TEXAS 3-1-21

TEXAS EDITION

UNTANGLING THE BIDDING WAR:

A BUYER’S & SELLER’S PERSPECTIVES

3 EASY AT-HOME DIY PROJECTS

SMALL YARD?

TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

BIG STATEMENT:

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MICRO OUTDOOR SPACES FEATURED AGENT

DENNIS HAMMETT COVER STORY

DAWN BELTRAMI

TEXAS EDITION

DENNIS HAMMETT A thirty year Dallas resident, Dennis Hammett began his career as a9 flight attendant at American Airlines, where he climbed the ladder to corporate management and later the Marketing and Onboard Products organizations. Along the way, he developed elite foundations in product development, advertising and high stakes negotiations, all skills that proved vital during his transition into real estate.

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reputation, with the vast m volume coming from repe referrals. “In my transaction of everything personally,” he have assistants. If a client h they know they can talk to these people are opening u to me; that’s a very persona relationship, and it has to be

Outside his career, Dennis is active within his community and profes In 2013, Dennis left his twenty-seven-year career to ® assist clients asDAWN a Realtor BELTRAMI at Ebby Halliday. Crafting On top of being involved with the Metr a business plan around VIP, concierge-style service, he also is a frequent contributor to Meals o the Dallas Food Bank, as well as an act quickly distinguished himself, earning company-wide Rookie of the Year Honors. “My CONTENTS background gave me at his local church. When he’s not with cl back, Dennis, an avid fan of traveling, a tremendous edge in the real estate industry,” he says.

“From my time at American Airlines, I know how to experiencing the different cultures and co 4) 5market, MORNING HABITS 15) 3 EASY AT-HOME DIY the world.

At home, he balances a passi I understand the importance of customer service, TO and MAKE YOUR DAY SUPER PROJECTS TO INCREASE I can put together a multi-million dollar contract. All cooking with an active lifestyle, frequen PRODUCTIVE VALUE trail with his beloved dog Parker. these skills combined to launch my new career.” PROPERTY DAWN BELTRAMI

DENNIS HAMMETT

Going forward, Dennis When listing a home, Dennis harnesses his creative 22) UNTANGLING THE has strong plans f 6) SMALL YARD? his business. uncovered a niche in prowess and branding experience to give his clients BIDDING WAR: Having A BUYER’S BIGaSTATEMENT: HOW TO estate market, he intends on scaling his w leg up in the marketplace. By combining a blend of & SELLER’S PERSPECTIVES MAKE MOST OUT OFcampaigns, he casts print,THE digital, and social media as dabbling more into luxury properties. “ MICRO business model that’s not readily availa wide aOUTDOOR net as possible;SPACES meanwhile, he draws from his

and sellers,” he says. “People know who own extensive professional network to better connect I’m about—and I wouldn’t have it any ot a listing with its prospective buyer. “If I have a listing that’s about to hit the market, the first thing I do is pick up the phone,” he says. “In truth, you can’t sell a Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 property until you market a property. Because of that, mag@topagentmagazine.com www.topagentmagazine.com my goal is to get each listing| in front of the biggest buyer possibly can.”in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent No portion of thispool issue Imay be reproduced Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

Elsewhere, Dennissend is just hands-on when helping To subscribe or change address, inquiryas to mag@topagentmagazine.com. hisin the buyers, carefully guiding them through the proPublished U.S.

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cess and ensuring that they find the right property for their needs. A shrewd negotiator, he leans on his own experience buying and selling multiple homes in the Park Cities and Uptown areas to empower his clients

To learn more about Dennis H Top Agent Magazine please call (214) 641-98 email dennishammett@ebb

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Morning Habits to Make Your Day Super Productive For many, most mornings begin with a rush—a rush to get dressed, a rush to find something edible for breakfast, a rush out the door and into rush hour. Likely you have heard articles advising you to set your

alarm early to give yourself some flexibility —which is sound advice, of course—but consider a few of these additional tweaks to your morning routine that can set a productive tone for your day at large.

