begins to infect the air around us. So, if you have a ragweed pollen allergy, you’ll likely notice symptoms at the end of summer through the start of winter. Late October is when it starts to diminish in the northern states, and it survives until late fall, usually mid-November, in the southern states. The first significant frost often coincides with the end of ragweed’s pollination time. So root for an early frost if you’re a ragweed pollen allergy sufferer. ‍ How is ragweed pollen different from tree pollen? It’s not, really. There are a few minor characteristics that are different, such as oak tree pollen being able to remain suspended in the air longer than ragweed. Ragweed produces a lot fewer individual pollen grains per plant. Overall, it’s a slightly less potent allergen than oak pollen and other tree pollens in the spring, but still pretty obnoxious if you’re afflicted with an intolerance. It also doesn’t cover the ground in a thick yellow dust, making it a less common talking point in the world of pollen allergies because of the lack of visual presence. Just like tree pollen though, it still sucks. How do you manage a ragweed pollen allergy? So, you know what ragweed looks like. But what do you do if you find you have a ragweed pollen allergy? Here are three tips to keep your symptoms at bay. ‍ Pay attention to weather forecasts There are a couple of reasons to keep an eye on the weather for today and the coming days. The first is pollen counts. You can also check these online at a place like pollen.com. We talked at length about these in our spring pollen blog, so we won’t dive too deep here. ‍ Pollen counts, or pollen index, can vary based on many weather factors though, so some days outside will be way worse than others. The forecasts take these into account to give you an accurate idea of how prevalent the allergy threat will be each day. ‍ Generally speaking, the mid-day hours are the worst for ragweed pollen. Going for that run or bike ride at dawn or dusk is a good idea if you have a fall pollen allergy (this is a good idea anyways in August, as it’s the hottest month of the year in many places). The wind is also responsible for driving up pollen counts. A consistent breeze will push pollen grains into the air and stop them from settling. So avoid windy days for your outdoor activities. ‍ Also, keep an eye on rain in the forecast. Rain is the best thing for a ragweed pollen allergy. It washes pollen out of the sky and washes away pollen on the ground that can be resuspended in the air. If you’ve got an outdoor activity planned this fall, see if you can schedule it for the day after a rain. You’ll be a lot happier and healthier spending time outside because of the sudden decrease in pollen counts. Take medicine When you’re buying medication for your allergies, there is not a lot that is different in the fall versus the spring. Antihistamines such as Zyrtec or Chlor-Trimeton block allergens by binding to receptors within the body, depriving the allergen of its chance to make you sneeze right before it succeeds. ‍ Antihistamines are effective because they target the actual cause of the allergic reaction instead of treating the symptoms. Other medications specifically for symptoms, such as decongestants, are available if you happen to have an antihistamine intolerance. Keep ragweed pollen outside If you’re a serious pollen allergy sufferer, it’s important to cover your bases when it comes to the air inside your home. You can’t rid the outside air of ragweed pollen, but you can keep it from getting inside. ‍ Keep your windows and doors closed, especially on windy days. It may be tempting to leave your front door open or crack a window when that cool fall weather begins to roll in, but that’s the only barrier between your house and ragweed pollen. ‍ Remember that pollen can also be carried into your home on your clothes, body, or pets. Change clothes after spending a significant amount of time outside and drop those clothes in the washing machine. Shower after significant outdoor activities. Wash your hands after petting any dogs or cats that have been outside. If it gets inside, don’t fret. Simply follow our best practices for how to remove allergies from your home. Close the top on your convertible this time of year too. ‍ ‍Filter ragweed pollen out by keeping clean air filters in You can make a material difference in the amount of ragweed pollen that enters your home by taking those simple precautions. You can’t eliminate it entirely, though. One of the best ways to keep your home as pollen-free as possible is to use air filters with high MERV ratings (8 or above). Using a high-quality air filter, like Second Nature’s Health Shield or Essential+ filter, will pull those sneaky particles out of your home and into the garbage. Get one today. Not sure what size to get? Learn about air filter sizes and how they work to remove allergens from your home.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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What Is An Electrostatic Air Filter?

Is an electrostatic air filter the same thing as a washable air filter or reusable air filter? Not necessarily. Raise your hand if you learned about static electricity as a kid by rubbing a balloon on your head and watching your hair cling to it. Now, if you actually raised your hand while reading this, put it down. People are staring. ‍ You probably thought that static electricity was pretty cool but didn't really serve any practical purpose for you in your life. Beyond not lighting yourself on fire at the gas station, you were right, until now. It turns out that the very air you breathe is affected by static electricity. How? With air filters, of course! What the heck else would we be talking about? ‍ Certain air filters actually use static electricity to catch particles as they pass through the filter media. These are known as electrostatic air filters. Now when you google electrostatic air filter, you'll usually find a wealth of information about washable/reusable air filters. Within the general public's knowledge of air filters, electrostatic air filter has become synonymous with washable air filter, but that's actually not fully correct. Electrostatic is merely a feature of washable filters, and it's not exclusive to them. Let’s dive in. ‍ What is electrostatic? We've reached the science part of the blog. Here we're going to talk about static electricity and how filters use it. Feel free to skip this part if you took Static Electricity 201 in college. If you only took 101, you might want to read this. It will be on the test. ‍ Anybody who has ever played with a magnet knows that the opposite poles on the magnet attract. If you try to stick like poles together, they repel. The same principle is what creates the static electricity that electrostatic air filters use. ‍ Static electricity is caused by a difference in the charges of particles. Particles are made of atoms, and atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms that have the same number of protons and electrons are neutral and have no charge. When a neutral atom gains or loses an electron, it becomes charged. ‍ Electrostatic air filters are made of filter media that undergoes a process to "charge" it, thereby creating that attractive quality. Sometimes, multi-layer washable filters contain layers of materials meant to charge particles as they pass through, making the job of the attractive layer of the filter easier. ‍ Instead of getting pulled through the filter and physically caught and blocked by filter material, the particles are actually attracted to the filter media because of physics. It's pretty neat in theory. In practice, well, we'll get into that in a second. ‍ What filters are electrostatic? As stated, electrostatic simply means "uses static electricity." Nothing about the term automatically identifies a filter as washable or reusable. Washable filters are electrostatically charged. Since that's how they are typically marketed, it's become a general understanding that that is what an electrostatic filter is. However, most pleated filters are electrostatic as well. ‍ Unlike filters of the washable variety, pleated filters don't have to be charged to have an electrostatic element. Some are, and as a result, produce a powerful electrostatic field that helps catch the smallest of particles. Uncharged filters still create a field based on what they're made of. Because of that, they produce a weaker field and rely more on mechanical filtering. ‍ Mechanical filtering just means that the filter physically blocks pollutants. It's the most common filtering technique and the one that pleated and fiberglass primarily rely on. ‍ Fiberglass filters can hold something of a static charge, but it's not enough to actually make it an effective filtering device. They're still garbage. ‍ So what are washable air filters? Washable air filters are almost all electrostatic air filters. The selling point is they can be cleaned and used for several years before it is time to buy a new one. On paper, that seems like a groundbreaking innovation in the filter industry. But that's just paper. In reality, it's pretty easy to see the holes. Did you see what we did there? We made a joke about crappy air filters because they have big holes in them. Get it? Do you get it? Ok. Sorry. It won't happen again. ‍ There are some advantages to the washable air filter, and most are pretty straightforward. Washable filters can save you money on filters in the long run. Instead of replacing it every three months, you just wash it out, let it dry, and replace it. These guys run anywhere between $30 and $80 and typically last around three years, although some can last as long as five. So obviously, there is some money to be saved by spending less than $100 on air filters over several years. ‍ That's about where the advantages end. Remembering to change your pleated filter can be hard (unless you use a particular home wellness company *wink* *wink*). Remembering and actually finding the time to wash, vacuum, and dry your washable filter? Not so easy. ‍ When you do remember to wash them, you better make sure you do a thorough job. If you don't, you're inserting a dirty filter back into your home. That completely defeats the purpose of a washable air filter. Even cleaned, if you don't dry it completely, it can grow mold. You don't want either of those things. ‍ From an actual filtering perspective, washables are better than cheap fiberglass, because what isn't? Still, they don't really measure up to pleated filters, especially when it comes to larger and more common pollutants like pollen. ‍ Now you may have noticed that we said washable filters are "almost exclusively electrostatic." Many washable filters also do have a mechanical element that is made of similar material to a pleated filter. The problem is that this filter media cannot be woven tightly, as it would affect the filter's ability to build a charge and make it exceptionally hard to clean. The result is that the mechanical element does virtually nothing and is less efficient than even fiberglass (Gasp!). ‍ Why don’t washable air filters measure up to pleated? Pleated filters are naturally electrostatic. Washable filters kind of live off in their own world when it comes to air filters. They work so differently than a pleated or even fiberglass filter that the MERV rating isn't particularly applicable to them, thereby making their efficiency harder to understand. ‍ Basically, this is how it works. Filters that have a mechanical element always become less effective. The smaller particles are, the better they are at finding holes in the filter—they're small. With washables, the exact opposite is true. ‍ Because there is no reliable mechanical element with a washable filter, static electricity is the only thing that stops pollutants from passing right through. Washable electrostatic filters are more effective against smaller particles, as they have an easier time pulling them in with their electrostatic forces. Bigger particles require a stronger electrostatic force to attract and as a result have a much easier time slipping past the static electricity. ‍ The lack of mechanical filtering can lead to other issues as well, such as particles just kind of falling off the filter and back into the air every time you take it out. Seriously, that may sound really stupid, but it's actually a real problem. ‍ Statically charged pleated filters combine the electrostatic element to target small particles with the mechanical element to target large particles, making them the most effective across the entire spectrum of particle size. ‍ Pleated filters also become more effective as they age because of the buildup of particles, which actually helps block more particles. The opposite is again true with purely electrostatic washable filters. Once dust and pollutants have coated the entire filter, the static electricity is weakened significantly. Since this force is the only thing that stops particles, all that nastiness can flow right through the filter. ‍ Washable filters, because of their multiple layer construction, also have an extremely high initial pressure drop. If you're unfamiliar with that term, it basically means that airflow through the filter is initially lower than other types of filters. If airflow dips too low, your HVAC unit can struggle to pull in enough air and have to work harder. This costs you more on your heating and cooling bill and may potentially blow out the motor. Pleated filters don't really have this problem unless you leave them in the vent for way too long. ‍ Electrostatics is some pretty cool science, but ultimately it's not particularly useful on its own. It can give a nice boost to a well-constructed pleated air filter, but it's not really enough to get the job done on its own. ‍ How are pleated filters charged? As mentioned above, pleated filters fall into two categories when discussing electrostatic air filters. Some are charged with a charging procedure while they're being built. This is done with a process involving a bunch of tiny needles, but we won't get into that because it will probably bore you out of your skull. ‍ Some, typically the lower MERV-rated varieties, are not charged. These still carry a natural charge because of their construction material, and their charge actually increases over time as the air passing through the filter helps to build up a little bit of a charge. ‍ Pleated filters give you the best of both worlds. Even varieties that aren't intentionally charged still outpace reusable filters. The good news is that if you want to buy a pleated filter, you're already on a website that sells them!

