5 reasons a seller should stage

- We get one chance to make a good first impression, and selling a home is no different
- Photographs look better and will draw in more Buyers and provide more marketing opportunities
- The home will sell faster
- Buyers can visualize themselves in the home easier
- Staging is an expense, thus a tax write-off for the Seller
Allow us to help you prepare your home for market. Step Inside
Top 100! Always An Honor to Be Recognized

Top 100 People in Real Estate
Just as fans nationwide reached out to Joe DiMaggio generations ago, celebrities across Hollywood and beyond enlist Debbi DiMaggio’s help in finding the perfect home. Among them, Stephan James, Julianne Moore, Sally Field, Hugh Grant, Linda Fiorentino, and Tom Arnold. Her famous third cousin played baseball simply for the love of the game, epitomizing grace, excellence, and high standards—a legacy of passion and character that runs deep in Debbi’s veins as she and her husband and partner, Adam Betta, serve as the inspiring “Realtors for the Generations.” Together, they are the award-winning duo that is the DiMaggio & Betta Group, a luxury residential real estate boutique under Corcoran Global Living where, in their eyes, everyone is a VIP, from first- time home buyers to athletes, firefighters, teachers, and CEOs. Indeed, Debbi is not your typical real estate agent. She is an author, a philanthropist, a nurturer, and a thought leader, sought by industry and media outlets everywhere, with her work featured in Luxury Real Estate, East Bay News, Oakland Magazine,
Unique Homes Magazine, and on KGO 810 Consumer Talk Radio Show, KDOW 1220 AM Real Estate Radio Live, KRON4 TV, and as a guest speaker at an inauguration luncheon to the Women’s Council of REALTORS in Los Angeles.
Debbi and Adam have practiced real estate for over 30 years and are both leaders and partners in their Piedmont, CA based firm. Corcoran Global Living is the result of a recent merger between their former luxury residential brokerage, Highland Partners, which they co-founded in 2008 with their close partners during the mortgage meltdown. The significance of joining forces with Corcoran Global Living in 2021, for their agents as well as their own business, is that they can provide clients with the power, tools, and resources, along with a network of agents across 40+ offices. And even more exciting for the two is having their son, Chase Betta, join the family business and their team, The DiMaggio & Betta Group.
Debbi and Adam work with anyone, from first-time homebuyers to people who have owned homes for decades to those wishing to purchase a second home. One of their philosophies, and one that has earned them their excellent reputation, is to treat each and every person involved in the transaction like a close friend, from contractors and service providers to every client they serve. Debbi and Adam work to demystify the real estate process to educate people and take the stress out of the transaction, providing a host of resources, from home prep and staging for sellers to advice for investors and those looking to upgrade or downsize—all with Debbi and Adam’s capable guidance coordinating it all. Their genuine care creates real and lasting connections with clients and their families. “There are a lot of moving parts in every transaction, and when everything comes together, it’s incredible,” Debbi says. “Making our clients happy never gets old.”
Despite her and Adam’s inarguable success, they view themselves as counselors, not salespeople. “We educate, facilitate, and guide. If we think a client is interested in a home that may not be ideal, we’re honest with them. But in the end, the decision is always theirs,” Debbi explains. Furthermore, Debbi and Adam do not believe in competition, but rather cooperation and helping everyone succeed in real estate. “We love to help, guide, and counsel other agents. It feeds our souls.” And she means it, sharing her knowledge via her blogs and media appearances, as a guest expert on event and conference panels, and in her and Adam’s books, The Art of Real Estate and Real Estate Rules!
5 things to explore in San Francisco

