OUR PHILOSOPHY
Who we ARE:
We are a small “boutique style” real estate firm. Our focus is helping our clients looking to buy or sell their homes in the Northern California region (mainly Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, & Solano counties). The firm has successfully been in business for 14+ years, and has never employed more than 5 Agents at a time. We remain small on purpose to bring on only top quality experienced Agents who maintain the level of integrity and personal service our clients expect.
The majority of our clients are referred to us. We are selective with who we work with, because we limit the number of listings and/or purchases we take on at once. Why? Because we strive for nothing less than excellent, and our team spends a TON of time to achieve total success listing our clients’ homes. Taking on too many listings wouldn’t allow our Agents to dedicate the extensive time, effort, & skill needed to continue to get results that our track record shows. In addition, many of our clients are individuals who prefer discreet representation and confidentiality.
We have strong alliances with vendors we use exclusively for our clients. Only time, experience, & integrity allows a firm to build quality relationships with top vendors and earn a “solid rolodex.” We have built up a private book of photographers, stagers, contractors, landscapers, cleaners, etc., that we use exclusively for our clients at preferred pricing rates.
Who we ARE NOT:
We are NOT a high volume discount brokerage firm. “You get what you pay for,” is an adage we have all heard, and there is truth to this. Although competitive with our fees, we are not a good fit for clients seeking to hire a firm with the lowest commissions in town. Firms that try to do that end up taking on too many listings which often results in half the service, and an even “lesser” result where the client ends up suffering the most. This will never be our model.
Our philosophy instead is to make money with our clients, not from our clients, as we work together towards the same goal. We can show with 100% certainty, that our clients have always obtained a return that far exceeds and justifies whatever fees the firm earns. As a result, most of our clients work with us long term on multiple transactions.
We are NOT new to the game. Our agents all live locally for over 20 years, and KNOW this market as we live it and breathe it daily. Our Managing Broker is also a licensed Attorney. Although he can’t represent our clients as their legal counsel while also being the Managing Broker, our clients still benefit from a “legal mind” reviewing documents and focusing on contract details that can often get overlooked.
We are NOT annoyingly aggressive. Buying or selling a home is a huge undertaking. We get it, as we all own homes and live here with our families too. As homeowners in this community, we get as annoyed as you do with the “pushy” salesperson approach. You will experience nothing but professionalism, and see the integrity and knowledge of our Agents you choose to work with.
OUR TEAM
Sam Dhingra
Founder & Managing Broker
I started my real estate career while still in law school, when a colleague’s family took me under their wing and taught me how to invest in commercial real estate. After practicing Family Law for a bit, I simultaneously got my Real Estate Broker’s license and then trained with some of the brightest and the best at Marcus & Millichap, one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the US. There my specialty became buying and selling retail and office buildings for clients, as I worked my way up to be named a top 5 producing Agent at the Oakland office.
As opportunities knock in strange ways, I decided to branch off with a few colleagues, and I founded Bay Town Brokers, Inc. in 2009. Our team started to align with local contractors in the Oakland & Berkeley Hills, so our focus eventually changed to custom residential real estate. I started to become involved in the decision making for design, layout, and finishes, and then ultimately earned the task to showcase and sell the homes. It became a perfect fit, and I realized my calling!
Today, my focus has become residential sales exclusively for my clients looking to buy/sell homes in the greater Bay Area (mainly Contra Costa, Alameda, Marin, & Solano counties). With an extensive real estate and legal background, I love to advise and protect my clients to the fullest, while assisting them to make intelligent life changing decisions for their family’s future!
I’ve lived in the Bay Area for 25+ years, and currently live in a house I designed and built in Orinda with my wife Chaula, and our very active daughters, Shaila & Sheena. When not working, I love to travel to wine country, play competitive league softball, and run 10K races for charity.
Education & Credentials:
JD/MBA, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento & Stockton, CA
BA Business Advertising, Bradley University, Peoria, IL
Member of California State Bar, 2000 to present (#209965)
Member of California Department of Real Estate (Broker), 2006 to present (#01782154)
Ankit Arora
Agent
I’m a passionate guy who always knew that a 9-5 job wasn't for me. After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Economics, I pursued my love for tennis to became a full-time tennis pro at Round Hill Country Club (Alamo, CA). I progressively moved up through the profession, and eventually developed my own tennis program in town. This decision proved to be successful, as I built strong relationships with my clients and positively impacted lives through the sport.
After being in the tennis hospitality industry for 20+ years, it was time to supplement my lifestyle with a new challenge. Real estate became my natural transition! Tennis and Real Estate are actually similar in many ways: each tennis match or lesson is different, just like each real estate transaction is
unique. I have to interact and navigate many different personalities, emotions & scenarios in both. I take pride in my communication skills, as well as in my abilities to provide the attention & sincerity my clients deserve and expect!
I am an East Bay native: I’ve lived in Pleasanton, Livermore, & Dublin, and worked in Alamo & Danville. My locality has given me extensive knowledge for the area, and I love being able to share all that our community offers with my clients. My wife Kristen and I grew up in the East Bay, and we are fortunate to raise our 2 sons Jace & Zane in our home in Dublin.
When I’m not working, I take advantage of our perfect weather, as you will see me outdoors at the local parks, downtowns, restaurants, wineries, and of course on the tennis court. As an athlete, I always miss that feeling of competing and then being able to celebrate those wins. I feel in real estate though, I get a similar euphoria on the day of closing and I see the hard work pay off when a house becomes a “home” for my new client friends!
Education & Credentials:
BA Economics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
USPTA Elite Professional
Member of California Department of Real Estate (Agent), 2019 to present (#02033663)