Dani Blain Real Estate Team

Central Valley Summer Harvest… Pick While the Picking is Good

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If you live here in the central valley or you are planning to relocate here, you probably already know that our agricultural land is abounding. We have a Mediterranean climate – warm-hot summers and cool, dry winters which makes our mountains remarkable and our ag lands more productive than almost any on earth. Late spring and summer harvests bring some of our favorite seasonal fruits and veggies. Let’s get into what our local farmers will be harvesting soon and see where we can get in on the action to make some memorable experiences and come home with the literal fruits of your labor!

Right now, we are at the tail end of cherry season and our central valley growers are producing cherries that are distributed around the world. Did you know that California is the second largest cherry producing state, only behind Washington? Cherries are not only delicious, but they are also chock-full of good-for-you vitamins and minerals, making them a brilliant addition to a healthy diet.

Be sure not to let cherry season pass you by – get them while they are still here!
Cherries
Check out:
Genesis Organic Farms, right here in Hanford. You can give them a call and set up an appointment for some fun you-pick cherry opportunities. A bit further north, you can check out:
Blooms in Lodi – their season wraps this week… book a spot to get out there before it’s too late.

If you miss cherries, then be sure to plan ahead to get in on the apricot and nectarine season!
Apricots and Nectarines
You can head on out to:
~ Little Brothers Farm (897 West Lincoln Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706. Phone: (559) 260-0224. Email: littlebroapricots@yahoo.com)  for some farm fresh apricots. Nectarines more your thing?
~ Rancho Notso Grande (5051 12th. Avenue, Hanford, CA 93230. Phone: 559-269-1152. Fax: 559-589-0420. Email: ranchonotsogrande@gmail.com) has nectarines as well as all types of berries, flowers and walnuts. 

Speaking of berry picking… Who doesn’t love some amazing summer time berries? You can get them all over during the summer, but they always taste better when they are hand picked by you!
Berries
Check out:
~ Mountain Brook Ranch (17971 Auberry Road, Clovis, CA 93612. Phone: 559-299-8141. Email: bhook45@hotmail.com) for berries, veggies and apricots.
~ Naylor Organics (38918 Road 64, Dinuba, CA 93618. Phone: (559) 824-0811. Alternate Phone: (559) 824-3780. Email: naylor.organics@gmail.com) has a little bit of everything, from berries to peaches and nectarines and even plums, this certified organic farm will not disappoint!

You can see  a full list of other U-Pick farms and ranches here at Pick Your Own.

Living in the central valley and laying in the middle of California – halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, we have a little something for everyone, be it big city or rural community. Come visit the valley and you will not be disappointed. Live here and enjoy the fruits and vegetables harvested right from your own backyard! To learn a little more about the counties we specialize in, please contact us.We are here for any of your real estate needs… we look forward to connecting with you.

Summertime is for Backyard Living

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The days are getting longer, sunny days and warm evenings are upon us, and summer is just around the corner. Let’s get your backyard dialed in to create an environment no one will want to leave. Expanding your living space to your backyard is something that we Californians have the luxury of doing for the better part of the year, so make sure that you create a space that you can’t wait to spend your time in… a backyard sanctuary, if you will. 

Comfy Cozy

Having backyard furniture is paramount in creating your backyard living space… the more comfortable and cozy your space is, the more time you will spend out there. While this will be an investment, it is one we recommend making since it really will be like an extension of your living room. This past year that all of us have spent more time at home than ever, we have learned that being intentional with your space is the best way to ensure no square inch is wasted – including your backyard! 

While you can of course try to snag up some deals on Wayfair, or Amazon – shopping for furniture without sitting in it first is quite a commitment – not to mention the hassle of returning it if you don’t end up liking it. We recommend stopping by our favorite local furniture store, Janeen’s Furniture in Visalia. They are family owned and operated and have high quality options as well as great sales. The staff at Janeen’s will make sure you find what you are looking for. 

Bites and Nibbles 

Once you have a place to sit and enjoy your space, next up is having some summer time snacks! One of the best things about living here in the Valley is being at the epicenter of the farm to fork movement. There are TONS of local growers and farmers that make having a farm to fork spread, pretty easy to accomplish. We recommend a trip to the Visalia Farmer’s Market, they are open every Saturday from 8-11:30a and they have something for everyone. Be sure to check out their Instagram page and their highlights (especially if you have an EBT card, they have a really great program so you can stretch your money!)

