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#1 Sellers Regret – Not Planning Early Enough

It may be tempting to put your house on the market now, especially with the increasing value of homes and decreasing interest rates. Before you do, consider Zillow’s research.

 
WHAT’S THE KEY TO A STRESS-FREE HOME SALE? PLANNING. 

Over 10,000 surveyed home sellers report that not planning early enough created the most stress.

Your home will need some prep work. Clients always ask us:
What do I do first? What rooms should I prioritize? How much should I spend? 

Book a game plan call with us. We can guide you through the prep work that will bring you the greatest home value…because we know what buyers want in your neighborhood. 

Focus your attention on the kitchen, bathrooms and exterior of your home; potential buyers look at these areas first. We recommended the following hit list. 

Kitchen

Repainting kitchen cabinets in an off-white or navy hue will update them with a more modern look. Adding a skylight is another way to make the kitchen appear bigger and brighter.

Bathrooms

Switch out your showerhead and other bathroom hardware for a more modern look, as well as repainting cabinets. Update the floor as budget permits. 

Exterior
Choose warm neutrals when painting your exterior. Don’t forget your garage door and front door; they could boost the value of your home.

Consider painting your front door in a contrasting color, such as black or slate blue; this can yield up to $6,449 in increased value, depending on buyer preferences in your area. Upgrading your garage door yields an average 93% return on the cost.

 

What first? What Next? That’s where we can help.

Schedule a “Game Plan Call” with us and avoid the #1 seller’s regret.

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The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

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Celebrating Success in Real Estate – Making RealTrends ‘The Thousand’ and ‘America’s Best’ List Again!

Caroline Dinsmore & Co has once again achieved a remarkable milestone by being included in the prestigious RealTrends “The Thousand” and “America’s Best” rankings! 🎉

Under the exceptional leadership of Caroline Dinsmore, our team has consistently demonstrated expertise and achieved outstanding success in the real estate industry. This recognition is a testament to our dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional results.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients and partners for their continued trust and support. Your confidence in our services has helped us attain this remarkable recognition.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our exceptional team. Each member of Caroline Dinsmore & Co has played a significant role in our success by providing unparalleled service and personalized care to our valued clients.

We would also like to thank RealTrends for their meticulous assessment and recognition of industry leaders. Their commitment to highlighting excellence in the real estate profession inspires us to strive for even greater heights.

As we celebrate this achievement, we reiterate our commitment to providing exceptional real estate experiences and exceeding our clients’ expectations. Caroline Dinsmore & Co will continue to deliver unparalleled service, expertise, and integrity in all our endeavors.

Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, let’s keep making real estate dreams come true! 🏡🎊

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Caroline Wheaton Dinsmore: A Leading Realtor on the Bay Area Peninsula Inducted into Marquis Who’s Who

Caroline Wheaton Dinsmore, a highly accomplished realtor on the Bay Area Peninsula, has been inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who registry, recognizing her outstanding contributions in the real estate industry. As the founder of Caroline Dinsmore & Co., she has made a significant impact, selling hundreds of homes and closing over $100 million in sales in 2021 alone. With a passion for real estate and a deep understanding of the Silicon Valley landscape, Dinsmore’s success is a testament to her expertise and commitment to exceptional service. Her diverse background and recognition in notable local further solidify her position as one of the top realtors in the Bay Area. Caroline Dinsmore’s induction into Marquis Who’s Who marks a milestone in her remarkable career, and she continues to inspire others with her dedication and resilience.

real estate is a great investment

3 Things You Need To Know About Your Next Real Estate Deal

#1 Long-Term Investment: Real Estate on the Peninsula Yields Returns

Real estate has long been considered one of the best long-term investments. Real estate historically outperforms stocks and bonds long term. This means that your home is a proven investment that will grow in value over time.

This is especially true on the Peninsula, where the demand for housing is high and the supply is limited. There are a few reasons why real estate is a good investment in the Bay Area Peninsula. 

First, the value of real estate has historically appreciated in value over time and all signs continue in that direction. 

According to Zillow, the median home value on the Peninsula has increased by over 50% in the past 10 years.

In the past 2 years, the median home value on the Peninsula increased by over 10% compared to the 3% national average. 

Second, real estate can be a hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, the value of your home is likely to rise as well. This means that your home will be worth more in real terms, even if the price tag goes up.

