Pro Athlete Real Estate & Relocation: A Dingman Group Blog

Professional Athlete Getaway Homes: Dingman Group

2011-12-24T12:05:00.001-08:00

"Athletes don’t work in offices, restaurants or big box stores like most of us, but that doesn’t mean that their lives are stress-free. They need a place to retreat to in the off-season, a sanctuary where they can escape from the anxiety that would plague anyone who’s paid millions of dollars to surf for a living."

Carmelo Unloads Colorado Home

2011-06-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Dingman Group featured by Forbes: Athletes on the Go.

2011-05-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Athletes on the Go.

Chris Dingman (Dingman Group) on CNBC with Darren Rovell

2011-03-01T07:19:00.000-08:00

Kurt & Brenda Warner welcome a Couple Families into their New Homes!

2011-03-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

The Dingman Group's mission is to support athletes with real estate and the relocation process following trades and drafts. How amazing is it to see Kurt and Brenda provide this once in a lifetime opportunity to such deserving woman (and their families)!

Janel Rocha is now the proud owner of a new home in Goodyear and thanks to several valley organizations and businesses, she and her boys, Victor and Leo, will have a very merry Christmas. (via DAN SPINDLE FOX 10 News)

Kurt and Brenda Warner Spread Holiday Cheer: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Behind the Trade: Joe Smith (newest Laker) talks moving, renting and packing!

2010-12-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

Factoids learned at Monday's practice about the newest Laker (via Andy Kamenetzky of ESPN):

* Smith is enjoying his 16th season in the NBA, long enough to have been included in a 1998 trade with Brian Shaw, now his assistant coach. (In a more recent development, he was also included in a three-way 2008 trade involving Shannon Brown.)

* He's a well traveled athlete. It's been 12 teams for Smith, six alone since 2006. He even managed to get traded to, from, and be reacquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers between February 2008 and March 2009. But incredibly, save half a season in Philly with Theo Ratliff, Smith has somehow managed to never have played with any of his current teammates. This feels mathematically impossible, between his tenure and the amount of times Ratliff, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes have also changed squads. Apparently not.

* A career as an NBA vagabond has made the big man a renter just like the rest of us. Save a place in Arizona, he has no permanent residence. Sensible man, that Joe Smith.
Because work has uprooted Smith so many times, he's a pro at the art of moving (view him talk about the art of the move here)The art of "making small spaces bigger than they appear," as he phrased it. However, constant relocation hasn't turned him into a bitter, bossy crab. He brought 12 suitcases (non-matching) with him for the road trip and eventual arrival in L.A., which turned problematic in Toronto where players have to lug their own bags. Um, hello! Wasn't he aware of Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks, who are on the team in large part to schlep his stuff around?"I know, but I'm new, so I didn't want to put them to work," smiled Smith.

* Smith was a huge Lakers fan growing up, and Magic Johnson was his "idol." Thus, even as a bona fide journeyman, landing here doesn't feel like just place to drop his luggage. "This is a little more special than all the other stops I've been," confirmed Smith. "I'm not saying those stops weren't special. This has just a little more edge to it."

You can follow Smith on twitter at @JoeBeast95. And prepare to get in line, because the dude's tweeps have multiplied like rabbits the second he was traded to the Lakers. 3,000 followers and counting, he noted proudly.

The Dingman Group: The OC Now

2010-09-30T10:42:00.001-07:00

Chris Dingman, a Newport Beach resident, was featured on CNBC Thursday morning.

CNBC aired a segment on Dingman’s business, The Dingman Group, which assists athletes who relocate.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is in the segment as he explains how Dingman helped his mother find a new home. Dingman played football with Smith at Santa Monica College, 1998 and 1999.

Dingman also played with Chad Johnson, now Ochocinco, who is also a client.

Darren Rovell reported on Dingman, saying his business does well because of the consistent moves among athletes.

Dingman was featured in a profile in The Daily Pilot last year.

http://theocnow.com/2010/09/30/chris-dingman-featured-on-cnbc/

Athletes on the Move - CNBC.com

2010-09-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

Athletes on the Move - CNBC.com

How Do Pro Athletes Handle Their Real Estate Needs?

2010-09-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

How Do Pro Athletes Handle Their Real Estate Needs?

Did you ever wonder who handles real estate needs for a professional athlete when they get cut, traded or demoted? Sometimes they seek professional help and sometimes — in the case of Arizona Diamondbacks utilityman Ryan Roberts (pictured) — they take matters in their own hands and choose to live in the clubhouse. Seriously.

“You just couldn’t let anybody see you,” Roberts said. “After the game, I’d sit on the couch in my uni (uniform) until Bugsy (Reno manager Brett Butler) would leave, so everybody would think I was just hanging out. Then I’d shower up and hang out with the cleaning crew.”

Maybe Ryan was just trying to save a buck or two, but there really are people who handle real estate for professional athletes. One guy is Chris Dingman (The Dingman Group), whose business is a “…boutique powerhouse that buys, sells and leases real estate for professional athletes and coaches nationwide.”

Here’s a Q&A with Dingman about his niche real estate business:

How did you get into this business?
Since childhood, sports have defined my path in life. Along my path, I developed personal relationships with pro athletes and coaches. The nomadic lifestyle they live can only be rivaled by the military. I recognized a void and major lack of resources for athletes, coaches and families when faced with a move and created my company. Our mission is to ensure they maintain balance in their daily lives during the relocation process.

