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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.
Prop 19
Are you aware of the benefits under California Proposition 19?
Eligible homeowners have the ability to:
– Move anywhere in the state
– Purchase a more expensive home
– Transfer the property’s taxable value up to
three times in a lifetime
Have questions? Let us know how we can help.
We look forward to speaking with you soon!
Debbi, Adam & Chase
DiMaggio Betta Group | 510.414.6777 | 510.414.1250
Real Estate Rules + The Art of Real Estate
Colleagues, not competitors. Real (estate) Conversations 2.0
My grandmother used to say — you get the bee with the honey not the vinegar.
That lesson transcends into so many aspects in life — from a child on the playground, a youth on the sports field, to an adult in the workplace.
Buying and selling real estate is a stressful and emotional time for both buyers and sellers, so it’s important for your agent to be a calming force.
Agents are facilitators and educators. It’s not up to the agent to get emotional or defensive. Realtors provide facts and information, and our opinion when asked. It’s the seller(s) and buyer(s) who have the final say. The deal is NOT Agent vs Agent. The agents are not in a ring duking it out. Buyers and Sellers will come and go as they move in and move away. The deal will end but the agents will continue doing business together well into the years; —10, 20, 30 even 40 years later.
We are colleagues not competitors.
Adam and I have coached and counseled numerous agents and helped them find their own success over the years. And we’ve always emphasized this Number 1 Rule in our books, on radio interviews and in panel discussions.
Selling real estate is fun. We are fortunate to meet new and interesting people. We work with – for the most part – a passionate group of Realtors who enjoy “playing well with others.” We even get the opportunity to make a new friend during a transaction. Oftentimes you’ve seen an agent around town but until you were in a transaction together you didn’t really know them. One of our very best friends started out as a Realtor colleague over 15 years ago and has since become part of our family.
There are many wins in real estate. So enjoy the ride. Realtors usually stay in the business for decades; remember that your behavior and attitude will make a difference; and kindness and gratitude will get you everywhere. Aggressive behavior and pointing fingers at your colleague and your colleague’s client is simply bad behavior. And really, how could that make anyone feel good?
As grandma Stella used to say — “you win the bee with the honey, not the vinegar.”
And as I always say, “Realtors are colleagues not competitors.”
We are on the same team simply trying to help each client we serve by utilizing effective communication, grace and kindness —with all parties involved.
This is a lesson that will take you far in life, both personally and professionally.
Debbi DiMaggio • The DiMaggio Difference
#coach #consult #mentor #realestatestories #realtors #kindness #gratitude #teamplayer #colleagues #notcompetitors #facilitate #educate #communicate #inspire #theartofrealestate #realestaterules #community
Real Estate Conversations, New Year 2023
Home, Design, Lifestyle + Favorite Resources
Charity Highlight, January 2023!
With the holidays in the rear view mirror and we turn the corner into the Martin Luther King holiday we have gathered a few of our favorite resources to help you ease into 2023.
Last month we shared our favorite pet + house sitter to offer assistance to those traveling, and a few favorite caterers to help with all those parties. If you weren’t in need then but are looking for that information now and would like us to send you those resources or others simply reach out.
This month we share a few new favorite recommendations and a valentine charity event we’d like to invite you to.
We are always happy to share recommendations and provide referrals. Just let us know what you are seeking.
Clients, friends and colleagues, we look forward to connecting soon.
Happy 2023!
Debbi, Adam and Chase
By Appointment Only |
Opportunity Knocks, Duplex | 1729 Pleasant Valley, Oakland, Offered at $1,450,000
Real (Estate) Conversations |
Snippets, Stories, Education, Inspiration, Home, Design, Lifestyle
35 Craig Avenue, Piedmont, CA | SOLD!
Thank you to Peter Wagener ( First Republic Bank ) who helped the Buyers with their loan, last minute. Since Buyers do shop rates and switch mid deal, Buyers and their Agents MUST alert the Listing Agent ASAP as this is a change in the purchase contract originally agreed upon.