Top 5 Things to See, Do and Experience in San Francisco.
Enjoy!
1. Ride the Cable Car to Nob Hill and Stop for Drinks at the Tonga Room at the beautiful and historic Fairmont Hotel.
2. Visit San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art –any day of the week, but if you’re in town check out – Art Bash on Friday, April 8th, 2022 from 6-1AM. Join SFMOMA for an unforgettable night at the museum celebrating contemporary art and artists. — Dinner + Art Auction: This year’s party kicks off with cocktails and a dinner experience designed by artist Sarah Cain, highlighted by an art auction with works by Jeff Koons, Julie Mehretu, Larry Sultan, William Kentridge, and Lynn Hershman Leeson. Click the link to Purchase Tickets.
3. Escape to Alcatraz – It’s hard to imagine I haven’t ever visited the island and I have lived here all my life. But if you ask me about New York and LA, I probably know more about those cities and attractions then my own.
4. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge, or….enjoy it overhead by SeaPlane! Book Here
5. Love to Eat? Take San Francisco Food Tour
So many more things to see, do and experience, these are just a few.
Share your favorites with us!
For other recommendations feel free to reach out. Debbi.DiMaggio@CorcoranGL.com | 510.414.6777
Interested in Buying, Selling or Investing we are here to assist. Begin your home search right away by clicking here and entering your desired area. We are happy to set you up with a customized search.
Selling? Begin here.
College Ave, Rockridge to the Elmwood District

A quick peek into Debbi’s Favorites and frequented businesses on College Ave. By all means these charming district’s offer many more worthwhile visits than those mentioned here.
So take a week to sip, dine, shop & shine.
Health & Wellness
Rockridge Day Spa. Begin or end your day with a relaxing facial. See menu for other offerings. Ask for Isis.

Enjoy a Spa Day
Reboot Float and Cryo Spa. Unwind in the float tank or dance in the cryo chamber. Learn more about the health benefits.
Pressed. Cleanse… to your health or just enjoy their fresh, clean juices. Pressed is located next to Safeway and across the street from Reboot.
Shop, For Yourself or A Friend
Maison d’Etre. Maison d’Etre, my favorite gift shop in Oakland. When I wanted to brighten up my day during COVID and SIP I would stop by to browse and pick up a new liquid soap, they have so many beautiful bottles to choose from.
Nathan & Co. Also a sweet gift boutique on College, although I also shop at their Piedmont Avenue store. For the past two Christmas’ I bought my daughter vibrant cookbooks from Nathan & Co.
Dine, Sip & Socialize
Grab lunch or dinner at Belotti Ristorante e Bottega.
Meet a friend for Happy Hour at Acote. They have a charming back patio.
Grab & Go
Rockridge Market Hall. Pasta, Cheese, Fruit, Vegetables, Wine, Fish, Bakery, Flowers & Gifts
Casa Barotti Spizzicheria. It’s actually a hybrid between pizza and focaccia. They make their dough with a blend of soft winter wheat from both California and Italy.
Sweets & Morning Treats
Boichik Bagels
A true New York bagel company in Oakland/Berkeley. My daughter who lives in New York is always asked to bring back NY bagels, but she has always said, Boichik Bagels are better. To her delight there was a write up in our local newspaper stating exactly as she always professed. –Expect a line, although it does tend to move fast. Someone will come out and take your order which is helpful.
Are the best bagels in CA not NY?
Battle Of The Bagel: California Bakery Creates Bagel Room In Competition To New York
La Farine – Boulangerie. Cakes, Cookies, Tarts, Pastries and More … simply fresh and delicious.
Downsizing and Your Best Next Chapter

In 2015, which seemed as if it were just the other day, we hosted a seminar at the Piedmont Center for the Arts for homeowners who have resided in their home for 20 years or longer, it was called, Demystifying the Downsizing Process. Flash forward to today, 2022. We listed and are selling the home of one of our attendees. She even kept the memo pad I handed out with the book we wrote, The Art of Real Estate. The memo pad was one of the many things uncovered as she purged and packed for her relocation and new chapter.
Here are 5 questions to see if you are ready or almost ready to make the move and downsize your home.
- Have you resided in your home for over 20, 30 or 40 years?
- Are you living in your home alone, and/or is your home too large for your current needs?
- Are you overwhelmed with the thought of making a move?
- Are you interested in accessing the cash in your home?
- Do you have questions about the process?
If you answered yes to any or all of the above then allow us to guide, counsel and discuss the possibilities and layout your options.
Simply book a complimentary consultation to get started.
Our goal is to educate, guide, be a resource, connect and refer you to those who can help make this next chapter seamless. Allow us to do what we do best which is to facilitate the process with ease, experience and our extensive knowledge.
Home Selling Checklist

One of the biggest investments in a persons 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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