1. Keep Screens Away Until Breakfast Oftentimes, our first instinct upon waking is to check-in on our phones, tablets, or computers, to scope out the latest social media updates and e-mail correspondence. While diving into the action might seem productive, studies show that waylaying screen time until you’re up and dressed, and have had a good breakfast, will actually make your first pass 4

at all things digital more focused, clear, and efficient. Instead of answering a few e-mails, checking out a friend’s photos, and then hurrying to shower and dress, instead make a resolution to keep the online world at bay for the first half-hour to an hour after you rise, then you’ll approach the digital world with fresh eyes, energy, and adeptness.

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2. Meal Prep Sometimes hitting the snooze button is inevitable, but if you make prepping breakfast the night before a part of your routine, then grabbing something healthy on the go will be a snap—and your stomach will thank you for it. Load up your coffee machine ahead of time, so all you have to do

is hit brew. Or, chop up a fruit salad, mix a smoothie, or simply put a granola bar and a grapefruit in your lunch bag, ready to be grabbed on your way out the door. Even if it’s small or basic, keeping yourself fueled will keep distractions, inefficiency, and mood swings at bay.

3. Queue Up a Podcast on Your Commute Whether you’re driving, biking, or taking public transportation into the office, a podcast is a perfect way to brush up on industry knowledge. Try sourcing a podcast relative to your field and narrated by experts.

Not only will it get you thinking about the topics of your industry—while expanding

your professional vocabulary—it will also wake up your brain and get your head in the game as you prepare to launch your day. Use your commute time to bump up your knowledge and conversation points, and you’ll be ahead of the curve before you reach the office.

4. Begin with a To-Do List When work gets busy, sometimes just getting started is an overwhelming prospect.

Before you dive in to your e-mails and projects, take twenty minutes and be thoughtful as you assess your daily and weekly to-do

list items, then map them. By giving yourself a bullet point system of what you need to accomplish and by when, you can undo some of the anxiety that a busy schedule promotes.

5. Walk It Out, Even If You Missed the Gym While we often rely on coffee for our morning buzz, exercise provides a potent burst of energy that can supercharge your day. But, let’s say you’re running behind and skip the gym—all is not lost! Take fifteen minutes in

the early morning to take a walk around the block a few times. The fresh air and aerobic exercise will wake you up, get your blood moving, and provide your morning with a natural injection of motivation.

Everyone’s morning routine varies, but perhaps the first step is identifying aspects of your routine that could be improved, and tackling them from there. From waylaying

screen time distractions to getting in a little blood-pumping exercise, keep these tips in mind as you launch your most productive morning routine ever.

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Small Yard? Big Statement: How to Make the Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces When house-hunters compile their lists of musthave home items, a dreamy backyard space is often near the top. After all, who doesn’t want an outdoor oasis of their very own? From summer barbecues to open space for your dog to frolic— everyone has their own aspirations when it comes to creating the perfect backyard paradise. But as homebuyers seek properties deeper within city limits, and Millennials opt for properties with 6

urban amenities and access, home-connected outdoor spaces are becoming a bit smaller in stature.

Of course, size isn’t everything when it comes to outdoor space. Even balconies, rear patios, and ultra-tiny yards can provide homebuyers with the outdoor reprieve they crave—even on a smaller scale. For a few ideas that can help you envision all the possibilities of a micro outdoor space, read on for inspiration.

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Think vertically.

When space is at a premium, think up instead of out. In other words, make the most of small spaces by capitalizing on your backyard, balcony, or patio’s overhead height. Mood-setting string lights, hanging pocket or wall gardens, floating shelves, and modern overhead hangings can create a sense of privacy and luxury without cluttering the square footage on the ground.

Soothing sounds set the mood.

Upgrade the look of structural components.