No one likes cooking over the stove on a hot summer day, right? Sometimes we don’t even feel like eating a hot meal. A cold salad, or little nibbles are quintessentially summer and always seem to hit the spot. One of our favorite things (all year long) is a nice charcuterie board to graze from. Making a visually appealing charcuterie board is quite the artform. If you haven’t quite mastered it yet, you can order one from At the Graze and Alycia will create a masterpiece for you that’s almost too pretty to eat… but just almost! We can tell you that it will be enjoyed and go quickly! Follow her on Instagram to see how mouthwateringly gorgeous her boards and boxes are. 

Make it FUN

Adding a mix of cute little decor touches and adding in some nice potted plants is a great way to make your backyard fun. Some bistro lights or twinkle fairy lights are a great, easy way to add ambiance. There are tons of great solar powered options too so you don’t even have to turn them on – the sun will set and they switch on for you… Brilliant! We love the mason jars filled with fairy lights that can hang in your trees that look amazing during the day and night.

Adding bird feeders, plant stakes, candles, and wind chimes will personalize your space. Eighty4Metal Works is a local maker who creates all kinds of amazing art with horseshoes, including horseshoe wind chimes. If you want to be sure to not only add to the good vibes in the backyard, but also keep the bugs away, Candles by Deseree has you covered. She is an independent distributor of the Tulare based candle company, Scent-Sational Candles. They have all kinds of candles, including citronella. 

We have a few other Instagram accounts we think you should check out too for some local vendor goodness that will really level up your backyard game. For the cutest potted succulents, you must check out SugarSuccs in Visalia, they have something for every style. We love Letter and Grain and all of the modern decor options they have for both in your home and out. If you’ve never been to Luis’ Nursery in Visalia – drop everything and head there now! Or at the very least, follow them on Instagram for some solid inspo. Don’t skimp on adding some activities to your space… DBH makes amazing custom cornhole sets that will provide hours of fun and great memories for years to come. 

If the Budget Allows

Looking to invest with your stimulus money? Or even pull some equity out of your home to take your backyard to a whole new stratosphere of “ahhhh-some”? Then we have a couple of professionals you can look into. If you head over to Mezquite Garden’s Instagram to see the amazing landscape designs they have created here in the Central Valley, you will be swooning in no time. They are located in Strathmore and have a second location in Visalia and are a one stop shop for creating a dreamy backyard. From irrigation to design and lighting, they are the full package and will put together a free design quote for you. 

We all know too well that the Valley is HOT… the best way to make your backyard a true oasis is to add a swimming pool. Brad Wilson over at Island Pools Inc. out of Fresno will put you at ease through the whole process. From pool design to custom patios and decking, they do it all and can truly transform your backyard into a vacation dream space. 

The Whole Shabang?

Maybe… just maybe you are looking for a home that is already equipped with the perfect backyard? Well, if that’s the case, then of course you know we have got you covered! We know you have heard this for the better part of the last year, but it is still very true — we have a LOW inventory of houses on the market. If you are ready to sell and take the gains from that sale and upgrade to another home, we have agents standing by to help you with buying and selling. 

If you are anxious about selling and then being in a position that you are in huge competition for your next home, let us settle those worries. Head over to one of our previous blog posts where we explain why sellers that become buyers are in a great position, especially with our agents who have been wading in this market’s waters ever since the real estate market tides began to change. We have got you covered. Please reach out if you would like to explore some options – we are here to connect with people, one property at a time. 

A Day in the Life of a Dani Blain Real Estate Agent

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What’s it like to work as a Real Estate Agent at Dani Blain Real Estate? To find out, we sat down with Jenifer Oliphant, one of our independent agents that has been with the Brokerage since we opened our doors and has been a Real Estate Agent for over six years. She has great insight into a Realtors typical day and why she loves what she does.

Jen is a member of our Agent Leadership Council (ALC) and is one of our top performing agents. She gives back to the Brokerage not only by participating in the ALC, but also by teaching regular classes in our headquarters office. She is a bright spot in our DBRE family, we are blessed to have her on our team representing us with her hard work in the community.

In her typical day, she specifically designs each one, as do all of our agents. She carves out a schedule to make sure she has time to tackle all of the different facets of her business and it often includes:

A well planned day

Real Estate Agents are entrepreneurs who can create a business that fits the lifestyle they want. The flexibility is what drew her into the career. She needed a job where she could craft her own hours ensuring she could take her kids to school, pick them up and be at their sporting events or extra curricular activities. 