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Quick Tips To Lower Your Energy Bills

Check out these ways to save money on your energy costs. Let’s face it, we could all use a little extra pocket change. While changing your home air filters on a regular schedule won’t drop a couple grand into your checking account, there are several benefits to the practice. extend the life of your HVAC system while drastically improving the quality of the air in your home, it also saves money on your energy bill! U.S. Department of Energy estimates estimates that changing your air filter on a regular schedule can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs. Set your thermostat on a schedule. This ensures your system is only running when it needs to be... No need to keep the house at 68 degrees during the day, when the whole family is at work and school. Wrap your water heater with an insulating blanket and set the thermostat lower than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The insulation will help keep its temperature constant and also ensure energy isn't wasted heating your water to a higher-than-necessary temperature. Seal off drafts coming from exterior doors, windows and electrical outlets--even small amounts of cold air droughts coming in from outside can make your system work harder in order to keep you house warm. Add timers or motion sensors to your lights, along with dimmers. This ensures you don't use wasted energy when you are not at home. Shield your interior living spaces from the sun. By using thick curtains, blinds, or even tinted window film, you can reduce your cooling costs since the sun won't be warming up your living space. On the other hand, these efforts can help with insulating your home during the winter months! If you haven't already switched, make the switch to LED bulbs. LED light bulbs consume 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Utilize off-peak rates to run major appliances. If your energy provider offers off-peak usage rates, take advantage of them. These "time-of-use" plans allow you to save by using major appliances (like your dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) outside of peak hours (typically after 7 or 8PM). Contact your energy provider to see if they offer a time-of-use plan and learn how it works. The U.S. Department of Energy produced an easy-to-read infographic that offers a primer on cutting down energy costs associated with your HVAC system. ‍

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Childhood Asthma: 10 Easy Remedies to Conquer It On Your Own

How to manage asthma in a child. At Second Nature, we know it’s hard to deal with childhood asthma with your own kid. Maybe you never had to deal with this before. Or perhaps you did, but it wasn’t as severe. The good news is we’re kinda pros when it comes to air quality thing. What you breathe may not be the leading cause, but we do know it plays a part. We’re here to help, and with all the research we did, this is what we found. Following these ten home remedies for asthma may help your little one reclaim being a kid again. 1. Pets and their fluffy effect You’ve heard it before. People are allergic to pets—cats and dogs especially. This is one of the common culprits that can cause asthma to flare up in kids. We’ll skip straight to the good news and say that Mr. Fluffers doesn’t have to find a new home. Let’s say your dog is rolling around on the floor, having a good time. It’s innocent enough—your dog being a dog. While your dog is doing that, he’s spreading dander and slobbering all over the place. Your floor becomes asthma’s paradise. Maybe you’re a cat person. You love your cat (and your cat doesn’t care, but that’s not the point). The point is your cat’s adorable, especially when she does what she does best, sleep. You find her sleeping on the couch or curling up in your lap to soak up some sun. Cats and dogs are pretty different, but this is one way they’re the same. You now see what covers you and your couch: all the allergens it takes to cause an asthma attack. So what’s the solution here? Clean! It’s that easy. If you vacuum your floors and clean your furniture, you’re golden. In the event you don’t have a pet, and your eight-year-old can’t stop bugging you for one, you have options. There are a lot of hypoallergenic cats and dogs that may keep your kid and your couch happy. 2. Plants cleaning the air for you This one’s pretty trendy right now, but believe us when we say the hipsters are onto something here. There are actually some plants that produce cleaner air for you! Even if you have a black thumb, these plants are resilient and very forgiving. Since clean air is key to managing childhood asthma, we recommend shopping around at a local nursery or garden center. 3. Clean the air a little bit more with an air purifier This recommendation is on every blog you follow, books you read, and doctors you see. They’re all right. Air purifiers do help a lot, and there are so many out there that can fit any budget. If you’re into the simple (and more affordable option), there are air purifiers for you. If you want the air filter that’s beautiful and over the top, there’s even one of those. Whatever your preference, you’ll be parent of the year, keeping your child a little more safe from asthma attacks. 4. Carpets and rugs ruining your day We’ve already talked about pets. What we didn’t mention is how those fibers in your carpets and rugs love to hang on to those pesky allergens. It’s not just your pet’s fault here. For some people, getting rid of carpets and rugs altogether is what helps. For others, regular vacuuming, shampooing, and steam cleaning a few times a year are all that it takes. The key here is to prevent places for allergens to hang out and hide. 5. Bedtime should be safe Every allergen, especially dust mites, can wreak havoc on anyone with asthma. Sadly, you’ve learned this first hand! How can we make the bed a safe place when dust mites love to hang out in mattresses and pillows? Did you know dust mites actually breed faster in mattresses and under sheets? It’s warm enough for them to speed things up. Here’s the easy fix: get hypoallergenic mattresses and pillow covers. They keep what’s already in there in and everything that isn’t out. Get those, clean the linens frequently, and you’ll be a hero. Your superpower? Making your kid's bedroom a whole lot safer. 6. Air filters help too! Getting the right air filters in your house and regularly replacing them pays off in several ways. That’s our thing, so instead of boring you with all the details, we’ll leave it at this: air filters are essential. They keep the air in your home clear of airborne allergens you can’t see. As we said, air quality can directly impact asthma in children. 7. Other allergens that trigger asthma in children We’ve talked about dogs, cats, and dust mites. What about the hundreds of other allergens that your child could be allergic to? There are so many more that can exacerbate childhood asthma, making it harder to manage. The only thing to do here is to get your children tested. Knowledge is power. If they’re allergic to fescue grass, for example, you could look into getting bermudagrass. There’s only so much you can control in their environment, but every little bit helps. 8. VOCs...and those are what, exactly? If you haven’t heard of them, VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. These are commonly found in paint and are released in the fumes. Remember how that fresh coat of paint made the house smell for a few days? If this triggered your little one’s childhood asthma, it’s not your fault. It’s the paint—and VOCs are in a lot more than paint, unfortunately. Next time you’re ready to do a house project, look into VOCs and find a non-VOC alternative. They’re out there. While there’s no conclusive evidence that those nasty chemicals are harmful, we’d rather steer clear. Chemicals that we struggle to pronounce are rarely safe. 9. Pollen: how to manage asthma in a child when this stuff is everywhere Springtime is here. So why does it feel like outside has even fewer allergies than your house? It’s simple, but we don’t ever think of this. During spring, when pollen is everywhere, it attaches to your clothes. Most of the time, pollen hangs out for a little while, but once you wash everything, it’s gone, and you’re off the hook. Except this isn’t always true with clothes. Pollen can stick around for a while or even build up in your washing machine. A lot of washers now have “allergen” cycles. That setting helps eliminate anything on your clothes and sheets that could make things like childhood asthma worse. Don’t forget that pollen gets on everything else too. Once spring is gone, consider power washing your house and any outdoor toys or playsets. Get the interior of your car cleaned. Have your rugs, carpets, and even upholstery shampooed and steam cleaned at your house. Just remember to use the non-VOC cleaners! 10. The best home remedy for asthma could be as simple as leaving your home Last, but not least, get outside! You might be shocked to learn that the air inside can be five times as polluted as what you breath outside. You spend 90% of your life inside. Let that sink in. It’s assumed that going outside is healthy, but now you have one more reason to get outdoors and play with your kids. You won’t regret it and neither will they. We imagine these feel like a lot of work. We get that. No one’s measuring if you accomplish just a few or all ten. If you do implement any of them, we’d love to hear your results. Just don’t forget to do something for yourself too. If you ask us, cleaning the furniture in your house sounds like a perfect excuse for the pint of ice cream you’ve been eyeing.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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How to Host the Best Wine Night for You and Your Girlfriends