Who are some of some of the athletes that you handle?
Our client pool is every professional athlete and coach across every major professional sport (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS). A select few clients of ours are NFL Pro Bowler Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers, MLB All Star Bobby Abreu of the LA Angels, NHL All Star Chris Pronger of the Philadelphia Flyers and dozens of other athletes and coaches whose relocations have all been equally important.

When you hear of an athlete being traded, what’s the first thing you do? Do they call you or do you call their agents/lawyers?
Once word is received of their trade, they personally call us or their advisers call for education, support and next-step information. A trade can create all or one of the following needs: A home sale, house hold goods shipment, vehicle transport and home purchase or lease. Each athlete’s circumstances are unique.

How do you choose the neighborhoods where you search for homes for athletes?
Our nationwide network of pro sports realtors have been referred to us by athletes and coaches who’ve had a positive experience utilizing their expertise during a real estate transaction (i.e. home purchase or sale). This means, they have first-hand knowledge of the neighborhoods or areas where athletes are living or trending to live. Websites such as Zillow help our PSR’s and clients understand the real estate climate in every city throughout the nation.

If an athlete is traded to another team and he loses on his home sale, is he compensated for the loss?
In the NFL they can be. It would have to be discussed and agreed upon by player/agent and team at the time of contract. In baseball, the collective bargaining agreement states a team must sub-lease or take over the remaining terms of a lease if a player is traded or waived. A very specific process must be followed in order to get the team to do this. It’s real tricky sometimes.

The safe answer to the question is probably “it can be…if negotiated up front at contract.”

Once you handle a transaction for an athlete, do you usually handle repeat situations for that athlete?
100% of pro athletes within every major sport will need real estate and relocation services at one point or another during their career. Having a company that streamlines the process for athletes and their advisers is a fairly new niche. A lot of education, relationship-building and trust need to take place. In most every case, athletes use us multiple times per year or during their career. Whether it’s buying a home or packing up a house full of goods we pride ourselves on honest, long-lasting client relationships.

What skills and qualities would you say you need to do this type of job?
Pro athletes and their advisers communicate in very non-traditional ways. The sports world is a very closed-off-to-the-outside-world kind of place. It takes honesty, wit, fortitude, perseverance, and marketing savvy to break into this space and have a big impact. If you don’t have this stuff it’s going to be tough.

Is it glamorous, or not so much?
At first I wasn’t so sure my work would be best described by the word glamorous. So, I looked it up. The definition is: full of excitement, adventure, and unusual activity. It’s DEFINITELY glamorous!

The Dingman Group Website Update is LIVE!

2010-08-12T16:41:00.000-07:00

Website update is LIVE! Please let us know your thoughts. What's new?: 1. Get Started and Locker Room sections. 2. New client pictures and testimonials. 3. Forms and pay section for our clients. -Team DG

www.dingmangroup.com

Professional Athletes and Buying a Home

2010-05-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

By Nolan Thomas

Professional athletes, when it comes to owning a home, have always been in a temporary situation. There is always the chance that they will be relocated to another city through free agency or traded on a moment’s notice.

But these days, because of the recession and high rates of unemployment, home values have declined, moving your family into a new home, and selling your current home has become that much more difficult.

The economic conditions affect athletes just like they affect anyone else when you have property that you are trying to sell. Because of the current conditions and the difficulty of selling a home, many professional athletes have changed their feelings when it comes to home buying.

Most players now days have changed from buying to renting a home or condo in the city in which they play. A lot of players have learned their lesson, as they bought a home, and then they were traded or signed with another team as a free agent and they could not sell their home without losing a lot of money in the process, or ended up paying two or more mortgages. So they still own the home even though they are not living there.

It is not a good idea to buy because they can never predict how long they are going to be playing for a particular team and could be stuck with a piece of property that they never spend time in.

The best part is that many athletes who formally bought their homes and still own them because they cannot sell them at a fair price have started a word-of-mouth network and they will pass along news of possible rentals to incoming players. It adds a sense of confidence to rent to someone who is also a professional athlete and a smart business move.

The last thing a professional athlete wants to worry about is mortgages and loans and cutting the grass. Renting a home until their career is over and they can live somewhere without the worry of having to pack up and move at a moments notice is just the smart thing to do.

Original Article

Pro Athlete Overpays by a Million Dollars Plus in AZ

2010-05-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

As written by "The Sheriff":

My office is located in South Scottsdale and most of my work concentration is on upper bracket properties in Scottsdale and ParadiseValley (typically for financial institutions that work indy of any HVCC regs as they don't sell their loans on the secondary market). While completing research on a property in the Cactus Corridor, a $3.5M dollar sale jumped out at me as the property recently closed utilizing bank financing. When reviewing the transaction, it was apparent to me that a local athlete bought the property (maybe the common person wouldn't notice the buyer's name, but I'm a sports junkie).

The sale is relevant to the appraisal I'm completing as the property is approximately six or so houses away on the subject's street in the same non-HOA community and is very similar in overall quality (Excellent Quality, with a range of Class IV or Class V as identified by the Exceptional Homes Guide published by Marshall & Swift for high value residences). Views are similar (non-view lots of approximately 1.1 acres). The $3.5M property is approximately five hundred sq ft larger than the subject when considering total GLA (although it should be noted the house I'm appraising is 6,060 sq ft on the first level and has an additional 1,560 sq ft basement).