Time management and mapping out each day is key to making sure she can fit it all in. She likes to kick her day off “with coffee and Jesus” so she gets up early to make time to ease into the morning. Then it is off to the gym before she heads home to get ready for the day and begin tackling the rest of her tasks.

Communications & Networking

Two of the most important things in this industry are good communication and solid networking. Making sure that everyone you know is well aware of the fact that you are a Real Estate Agent. How do you do that? You spend time within your own sphere of influence and work the connections you have. Whether it be through emails, social media, over the phone, or in person – communication and networking is key. 

With her long history in the industry, she is at a point in her career that she now has repeat clients and has clients sending her their friends and family because of the great experience they’ve had with her. She nurtures those contacts and relationships by being of service to them in any way that she can.

Appointments, Meetings, and Showings

Since agents represent both buyers and sellers and could be in the middle of multiple transactions at the same time, there are a lot of meetings and appointments to squeeze into the day. Jen likes to set her meetings with her clients at times that work well for them, making sure to not waste any time. 

With our service area encompassing all of Central California and the Central Coast, our agents are known to put some serious miles on their cars. They could be showing properties on the coast, in Fresno, and back to Visalia all in the same day. Coordinating all of these appointments is important and giving ample time for clients to look at properties and ask questions, before moving on to the next appointment is key. 

Studying Market Trends

Every good Real Estate Agent knows that in this market, you need to stay up to date with what kinds of closings are happening, what listings are going to be coming on the market, in addition to what’s going on in the lending world. There are many moving parts in Real Estate and agents are responsible for knowing everything about all of them. Part of everyday is spent catching up on the market around us, in this moment. 

We asked Jen what her favorite aspect of being a Realtor is and why she chose to be an agent here at DBRE. She told us that she loves how rewarding this profession is. She works hard and she loves to see that hard work pay off by seeing people find their dream homes. She loves doing it here at Dani Blain Real Estate because she appreciates the high and ethical standards we hold, as well as access to the mentorship and resources necessary to build a successful business. 

Jen is just one of our many hard-working agents here at DBRE. We really pride ourselves on having some of the most dedicated and ethical agents in the entire Central Valley and Central Coast. They love to serve their clients and their communities. They show up, they educate, they make you feel at ease throughout the entire process. As we have mentioned previously, the market we are in today can be a tricky one. Our agents are staying the course and helping dreams come true. It may not be overnight, but they aren’t going to give up. 

If you have questions about pursuing a Real Estate career with us, or would like to work with Jen or one of our other agents, please be sure to reach out to us so we can connect you to the right team member. 

The Agent Leadership Council at Dani Blain Real Estate

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Here at DBRE, we pride ourselves on intentionally spending time cultivating a team of dedicated Real Estate Professionals who align with our vision of serving our community and our clients with integrity, always putting people above the numbers. It is important that we have a brokerage with a culture that makes it possible to meet this goal and we have been blessed with the best. 

Today, we are going to chat a bit about one of the behind the scenes things to stay steadfast in our commitment to our Agents, team members, partners, clients, and the community at large – and that is our Agent Leadership Council. In our experience, we have seen the benefit of having a team that acts as the glue among all teams and agents for our brokerage. 

Our Agent Leadership Council, or the ALC – are the servant-leaders that meet regularly to lead and speak into the initiatives and direction of our brokerage. They give their expertise, their time and their hearts for our teams, our community and the DBRE family. As business partners, they can help assure that brokerage is being run in a way that aligns with their own personal business goals and those of all our agents. They help us structure a solid path forward as the market is ever evolving. 

Having this core group of internal experts has been instrumental in building our brand from the ground up and we are so proud of the work and dedication of the ALC team. Please take a moment to get to know who is on our ALC to get a feel for these amazing professionals.

(Profiles below are listed in order as they are pictured above from left to right)

Lori Anderson

I am the Broker Assistant here at Dani Blain Real Estate and am pursuing my Broker’s License to continue to help our Brokerage grow! Sometimes I wear many hats supporting our agents, working with our internal staff team, and working with our Broker, Dani – but I love it all. This is the best place to work and I get to be on the best team ever!

