Dani Fox Real Estate Team

Christmas in Central California

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‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. This year it seems everyone has been eager and ready for the holidays earlier than ever. We asked our agents to tell us a bit about some of their holiday traditions as well as fun things to do here in the Central Valley and along the central coast. Let’s dig in to what they had to say: 

Must See Lights:

  • Everyone that has lived in the Central Valley for at least a year has certainly heard about Christmas Tree Lane – a Fresno Tradition since 1920. This is at the top of our “must see” list for Christmas light lovers. This year’s event is a drive-thru event only. Click here to get all of the details. 
  • Check out Fresno Chaffee Zoo Lights with live entertainment, and miles of lights to enjoy along with the animals of course
  • Holiday Fantasy of Lights Show at the Big Fresno Fair with special walking nights December 4th & 15th. Get full details here.
  • At Robbins Ranch in Exeter, there is a free drive-through light display that we can recommend taking a trip for. 
  • Davis Family Christmas light display in Fresno is musically animated and so much fun!
  • Check out these neighborhood light displays we think are worth checking out:
    • Neighborhood off of Court St. just north of Caldwell.   Blain Park
    • Eastoak Estates on Comstock and Houston and the surrounding area
    • Candy Cane Lane at Peach & Alluvial in Clovis

Must Do Events:

  • Vossler Farms is having their first ever Christmas Season at the farm with ice skating, lights, holiday hayrides, and more. 
  • Winter Wonderland in Downtown Hanford – another opportunity for ice skating! And more festive cheer to keep you in the holiday spirit! 
  • Ford Farms Country Christmas complete with photos of Santa and the Grinch, tractor rides, petting zoo, food vendors and crafts. Plan a trip for DEcember 4th, 11th, or 18th.
  • Merced’s Santa’s Workshop on 12/15
  • Mrs. Claus and You at the The Enchanted Corner in Selma
  • Doesn’t a horse drawn carriage ride sound ridiculously festive and Hallmark Movie-esque? Check it out  in Old Town Clovis on weekends in December
  • The Cambria Christmas Market is running now thru 12/23 and is such a fun and festive way to get some holiday shopping in with local vendors. 
  • The Columbia State Historic Park has A Miner’s Christmas running December 18th and 19th that looks like it will be a fun historic look back at Christmas during the gold rush days. 
  • Take a quick trip to the coast to Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton for their Holiday Lights Train
  • Jesus is the reason for the season and the best way to celebrate Jesus is to visit The Living Nativity in Riverdale December 22nd-25th

We also asked our agents about what they like to do year after year for the holidays. They told us a few ideas we think sound fun and encourage you to try out or incorporate into your holidays this year:

Fun traditions

  • Try making a new ornament for the tree and make sure to add the year to the back so it will be like a time capsule to un-earth every year
  • Lana, our Office Manager, tells us that every year the children in her family choose gifts to donate to other children.  She said that is warms her heart to see how happy it makes them when they are choosing a gift for another child
  • Raise your hand if you are on the matching Christmas Jammies train! We are and we love seeing everyone’s photos in matching family pjs
  • Have you ever had a Secret Santa? Such a fun thing to incorporate at the office or with siblings, friends, neighbors, etc…  
  • What about the classic White Elephant gift exchange? Can be so fun to see the wacky gifts people bring and then have to take home. 
  • Like the snow? Make a trip up to Shaver Lake and have that quintessential winter magic moment with a snow angel or snowman building.

The last thing we asked our DBRE family to weigh in with was some practical tips or advice to have a joyful holiday season… read through them – we think you will notice a theme:

Tips/Advice to enjoy the season

  • Take an hour or a day to catch up with family – no phones!
  • Turn on the Christmas music on your car radio ASAP
  • Spend as much time as possible with each other around the dining table eating, in the kitchen cooking, and in the living room fellowshipping. Don’t forget to give lots of hugs!!!! 
  • Slow down and enjoy your friends and family!
  • Always dress comfy, there’s always too much good food to pass, so wear those stretchy pants 😋😋
  • Enjoy the moments with your family, be present and Jesus loves you
  • Focus on people- NOT gifts, be present
  • Hurry up and get to the closest Dutch Bros to order Darian’s fav drink from their  holiday menu. He has some expert tips to make this the best drink of your life – he says you will thank him later 😉 
    • The Caramel Pumpkin Brule
      • You’ll want to add sweetener 
      • Lite pumpkin around the cup
      • And ask them to add  4 ounces of soft top

There you have it folks… lights to see, events to attend, traditions to implement and some reminders to make this the best holiday season ever. Did we miss anything? If you have a favorite neighborhood to visit for lights, or an event that you feel like everyone needs to do – let us know! 

Zestimates, Shmestimates…

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How Zestimates Cost Zillow Millions of Dollars

You may or may not have heard that Zillow recently announced that they were shutting down their home buying business, Zillow Offers and laying off 25% of their workforce. Let’s break down what this service intended (and failed) to do and why this failure is proving the point that every local realtor has been saying (maybe yelling?) for years, “ZESTIMATES ARE NOT HOME APPRAISALS!”