Third, real estate can provide you with a steady stream of income. If you invest in a property to generate business income, you can rent out your property to tenants.

Of course, there are some risks associated with investing in real estate. The value of real estate can also go down, especially in areas where the economy is struggling. It can also be illiquid as a quick cash option. We see lower risk in both areas on the Peninsula.

The most important consideration to make in your long-term property investment is choosing the right real estate client advisor who will advise you on making a sound choice.

At Caroline Dinsmore and Co., we are relentless in our pursuit of the best deal for you. We understand the Peninsula real estate market, its seasons, most desirable locations and local trends. We always ensure that your interests and investment are fiercely protected. Our clients always know that they never leave any money on the table; whether purchasing a property, selling one, or both.

We don’t just take care of business — we take care of you.

If you are planning to upgrade your real estate investment, beware that the #1 seller’s regret is not planning early enough. Do you know what to do first and then what to do next? That’s where we can help. Schedule a “Game Plan Call” with us and avoid the #1 seller’s regret.

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The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

Blog 1

Top 3 Upgrades to Increase Your Home Value

Part I: Space...The First Frontier

As you plan your next renovation project, it’s more critical than ever to know what upgrades increase home value. The world looks a lot different than it did a couple of years ago. Our homes have been at the center of massive change and re-evaluation.

Home offices and outdoor spaces, for example, are now extremely coveted features. Our newest list of home improvements that add value takes these recent trends into account and incorporates specific product suggestions, updated for 2023.

If you haven’t noticed, real estate values in our area performed amazingly well during the pandemic — your home gained a lot of equity in the last two years. If you are thinking about selling your home, consider the following ideas. Then, set up a ‘Game Plan’ call with us to learn which home improvements will maximize the equity in your home. 

Upgrades that add physical square footage or make the home feel more spacious top our list!

A recent survey of real estate agents found that the need for more space was the top reason why people move, with 44% of respondents citing this as a motivating factor. Additionally, 31% of respondents said that they wanted more private outdoor space.

1: Convert or build a home office

A home office is a great way to maximize your space and create a dedicated workspace for yourself. Whether you’re working from home full-time or just need a quiet place to get some work done, a home office can be a lifesaver.

There are many ways to create a home office, depending on your needs and budget. If you have a spare room, you can easily convert it into an office by adding a desk, chair, and other essentials. If you don’t have a spare room, you can also convert a closet or even a corner of your bedroom into an office.

No matter how you choose to create your home office, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, make sure the space is quiet and has enough natural light. You’ll also want to make sure the space is comfortable and functional, with plenty of storage space for your files and supplies.

2: Finish your basement

Finishing your basement can be a great way to add value to your home and create additional living space. Whether you want to use it as a home office, playroom, bedroom, or storage space, finishing your basement can be an affordable and easy way to attract more buyers. 

Finishing your basement has other benefits. It can add up to 75% of its value to your home price. It can also make your home more energy-efficient by insulating the walls and floors.

Lastly, a finished basement provides a comfortable and inviting space to relax, entertain, or work.

3: Open up the floor plan

Open floor plans are very popular right now, and for good reason. They make your home feel larger and more spacious, and they improve air circulation and natural light.

One way to create an open floor plan is to open up the space between the kitchen and dining room. This will create a unified cooking and dining experience, and it will make your home feel more inviting. You can also open up the space between the living room and family room for a great room effect. This will create a space where your family can gather and relax together.

If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, consider keeping it in the center of the open space. This will add a focal point to your home and make it feel more cozy and inviting.

I know that making changes to your home can be a lot of work, but I believe that these changes will be worth it in the end. By creating an open floor plan, you will make your home more appealing to buyers and increase your chances of selling it quickly and for top dollar.

About Us

The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

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Caroline Dinsmore: One of Tomorrow’s Top Ten Visionaries for Real Estate

Caroline Dinsmore's Top-Notch Real Estate Success Driven by Her Unwavering Tenacity

Caroline Wheaton Dinsmore, founder of The Caroline Dinsmore Group | Engel & Völkers, has been recognized as one of the Top Ten Visionaries of Tomorrow for Real Estate by The Herald Scotland via Yahoo! News UK. With a track record of consistent success, Caroline has become a leading figure in the real estate industry, both on the San Francisco Peninsula and nationally.