Lori Parks

Originally from Southern California, my family and I moved to Visalia in 2001 to be near family. I entered real estate as a Transaction Coordinator, assisting Realtors and mentoring with some of the best in the business. I have found my passion in Real Estate. I have the privilege to help people pursue their dreams of becoming a homeowner.

Justin Hite

I’ve grown up in the Central Valley since the age of 5. Married to my wife for 14 years, we have 4 kids and see ourselves living in Central Valley CA for the long haul.  Real Estate, business and entrepreneurship is a passion that stems from a wanting to see people achieve big dreams and be the best versions of themselves. 

Dani Blain

While I have a true passion for all things Real Estate, my first passion is Jesus. He is my Lord and Savior and in all that I do personally and professionally, I seek to glorify Him. I am blessed to have three wonderful children and four beautiful grandbabies right in the Central Valley to do life with. 

Blake Shawn

I am a relationship-driven community leader who loves God, his Family, Team, and Clients. I love mentoring newer and experienced agents to be their best selves for their families and clients. My favorite thing in the world is being a husband to Mia and a dad to our daughter Mykah Joy and son Asher James. 

Jenifer Oliphant

I am the proud mother of two, daughter Riley, son Kyle, and my doggie Posey. I love real estate, helping people, meeting people, and serving my community. It’s also very important to me to give back to my community in any way that I can.

Steven Duck

I am a dedicated Real Estate Agent who is committed to helping my clients achieve their dream through Real Estate, whether that be buying, selling or investing. When I’m not immersed in Real Estate, you can find me spending time with family, watching sports, or obsessing over my lawn.

April Martin

am the founder and Manager of the ISA (Inside Sales Associates) team and pride myself on working hard to find leads for our agents and Brokerage. We have built a bullet-proof team of ISA’s and we love fueling our agents with business. I believe people can sense deep care, even over the phone. There is a chance if you are shopping on Zillow, Realtor.com or our site YourCentralValleyHome.com , you will wind up in our care. In my free time, I am a Pastor and have a wonderful husband who cares for me and my three ‘bonus-sons’.

Being a newer brokerage, having our Agent Leadership Council help us with building the foundation of everything we do has been instrumental in our success. We are so grateful for them and their willingness to invest in our team members and agents to help everyone be successful in their business endeavors. If you are a Real Estate Agent looking for a place to hang your hat, Dani Blain Real Estate is always looking to expand our team with like-minded individuals that will fit in with the culture we have created. If you are interested in exploring the idea of joining the team, please reach out to us today. 

The Market Now is NOT the Same as the Market in 2008

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Anyone who works in Real Estate these days can’t escape the line of questioning surrounding whether or not we are in a housing bubble or if there is going to be a market crash. People are seeing the prices of homes on the rise, and it begins to feel familiar. For anyone who was old enough to have experienced the Housing Market Crash of 2008, it does make you scratch your head and wonder if we are on a path that is going to lead to another big market crash. 

Let’s dig in to why 2021 is NOT 2008 and we will not see history repeat itself. In today’s Real Estate Market, housing prices are up – which is the biggest similarity to 2008 – but thankfully, most similarities stop there. 

Housing Prices are high right now due to simple supply and demand

The situation in the market right now is a classic example of supply and demand – one that a high school economics teacher would be thrilled to give – it’s that perfect. Interest rates are at an all time low – which is making potential buyers feel like they need to jump at locking in this low rate before it passes them by (demand) – coupled with the fact that home inventory is at an all time low (supply), then causing the price of houses to rise.

Why were housing prices skyrocketing before the 2008 Housing Market Crash? Mostly because there was a buying frenzy causing home prices to reach unsustainably high levels, due to predatory lending practices. Down payments were almost non-existent and people were approved for loans they should have never received. People were getting into homes with adjustable rate mortgages forcing them to default on their mortgages when rates increased to levels that were doubling and even tripling their monthly payments. 

Then enter the Market Crash… it gets a little more complicated at this point, but to simplify – people defaulting on paying their mortgages, lead to foreclosures, which therefore decimated the financial securities that were backing the subprime mortgages. There is a lot more to that side of things, but the bottom line is this: in 2021, those poor lending practices are no longer allowed. The mortgage industry has been completely overhauled and regulated to ensure we do not see a repeat of 2008.

Rates are low right now to help fuel the economy through the coronavirus pandemic and according to Freddie Mac, these rates are projected to stay low throughout 2021 which will help with keeping the market lively and moving forward. 