In 2018 Zillow began their iBuying program, Zillow Offers with the intent of getting home sellers  “stress free” cash offers on their homes. Sellers saw this as an opportunity to have a hassle free process, a way to eliminate agent commissions, as well as shave time off the process. While the iBuying process is quick – it would still cost sellers 5-7% of the sale in a “transaction fee”, which is a wash, as it compares to agent commissions.

This iBuying process, in theory, would eliminate agents and open houses because Zillow would purchase the home for what they decided to offer and then they would make minimal repairs and minor renovations to turn around and sell it for a profit. While the Zillow Offer and the Zestimates would differ (because the offer will take into account the money they will be putting into the home to get it ready to go back on the market) Zillow still used their Zestimate tool in order to put together their offer. 

Well, guess what happened? They were forced to sell the houses they had bought, for a loss. Not just in some markets, but in the majority of the markets where the service was offered. In the last three months alone, they lost $420,000,000 trying to flip the homes they had purchased.  How could that happen? 

Well, their CEO Rich Barton said, “Fundamentally, we have been unable to predict the future pricing of homes to a level of accuracy that makes this a safe business to be in.” 

How were they forecasting the home prices? Algorithms. Leaving it up to technology to determine the price of the homes and market prediction. As any “boots on the ground” Real Estate Agent will tell you, pricing a home has an incredible amount of nuance. Leaving it up to a computer that has no ability to adapt for nuances in certain markets is clearly going to lead to problems. 

This whole situation begs the question, are Zestimates at all accurate? Mike DelPrete, an iBuying Real Estate analyst, was quoted saying, “This is really a toy… This is to stimulate people’s interest in property.” We’ve said it before, we will say it again – Zestimates are not a home appraisal. And Zillow says on their website, “It is a computer-generated estimate of the value of a home today, given the available data. We encourage buyers, sellers and homeowners to supplement the Zestimate with other research, such as visiting the home, getting a professional appraisal of the home, or requesting a comparative market analysis (CMA) from a real estate agent.” So it is safe to say that Zillow has proven the point for us that Zestimates are not accurate.

Other popular iBuying sites (Redfin, OpenDoor, Offerpad, etc…) are still at it and we are sure that some form of this type of home selling will remain in our current landscape. There may be situations where using a service like this to sell your home makes more sense than a traditional method. As we mentioned, it can be a very quick process. There is also the appeal of not having to have your house “show ready” during the selling process. The convenience of it cannot be argued against. Depending on the situation you are in, it may make sense for you to go the iBuying route. Seeking professional guidance is the best way to get informed and discover which selling method will be best for you. 

The Real Estate industry is changing and has been forced to evolve with the times. Despite the changes, we feel it remains true – a real estate professional that knows a local market will net sellers more money for their homes. Home valuation cannot be done with artificial intelligence – for now, it needs to be done with humans. As a Real Estate Brokerage, we pride ourselves on having a team full of local professionals that will be with you every step of the way. If you would like to read more about this iBuying topic, this is a great article that digs into the Zillow situation. We would also be happy to talk to you about the iBuying process and if it is right for you, even if it does eliminate our role in your journey. We want all of our clients and potential clients to do what is going to be best for them. 

Home Renovation Projects … Most “Bang for Buck”

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Homeowners are always wondering if the money they put into a renovation project will be worth it in the long run – will it add value to their home when trying to sell? It is wise to take this into consideration because there are certain things you can do to your home that are well worth the investment and others that really don’t pencil out. 

Our DBRE agents see this all the time when sitting down with clients at listing appointments – they love when they can deliver good news and tell the sellers that the new changes they made in their bathroom will pay for itself when they expertly price the home for sale. 

So what are the renovation projects that make the most sense and aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg? 

  • All that you have heard about the kitchen and the bathrooms in a home being a huge selling point, are true. Making even minor renovations to these two areas of your home can add value when it is time to sell. Updating the vanity, or painting your old kitchen cabinets are things that aren’t going to break the bank, but will make a big difference when it comes to the potential buyer’s first impressions. 
  • What costs a few hundred bucks and a weekend’s worth of sweat equity? New paint! Throwing on some new (ideally neutral) paint colors up on the walls is going to be a great bang for buck project. 
  • Updating the landscaping will not only boost your curb appeal, but it is also an affordable way to add value to your home. Here in the Valley, it is important to think about drought tolerant plants and always be sure to pick trees and plants that are native and will do well in our climate. Not sure what those are? Stop in to Luis’s Nursery in Visalia and they will be glad to help! Quick Pro-Tip: they can deliver if you have a car that won’t hold all of the goodies you buy 🙂 
  • Ask a pro! Any one of our agents could help you decide what makes sense for your renovations and can tell you about some comps in the neighborhood. You could also reach out to a local interior designer for some tips as well. We love everything Chrissy with Noun Interiors does. Even following her on Instagram will give you some great ideas. 