Not in love with your patio pavers? Don’t have the sweetest view off your balcony? Whatever your small backyard living space gripe may be, there’s always a solution if you go back to the basics. Consider the structural components of your outdoor space that you aren’t in love with and there’s likely an affordable, eye-pleasing solution. For instance, plenty of home goods Top Agent Magazine

retailers make a variety of punchy or luxe outdoor rugs that can disguise stained or lackluster outdoor flooring. Power-washing is another great solution for old grime and dirt that’s an eyesore. Don’t have a great view? Planting ivy on bare walls, installing adjustable mood lighting, or hanging planters can create a more inviting ambiance.

While there may not be room for a swimming pool or pond in a micro yard or balcony, you can still bring the calming presence of water to your outdoor oasis. Fountains run the gamut in sizing and price, making this amenity an easy acquisition. What’s more, a running fountain not only adds a soothing sound to your space, but it also helps drown out noise from the street or the neighbors—making your space entirely your own and stress-free.

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Don’t compromise on your culinary dreams.

If you love to entertain in outdoor spaces or relish the chance to man the grill—small outdoor spaces don’t have to trip you up. Grill options (both propane and charcoal) come in a range of sizes, many of which can be outfitted securely to balcony posts or be tucked away and out of sight when out of use. Consider nesting tables or those with a removable leaf to adjust your seating and dining options depending on company.

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Another trick? A small, oscillating fan can keep air flow moving in a small space during grill season—and can be easily affixed to walls or posts, as well.

Don’t let yourself or clients be discouraged by spaces with more limited square footage in outdoor areas. Furniture and design trends have already begun shifting toward providing better small-space options, and at the end of the day, a backyard space is all about providing an area for relaxation. With a few well-placed, strategic choices, you can still have it all.

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DAWN BELTRAMI Top Agent Magazine

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With a client-centered approach that emphasizes strong relationships, Top Agent Dawn Beltrami has become a Platinum Agent at Walzel Properties in Houston, specializing in The Heights and The Woodlands areas.

Dawn Beltrami was a chef in New York City before she and her family relocated to Texas, where she transitioned to a career in real estate. “It’s been a wonderful next step for me,” Dawn says, “because real estate has the same Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

foundational goal as cooking. For me, it’s about helping people.”

With a client-centered approach that emphasizes strong relationships, Dawn has become a Platinum Agent at Walzel Top Agent Magazine

Properties in Houston, specializing in The Heights and The Woodlands areas. “I’ve been able to build my business from nothing to this amazing level through relationships,” Dawn says.

“The way I treat my clients has made my business bloom.” This year, Dawn is set to complete nearly fifteen million dollars in volume, with properties priced from high-end homes to lots. “I don’t say no to my clients,” Dawn says.

“If they have something to sell or buy, I find a way to help.”

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The bulk of Dawn’s business stems from repeat clients and referrals, which Dawn attributes to her focus on relationships. “Real estate is not a transactional business,” Dawn says. “It’s a relationship business. I know a lot of agents say that. But I really become friends with my clients.” With a degree in interior design, Dawn’s clients also turn to her for non-real estate support. “I’m there for them for renovation projects or consulting on redesign. My clients know I have their back.” Dawn loves to keep in touch with clients over coffee, wine, or golf.

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Every fall, she throws a ladies’ dinner, exercising her culinary skills to prepare a home-cooked meal.

What also sets Dawn apart is her empathy for what her clients are going through, especially those who relocate to Texas. “I want to make it as smooth for my clients as possible, because I remember what it was like to move to a brand-new place,” Dawn says. “I love to help not only with the technical aspects of relocating, but also the personal ones. Relocations have become my niche market. I really care.”

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To market her clients’ properties, Dawn uses a comprehensive approach that combines traditional methods with cutting-edge targeted social media campaigns. Using research, Dawn advertises in out-of-state markets that have high rates of people moving to Texas.