The other main difference in 2021 vs 2008 is the fact that many homeowners have more equity in their homes than the homeowners of 2008. This helps protect homeowners that may have fallen on hard times – they can refinance or pull cash out of their homes with their equity. Additionally, they could opt to sell their home rather than having to Short Sell or be forced into a foreclosure situation. 

Will we see the market stabilize in the near future? 

That depends on what happens with inventory of homes for sale. Currently, in the Central Valley and along the Central Coast, we have a one month supply of homes on the market. A common thought is having 4-6 months of supply is a balanced market, so it may be a while that we are in what is referred to as a Seller’s Market. 

The hope is with the vaccine rollout and more things slowly returning to normalcy, current homeowners will have more confidence in listing their homes, therefore increasing inventory. In addition to those homes coming on the market, there is a fair amount of new builds that are also going to help add to the inventory, which will make things less competitive with buyers, which will slowly keep the housing prices in more balance. 

While we unfortunately do not have a crystal ball, we can look to industry expert predictions and history to feel confident in saying that 2021 will not see a market crash. We know that everything in this market can feel a bit overwhelming, but we want to make sure that our potential buyers and sellers know that we are here to serve you and meet all of your real estate needs. If you are still feeling unsure and want to speak to one of us about the market, your options, or where to begin the buying or selling process, please reach out to us. We are happy to help and discuss things with you further. 

Selling in a Seller’s Market Sounds Great… Until I Become the Buyer in a Seller’s Market

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You’ve heard it over and over… you get it! You know it’s a Seller’s Market. You are well aware that inventory is low and the market NEEDS listings. Right? You own your home, you know it is the right time to sell – but you are worried. Because it seems that all you ever hear is how quickly houses are selling and it sounds like the competition for new listings is fierce. Guess what? We (the Real Estate industry) are not doing a good job selling the idea of selling your home right now. 

Does this sound like you? 

“If I sell my house, and it’s a Seller’s Market – great. Buuuut, in the next breath I am actually a Buyer in said Seller’s Market – soooo then what? Will I be able to find another home? Will I even be able to afford the home I want (if I can find it?) What if I don’t find something before escrow closes? Where will we go? Forget it… we will stay put.”

Those are all very fair, great questions. Let us help ease some of those concerns and start instilling a bit of confidence into our would-be sellers. Here is what you need to keep in mind:

You are likely moving from one price range to another

More often than not, when people own a home and are looking to sell, it’s into a bigger home or a home in a different area that wasn’t an option to you when you first bought your home. Typically, it is the next price range up from what was a starter home. 

Right now, here in the Valley, starter homes are selling like hotcakes! Truly – they are oftentimes only on the market for a matter of days. Why is that? Because mortgage rates are so low that many first time buyers see home ownership as a reality. These are the people coming in and snatching up newly listed homes. 

If you are looking to sell your starter home and move into your forever home, you aren’t competing for the same homes as many of today’s buyers. Additionally, if you are looking to move from what you thought was your forever home and into a luxury home – this is the perfect time! Luxury listings are not as competitive and low mortgage rates may make this a more viable option for you. 

It really is a Seller’s Market, so you can negotiate not only the financial side of the contact, but also the timeline

While the process of being a buyer and a seller does add more moving parts and may make a stressful situation, feel a bit more stressful — it isn’t impossible. With the leverage you will have in the negotiation of the home you are selling, you can make sure you don’t leave yourself out in the cold. You can build in contingencies and/or you can say that you want a longer escrow. There are many ways to get creative with counter offers to make sure you set yourself up for success when you move into the buyers seat.

You can create a solid back-up plan

If things get a little dicey or the timing doesn’t match up perfectly, you should have a back-up plan. While getting ready to list your home, start saving money – ideally, you will have two times your monthly mortgage payment on hand in case you have to carry both homes for a while.

That extra money can also go towards an AirBnB you can stay in temporarily – or you can negotiate a rent back from the people buying your first home. If you can stay with family, that will save you some money and you can put money towards a storage unit until your next home is ready. 

Still feel overwhelmed by the what ifs? We got you!

It would be beyond overwhelming and stressful if you were going into this blind and alone, but guess what? You’re not! Hopefully you are working alongside an experienced Real Estate Pro… and if you are reading this on our blog – then we certainly hope it is with one of our experienced agents!