Now that we have given you some foundational knowledge, we do want to leave you with something to keep in mind – if you are making renovations to your home and not intending to sell soon, then by all means do what it is that your heart desires! On the other hand, if you are making the upgrade with the intention of getting the home ready to sell, then pay attention to the items we listed above. With everything in life, there are two sides to this coin, but the main thing to keep in mind, when making a big (expensive) renovation is this: keep it simple and not overly personalized. 

We don’t mean – make it look like every other home on HGTV – but it is important to think about what potential buyers are going to see when they walk in the door (now or 5+ years from now.) Are they going to see a blank canvas to work with? Or are they going to see a bunch of work they have to do to bring it back to a blank canvas? Are they going to see the black paint you picked for the guest bath as a 4 coat paint job they don’t want to deal with? Or will they be drawn to your “Agreeable Grey” paint and feel cozy and ready to make an offer?

If you are still scratching your head, wondering what renovations you should make or skip, then please feel free to reach out. We are a full service brokerage and have agents who are skilled experts in all things house related that would be happy to give you some advice and pointers. And of course we are always at the ready if you find that you are ready for someone else to enjoy the renovations you’ve made. Reach out to us today! 

The Real Estate Industry is Fueled by Coffee

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Here are the Best Places to Fuel Up in the Central Valley, According to the DBRE Family 

Something you may or may not know is that Real Estate Professionals drink 58% percent of all coffee consumed in the US. Hahaha… just kidding, just kidding! We do not have science backing our claim that we all have coffee coursing through our veins at every moment of everyday, only just some anecdotal evidence that would suggest we are coffee experts. So, since we are self proclaimed experts, we figured we would share with you our favorite local spots to grab a nice cup of joe. 

Our team here at Dani Blain Real Estate has a wide range of taste as it relates to their coffee shop of choice. From the neighborhood gas station, to making their own at home, and on to the old stand by of Starbucks – and more in between, we will take you through some of the responses we got when we asked about where they go to buy their favorite beverage. 

Starbucks is an easy place to love. They are easy to find, you always know that your order will taste the same from location to location, and there are plenty of options on the menu to be able to mix it up often. Lana, our Administrative Director, even has her own favorite Starbucks she likes best. The one on Caldwell and Demaree is her go-to… she loves that it has a drive-thru, its close to the office, and since everyone that works there knows her – they of course love her like we do! Her drink order is nice and simple, a hot Cafe Mocha – but when she is feeling like she needs an extra bit of some sweet goodness, she orders her Grande drink in a Venti cup, so she can ask for extra whipped cream. Genius! 

Some other teammates also called out Starbs as their favorite place to get coffee and they may have an order you can try – or shoot, you can even surprise them with their favorite drink, if you’d like! 🙂 

  • Daisy loves the Iced Shaken Brown Sugar Oatmilk Espresso (but be sure to ask them to hold the cinnamon and add an extra splash of oatmilk.) 
  • Before Steven Duck was a Realtor, he used to be a Starbucksf barista – so you can bet his order is not only good, but not too high maintenance for the crew member making the drink. He gets a Venti Cold Brew, Classic Syrup, and Light ice (another tip of the trade – less ice = more drink.) 
  • Jen, our Controller, likes the ever classic Iced Americano… plain and simple, just like she keeps things around the office for us. 
  • Lori is another oatmilk fan… she likes to get an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk coffee, shaken – not stirred. (We added the not stirred part, because it was screaming to be added.)

Stepping outside of Starbucks and big chains, there are some great small coffee places here in the Valley you must try if you haven’t yet. 

  • Reece loves to hit up Vali Coffee on his way to his office with The Shawn Team at The Downtown Dream in Tulare. He says right now is the perfect time of year to try the Pumpkin Pie Cold Brew – and guess what? It is about to get a whole lot easier for him to grab a coffee from them, because they are going to be opening up a shop at the Downtown Dream! Stay tuned on their socials for more details. 
  • Odalys is a big fan of the Nitro Bike because not only can she get an amazing cup of Nitro infused coffee, but she also loves that every cup is supporting a small, local, family owned business. Her order sounds delicious – she gets an Oat Milk Latte with honey syrup and lavender… mmmm! 
  • Ruben loves him a good cold brew, and according to him, The Human Bean in Visalia does it best (they also have another location in Tulare.) Apparently, he is the ultimate expert here, because he tells us that his blood type is COFFEE (lol.) He recommends not only the cold brew, but the Java Chips and the Granitas as well, and says that the customer service can’t be beat. Go give them a try and tell them Ruben sent you. 
  • Lily runs on Iced Oatmilk Lattes and loves that Component Coffee Lab in Visalia makes a great one and also provides the perfect atmosphere to get a little work done – you should check it out, it really does have great ambience. 

A few others on our team had favorites that aren’t Sbux and also aren’t one of the mom&pop shops either. 