Make your moment to refresh a night in, at home, with your friends. Some of the best times are casual nights in with close friends. While there are several excuses to persuade people to come over, a classic approach is to host a “Wine Night.” With this in mind, we contacted a panel of experts in the field to learn about some of their trade secrets. Okay, not really but we do like wine. That counts for something, right? ‍ Before Wine Night Acquire Friends: yeah, you could just drink wine by yourself, but that’s a Tuesday. This is Wine Night! Be sure to give all invitees an appropriate amount of heads up. As you know, your friends are super busy too, and their schedules fill up fast. Acquire Childcare: tonight is for you and your ladies, so make sure the men have the kids. Depending on bedtimes, you could have all the guys take the kids to Jimmy’s house for the evening, leaving you a little peace and quiet to get ready. Yes, peace and quiet. And if that's not rewarding enough, remember it gives the dads time to bond too. Acquire Wine: a good rule of thumb is to have one bottle for every two guests to ensure there is enough for everyone without going overboard. Consider a variety of different wines so everyone has something they’ll enjoy. Alternatively, you host the party and have everyone bring their favorite bottle or two to share. That ensures everyone will have something they’ll enjoy. Acquire Snacks: an empty stomach with wine is just not right. You don’t have to supply dinner, but your guests will always appreciate something to munch on. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could set up some killer charcuterie and use that nice bamboo cutting board you keep forgetting about. Otherwise, spend some time on Pinterest, because we can assure you that the groupthink over there has more ideas than we do. ‍ SN Tip: have a glass of wine before your friends get there. You managed to get your husband and kids out the door, get yourself ready, set up for the night, and have a killer wine and snack selection. You deserve that, so cheers to you. ‍ During The Party Play Music: some background music sets the atmosphere and also fills the gaps in between conversations. Having trouble with this one? Check out our Second Nature Wine Night playlist. Just make sure it is not too loud to talk over. And if Bridgette starts talking about her ex a little bit too much again, feel free to switch up the tunes and crank the volume a bit. Play Games: have this one ready. You will know that point in the night where the conversation is about to die down, and you’re here to save the night. Games are a great way to salvage a Wine Night from ending prematurely. If you need some help, go everyone’s favorite, Target, and spend some time finding a game you know your group will enjoy. Or, your friends could bring a game to show everyone if they want. Keep it casual. Play It Cool: in the spirit of keeping it casual, don’t get in your head about Wine Night. It’s time for you and your friends to just relax, sans kids, husbands, and responsibilities. Have fun and treasure the time you have to invest in your friends. There’s nothing to be anxious about. And if that doesn’t remotely resonate with you, then you’re cooler than us, and we’d love to be friends. ‍ SN Tip: you care about these people, so don’t be afraid to dig deep with them if the conversation takes you there. Keeping things surface level will just make you feel like the night was just OK. ‍ After The Party Keep Them Safe: as the host, you don’t worry about driving, but maybe some of your friends didn’t plan ahead all that well. We’ve all been there, and you don’t mind because Bridgette becomes a lot more fun four glasses in. Just make sure you grab her an Uber, Lyft, or cab. Or, one of your more boring friends could give her a ride home. Keep That Wine: save what you can, because life starts again tomorrow and you’ll enjoy having some wines handy. If your friends leave you with some unopened wine, keep those set aside for a date night in. If you don’t make it around to some wine before it goes bad (because you aren’t a lush), that’s still perfect to cook with. Keep Things Tidy: it may be late, but check to make sure that any spills are accounted for and that the wine glasses are rinsed. You don’t have to do everything before bed, but waking up to a colossal mess isn’t the best feeling in the world. Nor do you want the kids to run downstairs tomorrow morning, knock over some glasses, and leave you a bigger mess. And since they’re your kids, you know just how likely this is. ‍ Pro Tip: your friends will likely offer to pick up. Since they’re your good friends, take them up on their offer. Even if they said that just to say the right thing, you did just give them a night of fun in your home. ‍ Next time you want to have some ladies over, try a Wine Night and use some of these tips! Just remember, it’s best to not overthink it. Focus on having a good time.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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Five Key Factors Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality

Your indoor air quality is important and knowing what affects it is critical to the health of your home. It’s common knowledge that air pollution is a health hazard to humans and animals. And while we usually think of air pollution as outdoor smoke and fumes, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, which means that the air quality in our homes is just as (if not more) important. Exposure to poor air quality indoors can produce minor symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation. But it can also result in major health consequences, like respiratory illness, heart disease, and cancer. ‍ That said, the first step to improving the air you breathe is knowing what affects it. Here are five key factors that contribute to the state of your home’s air quality: ‍ Dust and other airborne particles Dust is a combination of indoor and outdoor matter, such as soil, pet dander, and dead skin. Along with other airborne particles, it floats in the air and settles on surfaces. When you breathe in small doses of dust, you may experience sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes, ears, or throat. But in large concentrations, people with high sensitivities to dust can suffer from shortness of breath, tightening of the chest, or even sleep deprivation due to difficulties in breathing. ‍ Easy steps like vacuuming regularly, using microfiber cloths for wiping surfaces, and changing your sheets weekly can help reduce the amount of dust indoors. In addition, tools like the MERV 13 air filter can also keep your home free of dust and other microscopic particles, like pollen and smoke. ‍ Microbes Microbial growth is another sign that you need to amp up your indoor air quality solutions. Plumbing issues are usually to blame for the growth of mildew and mold, as they cause excess moisture in floors, walls, and ceilings. In particular, HomeServe explains that mold thrives in these damp conditions, which can be due to hidden leaks and poor drainage systems. Exposure to mold does not only cause allergic reactions, it is also known to increase the risk of respiratory problems and trigger asthma attacks in individuals. ‍ To solve this problem, homeowners need to go to the source and address their plumbing issues right away. This might mean contacting professionals and installing detection tools that can prevent future leaks. ‍ Chemicals The chemicals we use to keep a home clean and orderly may be doing more harm than good. Some might even contain Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, which become trapped in a home’s foundations for many months. Some VOCs can be very harmful, particularly formaldehyde and benzene. These can be found in paints, aerosol sprays, and wood preservatives. ‍ The simple solution is to switch from chemical-based treatments to organic products. Ditch the bleach for cleaning and go for homemade solutions like your very own mix of baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. ‍ Humidity Ideally, a home should have 30-50% relative humidity. That's because residents can experience eye irritation and several skin symptoms when it is too dry. This is most common during the winter months. Conversely, an indoor environment that’s too humid can breed microbes, which we’ve already covered as bad for one’s health. ‍ Installing a humidifier is an easy hack as most gadgets allow you to set the ideal range for your home. Alternatively, you can use a dehumidifier if there is too much moisture in the air. Or, try cracking open a window or turning on the exhaust for even simpler solutions. ‍ Ventilation If you’re experiencing headaches, hypersensitivity, and fatigue, it may be a sign of high carbon dioxide levels in your home due to poor ventilation. Live Science highlights a study on the effects of too much carbon dioxide in the air, which includes impaired cognitive abilities and decision-making skills. Other than the physical symptoms, it may contribute to psychological distress and strain individual relationships. ‍ Other than dedicated heating and cooling systems, one simple way to improve ventilation is to let the outdoor air in — provided that its quality isn’t compromised. Otherwise, you can opt for a reliable home ventilation system that isn’t affected by what the air is like outside your home. ‍ For figuring out the next steps, check out our article How to Test The Air Quality in Your Home for deeper insight into improving your home life.