When looking at sales in the Cactus Corridor to figure out how the property could sell for such an amount, there were NO sales in the last 12 months within half a million of the sales price regardless of whether the property was located in an HOA community or not (you might say I've done my fair share of upper bracket properties in this area and have a good pulse on the market). More recently, an 11,000+ property sold for $2,890,000 cash in February very near both the subject property and this reported sale.

When speaking with the agent about the $3.5M sale (it was a dual agent transaction needless to say that had a total of 4 ADOM and 0 CDOM with no prior listing history), he stated that both appraisers went to Silverleaf in DC Ranch to get comparable sales to make the sales price work (the agent claimed he did not see the appraisal reports, however, he did volunteer this information when I asked how they could achieve such a sales price in the area considering recent sales over the previous two years). Anyone with the least bit of geo-competency in Scottsdale knows upper bracket properties in the Cactus Corridor and Silverleaf are not COMPARABLE areas.

Yet, these are not junior appraisers doing these types of assignments. At what point do we police our own appraisers after the fact? Properties of this magnitude are not simple (I've realized this during my time in the industry). Anyone who works the upper bracket market as extensively as me realizes agents play a significant role when it comes to a sale of this magnitude (heck, the commission alone for the agent most likely exceeded $200,000 once the property closed escrow due to his dual representation). If an appraiser came $1M low on this sale for instance by staying in the local market area, the appraisal report would have to be bullet proof prior to being submitted to the financial institution (because if I'm the agent with $200,000 riding on a deal closing, I'm steering the appraiser with any sale that would make this look clean on paper - even if it meant leaving the market area).

This property has two independent appraisals, yet, both appraisers would have to leave the subject's market area to allow such a sale to gain bank financing (let me restate that this was not a cash deal). The county has the property assessed at $2.156M for 2010. The most recent owners purchased the property for $2,080,000 in October of 2003. We are very close to 2003 prices in many areas...

So how does this sale occur at $3.5M? The buyer entrusts our profession and knowledge to get this right (and I'm sure the appraisal fees were pretty decent for a property of this magnitude). Yet, deep down, I realize the irrationalness of this transaction. Is it my responsibility to my profession to write to the financial institution who currently owns this loan? Is it my responsibility to report this transaction to the appraisal board? What about offering a service to the owner himself (because he obviously is oblivious to all of this)?

I was recently hired by a banker from California to complete an appraisal for a local athlete who was purchasing a property in a cash deal. The Cali banker got word of my work through another banker with Sun Trust Bank in Tampa who once played in the NFL for a couple of seasons. The current banker befriended me when we played for the same university in college and we both were consistently receiving accolades for our grades. When it was all said and done, the athlete ended up offering $233,000 less than the current listing price (utilizing the appraisal)... and $133,000 less than they originally anticipated offering on the property because the appraisal was bullet proof (even though the selling agent fed everyone sales higher than the original listing price). The sale is going through with the new offer because the selling agent could not rebut the data in the report.

How hard would it have been for just one of the two appraisers to do the same to protect the bank and the buyer in this transaction? This is really a sad story of epic failure on our industry. These appraisers were definitely seasoned individuals in the industry. Things will never change...

Original Article

Millionaire athletes who lost their millions – How to spend like a professional athlete. | Finance my Money

2010-05-06T20:43:00.000-07:00

Millionaire athletes who lost their millions – How to spend like a professional athlete. | Finance my Money

Here We Go Again... - AccessAthletes :: The Real Athlete Blog

2010-05-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here We Go Again... - AccessAthletes :: The Real Athlete Blog

Inside Sports Business: Mahorn's case another sad reminder | St. Louis Globe-Democrat

2010-05-03T17:59:00.000-07:00

Inside Sports
Business: Mahorn's case another sad reminder | St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

2010-04-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

Dingman Group eBrochure '10

2010-04-19T22:54:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation. Let me know what you think.

Dingman Group eBrochure \'10

View more presentations from The Dingman Group.

Scott Fujita signing reminds NFL free agency has real-life impact - Don Banks - SI.com

2010-03-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Scott Fujita signing reminds NFL free agency has real-life impact - Don Banks - SI.com

7 Costly Pro Athlete Screw-Ups - Investopedia.com

2010-03-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

7 Costly Pro Athlete Screw-Ups - Investopedia.com

King Julius wouldn't wear the crown - NFC South Blog - ESPN

2010-02-19T13:23:00.001-08:00

King Julius wouldn't wear the crown - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-02-19T13:23:00.000-08:00

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Chris Dingman (DingmanGroup) on Twitter

2010-02-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

Chris Dingman (DingmanGroup) on Twitter

U.S. team forward Charlie Davies back with French club Sochaux - ESPN Soccernet

2010-02-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

U.S. team forward Charlie Davies back with French club Sochaux - ESPN Soccernet

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

2010-02-18T11:02:00.001-08:00

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

Tracy McGrady traded to New York Knicks in 3-team deal, sources say - ESPN

2010-02-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

Tracy McGrady traded to New York Knicks in 3-team deal, sources say - ESPN

Local News | Mercer Island property once listed for $40 million is going up for auction in April | Seattle Times Newspaper

2010-02-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

Local News | Mercer Island property once listed for $40 million is going up for auction in April | Seattle Times Newspaper

Wednesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-02-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-02-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Monday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-02-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Monday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-01-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Thursday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-01-28T16:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Wednesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-01-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

Wednesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2010-01-26T16:43:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Oakland Athletics: Agreed to terms with RHP Ben Sheets on a one-year contract. Philadelphia Phillies: Agreed to terms with C Carlos Ruiz on a three-year contract. Oakland Raiders: Named Hue Jackson offensive coordinator.