  • You will see Leo with a coffee in his hand almost always – but what you will notice about this coffee in his hand, is that it is a to-go tumbler from his HOUSE. Can you believe it? He makes his own coffee and he is all about it… from saving money, to making it just the way he likes it, it is a home brew all the way for him. His mainstay is a Cafe Latte with extra half and half, but he also likes to change things up from season to season. So next time you see him, ask what he brewed for his daily coffee fix. 
  • Travis’s answer was one of our favorites, because it is so perfectly him. He told us that every morning on his way out of the neighborhood, to start his day with a nice classic cup of coffee, he likes to go to the Valero in Shannon Ranch. He loves the staff and the ease of stopping in to grab and go. 
  • Ever hear the slogan, “America runs on Dunkin’?” Well, so does Matthew and a classic Iced Vanilla Latte is his old stand by. We have a feeling if our brokerage was on the East Coast, there would be way more people that had this answer – everyone on the other side of the country seems to love this place.
  • Davian is a member of the Dutch Mafia, as Dutch Bros. fans like to call themselves. He loves the customer service they provide and goes there so often he even has become friends with a number of them. He respects the way they do business and run each franchise and the way they pour into (pun intended) their employees. He also can’t get enough of this super specific drink – he gets a medium Nitro Cold Brew, 3x sweet with 2 pumps hazelnut, 2 pumps vanilla, and 4 ounces of soft top with a caramel drizzle – only on the soft top (we told you, it was super specific.) He says if you are stopping to do a Starbucks run, he’ll take a water. Haha! 

We had so much fun documenting the DBRE crew’s fav brews! Did we miss any of your favorite local places? What about the best coffee shops on the Central Coast? Speaking of, did you know that our Brokerage also serves the entire Central Coast? We have agents who specialize in this area and we love taking a break from the Central Valley heat and popping over to cool off at the coast. 

Why Choose Us When You are Ready to Buy or Sell?

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A few blog posts back we talked about the Top Ten Reasons Real Estate Agents Should Hang Their License with Us, but we would not be in business if it weren’t for our clients. While we do pride ourselves on being a Real Estate Brokerage that agents seek out and help us create the culture we have set out to establish, we also are very passionate about serving our clients and making sure we have agents who are going to go the distance and work hard for them.

We always have agents who are ready and able to assist potential buyers and sellers with all of their Real Estate needs. There are so many choices and options with over 200,000 active real estate agents in California alone, we know that chances are you know someone, or know someone who knows someone who is a Real Estate Agent. Why should you choose one of our agents over an agent with a different brokerage? Let us count the ways 🙂 

  • Did you know that agents are independent contractors and choose a brokerage to work under? We have found that the agents we attract, choose us because they appreciate and value our vision. They know we strive to always put people and relationships over the numbers, serve our team and clients well, and always do what we say we will do. The glue and energy at DBRE comes from our faith, hard work, and loving our real estate family well – birds of a feather flock together, as they say. 
  • DBRE agents are well supported. With a full team of professionals backing them up in every step of the process there is always someone who they can reach out to to find the right vendor, answer a question, or get expert opinions or advice for those tricky situations we have found throughout this current (wild) real estate market. 
  • In addition to the marketing they will do when it comes to selling your house, they also reap the benefits of our brokerage having its own marketing team that additionally markets all of the homes our agents are listing.
  • Unmatched personality and charisma… We have salt of the earth agents who are just all around great people. We are so proud of each of them and know that they choose to work under DBRE because integrity is of utmost importance to them. 
  • They support the community they serve. With multiple opportunities offered to them throughout the year to give back to their community through the giving the brokerage participates in, by working with one of our agents, you are working with someone who understands the value in giving back to the community where they work. 
  • A portion of every bought and sold home, property, or commercial space goes directly from the brokerage, directly back into the Central Valley and the Central Coast. You can read more here about all of the ways we support and give back to this community we live in and love so much.

We know there are plenty of people out there right now that are either looking to buy or sell. We hope that you now feel confident to start and end your search for the perfect real estate agent, by selecting one of our amazing agents. You can read all about each of them here or you can visit our Instagram to see some of their reviews from previous clients. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you soon – please be sure to get in touch if you would like us to help match you with one of our excellent agents. 

Giving Back to Our Community

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One of the things we are most proud of is the way that we invest a predetermined (and ever growing) portion of our earnings into supporting our community. We love the way that each buyer or seller we work with is giving us another opportunity to make a difference in our community. At Dani Blain Real Estate we have built our brokerage from the ground up with giving as one of our foundational pillars. 

If you follow us on social media, or here on our blog, you have probably seen us mention some of the groups we support all over Central California. Our roots in this community are strong and we serve our clients well, so we can in turn serve our community well. Dani’s late husband, Kevin Blain laid the foundation for always giving back and when Dani created this brokerage after his passing, she knew she would continue the philanthropy that was close to her heart. 