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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How to Easily Improve A Home's Indoor Air Quality

And how to stay safe indoors while keeping away from pollen. Yes, yes, we know we keep harping on pollen. That's partly because so many people are affected by allergies and partly because, in the south, the pollen is terrible! Like really bad. ‍ Allergy sufferers have two choices: Deal with the pollen and feel horrible for what seems like an eternity. Go inside already! ‍ (Because we all know that antihistamines only do so much.) ‍ Since we all want to avoid the Death Star...er, we mean pollen, let's stick to staying inside when we can until the pollen has subsided. Photo credit: Jeremy Gilchrist. ‍ Not really a tip, but a fun fact. Lucasfilm (the people who make Star Wars films) doesn't own a trademark to Death Star—oh, the Death Star is...nevermind. Just watch the saga. However, Lucasfilm does have a registered trademark for "Tiny Death Star," aka pollen. You can blame your allergies on George Lucas. ‍ Indoor Air Quality Poor air quality has a significant impact on the comfort of your home and overall health. While some symptoms may seem mild, they can escalate into more complex health complications. ‍ What's crazier than that? You probably had no idea, and it's pretty hard to notice. ‍ We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your house or office could easily be just as polluted. It wasn’t always this way. Over the years, as homes became more air tights and more energy efficient, we let a lot less air inside. To make matters a little worse, over 2,000 chemicals are released into the market each year. Those chemicals are used to make things smaller, better, cleaner; you know the drill. If we're honest, not all chemicals in your home are dangerous, per se. But you should know that the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Maybe open up your windows once in a while. While indoor air pollution may only mildly irritate some, it can cause Sick Building Syndrome. ‍ Exactly as it sounds, you get sick from the building you’re inside. World Health Organization has documented “mucous membrane irritation (eye, nose, and throat irritation), neurotoxic effects (headaches, fatigue, and irritability), asthma and asthma-like symptoms (chest tightness and wheezing), skin dryness and irritation, gastrointestinal complaints” as some of the symptoms. ‍ Indoor Air Quality has become a buzzword of sorts, and you often hear about it referred to as IAQ. It’s not quite a public health issue, but it can be a concern when you throw poor outdoor air quality into the mix. The EPA uses its Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure outdoor pollution. At the same time, even when AQI levels are within a healthy range, there are plenty of nasty Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) ready to make your life a lot less pleasant inside. VOCs come in all sorts of forms: paints contain things like aliphatic hydrocarbons, ethyl acetate, glycol ethers, and acetone; formaldehyde (yes, what they use to embalm bodies) can be found not only in paint but also in ceiling tiles and adhesives; benzene, a known carcinogen, can be found in cigarette smoke and smoke from a wood burning fire. ‍ What's one to do? As a home wellness company, we could just tell you to regularly replace your air filters with a subscription service (because they really do help). But we won't just leave it at that. There are three easy items to run through that you can do to improve your home's IAQ so you really can escape the pollen this Spring. Deal with smoke Get a handle on VOCs Keep the pollen outside Deal with smoke Smoke that can contribute to a lower IAQ is all around us. Even if you aren't a smoker, cooking produces smoke. So do candles and incense. If you have a fireplace, that produces smoke too. ‍ To deal with smoke, here are some simple (and not-so-simple) tips: Don't smoke: but if you must, smoke outside. Need we go on? Cooking smoke: try using oils that have a lower smoke point. For example, Olive Oil has a relatively low smoke point: 320ºF. That's pretty easy to get to. Go for healthy and higher smoke point oils like Grapeseed oil (420ºF), Almond oil (420ºF), Hazelnut oil (430º), Ghee (485ºF and not actually oil), and the mother of all high smoke points, Avocado oil (520ºF). You can definitely sear a steak on some cast iron with some of that handy. Candles: not all candles are "wicked"—get it? Vegetable oil-based candles (like soy) are quite alright. And so are beeswax. It's synthetic wax and animal-based wax that can produce indoor pollutants. More likely than not, you don't have candles at home made from animal lard, and yes that's what candles used to be made of. But most of us don't have soy-based candles either. ‍ Let's talk about candles a bit Most modern-day candles are made with paraffin. Remember those VOCs mentioned earlier on? When burned, paraffin releases VOCs like benzene and toluene. Since no one wants to get cancer from those carcinogens, just toss those. Be better than Yankee Candle. ‍ Up to 8% of candle manufacturers still use lead in there wicks. Yes, lead. The same lead that gave Romans brain plaque because they used it to make their pipes. Know what happened to the Roman's? Exactly. ‍ Also, keep in mind that most fragrances in candles are not great for you. Here's the general rule: burning produces some level of smoke that is bad to breathe in. Even incense (sorry yogis). ‍ Here's a better idea: add some essential oils to your air filters to give your whole home a fresh, natural scent. You could use a diffuser, but then you wouldn't be able to take advantage of (shameless plug) a subscription home air filter delivery service. ‍ If you do use essential oils in a diffuser, always be sure to use purified water. Using tap water can actually make the air you're breathing in pretty toxic as well. ‍ Get a handle on VOCs You've heard of people going "all natural" with their house, switching to safe cleaners and cosmetics. There's also been a significant rise in all natural, safe carpet cleaning and dry cleaning. Seems these people are onto something. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can be found in products like: Aerosol spray products, including health, beauty and cleaning products Air fresheners Chlorine bleach Detergent and dishwashing liquid Dry cleaning chemicals Rug and upholstery cleaners Furniture and floor polish Oven cleaners ‍ Of course, VOCs can be found in a lot of places, but finding VOC-free alternatives to these products will help to make your home a whole lot safer for you and your family. You may end up spending more, but health is worth it. For help finding healthy products, EWG is the closest thing you may find to an exhaustive guide. ‍ Planning to embark on a home improvement project? Make sure the materials you or a contractor are using are non-VOC (free of VOCs). For example, paint can be a common VOC culprit. ‍ Keep the pollen outside The easiest thing to do (other than regularly replacing your air filters) is keeping the pollen outside. ‍ Simple things like: Keep your car in the garage, so it collects less pollen. Wipe your feet off on a mat when you get inside. At the very least, take your shoes off when you get inside before tracking pollen inside. Your body (and floors) will thank you. If you have a mudroom, take advantage of that by taking your shoes off and leave them in there. Clean up after being outside. Put your clothes in the washer and shower the pollen off you—your hair is an especially problematic pollen magnet! Men, it may be time to shave that beard. Clean your pets as often as they'll let you. When they come inside, they are going to bring in A LOT of pollen (not to mention all their common allergens). Use a bagless vacuum and use it often. Bagless or canister vacuums often have HEPA filters and are easy to empty outside, ensuring all the dust, dander, and pollen you collect is safely disposed of outside. Keep your windows and doors closed. It's as simple as that. ‍ Newer washers have allergen and sanitize functions. If you have allergies, you might want to use these if regular wash cycles don't do the trick. ‍ We're not trying to give you a massive list of to-dos; instead, this should just give you options to choose from. In this busy, always-on world, adding one more to-do isn't worth it. So pick what works for you, and legitimately, use Second Nature to mark replacing your air filters off your to-do list forever. It's worth it for everyone, but especially allergy sufferers. ‍ All that to say, remember that spring is still a beautiful time of year so enjoy it when you can. Stay sniffle-free, friends!