What Dawn loves about real estate is also what she loved about cooking: helping people. “It really is my love language,” Dawn says. “With real estate, I can make a tangible difference, because it is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. Being able to make sure my clients understand the process means the world to me.”

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This year, Dawn Beltrami is set to complete nearly fifteen million dollars in volume, with properties priced from high-end homes to lots.“I don’t say no to my clients,” Dawn says. “If they have something to sell or buy, I find a way to help.”

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With a son who is diabetic, Dawn and her husband are active volunteers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Dawn is currently recovering from breast cancer, an experience that inspired her to become engaged in organizations that promote awareness and research. Homelessness and the environment are also important causes to Dawn and her family.

“Especially this year with this terrible crisis we’re in,” Dawn says, “we’ve really focused on what we can do to help.”

For the future, Dawn has plans to grow internationally. With personal investment in Portugal, Dawn is excited about the opportunity to educate clients on how to invest overseas. “I’m always learning, taking classes, seeking mentorship, and trying to stretch myself in new ways,” Dawn says. “You’re never too old to learn.”

For more information about Dawn Beltrami, email dawn@beltramirealtygroup.com, call 704.996.4881 or visit har.com/dawnbeltrami

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3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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Top Agent Magazine

DENNIS HAMMETT A thirty year Dallas resident, Dennis Hammett began his career as a flight attendant at American Airlines, where he climbed the ladder to corporate management and later the Marketing and Onboard Products organizations. Along the way, he developed elite foundations in product development, advertising and high stakes negotiations, all skills that proved vital during his transition into real estate.

In 2013, Dennis left his twenty-seven-year career to assist clients as a Realtor® at Ebby Halliday. Crafting a business plan around VIP, concierge-style service, he quickly distinguished himself, earning company-wide Rookie of the Year Honors. “My background gave me a tremendous edge in the real estate industry,” he says.

“From my time at American Airlines, I know how to market, I understand the importance of customer service, and I can put together a multi-million dollar contract. All these skills combined to launch my new career.”

When listing a home, Dennis harnesses his creative prowess and branding experience to give his clients a leg up in the marketplace. By combining a blend of print, digital, and social media campaigns, he casts as wide a net as possible; meanwhile, he draws from his own extensive professional network to better connect a listing with its prospective buyer. “If I have a listing that’s about to hit the market, the first thing I do is pick up the phone,” he says. “In truth, you can’t sell a property until you market a property. Because of that, my goal is to get each listing in front of the biggest buyer pool I possibly can.”

Elsewhere, Dennis is just as hands-on when helping his buyers, carefully guiding them through the process and ensuring that they find the right property for their needs. A shrewd negotiator, he leans on his own experience buying and selling multiple homes in the Park Cities and Uptown areas to empower his clients with a well-founded vision of the marketplace. Meanwhile, his boutique service has earned him a terrific Top Agent Magazine

reputation, with the vast majority of his volume coming from repeat clients or referrals. “In my transactions, I take care of everything personally,” he says. “I don’t have assistants. If a client has a question, they know they can talk to me. After all, these people are opening up their homes to me; that’s a very personal and intimate relationship, and it has to be protected.”

Outside his career, Dennis is tremendously active within his community and professional sphere.

On top of being involved with the MetroTex MLS, he also is a frequent contributor to Meals on Wheels and the Dallas Food Bank, as well as an active participant at his local church. When he’s not with clients or giving back, Dennis, an avid fan of traveling, can be found experiencing the different cultures and countries around the world. At home, he balances a passion for healthy cooking with an active lifestyle, frequently hitting the trail with his beloved dog Parker.

