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We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
DiMaggio Betta Group • Home Buying •
January 18, 2022
Top 5 Steps to A Successful Home Buying Experience
Knowledge is power. Experience is key. Relationships drive success. Follow these 5 steps to lessen the length of time it takes to prevail in the home buying arena.
- Identify the right Realtor. Ask a family member, trusted friend or colleague for a referral, speak to other professionals and do your due diligence. And not everything you see online from ranking websites are accurate. Take Yelp for instance. Not all, but some of those Realtors listed as specialists in an area may have never even sold a home there. It’s a pay for play site. Take the time to speak with the agent you’re considering using. You’ll learn first hand if they’re the best for you or not.
- Now that you’ve established who you’ll be working with, allow your Realtor to make an introduction to lenders they’ve had success with. It’s important that a buyer works with a reputable lender who your agent has worked with or at least confident the lender can get the deal done. How does your lender do this? Speak to the lender, ask questions and ask to speak to an agent they’ve closed deals with in the past. The listing agent will want that reassurance as well.
- Begin your search early in order to gain insight and gather information. Oftentimes buyers will begin their search online and preview homes on their own. That’s a better option for the future but when you’re just getting started it’s helpful for your Realtor to preview a few homes together with you so they can best understand your likes and dislikes. It’s difficult to verbalize when you’re not yet familiar with the homes available in your desired market. Allow your Realtor to educate, guide and set expectations so you’re not disappointed at the onset.
4. Open Houses — After you know what you can afford and you’ve learned more about the various neighborhoods and their amenities from your Realtor attending weekend open houses and mid-week open houses otherwise known as Broker Tour or Broker Caravan. In the past the agent tour days were for agents only but now buyers are welcome to attend. A buyer can attend with their Realtor or alone. Many real estate markets move so quickly and homes sell with multiple offers over the asking price. It’s a good idea to see a home as quickly as you can so as not to miss an opportunity. Each market is different so you’ll want to speak with a local Realtor so as not to miss out.
5. Best foot forward. Again, each area’s standards vary so we will highlight the East Bay —Piedmont, Oakland, Berkeley and surrounding communities. You may have heard about Seller Love Letters. In the past each offer presented by a buyer’s agent to a seller and his/her agent was accompanied by a note about themselves and their family — might that be children or their pet(s). It would detail what they did for work, where they were moving from and even shared their favorite hobbies or if newlyweds —where they met and married. It outlined why they love the home and how they would continue to take good care of it. These love letters are not required and are not a guarantee of winning the home, but we have stories where our clients prevailed due in part to their love letter. Of course, in any offer you’ll want to put your best foot forward and that includes a clean offer. When we write a clean offer that usually equates to a 21-30 day close of escrow, while waiving any and all contingencies —loan, appraisal and the home inspection. Again, in our market the seller will (99% of the time) provide a complete home, termite and sewer lateral inspection report and oftentimes a roof and chimney report and if warranted, foundation and/or drainage reports.
Preparation and knowledge is key in order to win a home in multiple offers, this is why it’s crucial to work with a local Realtor who is experienced, knowledgeable, connected and well-liked. Not only do you, the buyer, need to be poised and ready by doing all of the above aforementioned, but your agent should be connected with the agents in the community and have cultivated strong relationships so they are responsive should you or your agent have any questions. Time is always of the essence.
How Can We Help You?
We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
DiMaggio Betta Group •
January 7, 2022
We Represent People Not Price
Buying or Selling, no matter your price point, the DiMaggio Betta Group represents people not price. Here are a few of our favorites.
DiMaggio Betta Group •
January 7, 2022
Honored, Grateful, Thankful
Honored to have closed $50M in 2021 while serving so many clients with their home sale, purchase, lease and referral, not including others we guided, showed homes and counseled throughout the year. And we could not do what we do for our clients without the help of our loyal service providers, stellar team members and family.
—The DiMaggio Betta Group wishes you nothing but the best in 2022!
