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When Asked About Real Estate Myths
Truth or Myth: I chose one common real estate myth, and here was my response.
MYTH: Home Buyers DO NOT need a Realtor
TRUTH: They do.
This is a myth for both home buyers and home sellers alike.
Let’s just review why a Buyer DOES in fact, NEED a Realtor when purchasing a home. Or, should certainly consider hiring a qualified Realtor.
Here are Top 5 Reasons To Partner with A Realtor for Success:
1. The Seller pays the commission so it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity to work with an expert.
2. Would you choose not to hire an attorney if you were being sued?
3. A Realtor will guide you every step of the way; they will counsel, offer advice, break down the process and dissuade you from potentially making a big wrong decision or many small mistakes.
4. An agent will connect you with a variety of professionals from service providers to reputable lenders and efficient escrow officers, to inspectors, insurance reps and more.
5. Your agent will provide insight and expertise and know what sorts of questions to ask the listing agent, service providers, lender, insurance agent, etc.
Avoid buying a home with latent issues, getting yourself into trouble and/or making a huge financial mistake. Working with a knowledgeable agent has big upside and not working with one may potentially cause you heartache, headaches and great financial loss.
To learn more contact the DiMaggio Betta Group.
New Year, New Name, Same Iconic Brand
The new affiliate debuts in six of the region’s most desirable markets, including the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Corcoran today announced the launch of its newest affiliate, Corcoran Icon Properties. Based in Northern California, the new company comprises 24 offices and over 900 sales associates and staff who were formerly with well-known brands, including Zephyr Real Estate, Terra Firma Global Partners, MikkiMoves Real Estate, Barry Ward Realty, Caldecott Properties, Discovery Bay Properties, Thrive Real Estate, and Highland Partners.
With a footprint that stretches across six markets, including the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Humboldt County, and Calaveras County in California’s Gold Country, sales associates will continue to represent clients in some of the most discerning communities in the region.
Corcoran Icon Properties will be led by CEO Randall Kostick and President Steve Belluomini. Kostick has been in the real estate business for over 35 years, while Belluomini was the former President of Thrive Real Estate.
Rounding out this talented leadership team is Chief Operating Officer, Matt Borland, and Chief Marketing Officer, Melody Foster. Not only will this continuity of leadership benefit the broader team; creating a new entity within the Corcoran affiliate network allows agents to have access to the same tools and services that they’ve relied on, ensuring they don’t miss a beat when servicing their clients.
“I’m thrilled to see Corcoran Icon Properties ushering in a new era for Corcoran in Northern California,” said Pamela Liebman, President and CEO of The Corcoran Group. “With the power of our brand behind them, I’m confident that this team will achieve even greater success in 2023 and beyond.”
“Forming a new Corcoran franchise with our united NorCal group allowed us to oversee our operations at a local level and position the team for a successful future,” added Belluomini. “This is an exciting moment for us, and I’d like to thank a very hard-working group of agents and staff for staying the course and joining us on this new road together.”
Fall Is In The Air
Fall News + A Few Favorites
With fall on the horizon, the holidays are not far behind which means more gatherings and a need for more helping hands. Last month we shared our favorite pet and house sitter to offer assistance to those traveling. This month we share a few recommendations to help out with those upcoming holiday parties and events. We are always happy to share our recommendations and resources. Just let us know what you are seeking.
Clients, friends and colleagues, we look forward to connecting soon.
All our best,
Debbi, Adam & Chase
Realtors for the Generations
DBG | Piedmont Listing Update
SOLD! 349 Moraga Avenue – Unique, Piedmont Opportunity. 2++1B with hardwood floors, a large bonus room, situated on an expansive lot. Note: This room has been virtually staged. www.349Moraga.com
OPEN SUNDAY! 141 Wildwood Gardens, Piedmont. Elegant, high-tech, level-in, beautifully appointed contemporary located in one of Piedmont’s most desirable neighborhoods. Offered at $3,495,000 www.141WildwoodGardens.com
SOLD! 35 Craig Avenue, Piedmont. Located one block to the center of town and Piedmont’s Top Rated Schools K-12, the Piedmont Park and Mulberry’s Market. Stop by and see us this weekend! Offered at $2,995,000 www.35Craig.com
For Lease Hiller Highlands, 4 Clipper Hill, Oakland
and Coming Soon, 2 Unique and Spectacular Homes, both situated on double lots
Berkeley: 688 Alvarado Road boasts panoramic San Francisco Bay Views while 5708 Glenbrook in Oakland located in the prestigious Claremont Pines neighborhood is an elegant and grand Mediterranean. More Soon!
On to a few of our favorite resources and recommendations – let them know we sent you!