Forbes.com Video Network | SportsMoney: The Vice Grip On Sports

2010-01-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

Forbes.com Video Network | SportsMoney: The Vice Grip On Sports

Michael Ozanian has great questions and reputable guests. Great for anyone in sports to follow on a consistent basis.

Greer's OC - Secrets of OC Athletes

2010-01-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Greer's OC - Secrets of OC Athletes

DelMarTimes.net | Del Mar attracts many pro athletes

2010-01-21T17:40:00.000-08:00

DelMarTimes.net | Del Mar attracts many pro athletes

Pro Sports Raises Millions for Haiti - BusinessWeek

2010-01-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

Pro Sports Raises Millions for Haiti - BusinessWeek

pelada

2010-01-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

Amazing. I got chills when I watched the Pelada (formerly The Soccer Project) trailer. Some things in life are unexplainable. The feelings we get playing soccer/sports are like no other. Thanks for sharing with us Brian Jones!

New Athletes Magazine Debuts - CNBC

2010-01-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

New Athletes Magazine Debuts - CNBC

Monday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-12-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

Monday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

2009-12-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

Facebook | The Dingman Group: Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-12-15T16:07:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Nate Jackson talks about being cut from NFL team - Stefan Fatsis - SI.com

2009-12-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Nate Jackson talks about being cut from NFL team - Stefan Fatsis - SI.com

2009-12-07T10:49:00.001-08:00

Nnamdi Asomugha, helps Skid Row teen's dream. This young kid is one of the most amazing individuals i've ever seen. Fantastic story!
http://ow.ly/JBb8

2009-12-02T12:51:00.001-08:00

Wednesday 12/2/09: DG's Daily Dose of all major sports transactions. Noteworthy: Philadelphia 76ers agreed to terms with G Allen Iverson and Atlanta Braves agreed to terms with LHP Billy Wagner on a one-year contract. http://ping.fm/Fu1se

2009-12-02T12:42:00.001-08:00

Ping.fm appears to be the best thing ever for updating multiple social media sites at the same time. This is a test to see how it works.

Sunday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-11-08T22:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

11/8: DG's Daily Dose of all major sports transactions. Phillies declined to exercise the 2010 option on 3B Pedro Feliz.

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-11-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

11/6: DG's Daily Dose of major sports transactions. Most notably, the Twins aquire J.J. Hardy from the Brewers.

Friday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

Lackey, Holliday and 77 others file for free agency - MLB - SI.com

2009-11-05T20:05:00.000-08:00

Lackey, Holliday and 77 others file for free agency - MLB - SI.com

Thursday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-11-05T19:59:00.000-08:00

Thursday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

NFL Videos: NFL Films Presents: Passionate Panther

2009-11-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

Great up close and personal NFL Films video of my old college teammate and past client.

NFL Videos: NFL Films Presents: Passionate Panther

11/2: DG's Daily Dose

2009-11-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

11/2: DG's Daily Dose of major sports transactions. Key note here...Chambers is released from Chargers!?

10/30: DG's Daily Dose of major sports transactions

2009-10-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Eve!

See what happened in the pro sports world today. Remember, sports are a business. Transactions take place on a daily basis that can cause very emotional times...both good and bad.

The Dingman Group's Daily Dose of sports transactions and behind the scenes info.

2009-10-30T19:48:00.001-07:00

Add The Dingman Group as a facebook friend and also follow us on twitter. We have fantastic updates daily and great behind the scenes information on your favorite sports stars.

10/26: DG's Daily Dose of major sports transactions - USATODAY.com

2009-10-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Monday's Sports Transactions - USATODAY.com

facebook Fan Page: Join the Movement

2009-10-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

We buy, sell and lease homes nationwide for every pro athlete and coach. But, we don't stop there. We ship cars and household goods, too. We are a boutique powerhouse with unprecedented customer service!

D.C. Area Home Perfect for an Athlete or Celebrity

2009-10-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

If you are an athlete in the D.C. area looking for a home, this waterfront property is awesome!

Leodis McKelvin of Buffalo Bills willing to forgive lawn vandals

2009-09-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

I'm not so sure we'd have the same "easy going" attitude Leodis has shown if we were a target of vandalism. It seems as though these days that athletes feel they deserve such harsh criticism, and even vandalism, after a poor performance.
Could you imagine if corporate employees were held to such stiff standards? So if a terrible presentation to franchisees by an employee of Taco Bell ended up raising the price of my Taco; I'm now entitled to find out where this employee lives and trash his lawn with Tacos? Not so sure there would be "go getters" in the world...we'd all be afraid of making mistakes. We can't be afraid to make mistakes in life.
As a relocation firm, we take privacy and the location of our athletes' homes very seriously. We wonder how his address was found out by bored fans?

Here's what Leodis had to say..."It's just one little incident. I hope it doesn't happen any more," McKelvin said following practice. "I was mad, I was kind of like angry in a way, but I was laughing a little bit for what they put on there."

Original article: SI.com

Insane Scene

2009-09-09T21:11:00.001-07:00

The most beautiful resort on the California coast is right in The Dingman Group's backyard.

We've had the great pleasure of touring this facility. From the Coliseum pool, the tasty food, bungalows to absolutely amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

This place is not cheap. It's perfect for athletes, entertainers and musicians. It's private. It's safe.

Bring your family. Go alone. It's insane!

