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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.
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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.
Neighborhoods •
November 8, 2021
Piedmont
The City of Piedmont is a charter city of approximately 11,000 residents located in the beautiful Oakland Hills, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The city, which is virtually built out, consists of established, high-quality single family homes on quiet tree-lined streets. Piedmont is centrally located within a few minutes from Oakland and San Francisco on the West and Concord and Walnut Creek on the East. Within Piedmont’s 1.7 square-mile area there are five city parks and numerous landscaped areas which offer wooded paths, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds and picnic facilities.
Begin your home search here
Family, Home, Events and Lifestyle
A personal perspective: Debbi grew up in Piedmont, attended Wildwood Elementary School, Piedmont Junior High now called Piedmont Middle School and Piedmont High. Debbi graduated in 1982 from PHS and from UC Berkeley in 1987. For all the same reasons she enjoyed and benefited from Piedmont are the same reasons she and husband and partner Adam Betta decided to move their family to town.
– The excellent school system tops the list. One must live in town to attend the top-rated Piedmont schools. The high school is similar to a private school with just under 800 students, grades 9-12.
– Piedmont is a tight community where everyone knows one another and watches out for one another. Many of the children have known one another since they were toddlers hanging out in the Piedmont Park. With that noted, the Piedmont kids are also very welcoming to new students and look forward to meeting the new kids on the block.
– Piedmont is a place where kids can grow up in a small town environment, yet are not isolated. Piedmont is ideally situated near the cultural diversity of Oakland and Berkeley and convenient to shops, cafes, boutiques and a variety of restaurants.
– Transportation and alternative routes – Piedmont is just a 20 minute drive of San Francisco and can be accessed via BART, bus, car or the informal car pool. The East Bay has easy access to both the San Francisco Airport and the Oakland Airport. The San Mateo Bridge, the Bay Bridge and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge provide alternative routes to your destination, unlike, for instance, in Marin County where public transportation and alternative routes are limited and the 101 freeway very congested. ( A beautiful place, however. )
– Easily accessible to world renown and Debbi’s personal favorites for day trips or weekend overnights: Lake Tahoe, Napa, Sonoma, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur and with the Oakland airport so close, Park City, Utah, Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, even Cabo San Luca plus many other cites are just a hop, skip and a jump away on Southwest or Alaska Air.
– Another personal favorite Debbi points out is the giving back and community service aspect. Piedmont families and students are very active in giving back to the schools, community and others less fortunate in the neighboring communities, hospitals and organizations. Students have a variety of opportunities to participate in philanthropy. One of the most popular high school volunteer program is the Mexico Trip. The Piedmont Community Church offers this program once a year and fills up immediately. The students spend one week building homes for families just outside of Tijuana giving up their Spring Break to help others. It’s an incredible and moving experience for these affluent kids to experience. Or young woman can join NCL, the National Charity League, a mother-daughter organization who support and volunteer their time to various organizations. Piedmont has an incredible number of boys involved in Boy Scouts, many who have become Eagle Scouts. These are just a few of the many opportunities offered to our Piedmont kids and young adults.
In Piedmont, kids and families are involved, no matter what it is, they are active, giving and compassionate citizens.
Click the Highlighted Links Below:
Piedmont, West Coast Mayberry with Great Schools
Fun For Kids
High School | Of Interest
- Study Smarter | SAT Prep
Piedmont District Calendar
- Piedmont K-12 District Calendar
- Piedmont High School Website
- Piedmont – Millennium High School
- Piedmont High School Sports
- Piedmont Middle School
- Havens Elementary – Ask Debbi and Adam what they think, their children attended Havens.
- Wildwood Elementary School – Debbi attended Wildwood. Ask Debbi to learn more.
- Beach Elementary – The smallest of the three elementary schools, Havens being the largest.
Piedmont Portal | Connecting Community and Schools | Truly, what Piedmont is all about.
Family Fun
Piedmont Neighbors and Newcomers Club | great for kids and adults of all ages!
- Piedmont’s Annual 4th of July Parade | Begin with Espresso, Cocoa and Bagels at our Piedmont office before the parade. You’ll have front row seats as the HP is Parade Central.
Step Inside Our Town | Follow Us on Facebook
For the Home | Considering a Remodel
- Start with the Public Works Department at City Hall | The most effective way to get your remodel done quickly and with relative ease is to hire a local contractor and architect who knows what will pass in Piedmont and what will not. However, neighbors are one factor that cannot be guaranteed. Get to know your neighbors and discuss your plans ahead of time to assist with a more seamless process.
- Important Forms
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Neighborhoods •
November 8, 2021
Hiller Highlands
Hiller Highlands is a small community situated on a ridge in the Oakland Hills bordering Berkeley and overlooks the entire San Francisco Bay including Mt Tam in Marin, the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Downtown San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville. The ever changing sunsets each evening is something to look forward to at the end of a long day. Hiller Highlands is conveniently located to highways 580,24 and 13 and is within close proximity to Orinda and Lafayette just beyond the Caldecott Tunnel, the charming Elmwood District in Berkeley, and the shops, restaurants and cafes on College Avenue, Piedmont Avenue and the Montclair Village. A beautiful place to live. We should know, we live here too.
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DiMaggio Betta Group •
November 7, 2021
What Our Clients Have To Say
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DiMaggio Betta Group • In The News •
November 7, 2021
Proud to Announce! Chase DiMaggio Betta To The DiMaggio Betta Group and Corcoran Icon Properties
Chase Betta Joins the Family Business
09.18.21
Chase Betta is the next generation of a family of real estate professionals dating back to the early 70’s when his grandfather Vince DiMaggio syndicated his first building in the Grand Lake neighborhood of Oakland. Chase has worked for Vince for as long as he can remember, and grew up learning valuable business acumen from his parents Adam and Debbi at HIGHLAND PARTNERS. A Piedmont native and longtime Bay Area resident, Chase has a special understanding of the markets in and around the flagship brokerage of HIGHLAND PARTNERS now Corcoran Group. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies and Communications, which he aims to use to further support his clients as they navigate the nuances of their own journey. Chase’s additional experience working for a commercial brokerage in Los Angeles adds to his already strong base of real estate fundamentals.
Chase is back in the Bay after travelling throughout Asia before the pandemic. While in the Philippines, he worked at a freediving facility where he met and made new friends daily. In his pastime, Chase likes to travel and stay active. As his passion for lacrosse shows, Chase is a strong team player — he has always skillfully combined interpersonal communication, physical activity, and a drive towards a common goal. He is excited to bring this tenacity to Corcoran Global Living and looks forward to meeting you!
Chase DiMaggio Betta, The Next Generation
Contact Chase 510.418.3667
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We look forward to helping you with all of your real estate needs.