Market Hall Caterers
We recently used Market Hall Catering Service on College Avenue for a small gathering we hosted to welcome our new neighbor to Hiller Highlands. Our guest of honor as well as our guests were very pleased. As the hosts, we were very happy; Market Hall Caterers offer a variety of choices and made the entire process seamless. You can either pick up or have your trays delivered, and the food was fresh and delicious. (510) 250-6001
Summer Kitchen + bake shop
Summer Kitchen on College Avenue has gone to great lengths to source the best ingredients by partnering with local organic farms, growers and producers to serve their clientele a menu focused on sustainability and health. Order or Stop In For Lunch. I went for lunch 3 days in a row one week. It’s that good! (510) 981-0538
The Delicious Dish
Each and every client is unique. The Delicious Dish tailors meals to meet your needs, lifestyle and healthy priorities. After the client completes a brief survey, we will create a month’s worth of sample menus for your review. TheDeliciousDish.Net Contact Amy Fanning
The American Cancer Society – Strides Against Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society started Making Strides Against Breast Cancer to unite communities, companies, and individuals with a collective goal to end breast cancer as we know it. The 2022 Making Strides of the Bay Area will take place Sunday, October 16 at the iconic Crissy Field. Please join us! Donate or Join the Fun
A Few Kind Words
”ABOVE & BEYOND WITH DEBBI, ADAM AND THEIR WONDERFUL TEAM!”
If you’re looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and professional expert to help with the sale or purchase of your home, look no further than Debbi DiMaggio Betta and her team at Corcoran. Debbi had our place sold before it even hit the market! She has an extensive network of assistants to help in all areas of pre-sale preparation, her advice is sound, and she always answers questions and calls promptly, knowledgeably and professionally. Debbi works tirelessly to find resolution to any problem that may arise during the process, and she works diligently to ensure that your transaction ends in a win-win situation for all….from getting bids for any repairs, to disclosure of pertinent information, thru signing of all legal contract and escrow documents ….she ensures a positive and pleasant experience for a transaction that can at times be somewhat frustrating! There is no question in my mind that Debbi DiMaggio Betta and her team should be your real estate agent of choice! – Piedmont Seller. Check out a few more testimonials and reviews on our website. Thank you for stopping by.
Let us know if you need a recommendation, or have one to share, simply reach out.
Happy Fall! the DiMaggio + Betta Group
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.
The Top 5 Scents for Property Viewings
The way a home smells has such a significant influence on a buyer’s first impression of it. That’s why your knowledgeable real estate agent will have a strong reason for wanting your house to smell as wonderful as it can before showings and open houses. Therefore, when presenting your property to potential buyers, it is just as vital to ensure that it does not have an offensive odor as it is to create an atmosphere with a scent that is “subtle but attractive.” After all, you not only want to prevent the humiliation of turning off potential buyers with strong unpleasant scents, but you also want to help them fall in love with your house. To help you do just that, further in this article, you’ll find a list of the best 5 scents for property viewings.
Make sure your home is spotlessly clean!
During the home staging process, real estate agents frequently suggest to their sellers that they utilize scented candles or similar items. However, keep in mind that it is always preferable to get rid of the source of unpleasant odors rather than using candles or scent sticks to cover them up. Instead of trying to hide the house’s flaws, the scent should accentuate its beauty.
The harsh reality is that adding smells without thoroughly cleaning your home first can
result in an overpowering combination.
Therefore, before any showings, make sure to give the property a thorough cleaning and let it get some fresh air. Make sure to pay special attention to areas that you are aware are contributing to any odor in any way. Carpets, upholstered furniture, pet beds, and comforters are all examples of items that might absorb odors and should be washed or cleaned regularly.
We would also recommend leaving your indoor plants in your home during viewings. Plants help eliminate odors and can only compliment the overall atmosphere in your home. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should stage your home as a jungle. But a couple of plants here and there can really make a difference. After your home is sold, moving plants to a new home can even be done by hiring professionals to transfer them with ease.
Scents that will make potential buyers not want to leave your property viewings
Now that your home is spotless, it’s time to make it smell good. Chances are that, while reading through different buying and selling tips, you’ve come across advice to make your home smell like freshly brewed coffee or freshly baked cookies. However, those aromas can actually work against you despite its association with property viewings.
Strong odors cause purchasers to think about what the aroma is instead of concentrating on the task at hand, in this case, inspecting your home. When using scents for property viewings, the latest thought is to go for a more delicate approach. Clean and fresh is the way to go, but you’ll still need to smell undertones that are easier to digest for the olfactory senses. Here are our top five to choose from.
Scented candles will be your best friends when staging your property for sale.
#1 Lavender for a relaxing atmosphere
Selling a property may be difficult and even anxiety-inducing for both sellers and buyers. But you can easily use scents to create a more relaxing environment. Lavender is the only one of the best to use as it has been scientifically proven to help with relaxation. Lavender is our top choice because it can help you create a friendly environment for potential buyers. However, it’s also a great general solution for making your home smell wonderful. The aroma exudes serenity, peace, and calmness, all of which are in short supply during open houses and viewings.