Glad to bring this place to you,

The Dingman Group

2009 US Open Surprise, Oudin, booted from Times Square hotel room

2009-09-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Melanie Oudin was booted Sunday from her Times Square hotel because her reservation was up. The 70th-ranked tennis player had not expected to remain in N.Y. so long, as she was only booked at the Marriott through the first week of the tournament.

It's a tough call as to who's at fault. Athletes want to fly under the radar and provide a different name when checking into hotels, and rightfully so. However, if needed, it's up to them or their management to extend their length of stay. I don't believe the Marriott did anything wrong. They followed protocol. I find it fairly ridiculous that her management company wouldn't know to call and discuss extending her stay before it got to this point. At the very least find out what her options would be, ahead of time, if she did end up winning and staying longer.

2 points: Marriott
1 points: Oudin team

Either way...kick ass Melanie!

Original article

Dingman to the rescue - Daily Pilot

2009-08-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

Press is always great, but it's extra rewarding when the city and community I live in take part in, and spread the word about something I am so very passionate about. Check it out…

Atlanta is a hot bed for pro athletes.

2009-08-03T17:23:00.000-07:00

Atlanta’s eclectic mix of high-end real estate, business opportunities, climate and a sizzling nightlife continues to be a magnet that attracts professional athletes.

See what athletes live in Atlanta here.

Interesting Stuff Going on With Some Athlete Homes in Miami

2009-07-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

Athlete home sales strained amid lux market woes

"When real property is approached as not just a place to make a statement, but an asset that must become a liquid asset, my point becomes clear," Leis says. "No matter what the inventory, nor financial climate, all these young men have been traded. A trade is swift and painful sometimes, but more painful is a huge financial loss."

See original TRD Online article here

Professional Snowboarder Danny Kass's Home: Hilarious

2009-07-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Mike Karney's Home

2009-07-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

This big dude is showing ESPN around his pad in the desert. Great off-season pad. Check it!

Matt Hasselbeck's Home

2009-07-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Beautiful home built and designed for Matt and his family. This home is 3 hours north of Seattle. Check it out!

The Last Home Rented by Oscar De La Hoya In Big Bear

2009-07-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

Lake. Altitude. Serenity.

Like Oscar, many fighters train in a city that's far away from the daily distractions of their homes and hometowns. This means, they either need to own a home in the city they train in our temporarily rent one. In the below video, Oscar takes us on a tour of the home he rented and stayed in before the last fight of his career.

The Dingman Group finds temporary housing for athletes and production crews during major sporting events...such as boxing.

Take a quick peek inside...

John Smoltz' Home

2009-06-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty much the sh*t when it comes to a backyard. A man and his families dream. Check it out!

The pro sports world is getting smaller by the minute.

2009-06-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Dingman Group is on twitter..or should we say tweeters are on to The Dingman Group?

The world is getting smaller by the minute. Social sites like twitter and facebook are changing the way professional athletes engage with fans, friends and media (sometimes foes).

The Dingman Group serves the relocation and real estate needs of pro athletes nationwide. twitter is all about "What are you doing?". So, what are athletes doing? For rookies across all major sports, once drafted, a couple months are spent house hunting, finding furniture, delivering cars and setting up utilities. It's interesting to see guys starting to talk about their relocation status.

A wide range of banter is going on among NFL athletes right now on twitter (High transition time for NFL athletes from April - August). Rookie Aaron Curry simply talked about "checking out houses" in Seattle via a tweet. Veteran Terrell Owens brought the world to his doorstep with his praise and then disgust for certain Realtors who were involved in his relocation. Several other athletes are keeping it simple and just letting the world know what they are up to real estate wise.

This is a unique opportunity for businesses who rely on the pro sports world to flourish. twitter gives us a unique opportunity to eavesdrop and listen in on what services, places and things they like AND certainly the places they don't. twitter allows us to correct, change and offer better options based off feedback they naturally want to give/offer.

I'm loving this new platform!

Chris Dingman
Founder & COO
The Dingman Group

P.S. Send us your thoughts!

Roy Williams' Home

2009-06-17T18:28:00.000-07:00

Some of you might remember At&t Home Turf with Deion Sanders. ESPN is dropping into the homes of pro athletes throughout the nation in fun, short episodes called "lives here". Check it out...

Athletes, family of Athletes or Anyone Who Has the Ear of an Athlete...Please, Please Read This!

2009-06-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

As the saying goes, you can't believe everything you read. However, in the case of the essay "How (and Why) Athletes Go Broke", by Pablo S. Torre, you better believe it! Hopefully share it.

This article was forwarded to me by a friend and very successful NFL player agent, Derrick Fox. One of the many athletes he represents is Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith of the Carolina Panthers.

Plain and simply, you've got to read this essay. It's true and real. We've got to clean this industry up...

Thanks Derrick for the forward!

Original article/essay

Manny Pacquiao's Los Angeles Home

2009-06-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

Manny and his wife take a quick tour of the new home they bought over the winter. This home will be a station for him and his wife when training for fights in L.A.

Backyard Training with Mike Karney

2009-06-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

INSurfNews.com

2009-04-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

FreddyP and Andrew launched a killer new site that gives unprecedented access into the lives of professional surfers. I spent about an hour on the site checking out all the videos, photos and blogs...all of which are posted personally by FreddyP and Andrew. The two go way back as friends from the North Shore and are really bringing a unique view to surfing fans around the world.