Thank you Peter for closing so quickly!
We appreciate you prompt, accurate, service oriented acumen; just the way agents and clients like it.
Real (Estate) Conversations |
SOLD! Rockridge
Realtors are often asked how the market is doing.
In December, the market seemed to have softened. We saw signs of this trend on the heels of Memorial Weekend. While some homes sat, others experienced multiple offers.
Does competition breed more offers?
If you ask a Realtor, most will say yes.
When a home is renovated and in beautiful condition, Buyers will compete; whether in a heated Sellers market or today’s market where not all homes are flying off the shelves. If a home is updated and move-in ready, Buyers will, in fact, still compete. Just like our Buyer who beat out multiple offers for 329 63rd Street.
In the 4th Quarter of 2022, this immaculate home, impeccably renovated with an ADU realized a significant jump in the offer price.
Congratulations to Adam who helped our client prevail.
We leave Buyers and Sellers with this message:
No matter current market conditions, a home pretty, prepared and priced right will sell.
COMING SOON |
Piedmont, Berkeley and Claremont Pines/Upper Rockridge
Claremont Pines | Oakland just off of Broadway Terrace | Exquisite Mediterranean on Expansive Corner Lot. Piedmont | Level In, Elegant and Surrounded by Lush Landscaping. Near Top-Rated Schools, Witter Field and Parks
688 Alvarado Road, Berkeley
Sweeping San Francisco Bay View Mid-Century
Location, style and impeccable design, this elegant Mid-Century boasts sweeping San Francisco Bay views sits on 2.5 lots with air rights and has been tastefully updated while keeping the original architectural design intact. Close to the Claremont Resort and Spa, the Elmwood District shops, cafes, shops and restaurants and just across the street from the Eucalyptus path.
This 3 en-suite bedroom with home office or guest room has private access from the service funicular. A 500+ bottle capacity, climate-controlled wine cellar completes this level.
The upper level showcases beautiful public rooms ideal for indoor-outdoor entertaining and boasts two exterior terraces. Refinished hardwood floors from the living, dining room, the gourmet kitchen, breakfast room and the upper-level primary en suite. Dramatic living room features an Origami folded ceiling motif, copper accents with up-lighting. The dining room offers the same sparkling views of the Bay with sliding doors leading to the front terrace and a picture window which perfectly frames this magnificent scene. Adjacent to the kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless appliances, quartz & butcher block counters plus ample storage is a cozy sitting area with majestic views. Beautifully landscaped gardens with mature trees, two car garage with storage loft provides ample storage.
Offered at $2,950,000
688 Alvarado.com – Website Coming Soon
Monthly Highlights |
Each Month we will Highlight A Few of Our Favorite Places, Resources and Recommendations; we have so many! Please feel free to email us your favorites so we can feature them here, or on our social media pages. debbi.DiMaggio@corcoranICON.com
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- Restaurants
- Travel Destinations
- Spas
- Day Trips
- Grocery and Specialty Stores
- Recipes, Businesses, Hiking Trail and More
The Dailey Method Barre + Cycle Fitness |
It’s time to get back on the saddle. What is your workout d’jour? Boxing, walking and riding the Peloton is what we are doing this cycle. Changing up your exercise routine is not only good for us mentally but for our bodies. Have you tried the Dailey Method? It is the fastest way to a strong, lean, sculpted body. The Dailey Method combines the best of Pilates, yoga, and barre fitness training. Classes are an ever-evolving mix of movements that offer benefits for every body. Subscribe to their home office newsletter and get 15% off a digital training program* of your choice, plus early access to motivating thigh-shaking and core strengthening programs.
Connect with The Dailey Method | https://thedaileymethod.com/
Tech Consultant | Meet Alfredo
“We are not just an IT Managed Services Provider.”