At Dani Blain Real Estate we love that giving is a team effort and we love to see the way that our agents and their families participate. We have several charities and nonprofits in the community that we work with and support and look forward to continuing to do so – all because of our clients! Our clients  make it possible for us to support the agencies and nonprofits serving the specific needs of our local residents and making a difference in our community.

We have a strong conviction to help make sure that people in our communities have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Giving back to organizations that provide for those that are hungry, experiencing homlessness or need ministering are areas we will always focus on. Below are some of the great services groups we love:

  • One of our long term partnerships is with FoodLink Tulare County because they are incredible with their never ending fight to help combat food insecurity. Their mission is “to promote equitable and dignified access to nutritious, healthy food while also addressing the root causes of hunger through education, advocacy, and food systems change.” 
  • The work that Salt and Light Works is doing in the Central Valley is making a real difference for our neighbors experiencing homelssness. Their mission is to “cultivate community through dignified homes, jobs and healing for our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Tulare County.”
  • We have a super soft spot in our hearts for the Tulare Lighthouse Rescue Mission, who created a much needed women’s shelter in 2006 and then opened their men’s shelter in 2019. We love that they serve up the word of the Lord with the people they support. Their mission is “We embrace the poor and homeless with the compassion of Jesus Christ, as a beacon of hope and healing for a changed life, helping them to find their way home.”
  • You may remember our recent blog post where we highlighted the passion project of one of our very own agents, Dave Schlick and the nonprofit, The Village of Hope which was established for the indigenous people of the Mixteco village in southern Mexico. The work they are doing combines three of our greatest passions for giving – homelessness, hunger, and ministry. Their ultimate goal is to  “see the lives of staff, missionaries, and locals transformed into the likeness of Christ as the Village of Hope strives with passion and unity to rescue the lost, raise up disciples, and restore hope to the hopeless.” 
  • One of our most favorite opportunities for giving is with the Kevin Blain Memorial Scholarship program, where we award deserving graduating seniors scholarship monies to pursue further education or trade school. We gave out nine $500 scholarships to the class of 2021. You can read more about the program as well as about our recipients here.
  • El Rio Reyes Conservation Trust is a nonprofit regional California land trust whose mission is to safeguard the Kings River and its lands for future generations. The natural resources of the Central Valley are tremendous. Last year as fires burned threatening so much close to home we looked to support those organizations directly protecting resources and helping people displaced by the fires.  Read more about the last time we worked with them, in one of our previous blog posts. 
  • Youth for Christ or you may know it as Campus Life, is a community-based organization impacting the lives of teenagers throughout Tulare and Kings Counties. They serve as Gang Interventionists, Life Coaches, and Chaplains who meet the needs of students to help them be successful in life. It is their vision to “reach every young person throughout Tulare and Kings Counties with the Gospel, and partner with our local churches to disciple them to be like Christ.” They are currently serving in 41 schools throughout Tulare-Kings Counties and Dani Blain Real Estate proudly donated when they were experiencing multiple hardships during the height of the pandemic

  • Young Life and Young Lives is a very special organization to us and we support them whenever we can. In their work they “go to kids, build bridges of authentic friendship, and introduce them to Jesus Christ”. We especially get filled up by giving to their teen mom program, Young Lives,  where they focus on supporting pregnant and parenting teens through mentorship, community, and a life with Christ.

You have heard us say it before, and we know we will say it again… “we are blessed so that we may bless others”. Our brokerage was built on the ideas that we are here to serve our community, that when you succeed we do, and as your partnership serves us – we will always turn that back around and serve our community. Do you know of a local group that is serving our community that we should know about? We are always looking to expand our reach and help as many groups as we can – so if you have any ideas, please contact us! 

Top 10 Reason why Dani Blain Real Estate is the BEST Brokerage to “Hang Your License”

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In the state of California, there are currently more than 200,000 active real estate agents, according to First Tuesday Journal. All of these Real Estate Agents have many things in common, and today we are focusing on one of the fundamental commonalities: They all need to operate under a Real Estate Broker. As a small or “boutique brokerage” we really pride ourselves on being a great place for agents to “hang their license.” With over 90,000 real estate brokerages just in California, there is clearly no shortage of options, and although we may be biased, we think our brokerage is the best place in Central California for Real Estate Agents to operate.

Since we opened our doors in September of 2019 we have been working hard to create a brokerage and culture within the brokerage that serves our community and our clients with integrity. We operate under a long standing vision to always put people and relationships over the numbers. We are fueled by our faith, hard-work, and loving our real estate family well. Once you become part of the DBRE family, you will never want to leave – let us tell you the top 10 reasons why:

10. Team & Solo Agent Options

Whether you are a seasoned pro or just joining the real estate industry, we have options to meet you where you are and help you succeed. Oftentimes if you just received your license, you may be looking for some mentorship and professional development to help fast track your business growth. The Shawn Team will be a great opportunity for you if you think joining a team would be an ideal first step into Real Estate. Blake Shawn is a top 1% agent in a number of transactions, started the team in 2016 and is a great mentor and motivator. 