Going forward, Dennis has strong plans for the future of his business. Having uncovered a niche in the Dallas real estate market, he intends on scaling his workflow while dabbling more into luxury properties. “I’ve created a business model that’s not readily available to buyers and sellers,” he says. “People know who I am and what I’m about—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

To learn more about Dennis Hammett, please call (214) 641-9815, email dennishammett@ebby.com, or visit dennishammett.ebby.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 19

Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com

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Untangling the Bidding War: A Buyer’s & Seller’s Perspectives In a competitive marketplace, bidding wars become the norm. While this may put sellers in an excellent position to recoup on their investment, it can push buyers beyond their budgets and test their temperaments in the process. As an agent, how do you navigate both sides of the coin? After all, you want to net the best results for your client—regardless of which side of the closing table they’re on. To fortify your approach to a heated bidding war, here are a few ideas and insights to better clue you in on the perspectives of buyers and sellers alike.

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Buyer’s Perspective: Emotions Running High?

Channel it.

When the market is booming, buyers feel the pressure—especially when affordable inventory is limited. This can create stress, feelings of hopelessness, and impulsivity. As an agent, how do you channel this emotional energy into something positive? Consider asking buyers to put those anxieties and high hopes onto paper. Have buyers outline

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who they are, why they’re inspired to buy a home at this juncture in their lives, and how they see their lives unfolding once they become a homeowner (or repeat homeowner). Think of it as a letter of intent.

Buyers benefit from taking abstract fears and dreams and articulating them on paper. Likewise, this document can serve as a valuable tool during a bidding war. Letters like these can help sellers with multiple offers make a personal, emotional connection with a particular buyer.

Sellers Perspective: Manage expectations.

When multiple offers are rolling in on a property, it’s easy for sellers to get carried away. Numbers are flying, expectations are heightened, and sellers may become hypnotized by higher and higher offers and ideal outcomes. While it’s good to celebrate prime market positioning, it’s also important to maintain an even keel so that your seller’s mind is clear and they’re thinking rationally through their options.

Sometimes the highest offer isn’t necessarily the sure thing. Manage your clients’ expectations by leading by example, offering a balanced perspective, and talking them through all potential outcomes so that they don’t only hone in on the best-case scenario.

During a bidding war, tensions are running high for seller’s too, who will soon begin their next chapter in another home. Keep a cool head and remind your client to see the big picture, recognize that it’s possible for some offers to fall through, and to sit tight until the closing table has been successfully reached.

Buyer’s Perspective: How do you authentically and convincingly convey your interest?

When ten or so offers are in the mix, it can be hard to differentiate your buyer from the next. While numbers will obviously do a lot of the talking, you’d be surprised how much of a difference a Top Agent Magazine

personal touch can make. Some popular approaches to standing out include personal letters—as mentioned above—tailored to the property. Was the property in question a family home for years? You might have clients detail their dreams of raising a family inside those walls, rather than tear the property down and rebuild something to boost the lot’s value. Including a family photo is also a good tact for personalizing letters in a bidding war. Likewise, little gifts included with your offer can speak volumes about your personality and due diligence as an agent. It may seem a little cheesy, but when sellers are looking at ten near-identical offers, those personal touches can really paint a compelling, personalized picture.

Seller’s Perspective: How powerful is cash?

Data shows that cash offers—typical of investor clientele—double the chances of having an offer accepted. This goes hand in hand with waiving a financing contingency, which also helped boost the probability of an accepted offer, according to research. Cash is king, however, since offers that aren’t completely reliant on comprehensive financing seem to minimize risk for sellers, who are already eager to see a deal go through. Cash deals also tend to go through quickly, freeing sellers up to pursue their next property and move on to new horizons. While not every buyer has the ability to operate in cash, it’s a worthwhile consideration for those in ultra-competitive markets and with liquid capital.

While the bidding process can be stressful for agents and clients alike, it’s important to remember that it’s a time of opportunity, too. If you want to make the most of it as a seller, data shows that a personal touch can endear buyers to their seller counterparts. For sellers navigating a competitive process, it’s important to keep a balanced perspective. For agents, here’s the bottom line: get creative, be resourceful, and use all the tools in your arsenal to achieve the best result for the clients you serve.

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