Calendar icon February 6, 2023

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What is the Triple Win Leadership Council? | RBP by Second Nature

Building an aligned future where every home is professionally managed. ‍ Disclaimer: Everything you see here is a living draft of the TWLC vision. This outline should be seen as a starting point, and we want to invite you to co-create what this really becomes. The initial TWLC commitment is for Phase 1 only. You can decide what your involvement looks like after July's In-Person Design Summit. ‍ WHO IS ON THE TRIPLE WIN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL? Trusted Property Managers. Key opinion leaders, entrepreneurs, and exceptional operators in the industry. Forward-thinking Leaders. Passionate about thinking differently, creatively, and pushing industry norms in innovative ways. Philosophically Aligned. Believers in the Triple Win approach, making property management better for residents, investors, and teams. WHAT ARE THE PURPOSE AND VISION? The Triple Win Leadership Council (TWLC) empowers property management professionals to build a future where every home is professionally managed, to the benefit of residents, investors, and teams. The TWLC will act as pioneers and stewards, so that the gap between outcomes and experiences professionals create is further distanced from those accidental landlords can create on their own. This makes professional management more attractive to more people and forces a choice instead of a comparison. Three guiding questions: - How do we build an experience so good, residents never want to leave? - How do we build an experience so good, investors never want to sell? - How do we build an experience so good, talent wants to grow in this industry? HOW WILL THE TWLC INFLUENCE CHANGE? The TWLC will set the "P.A.C.E." for positive, sustainable industry change through: - Shaping innovative Products - Spotlighting success with the Triple Win Property Management Awards - Co-creating conversation-inspiring Content - Transformational, connective Events CALENDAR & COMMITMENTS Phase 1: Formation DECEMBER 14, 2022: 60-MINUTE VIRTUAL KICK-OFF CALL FEBRUARY, 2023: 2-HR QUARTERLY STRATEGY SESSION MAY, 2023: 2-HR QUARTERLY STRATEGY SESSION JULY, 2023: IN-PERSON DESIGN SUMMIT (LOCATION TBD) Phase 2: Develop AUGUST, 2023: We will define this together. Phase 3: Scale To apply for TWLC Membership, click here. Apply Today If you would like further information or to ask questions directly, please contact: Laura MacMinn, Triple Win Event Coordinator, Second Nature Email: lmacminn@secondnature.com

Calendar icon November 17, 2022

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Property Management and The Experience Economy

What is an experience economy and why is it relevant to single family rental property management? There are 3 questions driving the future of value creation in professional property management. How do we create an experience so good, residents never want to leave? How do we create an experience so good, investors never want to sell? How do we create an experience so good, talent wants to be in this business forever? The word experience is key. Whoever creates the best experiences will create the most economic value as the service side of property management becomes commoditized. In Joe Pine’s book, The Experience Economy, he reveals a critical insight that transcends real estate to other industries. It’s about the staging of value creation through the lens of commoditization and customization. In today’s highly competitive world, companies often focus solely on process improvement, optimization, cost-cutting, and driving efficiencies. While these are critical to remain competitive and improve margins, they are the playbook of a game that ends with operating a low-margin commoditized business. Some business leaders even talk about their industries being commoditized as a badge of honor. Interestingly enough, that thinking is self-fulfilling; by not focusing on creating higher-value offerings, they are riding the train to commoditization.History contains many examples of innovations so groundbreaking they captivated people and led the way for economic prosperity. Artificial light, telecommunications, automobiles, to name a few. While these were all once higher-margin innovative offerings and the most attractive businesses to be in, they have grown to be stale and competitive industries, forced to compete on price, leading to lower profits and company value relative to size. For example, Ford and GM, once praised as innovators in manufacturing goods, are now in a sea of competition and worth a mere 0.4x revenue at the time of this writing. The Experience Economy dives into these macroeconomic trends and shows the change over time in their Progression of Economic Value chart. The macroeconomic trends demonstrate how we have gone from extracting commodities to making goods to delivering services to, finally, staging experiences as the current primary driver of economic growth. One of the many great examples included in the book is the staging around birthday party: A birthday party at home that consisted of a cake and celebration requires the commodities, flour, sugar, butter etc.. to make at a cost of <$0.10. Then companies began offering “cake mix” which was more convenient that cost $1.00, followed by bakeries making the whole cake as a service for $15, and now, people outsource the whole birthday party to a venue like Dave & Busters or a party planner. There’s a party, invitations, custom napkins, entertainment, and yes, a cake is part of it. So someone can be in the pennies for cake materials business, the quarters for cake mix product business, dollars for a fully-made cake, or thousands of dollars for a full birthday or wedding or celebration event experience. That’s the commoditization to customization journey. Many property managers have correctly said, “We’re in the service business.” However, looking at where the most economic value will be created, today’s industry leaders have already started the shift to “We’re in the experience business.” They’re seeing different opportunities, which lead them to different choices that yield different results, and they find themselves in differentiated businesses. Professional property management is fast approaching a “hotelification” phase, where premium amenities and hospitality-grade service are creating a rental experience so good that more people choose the rental experience for longer periods of time. Hotel staff are called upon to enhance the experience of a proposal, an anniversary, a birthday celebration. And the great ones answer and emotionally connect. They are “moment-makers'' who create enduring loyalty, allowing them to drive more economic value. Consider how many of life’s meaningful and memorable moments are created at home. But how many people can name the owner of the apartment they lived in as easily as the hotel that elevated that special moment? So what are property management leaders doing today, and talking about doing tomorrow to create the #1 resident experience? The occupied experience is being defined by the “Resident Benefits Package”. From conference events like IMN, to NARPM, to PM XChange and PM Grow, it is hard to find an agenda that doesn’t include it. It’s a hot topic. Property managers and service providers have figured out how to turn persistent problems into a suite of proactive solutions that residents will pay for. Some of these services have been amenitized, like 24/7 maintenance coordination, vetted vendor networks, home-buying assistance, multiple payment options, and more that have become standard practice in professional firms. But there’s also a list of emergent ancillary services that are making their way from initial adoption to the definitive standard in the professional management experience. Move-in Concierge - Getting utilities and home services set up is a hassle for residents. Instead of 4 phone calls to get water, energy, internet, and TV services set up after researching who services the address, now residents can make one phone call and speak to a concierge who has looked up the discounts and promotions available and can confidently guide them through the process. In the future, this service likely expands to moving itself, deals on furniture with offers to assemble it, coordinated home cleaning, and landscaping. Air Filter Delivery - HVAC has been the #1 maintenance line item in SFR in most markets, second to plumbing in more temperate markets. And it has been a persistent problem of getting residents to change their filters on time. A 2020 HVAC Data Study that looked at over 7,900 SFRs in 4 markets, over an 18 month period, showed a 38% reduction when comparing a scheduled filter delivery program over the status quo of leaving a stack at move-in or hoping the resident remembers to go to the store. Every 2-3 months, residents are getting a box on their doorstep, where convenience makes it easier to do the right thing than to forget or ignore the responsibility entirely. Credit Building - every month that residents are paying rent on time, they get the benefit of that activity contributing to their credit file. A Goldman Sachs study showed a 42 point average increase in credit scores over 4 months. The credit bureaus also allow for up to 24 months at the same address to be back-reported which can provide a meaningful boost. Property managers are able to incentivize on-time rent payment and help residents build their credit over the course of their lease. Rewards - Residents are used to getting points and rewards for their loyalty with hotels, airlines, their credit cards… why not on their largest monthly expense? And while a rewards platform offers residents a unique benefit and savings on both everyday and luxury items, it is an incentive platform for the property manager. Rewards points allocated for on time payments, timely renewals, and ticky-tack maintenance like flipping a circuit breaker or resetting a GFI outlet mean more of the resident behaviors property managers want. Leveraging it for concessions and leasing incentives also means savings over cash offers, or higher perceived value at the same cash expense. Washer/Dryer Rental - Some properties may have these appliances installed or the residents come with their own, but we’ve seen the impact on prospective applicants choosing homes due the convenience of having the washer/dryer available. Smart Home - From thermostats to keyless entry to water leak detectors and more, there is hardware and technology alike growing more popular each year. Not only are they appreciated by residents, but they provide critical operational efficiencies to the management team. In addition to these, there are many more innovations that are going to dramatically improve the experience of renting and raise the bar on what’s expected. The companies that architect the best experiences will be the market leaders and capture the most upside in this future economic environment. We constantly are asking ourselves, what might the professional property management industry look like in 2030? The shift from transactional services to transformational experiences is one of the surest bets on the table. The big winners will be the players who embrace the new discipline of experience design. We believe the future belongs to the professionals, the trusted, the innovative… the people dedicated to changing the way people live forever.