For teams and individual agents alike, we offer limitless growth potential by providing you the resources and support you need to do your best. Keep reading more to see what we mean. Solo agents within our brokerage have been thriving and make us so proud everyday.

9. Our Values: Service, Culture, Integrity

Our focus has always been on relationships, growing our agents and giving back to the communities we serve – all while doing real estate. We believe that serving you is meeting your specific needs. By meeting your needs, we help you succeed. When you succeed, so do we. Here, it is normal to love and be loved, we uplift one another: agents, clients, and partners alike. Here, ‘you’ always goes before ‘me’. At Dani Bain Real Estate, we do what we say we are going to do, and we always strive to do what is right. These ideals form the basis of our core values: service, culture, and integrity.

8. Giving & Community First

We have a heart for the specific needs in our community and we believe we are blessed so that we can bless others. Dani Blain Real Estate believes in giving back, so we do!  On a monthly basis we give back to groups or individuals whose mission or endeavors help make our community a better place. As a real estate family, our agents participate in many of these giving opportunities and in some cases lead the charge!

7. ALC – Agent Leadership Council and Committees 

All agents at Dani Blain Real Estate are our business partners. The Agent Leadership Council (ALC) is a select group of our business partners set apart to be actively involved in the leadership of the brokerage. Their main goal is to ensure thriving business opportunities for all who call Dani Blain Real Estate (DBRE) home. They are the guardians of DBRE’s culture that fosters growth, opportunities, and holds paramount the ideal that ‘you’ always goes before ‘me’. 

For those agents who are not serving on the ALC, but still want to speak into the Brokerages business functions and develop their leadership skills they can join one of our standing committees: Marketing/Video, Growth, and Education and Training. At DBRE there are many options for growing and being supported!

6. Brokerage Meetings

Once a month we bring the entire brokerage together to celebrate our successes from the month prior and recognize agents and team members who are thriving in the real estate biz. These meetings are not only celebratory, but also inspiring and help fuel our mission of creating a culture that is the backbone of what we do. We love our Brokerage meetings and connecting the whole team on a regular basis. 

5. Training Opportunities & Mentored Support

For both our teams and our solo agents, we have a great training program where we focus on improving skills, learning new techniques, and staying up to date on market trends and best practices. Each week we offer regular  trainings and one-on-one opportunities to help you succeed or improve where you need it. Additionally, we are happy to partner seasoned agents with new agents or those who want some coaching to achieve their goals. Our office staff, support team, and both of our experienced, licensed brokers all provide a wealth of knowledge and support all of our agents.

4. Our Marketing Team

The days of simply door knocking have evolved… we have an internal team that meets regularly to keep up with our marketing plan. We work with industry experts and have a strategic and methodical approach to market not only our brokerage, but the homes our agents are selling. Marketing is a huge piece to being a successful agent and one that takes a lot of time and expertise. Let us help!

3. Our Loyalty Program

We care about your business and want your success recognized. We also want you to be rewarded for staying, achieving your goals  and choosing to grow with us over time. Our unique Loyalty Program has been designed with options you can personalize so you get the tools you need to continue to do your business well with perks to encourage and motivate you to keep going!

2. Our ISA Team

We are the only boutique, local brokerage with a full time ISA Team that works around the clock to find solid leads for our agents. What’s an ISA? Inside Sales Associates – we have a full team of them. Having a team dedicated to helping agents find pre-approved buyers and serious sellers takes a whole load off of the agent and allows them time to focus on what they do best – buying and selling properties, rather than only searching for viable leads. 

And the #1 Reason to Hang Your License at Dani Blain Real Estate: The Team and Sense of Belonging

We feel very confident in saying we have the best agents and support staff in all of Central California. We truly function as a family and all have each other’s best interests in mind. If you enjoy a strong sense of team and belonging, we know you will love being a part of the Dani Blain Real Estate Family.

Looking to Join the Team?

If this Top 10 List has you thinking that DBRE may be the right brokerage to hang your license, then you are in luck! We are looking for outgoing, driven, dynamic individuals looking to increase your business and live a big life. We are seeking decisive, self-motivated, consultative sales leaders. Candidates should be licensed, determined, committed and high performers. Must be thoughtful, outgoing, and people-people. Only those who desire to be a super-achiever need apply. The sky’s the limit with no ceiling on your income.

Individuals who apply must:
– Have a huge heart, be happy and positive and want to help homeowners or investors have an amazing selling
and/or buying experience. We don’t tolerate negativity or gossip. We are servant leaders.
– Have strong verbal skills and love constant change in a fast paced environment that is self-reliant.
– Be results-oriented and seek an opportunity to thrive in the Real Estate Industry!

View this document to learn a little more about the kind of person who fits best with the DBRE family of agents or contact us if you have any questions.