Click To Learn More About the DGG
Seller Representation | 2021
DiMaggio Betta Group • Home Selling •
January 4, 2022
Home Selling Checklist
One of the biggest investments in a one’s lifetime is owning a home; this is why it is crucial to properly prepare your home for market when the time comes to sell.
The following is a quick home sellers checklist our team assists each client with when they hire us to sell their home.
- Paint. Painting both interior and exterior to create a fresh, clean slate.
- Update Light Fixtures. I like to say, lighting is jewelry to the home. Light fixtures make a big impact with very little investment.
- Staging. Staging allows the buyer to see the home rather than look at the furniture. It is very difficult for a home buyer, even a Realtor, to imagine what a home could be if it is currently occupied by a seller as a buyer tends to dwell on “their” things rather than home.
- Landscaping. You get one chance to make a good impression and the first thing a buyer will see is the front of the home.
- Window Washing & Detailed Interior Cleaning. I always tell my clients after they purchase a home to remember to have their windows cleaned inside and out, yearly. It makes such a difference.
Beyond the shortlist, and depending on condition here are 5 additional improvements that can be made.
- Kitchen Refresh: Paint kitchen cabinets, replace countertops, and replace knobs & pulls.
- Bathroom Refresh: Paint bathroom cabinets, replace the mirror, update lighting and replace knobs & pulls.
- Flooring: Replace carpet
- Refinish hardwood floors
- Replace sewer lateral
Allow the home to be presented in its best light.
Prior to any work being done, we like to gauge the condition of the home thereby generating the following reports. Depending on the market you are buying or selling a home varies as to whether the Buyer or the Seller will assume responsibility for any of the reports provided by a Seller. In the Bay Area market, for the most part, these reports and inspections and any work to be done on the home being sold will be passed onto the Buyer. In order to compete in a multiple offer situation, a Buyer has to put his/her best foot forward and that will include a very clean offer without any contingencies.
- Pest Inspection
- Home Inspection
- Sewer Lateral
- Roof
- Fireplace/Chimney
- Foundation Inspection (as recommended by the Home Inspector) and any others the home warrants further investigation
and depending on current market conditions a home is located and whether it is a Buyer or Seller’s market — the work to be done as is outlined in each report will either be passed onto the Buyer — as is the case in our area, however, if you are selling in a Buyers market – a credit towards repairs may be likely.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of properly preparing a home for market in order to gain the maximum return on investment.
Today, Buyers begin their search online. If a home fails to sparkle online there is a good chance many Buyers will not contact their agent to preview the home nor attend any of the public open house opportunities. Depending on what a Buyer sees online, a decision will be made in seconds whether to preview or skip it. Buyers are busy at work, travel, and play— we live in busy times. If a home misses out on being seen by potential Buyers an opportunity is missed. In order for a home to sell over the asking price that entails multiple bidders.
In conclusion, don’t short-change yourself or cut corners and leave money on the table; allow your home to shine online and make it readily and easily available for homebuyers to preview. Should you seek further advice and information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Debbi, Adam and Chase
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DiMaggio Betta Group • Home Buying • Investment Property •
December 31, 2021
Investing In Your Future
Top Tips For Buying A Profitable Investment Property
Buying an investment property is a great way to launch a small business venture. Many people start off with one or two small houses or multi-family units, like apartments, townhouses, or condos, and grow their operations as their rentals become more profitable. Getting started requires a general knowledge of how real estate investment works, as well as insights into best practices around property management and small business operations.
Seasoned Realtors with the DiMaggio Betta Group, can help you get started on the right path when it comes to purchasing your first property. In the meantime, check out the following tips.
Getting Started
Before buying your first investment property, it’s important to consider the market in the location you’re considering. Rental properties in tourist and college towns are typically in high demand, whereas rural areas can be a little more difficult. Look at occupancy and average rental rates to get an idea of how easy it is to attract and retain tenants, and compare the average cost of other similar properties. According to Regions, you’ll also want to factor in things like local property taxes, and proximity of properties to amenities and transportation. Understanding crime rates and the quality of local schools is also important, especially if you’re looking at single family housing options.
What Can You Afford?