Calendar icon October 25, 2022

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A CEO's Thoughts on the Evolution of the Property Management Industry

Keeping one eye down the road is critical in a changing industry. ‍ Matt Whitaker, CEO of Evernest, was kind enough to join us on The Triple Win podcast and share some interesting insights about the future of the property management industry. Whitaker has been a CEO since 2008 and has no shortage of experience managing a major player in the industry. His company is rapidly approaching 5,000 doors managed and now exists in 13 markets including Birmingham, Detroit, Nashville, and Atlanta. One of the topics of discussion between Whitaker and host Andrew Smallwood was the increasing polarization within the PM industry. Now, polarization as a word typically has a negative connotation to it, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing for the professional property manager in this case. ‍ Boutique vs. Scaled “I see the property management industry breaking into two worlds. I do believe there is still a place for the boutique manager in the future,” said Whitaker, who noted that some people may disagree with this assessment. But the personal relationships, nimbleness, and communication offered by a small-scale handful-of-doors property manager is hard for a large company to replicate. Not everything can be scaled efficiently and the value created by the smaller business’ ability to do those things well will continue to create opportunities for boutique property managers to thrive. “On the opposite end of that spectrum, I think there are going to be platform businesses that provide value to investors in other ways. So the boutique manager is the partner and the platform business, let’s call it, is going to provide an ecosystem of everything from property management, perhaps brokerage, perhaps maintenance, all these other verticals that are driving value for their clients.” Whitaker continued, “What I would be afraid of is getting caught somewhere in the middle, where you’ve got a big enough company that you don’t know all your clients, but you don’t have a big enough company that you can drive scale and give your clients and customers the benefit of that scale." Scale is certainly where Evernest is headed if it’s not already there, and Whitaker’s prediction is based largely on how companies like his and companies on the opposite side of the size spectrum create value for clients in two very different ways. This is the concept of differentiation, which is not achieved by the companies “in the middle.” Those companies are simply not going to be able to offer anything in the market that somebody else isn’t doing better. The spectrum Whitaker discusses can be warped to some degree, and some companies are attempting to do that by scaling aspects of the business, like personal relationships, that have not traditionally been scalable (see Auben Realty’s Pod System). But a general understanding of how a good property management company creates value for its investors and clients would lead you to the conclusion that, barring a major disruption, Whitaker’s polarization prediction is probably going to be right. “Begin with The End in Mind,” as Stephen Covey once said, is a concept that always applies in business, but is especially relevant now in the property management industry. Having a defined vision for your company can help you set meaningful goals and stick to them. Knowing what space in the industry you want to be occupying in five years can protect you from “getting caught somewhere in the middle.”

Calendar icon September 9, 2022

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How to Market A Property Management Company | RBP by Second Nature

Learn how to market your SFR property management company to new investors from marketing professionals in the PM space. How do you market your property management company? Well, first, what does that mean? More specifically, the question is how do you as a property manager use marketing tactics to strengthen your brand and grow your door count as a result. Effective Property management marketing is based on the same concepts as any effective marketing strategy, but with some industry specific insights, you can create an effective strategy that will efficiently grow your door count. Here we dive into the process of constructing a good marketing strategy for your property management company. We’re joined by Rodney Hays of Geekly Media (formerly RentBridge), who has spent a lot of time conducting marketing specifically for property managers, as well as Second Nature marketing professionals Carol Housel and Brandy Hammond. Identify informational needs of real estate investors A big part of digital marketing for property management is content marketing, which is defined as media creation (videos, articles, social media) designed to inform rather than to persuade. A good content marketing strategy gives you access to potential clients in the places they are asking questions. This includes places like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google, where investors and potential investors consume real estate investment content that you can provide. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a website to send signals to search engines and their users to gain organic visibility. Search engines, mainly Google, are the number one place where people begin their search for information. Content hosted on your website that addresses the most common questions investors are asking can position you well on the search engine results page (SERP), leading to increased website traffic. So how do you find out what topics to build content around? SEO programs, such as Semrush and Ahrefs, have an incredible database of keywords and common search terms, along with insights for those terms such as how much competition there is to rank well, how much search volume there is, and how often searches result in a click. You can also use the “people also ask” tab in the actual SERP to see what common questions are being asked. Then it’s just a matter of addressing the questions in a useful way to start increasing traffic to your website. “[Real estate investors] are going to ask questions about lease agreements and tenant screening. They’re going to ask questions about evictions, emotional support animals, those types of questions are always going to come up,” says Rodney Hays of Geekly Media (formerly RentBridge), providing a window into what real estate investors are often interested in learning. Create/Curate useful content for real estate investors A big part of SEO is identifying what your potential new clients are interested in. A good content marketing strategy follows that up with useful content that addresses the questions and leverages the specific keywords associated with them. Useful is the keyword here. Google is smart, and the analysis it conducts on webpages is extensive, so it will know if you’re just writing some slop and jamming keywords into it. Many property managers maintain a constant stream of content through a website blog. Real-Time Leasing’s website has extensive content written by their CEO, Deb Newell, who is also a property management consultant. Others communicate useful content with podcasts, such as AHI Properties and Evernest (link to Andrew’s episode), both of which appeared on the Triple Win Property Management podcast. “Good content seizes opportunities you’ve identified through SEO or other forms of communications and delivers actual value to the readers. A holistic strategy covers both of those parts, and you’ll fail to realize the potential of your marketing efforts if you skip one of them,” says Second Nature Marketing Services Manager Carol Housel. A popular content curation strategy used by Geekly Media is the industry news page, an example of which can be found here. This is curated content. It’s not written by the property management company, but rather compiled from sources and shared all in one place, which still creates a lot of value and a reason for real estate investors to be on your website. Rodney Hays of Geekly has opened a lot of industry news pages for clients and recommends sharing them across social channels whenever they’re updated. “Our customers will put their industry news page out there;, they'll pull in like 15 or 16 new articles every month. And then, out of those 15 or 16, we will take eight of those and put a third- party link in it and send those out on social media as well. And I think that's done pretty well in bringing in some different traffic that you know, it's just another resource for the people that might be visiting your page,” says Hays. Paid channels Paid marketing efforts for property managers are more about visibility and awareness. They’re high-funnel and useful if you have a budget for them. Hays notes that Geekly clients opt for Facebook, LinkedIn, and sometimes Twitter as targeted social channels. Facebook and LinkedIn have far and away the most active property management discussions and, in addition to paid search, are where you can see the most value for your investment. When it comes to old- school paid marketing efforts, Facebook ads are among the best ways to advertise property management services. Ads on Facebook are pretty easy to run and include useful features for property managers such as geotargeting. “Facebook ads are a great gateway into paid ads, since Google ads typically require a much higher budget to get similar performance. Facebook in the past has had a lower cost per click, so you’re getting higher performance from it for less lift and less spend, which is why I recommend it as a really good starting point,” says Brandy Hammond, B2B Marketing Specialist at Second Nature. Hammond goes on to note that paid facebook ads are one of the best marketing ideas for property management companies. Certain ad platforms, including Facebook, also offer geotargeting and audience mirroring, which are useful to property managers who need to target specific audiences in specific regional areas. “One thing I do love about Facebook ads, like with any other kind of paid ads, is that you can geotarget. Especially with property management and real estate, it makes sense that you’re going to target a specific area because, depending on the scale of your PMC, you probably don’t have national properties,” continued Hammond. Establish authority Becoming an industry-leading property management company is about more than just the number of doors you manage. There is a saying in marketing that perception equals reality. If you want potential clients to perceive your company as an industry leader, you have to give them a reason to believe that you are. That’s the point of a marketing strategy that seeks to establish the company as an authority in the space. A point will come where a large portion of your new doors will come from referrals. People don’t usually get into real estate without talking to people, so word gets around. Welch-Randall, a property management firm based out of Ogden, Utah, attributes 92% of its new doors to referrals. This is the mark of a business with established authority reaping the benefits of the work it put in to create that trust. This is the end state of everything discussed above. This is the fruits of your labor. Real estate investors, especially new ones, above all else, are looking for expertise in the real estate field to guide them through the ownership of their assets. By achieving visibility and brand awareness via paid channels and SEO, and following that up with useful content that answers the questions most important to investors, you’re establishing your company as a trustworthy and knowledgeable option for investors. By answering the questions they have, you’re also driving them closer to a decision. And when you’ve provided them the answers, guess which PMC they’re most likely to want to work with.