We have worked with many sellers that are also a buyer. We have had to get creative and learn how to make this market work for our clients. We are confident that we can successfully get you from one home to another even in today’s market. 

Right now is the best time to sell your home. Period. You are hearing about it all the time because it has never been more true. Even if you do move from the Seller role into the Buyer role – now is still the right time, because with these low interest rates – you will get more home for less money. 

While it is clear that this market is a “no-brainer” for Sellers – it’s also great time to jump on the investment and ownership opportunities as a buyer with the rates as they are. Soooo… if you are even the tiniest bit considering selling, reach out to us,  and we will set you up with an agent to talk things out and make you feel at ease before you officially enter into the process. 

Dreaming Big with Bob Goff

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If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen that we had a very special Brokerage Meeting last week with the one and only Bob Goff. While the original plan was for the brokerage to head down to his amazing retreat center in San Diego – COVID had different plans. Instead, we had this best selling author and encourager speak to us (via Zoom) and deliver a strong and powerful message!

If you aren’t familiar with Bob Goff, you are missing out! He’s  an amazing person who has done so much with his time on Earth. He began his career as a lawyer, then quit to begin writing and speaking full time. He has written some of our favorite books Love Does, Everybody Always, and most recently, Dream Big. Bob is someone Dani has always been motivated and inspired by. She knew after learning about his retreat center she had to connect her team with the opportunity to learn from him. 

Dani believes strongly, and says regularly, that “we are blessed so that we can bless others.”  Giving back is something she does in our communities and also with our agents. To have a successful brokerage, you need successful agents. At Dani Blain Real Estate there is a huge emphasis on growing and supporting our agents to help them be successful in their businesses. It is a cyclical effect in motion every day at DBRE… we support our agents’ success and in turn  agents support their clients’ success. Happy clients share their experience with their circle who hopefully come back to DBRE to manage their next real estate project… and so the cycle goes. A ‘better-together’ kind of relationship.

In the spirit of blessing others, Dani knew that blessing her agents and team with the gift of Bob Goff was exactly what she wanted to do to kick off 2021. Bob’s message of dreaming big was the perfect way to shape our goals and motivations for the year ahead. Bob’s message was somewhat simple but also profound:

“What do you want? Why do you want it? What are you going to do about it?”

Bob inspired us to stop and ask ourselves these questions. Once we know what we want, and why we want it – it is time for us to figure out what we are going to do about it. He shared that progress looks like putting yourself adjacent to the next best step, especially if the step you really want or need isn’t attainable quite yet. Keep moving in the direction of what you want, one action at a time, keeping yourself adjacent to things and people that can help make your dream a reality. We love this actionable way to work towards our goals! 

We also really loved a little secret he let us in on. Did you know that he cuts the left pocket out of all of his pants? Listen to what a cool idea this is… he believes you should always be careful about what you put in your pockets. Only keep things in there you really need (keys, wallet, etc… as the actual/tangible things in our pockets, i.e. metaphor for life.) And then each day, imagine that right pocket filled with some of the stuff you may be holding on to – some of the hurts and setbacks, the things that didn’t go your way… and move them on over to the  left pocket. A physical act of letting them go. Because the bottom line is, you’re never going to be a newer creation or the current,  most recent and best version of you, if you’re hanging on to all of that stuff you don’t need anymore. Boom! Isn’t that such a great exercise? We hope you will give it a try with us. 

Lastly, we will leave you with the message Bob left us with… he said “be a norm breaker – you don’t have to be what everyone else tells you you are.” Isn’t that so motivating and a bit of a relief? What are you going to do that is going to break the norm and break out of what people have told you you are? We encourage you to dream big and remember us if you need help getting that dream accomplished. 

What Every Agent Wishes You Knew

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Whether you’ve never bought or sold a house or have done both, there are a handful of things every Real Estate Agent wishes you knew. Today, we bring you our agents’ top four! It’s our insider’s info on the reality of being a Real Estate Agent. 

An Agent will rarely sit you down to tell you the things we are about to give you the scoop on. They will chug forward, working long, demanding hours with friendly smiles on their faces because they love what they do. However, we suspect if you knew these few important tidbits things would be ever more smooth for both you and your agent! So, with the hopes of shining light into the lesser known parts of our industry (and to help you, help us the next time we work together) here are the top four things Agents wish you knew: 


#1 Choose Your Agent Wisely

We’ve said it before and we will say it again… especially in today’s market, you need a Real Estate Agent. Ideally one of our DBRE Agents. Because now more than ever, we need you to truly consider who will represent you in this monumental life decision. Don’t just pick your aunt’s, neighbor’s, son’s, wife who just got her license and is eager for a client. Now is not the time to let Uncle Ned dust off his old Real Estate license. 