Perhaps my friends from the North Shore will take a video tour of their homes and toss the video my way to upload to our blog? I'm sure we'd all love to see what their digs look like.

Keep up the good work guys!

Pro Athletes put Homes up for Sale in the Same Community!

2009-04-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

Four professional athletes that lived in the Dallas, Texas area have put their properties up for sale. These athletes live in the Vaquero, a 525-acre community northwest of downtown, and are eager to sell their homes to relocate to a new area.

The Athletes relocating include: former quarterback Drew Bledsoe, Atlanta Braves' Mark Teixeira, former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Steve Duchesne, and professional golfer Brian Watts.

Coldwell Banker agents Eleanor Mowery Sheets and Gianna Cerullo are handling all four of the listings.

Original article: http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/030108/bus_252628936.shtml

Pro Golfer, Fred Couples, has Relocated to the Arizona Desert

2009-04-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ann Brennoff, a celebrated celebrity real estate columnist, recently tells us that Fred Couples has relocated to Arizona. Fred Couples, a professional golfer, is looking to sell his home in Montecito. In the pro sports world, relocation can sometimes be a mandatory transition that is difficult to handle. In this case, I think the transition to the greens of Arizona should be fairly (no pun intended) easy.

Real estate is a fantastic way to build wealth. Fred certainly built a little equity after years in this beautiful 11,000 square ft. home. It's on the market for 12 mil. Good luck to Fred with his new endeavors in the desert!

Ann Brennoff of the LA Times has recently announced that she will be leaving the LA Times. We wish her the best of luck!

Original article

Two Found Dead at Home of Saint’s Linebacker Jonathan Vilma

2009-04-01T01:08:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you hear murder and a football star in the same sentence? I would say O.J. Simpson.

But nope not this one. Recently, USA Today has reported the murder of two African immigrants, Sekou Sakor and Ansu Keita, killed at the site of New Orleans Saint’s linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s vacant condominium in Woodbury, N.Y. The NFL’s 2004 Defensive Rookie of the Year relocated to the Saints last season after spending four years with the Jets.

Vilma, who plays for the New Orleans Saints and has been trying to sell the $900,000 condo, was in Miami at the time and was just as surprised to find out about the incident as anyone else. Police have stated Vilma is not a suspect in the murders.

It was unclear how Sakor, 31, and Keita, 32, both originally from Liberia, ended up at Vilma's home, where neighbors reported shots fired on Thursday night. Sakor's body was found Friday dumped in Queens; Keita's body was found in Brooklyn. Nassau County investigators believe the victims may have been mixed up in a so-called "black money" scheme.

We have yet to know what the true cause of this murder is.

Original article: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-03-31-vilma-condo_N.htm

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2009-03-25T22:49:00.001-07:00

Panther Player is selling his home on eBay?!

2009-03-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

With the current economy plummeting, it isn’t easy for anyone to sell their home. Not even, if your Carolina Panther wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

The 2 time Pro Bowl select (1999,2004) is trying to sell his 8,600 square foot, six-bedroom house in south Charlotte for $1.9 million. To help get the word out, real estate broker Brandy Hayes and her company, Brannic Martin Properties, listed the house on eBay. They are hoping this “new way of thinking about how to sell the property” will be successful.

EBay has helped other pro athletes sell their belongings as retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre, recently sold his Ford F-150 on eBay on March 4, 2009. Muhsin Muhammad will hopefully soon sell his property as well.

check out the original article at: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/panthers/story/575537.html

Jay Cutler's Mansion--For Sale!!!

2009-03-18T14:48:00.000-07:00

Yes sir it's happening!

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Denver Bronco’s quarterback Jay Cutler put his $2 million Denver estate up for sale.

Jay has a tough road ahead selling his property in an economy that is doing so poorly. I wish him the best of luck, because its going to take a lot of work to sell his home, when nowadays most people can't even afford to keep their jobs!!!

Also relocating to a new city is very difficult on family life. Most people don't realize, it is not all glamorous and easy. For example, once you get traded, you have to find a new home using a real estate agent; you have to get settled into a completely new surrounding; and you have to tell your loved ones the about the new move.

Reason to believe his mansion is up for sale is because of the recent controversy surrounding the Bronco’s quarterback. Cutler and Bronco’s head coach Josh McDaniels. The two have been quarrelling since it became public that McDaniels talked to the Patriots about acquiring quarterback Matt Cassel this offseason. Cassel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs instead.

Jay Cutler said on Sunday March 15, 2009 that he has instructed agent Bus Cook to formally request a trade. The quarterback said he would like to relocate to a new city under a new coach he can “trust”.

Stay tuned for new updates.

Original article at: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/03/13/jay-cutler-puts-house-on-the-market/

NBA Free Agents Relocating in 2009-2010

2009-03-13T20:32:00.001-07:00

Its almost that time of the year! If you haven’t heard already, the summers of 2009 and 2010 are going to be insane for the NBA. Many NBA stars will be free agents and looking to find new homes with different teams.

This is a big deal!

Players such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Tracy McGrady… just to name a few can become unrestricted free agent in 2010.

And in the summer of 2009: Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd, and Shawn Marion can become unrestricted free agents. These players will have the option to stay with their current team or become free agents and move to a new city in search of a new home.

Speculations have been emerging that the New York Knicks will return as the top team in the NBA, with the signing of such players as LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. But is King James really relocating to New York? We've seen NBA stars in the past make sacrifices to be on great teams before because they enjoy having some of the pressure taken off of them as Gary Payton and Karl Malone did in 2004 with the Lakers.