Calendar icon July 31, 2022

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Why You Should Host Quarterly Zoom Calls with Your Investors

Three veteran property managers who have implemented quarterly video calls with their clients. They speak to exactly how and why they operate these, and the specific value it creates for their companies. In late 2019, Real-Time Leasing CEO Deb Newell launched a new communication initiative aimed at building a better investor experience. The concept was simple but effective: a regularly cadenced zoom meeting with all their investors. “We invite all of our owners and we basically do a ‘state of the union’, a state of our company,” says Newell. “You pull back the curtain, you’re really showing them what’s going on behind the scenes and inviting them to have a little bit more information as to what the day to day may be.” Other PMs have since recognized the value of disclosing the innards of the business to investors, including Bryan Jenkins of AHI Properties and Karen Jordan of HBR Rentals, all of which appeared on a panel at PMLX with Newell to break down how they run these calls. What is the goal?‍ These investor zoom calls have one main goal, which is to keep the investor informed about and engaged in the processes of how their asset is being managed. When it was pioneered by Deb Newell, CEO of Real-Time Leasing and professional property management consultant, the intent was to provide such a thoroughly informative session that investors would leave feeling like they’re being kept in the loop and their questions and concerns were heard. This has proven more than successful for Newell and Real-Time Leasing, as well as other companies that have adopted the practice. It’s an obvious win for the investor, but the resulting relationship development with clients is also a big win for property managers. In the new age of property management, where lifetime value has supplanted immediate cash flow as the PM’s north star, making efforts to keep investors in the loop helps build a relationship that contributes to said lifetime value. Newell notes that a lot of investors think that the only time they hear from their management company is when there is a problem. That can really strain the client relationship, but it’s such an easy thing to fix and doing so will usually come as a surprise to the investor. Many probably aren’t expecting to be this informed. Their experience with old school PM companies would give them no reason to. “We’ve heard nothing but positive things about it. They were amazed that we did it in the first place,” said Newell. Bryan Jenkins of AHI Properties, part of the PURE Property Management family, has seen similar positive reviews after adopting the quarterly zoom call concept. “We've had nothing but positive feedback on the two that we've done this year. I've got clients that have properties in multiple states with multiple managers. And their comment is always no one else is doing this. And they're just blown away that it's proactive versus reactive.” How do you run them? Newell recommends doing these meetings quarterly and generally tries to provide investors a holistic view of the company’s status and the performance of the assets it manages. “The idea was to say ‘hey, we’re just going to tell you exactly what’s going on in the company, how well we’re doing, how well rent has been received, what our percentage of occupancy is, what our percentage of delinquency is, that way they felt more engaged.” Newell typically lays out an agenda that features a run through of all those things. “That usually lasts about 45 minutes, and we do open it up for questions. So we’ll have somebody monitoring chat . . . they can definitely ask questions during the chat, then at the end we open it up, let everybody unmute and ask questions.” Jenkins and AHI take a slightly different approach, electing to focus on the strategy for AHI’s decision-making and making sure their clients have a good understanding of why they’re doing what they’re doing. “We want to have our clients understand the why, why we’re doing certain things, why we’re deploying certain systems. They don’t need to understand the how, it’s the ‘why’ portion of it.” Jenkins hits on an important point, which is that it’s worth identifying what’s important to your clients and focusing exclusively on that. You could probably talk about what you’re doing as a company and why for hours, but whittling down to what’s most important to the clients can result in a more streamlined and efficient meeting that loses fewer people over the course of it. “We're explaining why we're doing things, how we're doing it for their benefit, and we focus on the triple win. We even talked about on our last call that we're looking for a win for the owner, the resident, and the manager and once we focus everything through that lens, it's easy. And we're also focused on the education of our owners and educating them on the way that we want them to think as investors.” Jenkins, Jordan, and Newell break their meetings up into segments, each with time allotted to different speakers within the company. Karen Jordan of HBR Rentals remarks that this helps clients put faces to names and build a more direct relationship with employees beyond just company execs. “I loved that they can put a face to a name because a lot of our owners have only met myself. So they haven't met the team. So to see the face of who's our maintenance coordinator, who's the Resident Experience Manager, to really get to know them, I think it really helps them,” said Jordan. Creating a Triple Win The extra communication with investors Newell, Jordan, and Jenkins are striving to create is another great example of how property managers are realigning their business toward lifetime value via triple wins. The benefit to the investor of being in the know and feeling like their questions are addressed is obvious. On your side as the PM, this is a great opportunity to forge a strong relationship with your clients, but it’s more than that too. Regular communication with clients also gives you an opportunity to teach. Investors may not understand everything you’re doing, why, or how your long-time priorities have shifted as a triple-win driven property manager. Jenkins focusing on “the why” provides powerful insights to investors on this exact question. As a property manager, you’re trying to provide value that investors can’t easily replicate themselves or with the assistance of technology. These quarterly calls are great opportunities to ensure your clients understand exactly what value it is you’re creating for them. When investors and property managers are on the same page about the future of property management, creating a great resident experience is even easier. That's a triple win.

Calendar icon May 19, 2022

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A Sales Person's Review of Giftology by John Ruhlin

When I was first introduced to the book Giftology by John Ruhlin during a Second Nature sales kick-off a few years back, I didn’t really know what to expect. Andrew Smallwood and Scott Stollwerk wanted the team to read the book so that we could gain a better understanding of the impact of being intentional with gifting. I didn’t realize then how much this book would change me. Giftology is all about strategic and intentional gifting - gifting with a purpose. This book aims to change the way we look at giving gifts. Too often gifting is seen as something habitual and unintentional. But Giftology really provokes you to think about how we can turn a gift into not just something we give….but to really make it into a lasting moment. The book talks about strategic business gifting as well and how we can stop giving gifts to clients and prospects that are meaningless, have our logo on them, and have very little thought or intentionality behind them. The goal with strategic business gifting is to turn a prospect into an active loyalist. Meaning, they love your business so much that they’ll be a huge advocate for the business and will naturally talk about it with others without prompting. When I think back to Andrew’s introduction, I see exactly how Giftology fits with the way we do business at Second Nature. We are all about making a positive and lasting impact. We always ask ourselves how can we be better? How can we up our game and standards, and truly stand out from other organizations? Giftology fits in with each one of our core values at Second Nature. Relentlessly Resourceful: How can we be better at gifting? Especially at trade shows. Can we have intentional swag versus the standard items people typically grab and then forget about right away? Drama Free Zone: Giving a gift shouldn’t be about us…it should be about the recipient. How will they feel receiving something so thoughtful? Bias Towards Action: How can we use strategic gifting to not only gain clients but active loyalists? Performance Mindset: Strategic gifting helps close business. Humility In All That We Do: It takes a lot to truly take ourselves out of the gifting picture and learn about the recipient so that the gift serves its intended purpose. Integrity First: We need to think about the gift and thoughtfully consider what our purpose is for sending it. Will the recipient feel valued? Shatter the Status Quo: Nothing goes further with a client than a super thoughtful gift John Ruhlin’s book has really made me think about the ways I select and give impactful gifts, and has helped me to understand the true power of making a gift into a lasting moment. Have you read Giftology yet? Or have you received a gift that’s made an impact on you? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Calendar icon May 19, 2022

