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The number one rule is to allow your home to shine online and here’s how to do that. 

In order to capture the highest and best offer and maximize return, on most likely your biggest asset, a homeowner should consider doing the following: 

1. Paint. Painting both interior and exterior to create a fresh, clean slate.  
2. Update Light Fixtures. I like to say, lighting is jewelry to the home.  Light fixtures make a big impact with very little investment. 
3. 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. 
4. Landscaping. You get one chance to make a good impression and the first thing a buyer will see is the front of the home. 

1. 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. 

The post Debbi DiMaggio Gives The Top 5 Home Improvements A Homeowner Should Invest In Prior To Market appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

1) Teddy Bear Tea is always a festive favorite for children, parents, and grandparents. It’s an opportunity to get dressed up, bring your favorite teddy bear, and enjoy family time in the City at the Ritz Carlton.  I always looked forward to this when our children were young. Book Early!

2) Take a day trip to Half Moon Boy to pick out your Christmas Tree. Santa’s Tree Farm is open year-round. Then lunch at the former Ritz Carlton or Half Moon Bay Brewing Co overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

3) Macy’s 32nd Annual Union Square Christmas Tree Lighting. Take center stage beneath the tree or book a hotel room across the street at the St Francis Hotel —sip, socialize and watch as the sparkling lights illuminate Union Square. Nothing says Christmas like a big light tree. And as of November 3rd book your tickets for a spin around the Union Square Ice Rink. 

4) Festive Fun at the exquisite and historic Fairmont Hotel. Gingerbread house ribbon cutting Saturday, November 27th at 11 AM. Consider booking Santa’s Suite. You’re never too young to book Santa’s Suite and dine on chocolate and candy canes. What a perfect place for Mr. and Mrs. Claus to wrap gifts!

5) The Nutcracker is also a holiday favorite. From San Francisco and Oakland to San Jose and the Silicon Valley — get your tickets to this beautiful holiday extravaganza. 

6) Cookie and ginger house decorating. This is a tradition that can be done in your own home with your family or a group of friends. This cheerful and creative tradition never gets old - and it’s perfect for everyone — young and old. 

Other Highlights

Cavallo Point Festive Traditions

Ferry Building Marketplace Holiday Events

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Highland Partners Luxury Real Estate agent and partner, Debbi DiMaggio, shares her curated list of local destinations under 3.5 hours from the East Bay.

Longtime Realtor, Debbi DiMaggio has been practicing real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years with her partner and husband Adam Betta who will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary in July. This duo has spent years working in and, supporting their small-town community of Piedmont from the schools to local government, where their office is located, Debbi grew up, and the two raised their children. Aside from an excellent school system, and its convenient location to shops, restaurants, cafes, San Francisco, and three international airports, what the DiMaggio & Betta’s enjoy most has always been the close proximity to such world-renowned resort destinations such as Carmel and Monterey, the Sonoma and Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Stinson Beach, and Yosemite, all beautiful places just a stone's throw away frequented over the years as a family and continue to do so as Empty Nesters.

What is your favorite nearby destination within an hour’s drive?

We live in the East Bay so the Napa Valley is just under an hour away. When we lived in San Francisco we spent more time in Sonoma.

What does a typical afternoon look like in Napa Valley?

Whether it’s just the two of us, or my kids and their grandparents, or house guests who’ve never visited The Valley, it’s always the same, or some variation depending on the time at our disposal. The first stop is always the beautiful Silverado Vineyards. The views from this Italianate winery provide a birds-eye view of the Valley floor. And the wine of course, superb. From there it’s up to Auberge du Soleil for a light lunch and more wine, another perfect spot with magnificent vineyard vistas as well as the sparkling Auberge swimming pool featured in my book, Contained Beauty, photographs, reflections, and swimming pools. If the group still has energy, our next stop is the Napa Valley Olive Oil Co where we purchase our olive oil and porcini mushrooms for Adam’s Spicy Bolognese Sauce— it’s just betta! Then we circle back through St Helena to Hall Wines which is marked with a 35 foot tall polished stainless steel sculpture called Bunny Foo Foo, and finally to dinner at Bistro Don Giovanni. It’s a long day, but highly worth it.

Which of these destinations do you enjoy most as a family?

We’ve been going to the Carneros Resort and Spa since its inception. That first summer it opened we found ourselves sitting around the pool with investors of the resort. It was very small at the time yet situated high on the hill over an expansive property overlooking the rolling hills. We’ve watched and enjoyed the expansion over the years. We’ve stayed overnight and on weekends as a couple, and with the kids, and one year celebrated my parents anniversary and Thanksgiving renting one of their single-family homes.

Which is the best destination for a day trip?

As empty nesters, Adam and I go skiing in Lake Tahoe, either to Northstar or Heavenly as we are Epic Pass members. When the kids were younger a day trip would be spent in Carmel, shopping, eating, and playing on the beach or a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Which is your ideal overnight trip?

That’s a tough one, but I’d say Napa. Carmel is a close second. Both are lovely during any season. I actually love fall and winter in both locations.

What is your favorite activity as a family?

Skiing, most definitely, skiing. I’m not much of a beach person or much for sitting still.

What is your favorite solo activity?

The SPA. Warm towels, heated floors, a relaxing massage, a cleansing facial, a soothing body wrap, a detoxifying steam, and a cool shower. There’s truly nothing better. The Carneros Resort is my perfect destination spa day, but of course, there are many throughout the Valley. A close second is Meadowood.

Where will your next trip take you?

As a family, we are headed to one of our favorite places, The Four Seasons Troon North in Scottsdale, Arizona where we built a home when the kids were younger. And I always have a few trips in the queue to LA where I am expanding our real estate business. Over the past three years, I’ve cultivated many new friendships and business relationships and really enjoy the casual, yet stylish lifestyle.

Any exciting listings or business news to report?

It may seem crazy to say after all these years, but I truly never tire of selling real estate. Each day is a new day to guide a client, meet a new client, design a home for market, create marketing pieces and help clients achieve their goals. I do look forward to helping our upcoming clients with their next chapters, assisting them with the process, readying their homes for market, and selling their homes filled with memories all the while being emotionally supportive, present, and available to each during the transition.

Connect with Debbi and the DiMaggio & Betta Group

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