 Since 2013, Caroline and her team have ranked as one of the top-performing real estate teams in the nation, according to RealTrends. In 2021, Caroline was honored as one of the Top 25 Realtors in the Bay Area by The San Francisco Business Times, based on her impressive sales volume. Additionally, Caroline was recognized as one of The Leading 100 Realtors by Luxe SF, which includes all agents from Carmel Valley through the Wine Country.

 Caroline’s success in the industry can be attributed to her visionary approach to real estate. She has a deep understanding of market trends and is always ahead of the curve in identifying opportunities. Caroline is committed to delivering exceptional service to her clients and building long-lasting relationships, which has led to a high level of repeat business and referrals.

 As a visionary, Caroline is always exploring new technologies and strategies to enhance her business and stay ahead of the competition. She understands the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest trends and tools, and is always eager to learn and adapt.

 Caroline’s vision extends beyond her business, as she is also deeply committed to giving back to the community. She has been actively involved in various charitable organizations and causes, including the Ronald McDonald House and the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

 In conclusion, Caroline Dinsmore’s recognition as one of Tomorrow’s Top Ten Visionaries for Real Estate is well-deserved. Her visionary approach, commitment to excellence, and dedication to her clients and community have set her apart as a leader in the industry. As Caroline continues to shape the future of real estate, we can expect to see her name at the forefront of the industry for years to come.

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The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

Home Prices blog

What’s Really Happening with Home Prices?

Headlines don’t really paint the full picture.

If you’ve seen headlines about home prices dropping. Don’t believe them!

 

Truth #1: Home prices in the Peninsula are up.

Home prices in our Peninsula neighborhoods are steadily rising and faster than the average market rate. 

FACT: Home prices in the Peninsula rose 10.4% year-over-year in February 2023, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index. 

While home price growth is moderating month-over-month nationally (3-4%), the 10% appreciation year-over-year in the Peninsula is still well above the home price growth we saw during more normal years in the market.

 

Truth #2:  You’ve gained a substantial amount of equity.

Aspiring home sellers gained significant amounts of equity over the pandemic as house prices climbed over the past two years. 

 

Truth #3: Supply is still low. Demand is strong.

The supply of homes for sale is still very low and demand for homes is still strong.

FACT: Home sales had the highest peak since July 2020.

In March, total home sales saw their largest monthly percentage increase since July 2020. When mortgage rates ended at over 30 basis points lower than where they started, more buyers returned to the market. 

Housing supply remains limited in the Peninsula compared to previous years.  Tight inventory and healthy demand contribute to stable and growing home prices. 

 

Bottom Line

It’s a seller’s market. Supply is expected to remain low for the remainder of 2023 and demand is increasing exponentially. 

If you are thinking about selling your home, now is the time to start planning. 

Schedule a call with us now to learn more about your home equity and the best time to sell. 

About Us

The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

press release 10

Driven by Tenacity: The Secrets Behind Caroline Dinsmore’s Real Estate Success

Caroline Dinsmore's Top-Notch Real Estate Success Driven by Her Unwavering Tenacity

In a world filled with challenges, tenacity has become a rare commodity. Others may see giving up as the easier route when faced with trials, but not Caroline Wheaton Dinsmore. Known for her unrivaled work ethic and tenacious spirit, Caroline has long cemented her name in the real estate industry, and she is taking even greater strides to put The Caroline Dinsmore Group  on the map.

The Caroline Dinsmore Group is a company built out of resilience. Much like its founder, who overcame immeasurable odds to get to where she is today, the company is defying the impossible and is succeeding in conquering its industry. A top-of-mind choice for leading realtors in the San Francisco Peninsula, The Caroline Dinsmore Group is truly a force to reckon with, and it has been setting the bar higher since 2012, as per RealTrends.

Recently, for reaching yet another milestone when she hit exponential sales volume in 2021, Caroline was recognized as one of the Top 25 Realtors in the Bay Area. According to Luxe SF, she was also one of The Leading 100 Realtors, one of the best among all the agents from Carmel Valley through the Wine Country.

Caroline leverages over three decades of experience to shepherd her team of seasoned real estate professionals to navigate the complexities of the industry and emerge victorious above others. Her unparalleled customer service and extensive expertise set the culture for The Caroline Dinsmore Group, leading them to sell hundreds of homes and giving each client the property of their dreams.