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Foldable Filter FAQ

Congrats! You’ve been selected to receive our brand new, foldable air filter. This innovative new filter is super easy to use. Its unique design allows for a more compact shipping size. This means we’re able to greatly reduce the amount of cardboard and materials used, helping us be more ecologically efficient and less wasteful. 1. Why did you change to this new filter? Air filters were past overdue for an upgrade. This is the first time the residential air filter has been redesigned in 30 years! Why settle? Here at Second Nature we’re always looking to improve and innovate to provide the best product for our customers. 2. This filter looks really different. How will it perform? There should be no noticeable change in performance between this filter and the classic framed filter you have been receiving from us. It will continue to filter pollen, dust, mold, bacteria, mites, & pet dander. Rest assured, our re-designed filters have undergone rigorous testing. 3. This looks thinner than my standard 1” filter. Will this make noise when my HVAC system turns on and off? Will it rattle? Our new filter, with its cloth-covered frame, will generally be quieter than a regular filter with a hard cardboard frame. 4. How often do I need to change this new filter? Just like our regular filters, this one should last for 90 days, though environmental factors and personal preferences play a part. If you live in a climate that has you running your HVAC most or all of the time, it’s a good idea to change more often. 5. Are the new filters recyclable? The filter itself is not recyclable, but please recycle the cardboard box. 6. Which way do I put it in the vent? Where’s the arrow? Our redesigned filter can be installed facing either way! New technology allows airflow in either direction. 7. What is this filter made out of? Our new filter is a polyester fabric blend, much like conventional filters. The fabric is supported by strips of spring-tempered steel in thin sleeves of polyvinyl. 8. If I’m not ready to replace my filter yet, but already opened it, can I fold it back up? Sure. It’s a bit like pushing the joke snake back into the tennis ball can, but if you’re careful and use the original box, it should be fine. 9. What are the benefits of this filter over standard ones? The frame is more durable thanks to our unique Flex-Lock frame. A cloth-like frame can produce a tighter seal in your intake vent, helping to prevent air from sneaking around the sides of the filter. Less packaging = less excessive waste 10. How should I dispose of this filter? Simply discard it, the same way you’ve disposed of your previous filters. You can even fold it back up, and place it in an indoor trash can! Please ensure it's folded up securely to prevent the filter from unfolding. The cardboard box can be recycled. 11. My friend/sibling/neighbor wants one of these! How do I get them signed up for this filter? For now, you have exclusive access to this new product. We’ll be rolling it out to other customers gradually. 12. Is this product more environmentally friendly? By folding the filter into a more compact size, we are able to greatly reduce our packaging materials, primarily cardboard. This also means we fit a lot more filters into each truck that leaves our fulfillment center!

Calendar icon December 2, 2021

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An Easy How-to for Painting Your Home's Interior

A DIY paint job can be easy by following these steps. So you’re looking to do some wall painting? That’s easy enough, right? You just need to grab a brush and a can of paint and get started. Except that is not what you’re supposed to do, unless you want your paint job to come out looking like you just put paint in a water gun and shot it at the wall. A painting project, like any home improvement project you want to invest in, will turn out quite a bit better with a bit of planning and the right tools. Not sure what you need? Well, you’re on the right blog. Make sure to pick the right color. First comes the prep work, which is arguably the most essential part of painting a room. Before you even begin thinking about doing the actual painting, make sure you spend the appropriate amount of time picking your color. Have an idea of what color you want when you go to the store and bring back some samples. If possible, get more than one sample of each color, as the more surface area of the wall your sample takes up, the easier it will be to envision that color all around the room. The paint store people might not let you do that, but if they do, you should take full advantage. Once you’ve acquired your samples, tape them to the wall or ceiling you’re intending to paint and check them out in different lighting during different times of the day. This will allow you to see what each color looks like in all different types of light and give you time to mull over your options. ‍ After selecting a color, it’s time to choose the type of finish you’d want. There's no industry standard for paint. What one manufacturer may call flat could actually be matte and vice versa. Be sure to test the actual paint or do some research first. Flat: Flat paint is the anti-gloss and therefore the best option for covering imperfections in your wall. The downside is that the surface can easily get marked up and may need retouching on a more frequent basis. At the same time, flat paint is easy to touch up since you're not having to worry about blending to match the current shine. Nowadays, most flat paint will stand up to mild cleaning—just look for "washable" on the label. Matte: Matte paint results in an almost shine-free appearance—a little bit more gloss than flat paint. This finish is sometimes referred to as suede or velvet finish. Given it does have a little bit of gloss, it can handle slightly more cleaning than flat paint. Flat and matte are best suited for low traffic areas as they are easier to mark and scuff, while not being particularly easy to clean Eggshell: Eggshell paint has a light shine making it easy to clean but doesn’t have the smoothness factor that makes imperfections standout. Those two factors make eggshell finish paints very popular. Satin: Satin paint is the middle ground between matte and gloss. This level of shine really starts to highlight imperfections; this sacrifice makes it easier to clean. The more shine a paint has, the more glossy it is. As you move from the spectrum of no-shine to shiny, paint becomes easier to clean. Keep this in mind when you're painting kitchens or bathrooms where the walls have a high potential to become dirty. Semi-gloss: It's got that bright shine, but still not quite glossy. Semi-gloss is easy to clean and ideal for trim, cabinets, or doors. High-gloss: Gloss is the opposite end of the spectrum from flat. It provides the maximum shine for your wall which can be a really fresh look. But cool comes at a price. This finish will show every imperfection. Due to their durability, high-gloss paints are often used for doors in high-traffic areas and trim. What supplies you'll need to paint. Now that you’ve got your ideal color and finish selected, it’s time to acquire the appropriate tools. Paint: Painting a room without paint is tough. Paint roller: For covering large open spaces like walls, a roller is the most efficient tool. It will give you cleaner and more even strokes than a brush. Paint tray: A paint tray holds the paint for the roller. The roller and tray can typically be purchased together for about ten dollars. Painter’s Tape: Painter’s tape is a critical tool for any in-home paint job. Use it as a divider between the area you want to paint and any area you don’t. Painter’s tape goes on and peels off easily and will give you a nice clean straight edge. You can get this for about five bucks. Brush: If you don’t have painter’s tape, or you’re painting an area that has inward corners or places that a roller will struggle to reach, simply use a brush to touch up the edges. Often, a brush will come in the package with the roller and tray. Ladder (maybe): You might need a step stool or a step ladder if you can’t reach everything you want to paint. These will run you north of fifty dollars, but chances are you already have one. If you don’t, you should get one. It’ll last you your whole life and be useful in lots of home fixes. Drop cloth: A drop cloth will cover the floor and furniture so you can’t spill paint on either. Make sure you get a size big enough to cover everything around the area you’re painting. These are cheap and start at around four dollars. Wallpaper steamer (maybe): If you have wallpaper, you’ll need to remove it before you begin painting. Wallpaper steamers are expensive, often starting above $40, although you can buy used ones for a little less. Remove any wallpaper. Using your newly purchased wallpaper steamer, strip off any wallpaper and then thoroughly clean the walls to rid them of any dirt or grime that has built up. Next, clear everything around the areas you intend to paint and move it as far away as possible. Make the space as open as you can. Cover the floor and anything that couldn’t be moved with the drop cloth to protect it. After you’ve cleared the space and laid the drop cloth, tape the cloth down and then adhere painter’s tape to the edges of the area you will be painting. Now it’s time to get started. ‍ To prime or not to prime? Sometimes it’s necessary to apply a primer beforehand, and sometimes it’s not. Primer is meant for walls and places where an even and uniform coat are critical. Determining whether this step needs to be taken is done by determining whether there are elements of the wall you are painting that will cause the paint to dry unevenly. Are you painting drywall, which needs a coat of primer to avoid irregular drying due to its absorption qualities? A primer will help here. Has the wall been painted before? A previous coat of paint will carry out some of the functions of a primer and is often sufficient on its own. Is the wall damaged, warped, featuring an irregular surface, porous, or does it have nail holes? A primer is recommended in these situations to level out the surface and decrease the impact of any irregularities in the wall. In some situations, you can use a paint and primer mix, which can save you some money and make things move faster. If you decide a standalone primer is necessary, apply just like you would paint, ensure evenness, and then give it two to four hours to dry. Be positive that it is completely dry to the touch before proceeding. ‍ Let’s do that painting. Once you’ve decided to prime or not to prime and you’ve applied the coat if necessary, it’s time to bring your room to life. Dump that paint in that paint tray and get ready for action. First, you’ll use your brush to paint the corners and edges where you’ve applied your tape. Use a horizontal sweeping motion to ensure evenness and make sure every sweep is in the same direction. After you paint corners and edges, use your roller to cover the wall. Roll the roller through the tray of paint and then begin your roller stroke about three-quarters up the wall. Roll from there almost to the bottom, still leaving two or so feet between the edge and the end of your stroke. Once the paint on the roller has thinned to the point where it isn’t pooling on the foam, roll all the way to the top and bottom of the surface. This practice will help to ensure the most uniform coat possible. ‍ How many coats is too many coats? For wall painting, you’re probably going to need multiple coats. If you’re repainting, the number of coats required varies depending on the old color and the new color. A darker color over a lighter color will need probably no more than two, while a lighter color over a darker will need as many as five or six. In a situation that would require a significant number of coats, a primer might be useful in providing a blank and uniform canvas that cuts down on the workload. While you’re painting, it’s essential to keep in mind that paint will dry a slightly different color than when it’s first being applied to the wall. It often goes on a darker color than the samples you had taped to your wall. Don’t panic. It will dry the right color. After you’ve let your final coat dry, you’re ready to put your room back together and enjoy the ambiance of the freshly painted room.

Calendar icon November 2, 2021

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