Kevin Blain Memorial Scholarship 2021 Recipients

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Giving back to the communities we serve and live in, is at the core of what we do and how we operate Dani Blain Real Estate. If you have been reading our blog or following along with our social media channels, you know that we work with a number of local nonprofits and charitable groups throughout the year to deliver on this mission to give. One of our most favorite opportunities for giving is with the Kevin Blain Memorial Scholarship program, where we award deserving graduating seniors scholarship monies to pursue further education or trade school. 

This year, we were excited to have expanded our scholarship program to encompass all Tulare and Visalia high schools and are excited to award students that are looking to pursue careers in the mental health field, in addition to the previous criteria of those who are well deserving based on their character, leadership, volunteerism, demonstrated heart for others, and faith in Christ. 

Kevin Blain was born and raised in Tulare. As he became an adult and worked toward a successful career, here in the Central Valley, he wanted to give back to the community that supported him during his youth. In his honor, Dani Blain Real Estate has continued his legacy of giving by working with local high schools to provide this scholarship opportunity. 

This year we had an incredible crop of young adults apply for the scholarship and our committee had a very hard time deciding who to award these nine $500 scholarships. In the end, the decisions were made and we were able to bless our recipients prior to their graduation and we could not be happier to tell you all a little bit about each of them. Without further ado, please meet this year’s Kevin Blain Scholarship recipients: 

Alekhya Rajasekaran graduated from El Diamante high school with a 4.47 GPA and has plans for a double major in Biology and Economics with the hopes of becoming a physician. Not only was Alekhya an incredibly involved student in clubs and volunteer work, she is also the CEO of her own company, Kalifornia Kisses.

Ella Reitsma graduated from Visalia Charter Independent Study High School with a 4.26 GPA and has made plans for a Optometry career and will be majoring in Biology. Ella is a true survivor and has overcome many difficulties in her life. She chose to turn them around, help others through volunteering and help take care of her younger siblings. 

Giana Hollingsworth graduated from Mount Whitney Highschool with a 4.39 GPA and is headed to a state university to study Animal Science/Livestock to pursue a career as a veterinarian. In addition to participating in numerous clubs, she was also on the  basketball and tennis teams as well as a member of the concert choir. 

Isabella Caso graduated from Mission Oaks High School with a 3.67 GPA. She is very involved with her community volunteering and serving others through school clubs, her church and United Way of Tulare County. She dreams of pursuing a career teaching music in her home county of Tulare upon graduation from California State University at Fresno where she will start in the Fall. 

Jacqueline Canchola-Martinez attended Redwood High School and graduated with a 4.54 GPA. Not only was she very active in clubs, the marching band and the soccer team, but she also founded  Students for Climate Action and was an active member in VUSD’s Equity Task Force & Civic engagement Project. She plans on studying Environmental and Political Science to go into Environmental Law and Policy. 

Jessica Amber Lytle graduated from Tulare Union High School with a 4.0 GPA with her sights set on a Liberal Arts degree to be a Speech Pathologist. She has overcome some very difficult times in her family and stayed busy throughout highschool with volunteering, clubs and sports – she was on the golf, dive, and soccer teams. 

Lilly Sear graduated from Visalia Early Technical College with a 4.14 GPA. She will be attending Humboldt State University in the fall and will study Zoology to become a Zoologist. Upon graduation she is heading to college with 42 college credits as she was dually enrolled at College of the Sequoias while she was in high school. 

Sydney Noell attended Golden West High School and 4.37 GPA and has aspirations of becoming a Chemistry teacher. She was very involved in FFA, multiple clubs, as well as a member of the swim and dive team, and the tennis team. Additionally she was an avid volunteer serving as a worship leader and Younglife Leader. 

Ty Benas graduated from Tulare Western high school with a 3.7 GPA. He plans to attend the College of Western Idaho to study Fire Science to become a firefighter/EMT. Ty actually knew Kevin through his mom, which makes receiving this scholarship extra special. He was on the swim and water polo teams and has already completed the EMT academy. 

These nine recent grads make us feel excited for the future – as they are all such impressive young people. It has been an honor to be able to bless more students this year than ever. We want to make sure that all of our readers know that our scholarship fund would not be possible without our wonderful clients that trust us with all of their Real Estate needs. Thank you for helping us keep Kevin’s legacy alive with this Memorial Scholarship Fund and helping us contribute to our future’s greatest asset – our youth. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or of course for any of your Real Estate matters. 

Giving Feature: A Village of Hope

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Before Dani Blain Real Estate came to life, we knew we wanted to create a culture of agents and team members who truly understand that we are not here just to help people buy and sell houses, but rather truly lead with our servant hearts. We believe we are blessed so that we can bless others. Giving back is at the forefront of our brokerage and as a real estate family, our agents participate in many of the giving opportunities that are ongoing within the brokerage each month. We even have some cases where our agents are the ones leading the charge! 