In addition to qualifying for an investment property loan, you’ll also need to show you have cash reserves and/or an established rental agreement in-hand. According to Money.com, a lender will require you to meet basic credit and income criteria, while also feeling secure that you’ll be able to pay the mortgage, regardless of whether you have tenants in place. You will want to ensure you have the funds to make repairs as necessary, to manage the property, or hire a management company, as well as advertise the property, screen tenants, and cover vacancy periods.
Finding The Ideal Fit
To appeal to a wide range of potential renters, it’s wise to choose a property that’s in good condition, is in a median rental range for the geographic area, and has basic amenities that will appeal to a variety of people. For example, a single story house with three bedrooms, two baths, and a garage is fairly standard. Extras, like a fenced yard, garage, or attic space, ample storage, and appliances can help sweeten the deal for renters. Having amenities like a swimming pool may allow you to charge a little more for rent, but will also add to your overall upkeep and maintenance costs, so keep that in mind when looking at properties.
Considering An Estate Property
You may have the option to purchase an estate property as an investment. An estate sale occurs when a homeowner passes away, or relocates to a nursing home, retirement facility, or assisted or skilled nursing facility. Proceeds from the sale typically go to the heirs of the estate, but if no heirs are named, a probate court may appoint a trustee to oversee a probate sale. While buying a property through this process may take a bit more time than a standard sale, you may be able to get a good deal on the house, especially if the home is sold via auction.
Managing Your Property
Once you purchase an investment property, you can hire a property manager to screen tenants, collect rent, field maintenance calls, and make repairs, or do the work yourself. If you live in another region, it may be easier to hire a representative who is in close proximity to the property. In either case, creating an LLC California, or limited liability company, is a wise move. This can protect you from some forms of liability, give you flexibility, and make it easier to file taxes. You can do the legwork yourself, pay an attorney, or utilize an online formation company to do the work for you. LLC formation regulations vary from state to state, so learn about yours in advance.
Buying an investment property can be a good strategy for creating a passive income stream. Many of your associated costs are tax deductible, and as long as property values remain steady or increase, you’re likely to see your investment go up in value over time. Consulting a real estate professional well-versed in investment property sales can help you make informed decisions.
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We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
Giving Back •
December 4, 2021
Season of Giving
Join us this holiday season as we give back to two of our favorite charities during this special time of year.
Toys for Tots and the Alameda County Food Bank. We thank you in advance for your generous support.
Click image to donate. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season.
Click Here To Receive Neighborhood News In Your Desired Zip Code.
In The News •
November 16, 2021
Is the Bay Area Market Showing Any Signs of Slowing Down?
Q and A as seen in SF Gate and the San Francisco Chronicle’s weekly Sound Off with a Realtor.
Over the past few months Adam and I have been responding to their questions about the status of the real estate market as well as providing our opinions and insight regarding to the various aspects that make up our fast-paced, multi-faceted business.
Q: Is the Bay Area Market Showing Any Signs of Slowing Down?
A: I decided to get a pulse on the market by reaching out to a few agents in our Corcoran Global Living East Bay offices, formerly Highland Partners, to get their take. The quote I chose to include from Gene Della Maggiora is what I too am experiencing:
“It seems that the market is slowing down in terms of inventory but demand is still high. Buyers are getting picky again with the good houses going very high, while others sit or sell closer to the list price. Rates are inching up.”
Buyer fatigue, vaccinations, the ability to travel and work outside the home this quarter has also removed some buyers from our fast-paced market.
With that said, we have recommended that our sellers wait until the new year to go to market as we are nearing the holidays, and historically, buyers get busy winding down for the holidays. If a seller can wait, it’s probably best to capture fresh buyers.
The DiMaggio & Betta Group had an extremely busy year in 2020 and 2021 as did many sellers reaping the rewards of high sales prices due in part to travel restrictions and so many working from home.
As for 2022 I feel confident our East Bay micro market will get back to a flood of buyers, over-asking sales prices and more inventory just as seen in years prior.