“It’s an honor to guide our clients through some of the biggest decisions and transactions of their lives,” Caroline said. “Real estate is so much more than buying or selling homes. It’s about developing a relationship with our clients, advising them on all their options throughout the process to help them make the best decisions for themselves, as well as helping them build long-term wealth through real estate,” the founder added.

A descendant of one of the founding fathers of American baseball, William Rufus Wheaton, it’s truly not surprising for Caroline to make an impact of her own. Before making her way to the peak of real estate, Caroline spent several years teaching English in Spain after graduating with a degree in History at the University of California Santa Barbara. She also worked in Silicon Valley for over a decade, well through the dot-com boom. Although working in a different field, her time in different careers honed her to be the entrepreneur she was born to be, strengthened by challenges along the way.

Eventually, she used her experiences to enter the competitive real estate market and even survived the muddy waters of the 2008 to 2012 Financial Crisis. Caroline helped her clients through the complexities of buying or selling their perfect properties, and she has never failed to match every family with the best home.

“We are dedicated to making the process less stressful and more successful for our clients. At The Caroline Dinsmore Group, we don’t just take care of businesses; we take care of you,” Caroline said. “The fact that I sold as much real estate as I did in 2021 when I was literally dying is absolutely insane. Against all odds, I survived. Now, my team and I are thriving. If we hadn’t put the processes in place when we did, there is no way the business could have stayed afloat. It’s a story of perseverance, pain, suffering and finding joy, happiness, and success again.”

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The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley

press release 9

Caroline W. Dinsmore: Top 25 Bay Area Realtor

Realtor Caroline W. Dinsmore Makes it to the Top 25 Realtors in the Bay Area

Veteran realtor and entrepreneur Caroline W. Dinsmore continues to reap the rewards of her hard work in the past 30 years after having been included in the Top 25 Realtors in the Bay Area based on her 2021 sales volume in the real estate industry. Apart from this, she was also named one of the Leading 100 Realtors, which includes all real estate agents from the Carmel Valley through the Wine Country. These exceptional achievements cement what Caroline has been passionately doing throughout the course of her illustrious career in real estate – helping clients find their dream homes.

Making it to the top 25 realtors list did not come easy at all. In 2021, Caroline’s company, The Caroline Dinsmore Group, was still recovering from the blows of the pandemic. It was also the same year when she faced a life-threatening ordeal that tested her faith, character, and will to survive. Known as a no-nonsense and resolute person, Caroline found the strength and courage to survive and lived to see all her hard work acknowledged.

“The fact that I sold as much real estate as I did in 2021 when I was literally dying is absolutely insane. Against all odds, I survived,” Caroline revealed. “Now, my team and I are thriving. If we hadn’t put the processes in place when we did, there is no way the business could have stayed afloat. It’s a story of perseverance, pain, suffering and finding joy, happiness and success again.”

Indeed, Caroline exemplified what it means to be truly resilient. Despite the pandemic and the disease that almost took her life, she managed to make an explosive comeback in the business and continued to serve her clients diligently. Throughout her career in the industry, Caroline and her team have sold hundreds of homes. Over the years, she has successfully developed a solid team of hardworking and highly motivated realtors who share her passion and dedication to succeed. In time, The Caroline Dinsmore Group became known for its unparalleled customer service to each of its clients.

“It’s an honor to guide our clients through some of the biggest decisions and transactions of their lives. Real estate is so much more than buying or selling homes. It’s about developing a relationship with our clients, advising them on all their options throughout the process to help them make the best decisions for themselves, as well as helping them build long-term wealth through real estate,” Caroline shared.

The California-born and raised realtor is proud of her roots. She is a direct descendant of William Rufus Wheaton, one of the founding fathers of American baseball. Caroline completed her BA degree with honors in History at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She moved to Europe and found herself teaching English in Spain for several years. She eventually found herself going back to America and dedicated ten years of her career to the tech industry. Caroline first worked at Oracle and, after some time, moved to Webex.

It was the time she spent in Silicon Valley that developed her superior business acumen and other necessary skills to develop The Caroline Dinsmore Group and make it one of the leading real estate companies in the country today. The fact that she was able to successfully navigate her way through the 2008-2012 US financial crisis speaks greatly of her passion and determination to make it.

Without a doubt, Caroline deserves her most recent recognitions, a success story that everyone can truly learn from.

About Us

The Real Real Estate Agents ofSilicon Valley