For the month of June we have proudly supported a non-profit called Village of Hope International. We are so proud and eager to support our agents who are working hard to help here in the valley and in places people need it most. For years David Schlick, one of our newer agents, has been traveling south of the border to not only volunteer and lead teams of missionaries, but to truly sow the seeds of hope for the indigenous people of the Mixteco village in southern Mexico. 

When he saw the poverty and need that this village was in, he and some other friends knew they had to do more. They saw what the local community center, The Village of Hope was doing to provide hope to the working poor (most of whom are farm laborers who make $12 to $14 a day) and wanted to expand the great work already happening, so in 2017 they started a nonprofit called the Village of Hope International.

They raise about $200,000 a year which funds a feeding program that serves more than a 1,000 meals a week, has two youth soccer teams, two churches reaching more than 500 weekly, a seminary, after school tutoring, literacy program, career training and home building. To date, the Village has built more than 240 homes of hope. These homes have a cement foundation, a main living space, two bedrooms, a loft and electrical. For about $6,000 they are able to build a house and radically transform life for a hardworking family.

David has set his sights and has a goal to fund 10 homes this year. Slowly but surely he is making it happen. But he knows he can’t reach this goal of 10 homes alone. We are happy to report that several local agents have given generously to help with this lofty goal. One agent has committed to funding one home a year. Another agent gave him a prequalified client which led to a sale currently in escrow. He has a photographer who is a former student who shoots all of David’s listings for free. David also works with other partners in the industry who donate all or portions of their service fees to support this cause.

We are so inspired by David and all of those who have contributed to the Village of Hope. If you would like to give or go on a 5-day home build trip  you can contact him at dave.schlick@gmail.com or (559)679-5733. We encourage you to visit his website that has even more info on his goals and mission to provide as much as he can for this community in great need.

Summer in the Central Valley and Coast… A Little Something for Everyone

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One of the reasons Dani Blain Real Estate loves to serve the Central Valley and the Central Coast is because we have the best of California right at our fingertips. Whether you travel north, south, east or west there is truly something for everyone. Get out and explore this summer… let us help you make a plan depending on your personality or your mood.

For Families

For a day full of hands-on learning and fun, you must check out the Fresno Discovery Center. There is a great grassy park area that begs for a picnic, and you can’t miss the incredible Deutsch Cactus Garden with over 250 succulents and cacti. If you are looking for some additional indoor family fun, go visit Never Bored for so many awesome family friendly ideas of things to keep busy in the Central Valley this summer.

For the Outdoor Enthusiasts

Camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and a beautiful pine tree forest – right here in our backyard. The Sequoia National Forest is home to Shaver Lake and is an outdoor lover’s dream! You can camp, stay at a nearby AirBnB, or just day trip in for quick fun in the sun-escape. 

For the Night Owls

Head on out to Fresno – after making reservations at Quail State, Fresno’s first and only rooftop bar. Open Wednesday – Sunday serving craft cocktails, farm to fork cuisine, and some of the best ambiance around. 

Speaking of rooftop bars and restaurants, The Elderwood at The Darling Hotel in Visalia does not disappoint! Five stories above town you are sure to see a gorgeous sunset and will enjoy local, seasonal bites, specialty cocktails and more. Make your reservation first!

For the Beach Lovers

The Central Coast has some of the best beaches in the Golden State – we may be biased… but they are incredible! You can stop at any beach from Pismo to Monterey and have a great day, however; Avila Beach is our go to recommendation. It’s half mile shoreline is family friendly and the nearby shopping, restaurants  and pier round it out as a perfect overall beach experience.

For the History Buffs

In the early 1900s Balsassare Forestiere settled in Fresno with dreams of becoming a citrus farmer. He spent 40 years of his life excavating and planting over 10 acres of citrus trees all underground. This summer be sure to make a reservation for a guided tour to see this incredible historic landmark.

For the Seriously Adventurous

About an hour north of Visalia you can be among the ultimate thrill seekers and add skydiving to your summer bucket list. Check out Skydive Madera to make a reservation for either a more traditional tandem jump, or you can even take a six hour class to jump solo – an Accelerated Free Fall. 

For Water Lovers

It’s no secret that the Valley gets HOT. What’s the best way to cool off? A day trip to the water park! Island Water Park in Fresno is a great option with a wave pool, lazy river, tube slides, body slides, and a huge kid area there is plenty to keep everyone busy and wet all day. 

Or try another favorite Ravine Water Park in Paso Robles. You can make it there and back for a solid day trip! New this year is the Jungle Treasure Mini Golf Adventure area. There is something for everyone!

Just a bit north of us, in Manteca, the Great Wolf Lodge officially opened this summer. It makes a great weekend getaway with the on property rooms and packages to get the full experience. 

Have a Great Summer

We hope summer of 2021 brings you lots of fun, laughs and memories. Whether you have lived here forever or are thinking of making the move here, summer time is a great time to explore all the Valley has to offer. It’ll be hot… just like the housing market around here! Speaking of… We are here for all of your real estate needs and hope you reach out to our team if you want to buy or list – we have got you covered.