This current market is nothing like any of us have ever seen before. Working with a trusted DBRE Agent means that you are working with someone who has been navigating this market the whole time ‘this market’ has morphed into what we now know it to be. Our Agents will serve you with integrity and deliver their expertise and knowledge. They also have the support of our entire DBRE team behind them.


#2 Just Because “Zillow Says” – Doesn’t Mean It’s So…

Isn’t it fun to look on Zillow and see what your home is worth? Well… unfortunately, Zestimates are kind of just that – for fun. They are often completely off base and make it hard for us to convince our clients that our expertise and actual MLS listing comps are a lot more accurate than what you see on Zillow, Trullia, etc. Zillow is not a property valuation site. Period. It works off of algorithms and online data that may be out of date or inaccurate. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we do feel this is important for our clients to be in the know about.


#3 We Don’t Make as Much Money as You Think

This is not to say that Real Estate is not a lucrative industry, it absolutely has the potential to be, but there seems to be a bit of a misconception that all Real Estate Agents make great money. There are so many variables to what an Agents annual salary looks like, not to mention that in this industry, you’ve got to spend money to make money. 

In a 100% commission based field, Agents don’t get paid until every paper is signed, sealed, and delivered. It can be after months and months of working every weekend showing homes, writing multiple offers that don’t materialize, paying for marketing of your home upfront, and… so.much.gas. Each transaction could be 100s of hours of work that agents don’t get paid for unless, and until, the transaction is finally closed. 

Things fall through, people switch Agents (this is the ultimate heart breaker for most Agents), and people change their mind. A common mindset in real estate goes something like this: a client is like a bet the Agent makes, taking a risk on you. They work hard for you to ensure their gamble pays off in the end. At DBRE we are more than this. DBRE’s Agents our servant-leaders. While each new client involves risk we believe the risk is worth it since relationships and people are so important to us. Most times we are successful because we know that when the client succeeds we do, regardless of what that looks like in the end.


#4 Trust Us… We Got You! 

We feel confident in saying that all of the Agents at Dani Blain Real Estate are salt of the earth people who know that we value putting people over numbers and taking care of our clients is of utmost priority. Plus, all our agents are backed by our entire family of agents. 

Like all industries, Real Estate can have some bad apples in the bunch, but when you choose to work with a DBRE Agent, you can trust this person has your best interests in mind and will work hard to meet your needs. 

The process could be difficult (especially in today’s market…) and it could feel like a roller coaster ride. The good thing? Your agent knows this ride well. They will brace you for the twists and turns and help you when you need to pause the ride – or ask to move on to a new one. 

And there ya have it… what every Agent wishes you knew. We hope you learned a few things and we hope all your future transactions or current ones are just that much smoother!

This post is to “pull back the curtain” on parts of the Real Estate industry you may not have known about. All of our Agents have picked this profession because they love to serve others and they are good at what they do. They value and appreciate all of their clients and gladly do all of the fun and not so fun parts of their job.

We look forward to connecting with you, working with you, and hopefully finding you the home or property of your dreams. If you have any questions about the process, about a property, or even about our brokerage, please reach out so we can help.

Shop Til Ya Drop… Or Until You’re All “Scrolled” Out

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Online shopping is King… even if people intend to shop in person, oftentimes they will check out prices and reviews online before heading to a brick and mortar storefront. It’s no wonder that online shopping and e-commerce has completely changed the way people look for their future homes. 

Back in the day, before we had access to all of the technology we now have at our fingertips, the way Realtors listed homes was very different from the way we do it now. We have Amazon and online shopping in general to thank for that. Everyone is very familiar with shopping online – whether it’s for groceries, a mattress, a car, or a home – step one is typically done on our phones. 

So what does that mean for the way we list homes and the way we market your home? If we know that online shopping is something that everyone does without thinking these days and we know that the first thing someone is going to do to begin their house hunt is to pick up their phone – we know your listing needs to appeal to these online shoppers. 