We are People Focused technology experts that love creating personalized solutions catered to fit your business needs. Leveraging technology to your advantage doesn’t need to be a mystery or big secret. With our Managed Services offering, let our team break down your network and systems infrastructure to identify the areas of strengths and pain points. We’ll find the solution that allows your business to focus on what you do, instead of the tech behind how you do it.
Connect with Alfredo Lopez | alfredo@altitudets.com
Travel Consultant | Sasha Charney
Real Estate always leads to meeting new people and making new friends.
A few years back I met Sasha at our open house and gave her and her husband a few recommendations for their home. In the fall we finally sat down for coffee at my favorite place, Terrace Cafe. It was so wonderful to learn more about her life and business. Sasha is so low key I had no idea how knowledgeable and connected she is in the travel industry.
We highly recommend you contact Sasha for your next trip or expedition, whether to Europe, Africa or a trip around the world.
My mother, daughter and I had the opportunity to visit London and Paris in November —
Three Generations. Me, B and my 83 year old Mom.
We thank Sasha for her assistance, expertise and connections.
Enlivened Travel
An Affiliate of Departure Lounge
Joyful Chef | Healing Cooking
After 12 years on the commercial side, Sarah has returned to her initial vision, healing through food by becoming a holistic chef. Over the past 3 years, Chef Sarah has fed many busy families, nurtured those with restrictive diets due to varying health conditions and goals, as well as nourishing brand-new mothers and their families. As the seasons’ turn, a level of excitement fuels the perfect meal plan for her clients, grocery shopping makes her feel like a girl in the candy shop and as she cooks up your delicious meals, she knows that she has made your life just a little bit easier. That is personal.
A Few Words | From Our Amazing Clients, Jackie and Derek
“OUTSTANDING SERVICE FROM THE DIMAGGIO and BETTA GROUP!”
We wanted to take a moment and compliment the outstanding service of the DiMaggio and Betta Group! My husband and I have worked with Debbi and Adam before and once again they were outstanding! There are a few things that really stand out when you work with them: ease of the entire process, timely responses, social media presence and anticipating your every need. As we navigated the sale of our Mother’s home, it was not easy by any means. First, we had to clear out the home, and Debbi, Adam and Chase assisted us with finding the help we needed to clear the home. Next, we began staging and preparing the home. Every step of the way they had a contact or vendor to make it easy.
Lastly, the sale, it was executed flawlessly from the open houses to fielding offers. DiMaggio & Betta Group ensured we got the absolute top offer and did not miss any detail during the entire process. Most of all, we appreciate the constant communication, prevalent posts to social media and how they anticipated our every need as the customer. They showed care, empathy and made us feel important as we went through the sale of a treasured family home!
Bravo to Debbi, Adam & Chase… if you wants a first class Agent and a flawless real estate experience they are your team!
Thanks, Jackie & Derek
(Adam, Chase and I are honored to have represented Derek and Jackie over the years with 3 separate transactions helping them to achieve their real estate goals.)
Unwrap Your Generosity | Eat, Sip, Mingle, Dance | for Good
Hill Branch, Valentine’s Dance, A Benefit for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland @ University Club Level, Memorial Stadium at UC Berkeley from 6-10PM, Saturday, February 11, 2023
Purchase Your Tickets and Bring A Friend Hill Branch
Resources + Referrals | Realtor Network Connect
If you are seeking a home outside of the East Bay allow us to connect you with one of our Realtor partners so we can be sure that you, your colleagues or loved ones is provided with exceptional service, attention to detail and the utmost care, just as we provide to our own clients.
Thank you to our partner Realtors for assisting our clients in your area and we thank you for your referrals. We look forward to continued partnerships to best serve the needs of all our clients.
Thank you to our affiliate business partners
- BNI
- Haute Residence
- Luxury Real Estate
- Giveback Homes
Whatever you are in need of just reach out. Allow the DiMaggio Betta Group to be your number one resource for real estate, referrals and resources. We’ve got you covered.
Wishing you and yours a fantastic 2023!
Debbi, Adam and Chase
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.”
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!
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.
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.
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