#2 Pine to make your home feel fresh
Pine is a scent that very often comes as a surprise to many sellers. This is mostly because the scent of these coniferous trees has been misappropriated in low-quality cleaning products throughout the years. However, if you can find a good pine aroma to fill your property with, you’ll definitely be onto something. According to research, walking through a pine-filled wood can enhance feelings of well-being. If you manage to replicate that atmosphere, you’ll make the viewing day that much better.
#3 Vanilla for the feeling of coziness and comfort
Vanilla has earned a terrible rap in the last few decades. This is mostly because this word was associated with boring, plain, and basic. In reality, vanilla has one of the coziest scents you can find. Vanilla’s pleasant aroma is known to help ease stress and anxiety, creating a relaxing atmosphere that might make your home feel like paradise for anyone looking at numerous properties that day. However, when it comes to vanilla, always keep in mind that less is more. If you use too much, this scent can easily become overpowering and potentially ruin the impression buyers have of your home.
#4 Jasmine for serenity
While you want potential buyers to be enthusiastic about your home, you also want them to remain calm during the viewing. You want them to get a perfect opportunity to absorb all of the details and truly fall in love with your property. This is where jasmine can help a lot. Jasmine is considered one of the most relaxing scents, but it’s still under-appreciated when it comes to property viewings. Give it a try, and we’re absolutely sure your buyers will love it!
#5 Citrus for an energetic feel
If you put yourself in buyers’ shoes, you’ll quickly understand how exhausting house hunting can be. In fact, chances are your home isn’t the first one potential buyers are looking for that day. But if you greet your visitors with citrus fragrances, you’ll give them a surge of energy and optimism. Citruses are also modern, clean, and fresh, making them great scents to use for property viewings.
One of the best scents for property viewings is citrus because it will make your home
feel fresh and energized.
Which one of the scents for property viewings will you use?
We hope our list of top five scents for property viewings inspired you to choose the perfect one for you. But remember—the key to a successful home sale lies in reaching out to experienced real estate professionals who can help you market the home in the best way and thus quickly attract the right buyers. Good luck with your home sale!
And that’s a wrap on summer
Fall 2022 | Featured Homes + Our Favorite Resources, Newsletter and Blog
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With Summer In the Rear View Mirror
It’s Time to Welcome Fall
All our best, Debbi, Adam and Chase
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Schedule a Convenient Time to Preview Any of Our Listings or Others
What We Love About Wildwood Gardens 141 Wildwood Gardens, Piedmont – Elegant, Hi Tech, Level In, Beautifully Appointed Contemporary with Glorious, Lush Landscaping Located in One Of Piedmont’s Most Desirable Neighborhoods. Offered at $3,495,000
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Hiller Highlands | They Go FAST! Keep in touch if you are ever interested buying or leasing up here on the hill. We love living in Hiller. The views are magical and change color almost every night.
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Next Up… our favorite resources and recommendations
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Where We Love To Eat! Bistro Don Giovanni: Pasta, Pesto, Prosciutto, Wood-Fired Pizza, Burrata, Fried Calamari, Tiramisu. Are you inspired, yet?
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Bistro Don Giovanni is our favorite go to restaurant anytime of year but this summer it’s been a place of many celebrations from college graduations and saying farewell to our grads plus a few birthday celebrations sprinkled in. But you don’t need an excuse to enjoy – Click and Book Mangia!
4110 Howard Ln, Napa, CA
Meet Stanly
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Stanly Ranch opened April 2022 and is our recent favorite local destination retreat.
Helping others is what feeds our soul. It’s our goal each and every time we partner with a client is to make their transition as smooth as possible. I mean we are all human, so things happen, but we definitely strive to do the very best we can. We thank this wonderful couple for their kind recommendation. It’s hard to believe I have known them since I was probably 5 years old!
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“SERVICE FROM DEBBI & ADAM WAS FANTASTIC”
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We have known Debbi since she was a little girl and have watched her progress thru the real estate business over the last 30 years. When we called her we expected to get good service but we were honestly wowed by both of them. Debbi, Adam and Chase are professional, knowledgeable but more important than anything, they both had a sense of urgency. And I mean rapid and accurate response. I have a consulting business and try to provide rapid urgent response to my clients. And I got that and more from Debbi and Adam. I would recommend them in a second, no conditions. They are good. And we got what we wanted. Best, Len and Mary Bertain ★ Read Other Testimonials
Realtor Network Connect
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Being Sure Our Clients Get the BEST Service No Matter Where They Go
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★ Let’s Connect ★
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!
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.
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 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.
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