I for one don’t think LeBron James would leave something like $30 million in Cleveland, where General Manager Danny Ferry has been building a championship team around him, to go play for the Knicks organization who are so far away from even reaching the playoffs.

But you never know…only time can tell.

Original article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10

Also check out this video:

T.O. is moving to Buffalo

2009-03-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

Terrell Owens is headed to the Buffalo Bills? Yes, that is correct.

It has been confirmed! On Saturday March 7, 2009 Terrell Owens signed a one-year $6.5 million dollar deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Owens, who has only been on the market as a free agent for two days has already found a new home. The former Cowboys wide receiver will turn 36 before the end of next season and has decided to enter Bill territory.

T.O. will hopefully provide a spark for the Bills. Owens had 69 catches for 1,052 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. In three seasons with the Cowboys, Owens had 235 catches for 3,587 yards and 38 touchdowns. While, the Bills were 25th in the NFL in yards gained and failed to have a 300-yard passer. The offense has been a perennial problem. It has ranked 25th or lower in each of the past six seasons.

The process of relocating to a new city is a stressful one. It is difficult for family, friends, and all loved ones, but T.O. will be fine in his move to Buffalo.

Original article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3960653

Manny Ramirez Condo on the Market for $8.5 Million!

2009-03-03T22:29:00.001-08:00

It's Official! Manny is moving to L.A.

On Wednesday March 4, 2009, Manny Ramirez put his Boston condominium up for sale for $8.5 million, the same day he signed a two-year, $45-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manny is selling his home in Boston, in the hopes of making profit. Although, this penthouse condo is 4,500-square-foot, has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, three valet parking spaces, and is in perfect location right in the heart of downtown Boston. Can Manny make profit off his property, he originally bought for $5.8 million in 2001?

The former Red Sox outfielder is hoping to sell his property after his recent relocation to the City of Angels, under manager Joe Torre.

For more information check out the original article at: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3954112

International Athlete Relocation- It's REAL

2008-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

Josh Childress talks with ESPN about his international move from Atlanta to Greece.

SportsAgentBlog.com Recognizes The Dingman Group as a Valuable and Trusted Resource for Athletes Who are Relocating

2008-10-03T09:59:00.001-07:00

Dynasty has cultivated strong bonds with companies that range from providing private jets, to bodyguards, to training facilities. Another area that Dynasty has forged strong bonds is in athlete relocation. Athletes are constantly on the move. One second they have a stable job at X team. The next day, they find their names on the transaction wire because they were traded or released. There are a few companies that have stepped in to ease the process of moving. Dynasty is lucky to be on friendly terms with two of them.

Original Article: SportsAgentBlog.com

UCLA Head Coach Rick Neuheisel's Contract Includes $1.5 Million Home Loan

2008-05-26T21:11:00.000-07:00

ESPN Reports that, according to the contract, there is a home loan clause of up to $1.5 million at a 3 percent rate. 3%? That's awesome. Prime is 5% plus.

I think that this is very smart move on Neuheisel's part and also on UCLA's end for honoring such a request. The relocation process can take a mental toll on head coaches and their families. It's refreshing to see head coaches and schools sort out financing and acknowledge the home buying/relocation process within a contract.

A little history lesson...While at Washington the school paid-off, in three installments, an $800,000 home loan Neuheisel secured when he was Colorado's head coach. Neuheisel has made a habit of including real estate into his contracts...smart guy.

The Dingman Group: A New Standard of Nationwide Pro Athlete Relocation Services

2008-05-23T01:38:00.000-07:00

Attention Athletes!

Drafted? Traded? New Contract Signing?

Mid or off-season you will surely be required to rent, purchase and/or sell a home in a short time-frame. The Dingman Group is the most trusted nationwide relocation company by the professional sports world. From rookies to veterans to all-stars TDG can confidentially move you into a home no matter where you are moving to. TDG's Realtors specialize in performing real estate transactions for pro athletes and their families. Partnerships with companies and services exist in every city that houses a major professional sport.

The Dingman Group's motto? Bringing the Professional Sports World Home.

Looking a their testimonials and client list the TDG is certainly doing a fantastic job.

AT&T Home Turf: Get A Sneak Peak Inside Your Favorite Athlete's Homes.

2008-05-23T00:20:00.000-07:00

This isn't MTV Cribs where athletes and entertainers all try to one-up each other. Instead, refreshingly, AT&T only sough-out professional athletes who are very chill and humble to get an inside view of their homes. I hope they continue to film these spots, they are fun.

Watch a video tour of AJ Hawks home (among others) in Green Bay, WI.

Magic Johnson Enterprises

2008-05-22T23:56:00.000-07:00

Magic Johnson officially has an empire. His real estate portfolio consists of Starbucks, TGI Friday's, Burger King, MJ Theaters, 24-Hour Fitness Gyms, major urban condominium/apartment developments and much, much more.

Residential single family homes are just the beginning in terms of real estate investing. With the right advisers in your corner, combined with a thirst for real estate business knowledge, the sky is the limit on a upper eschelon pro athletes salary.

What's even greater is his passion to bring a new sense of hope and jobs to the residents of inner cities across the nation. All of the above investments were made within urban city walls where on a daily basis there is economic struggle. Now, there are more jobs and the people actually have choices with regards to restaurants and employment that they never had before.