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We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
DiMaggio Betta Group •
November 10, 2021
Colleagues Not Competitors
Adam and I have always been of the mindset that our colleagues near and far are actually not competitors at all. Much of our success is due in part to the way we see other agents. As the marketing director at Highland Partners for 12 years I continue to help our agents to excel through one on one and group trainings guiding them with marketing, branding and growing their business. While Adam answers questions pertaining to their transactions in more of a legal capacity but also helps with business planning and goal setting. Sharing of our expertise does not stop within our own firm, Adam receives calls from agents outside of our own company and will take the time to address their questions. This post is not meant to be a recruiting pitch although it may seem so, my statements are the truth.
After publishing our first real estate book, The Art of Real Estate both Adam and I appeared on panels to offer our expertise and answer questions. In 2018 I was honored to be the guest speaker at President-Elect Souzi Melkonian’s inauguration luncheon to the Women’s Council of REALTORS in Los Angeles.
I have been a guest panelist at INMAN conferences a few times and very much look forward to doing it again. At first I was intimidated by the large number of attendees in the audience but once I got started answering questions about my business the nervousness disappeared. Adam and I have enjoyed sharing our passion for what we do on podcasts as well.
A fellow agent once said, “Debbi and Adam create forums and never hesitate to give back by sharing their knowledge and expertise.”
Adam and I have created groups like the Piedmont Business Network, and are part of many organizations with other top Realtors around the globe like GiveBack Homes, Haute Residence and Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate. Networking with agents around the world is not only interesting but fruitful.
One of the highest compliments for a Realtor is when you receive a call from an agent you don’t even know who was referred to you by another agent and they are entrusting you with their client. Many of the agents I’ve meant at various conferences and speaking on various panels have either referred us a client or referred us to one of their own colleagues who in turn referred us a client.
Over the past few months I have written articles for SF Gate and the San Francisco Chronicle, click here to read should you have interest. Teaching and guiding others has always been a big part of what excites me. During COVID lockdown I kept myself busy with a few other activities beyond real estate. For one, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and baked something everyday for 19 days in honor of COVID19. Since I don’t bake or cook this was a big feat for me. Some things turned out, others did not, but it was fun and kept me busy. I also wrote and published Beauty At Any Age, a short book to let others know small steps they can take or do to feel healthy and beautiful inside and out. And to expand on my desire to train, educate and coach I launched Contained Beauty Purpose and Passion Coaching. The name Contained Beauty comes from my first book, Contained Beauty, Photographs, Reflections and Swimming Pools. I writing of this book was something I did when our daughter Bianca left for college and the empty nest hit me hard. Our son Chase was still home however, what I learned and felt was that the empty nest does not happen when the last child leaves the nest but when the first child leaves and you realize at that time the years are closing in and soon they too will have flown the coup. It took me quite some time to snap out of it. The empty nest is a real thing. Should you be experiencing empty nest syndrome reach out and I would be happy to speak with you or coach with you. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not true. It may not be for them but it is real if you are feeling sad and depressed. What I can say is that it will pass and I am happy to share what I did to move past.
As is the case I feel like I am rambling on. Reach out if you would like to coach with me one on one. You do not need to be in our firm or even a Realtor.
Please check out my Contained Beauty Podcast with KC Armstrong on the Business News Network.
More about our luxury network Haute Residence
Haute Residence is a luxe digital platform for real estate and interior design connoisseurs. As a leading real estate, design and architectural platform, Haute Residence connects affluent readers with the most powerful and renowned agents, developers and designers. The elite, expert-curated platform offers the latest in real estate and design news, showcasing the world’s most extraordinary residences and projects on the market.
Should you be moving out of the area or know someone who is be sure to ask us for a referral. If we don’t know the perfect candidate we take it upon ourself to speak to other agents and our networks to find 3 top and highly recommended agents for you. We then interview more than 3! And provide you with the best ones who hit our 4 categories, well connected in your desire area, passionate, kind and knowledgeable. Relocating? Reach out.
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Quarterly Reports •
November 8, 2021
Q3 Marketing Report East Bay
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Connect with The DiMaggio Betta Group, A Partner of Corcoran Icon Properties
We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