Your DBRE Agent knows and understands the best way to have an online shopper connect with your home listing. We work with teams of photographers and stagers to make sure your listing has all of the bells and whistles it may need. Each home and each listing will be different and each Agent will put their own touch on it, but we can guarantee that it will be NOTHING like the listings from way back when, or heck… even from five years ago! 

We know the process can feel daunting and you may be wondering if your house is ready to list. Instead of scrolling and reading through advice online, connect with us so we can put you in touch with one of our Agents who can walk you through the entire process. If you are wondering what some of our listings look like, go take a peek to see what we have on the market and see all of the great things our teams have put together. 

In today’s rapidly paced market, where inventory is low and demand is high – people are checking MLS listings multiple times a day and sometimes making offers on just the listing alone. With drone photography, virtual tours, and huge photo galleries of listings – it can feel like the shopper has already been in the home, which is vastly different than the days of Open Houses and flyers on door steps. We have fully adjusted to this new way of marketing our listings and hope that you will let us use our expertise with your home. 

If you are ready to list your home, Dani Blain Real Estate Agents are standing by, ready to get your home listed and sold. They will take you through the process step by step and make sure that your home is “ready for it’s close up” to create a visually appealing listing that will catch the eye of even the savviest online shoppers. 

Central Valley Housing Market in the New Year

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As the longest and most difficult year for a lot of us comes to an end, we want to spend a bit of time looking ahead. With a new year comes a fresh start, a new leaf, the next chapter. Many view it as a time to make goals and resolutions and map out the year ahead. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we can’t predict everything that lies ahead.  No one could have imagined what 2020 would have in store for us, so we won’t pretend that we have a crystal ball for what 2021 will look like. But, in terms of what we can expect in the Central Valley Real Estate market, we do have a few predictions we can share with you to help you plan for the year ahead.

Inventory Will Remain Tight

All signs are pointing to 2021 looking pretty similar to last year in a few respects, with low inventory being on the list. It has been nearly impossible to keep up with the buyer demand, resulting in slim pickings for buyers. 

If you are looking to buy a home in the Central Valley in 2021, we have a team of agents that are ready to serve you and help you find your next home. It may require extra patience and level setting expectations, but we are sure the perfect-for-you home is within reach for you. You can check out a couple of our previous blog posts of what the market currently looks like for both buyers and sellers. 

Home Prices Will Stay on the Rise

Which is great for sellers and a little tougher of a pill to swallow for buyers. With inventory low and eager buyers – 2021 will continue the trend we saw beginning last spring. If you spent last year saving and cleaning up your credit report, then 2021 is your year to take the leap into home ownership. If you still have some work to do in that department, commit to buckling down the first half of the year so that you can meet your goals sooner than later. Check out some tips from Dave Ramsey on how you can save for a down payment while renting.

Sellers can stay hopeful about getting a nice return on their investment and if you are working with an experienced agent, you will have plenty of offers headed your way. It will be important to have a plan for your next move, as the inventory will be slim. Practice patience and negotiate an offer that will give you the flexibility you may need.  

The Real Estate Market Looks Stable

Most of us can remember the Real Estate Market Crash of 2008 and there are leery buyers and sellers wondering if we are in the midst of a bubble that could soon burst. Thankfully, all signs point to stability. The housing market has been leading the charge in our country’s economic recovery throughout the Coronavirus Crisis. Experts do not see an impending crash. We are in a completely different place than we were in 2008 and there is no reason to believe that the positive trends we saw in 2020 will be leaving us high and dry in 2021. 

The Bottom Line

Real Estate in California has long been a safe investment and it will remain as such this year. Even if you aren’t planning on buying or selling in 2021 and you are currently a homeowner, you can expect to see your home value rise in this current market. If you aren’t sure what your goals are for this year, maybe investing in Real Estate can be added to your list? 

2021 looks promising for Real Estate in the Central Valley, as many companies are adopting the work from home model and people are fleeing big cities and looking to plant roots in a place that is affordable and still close to big cities. With the Central Valley being positioned smack in the middle of Los Angeles and San Francisco, we fit the bill for a lot of eager buyers. 

Our agents had incredible success in 2020 and are looking to continue it in 2021. There was a great deal of learning to be done in this new market, and they did so quickly and swiftly creating loads of sales and happy clients. We hope that you will trust us to serve you in the new year and we send you warm wishes of prosperity for 2021. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more about buying or selling in the Central Valley and we will match you with one of our hard-working agents.