Original article: Washington Business Journal

The Dingman Group Featured in the First Issue of The Players Club Magazine

2008-04-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

"Doubledown Media, LLC, announced its newest magazine launch, The Players Club — a magazine by and for professional athletes launched in partnership with New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies All-Star outfielder Lenny Dykstra. The Players Club will be focused on providing athletes with the resources to make well-informed financial and lifestyle decisions."

Double Down Media
NYPost

"PAUL'S CONDO HAS BECOME A VIRTUAL BED-AND-BREAKFAST FOR VISITING PLAYERS. HE EVEN DRIVES HIS GUESTS TO THEIR SHOOTAROUNDS...."

2008-04-01T22:29:00.001-07:00

"LeBron, Rudy Gay, Josh Howard and Jarrett Jack have all been guests of Hotel Paul when their teams were in town. During All-Star Weekend, Parker and Longoria bunked in the spare bedroom. It's a full-service experience: Paul drives his NBA guests to their shootarounds on gameday."

Original Story: ESPN Magazine

Chris Webber to retire less than two months after relocating for the sixth time over his career.

2008-03-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Like many players inevitably face, Chris Webber will once again be relocating. This time, to begin a life after basketball. It was not his first, in fact, it was his sixth but it should be his last. Good thing the Dingman Group offers real estate services for life. Although tDG has never supported Chris Webber during a relocation, he'll certainly have time to reflect on how much easier his life could have been if he had one company who always was there for his real estate transitions.

Original Story ESPN

There is no doubt in my mind...A-Rod gets it.

2008-03-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's true, Alex does want stability and a place to call home for his daughter and wife. No more chasing the money and trying to make another city he hates home. New York is where his heart's at...

A-Rod absolutely believes family comes first. That's his daughter and wife, not the Yankees. A close second and third, his teammates and a championship ring. After dropping his agent, Scott Boras, Alex Rodriguez is finally showing the man who's been held down deep-inside by all those expectations and dollar signs.

Original Story NY Daily News

Andruw & family to decide where his wife and son will live while in L.A...

2008-03-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Asked last week about buying a house in Los Angeles or enrolling his 4-year-old son in kindergarten next fall, Jones prefaced his responses with a conditional clause: "If I get an extension."
After 11 years in Atlanta, Andruw Jones still calls Atlanta home and isn't looking to make a major move until he has a better idea of his long-term future as a Dodger in Los Angeles.
Nine tall boxes sit in the garage of Andruw Jones' nine-bedroom house in Atlanta, taped up and ready to be shipped to Los Angeles. Inside are his clothes. Almost everything else the Dodgers' new center fielder owns will remain at his residence in suburban Atlanta, at least until he can see beyond the next two years.

Original Article: LAT

Torii Hunter chose this burgeoning North Dallas suburb to build his dream home, a 19,900-square-foot, Mediterranean-style estate that sits on 20 acres

2008-02-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

One of the better articles the Dingman Group has read this year. What a fantastic story about Torii Hunter, a man who's been through it all, especially off the field, and given his all to his sport, family and friends.
After signing a four-year, $32-million contract with the Twins before 2003, he bought townhomes and cars for all three of his brothers, who now live in Frisco, the town next to Prosper. He bought new homes for his mother -- a 7,500-square-foot home in a gated community on the outskirts of Pine Bluff -- and his mother-in-law. His friend Shabazz and his family live rent-free in Hunter's previous residence, a 3,500-square-foot home in The Colony, Texas.

Original Article: LAT

A total of 25 players released by six NFL teams in just over one week...and more to come.

2008-02-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

Household names like Muhsin Muhammad, Byron Leftwich, Alge Crumpler, Zach Thomas and Dan Morgan along with lesser known, hard-working athletes such as Peerless Price, Joe Toledo and Wayne Gandy all found themselves unemployed over the past eight days.
The harsh reality is that some of these players will never play again, and some will sign with another team down the road after several months of uncertainty and limbo. For others, a quick pick-up is possible, but that's just the beginning when considering relocation.

Eight lives interrupted, up-rooted and moved across country in the matter of hours --- all this after a week of bluffs and uncertainty.

2008-02-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

The New Jersey Nets acquire Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell and Maurice Ager, center DeSagana Diop, forward Keith Van Horn, first-round picks in 2008 and 2010 and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks for guard Jason Kidd and forwards Antoine Wright and Malik Allen.

What does this mean for the players and their families that now need to relocate? Well, first off, it's not just Jason Kidd who is involved, it's seven other athletes too. The press just talks about the financial implications to the Franchise and how it will effect their performance as a team. the Dingman Group is striving to change this mind-set by bringing awareness to the trials, not just the tribulations associated with trades.

Original Story: NYDN

Justin Fargas couldn't be happier to be staying put for another 3 years

2008-02-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

Stability goes a long way for professional athletes. It enhance both their career and personal life. After five years in the same city, Justin Fargas agrees to stay another three with the Raiders. That's an unheard-of length of time for today's pro athlete ---AND he's thankful.

Lakers' Gasol is a quick study, an instant hero -- and HOMELESS

2008-02-16T18:50:00.000-08:00

"Obtained in a trade this month with the Memphis Grizzlies, he has averaged 20.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in six games. Now he just needs to find a place to live in L.A.--- L.A. Times"

Shaq's thrilled to be relocating from Miami to Phoenix .

2008-02-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

"He wants to be here. He's dying to be here."

Shaquille has relocated to 5 cities over the course of his career ---Orlando, L.A., Miami and now Phoenix.

Original Article: TIME