You won't believe this one.  Absolutely amazing what was put in this bill.....       Subject:FW: Will You Sell Your House after 2012? Check This Out! The National Association of REALTORS is all over this and working to get it repealed, before it takes effect. But, I am very pleased we aren't the only ones who know about this ploy to steal billions from unsuspecting homeowners. How many REALTORS do you think will vote Democratic in 2012? Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill and goes into effect in 2013. Why 2013? Could it be to come to light AFTER the 2012 elections? So, this is "change you can believe in"? Under the new health care bill all re... 09/21/2011

We have so many wonderful clients and are under a seasonal situation to have an annual party that we want to make sure as many of them are back before we have a party...which means probably January. We would welcome all your ideas...these are not the normal clients these are the very best of the best.  In this economy obviously we cannot afford the best of the best but we want to do the very best we can for all our clients.  They really are the best and there are those out of the state now that we still love and would like to have a way of incorporating them into the party even if they will not be here. Please give me your ideas...I need your help...and I want to do the best for them.  Thank you for your help! 09/19/2011

Tough competition!     You gotta believe that in this market the last thing us Realtor's would like is tough competition.    Competition for new listings, competing for qualified buyers, competing with all the other agents who pounce on expired listings, competing with FSBO'S who believe they know a lot more than we do about how to sell a home.    When you really get down to it competition is really what makes us better.    It is what hones our skills, gets us up and going before the next guy.  Its what makes the quarterbacks throw a better pass, what makes that baseball player a 300 hitter. Competition is what real estate is really all about.   Competition is what makes us the best we can be! 09/19/2011

Haciendas Indio - Real Estate Market Report Haciendas is a newer development on Indio's north side  located off Golfcenter Parkway near Fantasy Springs Casino. Built by Beazer homes between 2006 and 2007, Haciendas offers homes sizes from 1815 to 2935 square feet and have up to 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 3 car tandem garage options. Search Homes for Sale in Haciendas. The average lot size in Haceindas is 8000 square feet and all homes are single story. Most homes feature 9 foot ceilings, finished garages, 6 ft soaking tub with separate shower in master bedroom, fireplaces, granite slab counters in the kitchen, circular rotundas at entry, and covered patios. The Haciendas homeowners association is affordable at $93/month. Haciendas sits adjacent to a city maintained park with tennis courts... 09/19/2011

Soon the day will be here in Sun City Shadow Hills when Del Webb/Pulte will move their Sales Office out of the gates of Phase 1 & 2 over to Phase 3.  At that time all sales traffic will be directed from I-10 to Monroe Exit, to 40th St and to Phase 3 main gate.  Totally skirting the main gate to Phase 1 & 2.  This is scheduled for November 2011.   Buyers who are looking at new homes but would like to view and consider the alternative, re-sales, can find access to Phase 1 & 2 homes on the market by staying in touch with this Active Rain connection, Bonnie & Clyde Team, or going to our web site at: www.BonnieAndClydeRealEstate.com   We will also advertise once a week in the Desert Sun homes that are on the market and Open houses.                                                     ADVANTAG... 09/18/2011

As Realtors we see the frustration and overt concern from clients seeking to sell their homes that they purchased just a few years ago.   Not only do these people have to sell at much lower prices but we, as their agents, are handcuffed by those in congress responsible for passing laws that limit our ability to assist our clients.   Please allow me to site just one example; A lovely home that we just pended was recently appraised.  We provided the appraiser with the most recent comps.  The appraisal came in and of course we were not privy to the price.   We had to call the buyer and ask what the home was appraised at. The buyer quoted us a figure and it appeared that it was at the price that we had sold the property for.   Great!   No problem with the lender.   So we thought.  Wrong! T... 09/17/2011

Remembering the 10th Anniversary of 9-11-2001 By Eileen Sobjack  September 11, 2001 America was attacked by terrorists.  Three thousand people died.   Out of the rubble a new spirit was born in many Americans. The stories of heroism of fireman, policeman and regular everyday people are a testimony of the American spirit.  As a result of the tragedy on 9-11 many young men and women signed up to serve their country in the Armed Forces.  As we reflect on the 10th anniversary of that day our prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones.  We remember and honor those who died.    A few months after 9-11, President George W. Bush said “Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourn... 09/11/2011

Recently we drove around a community that our buyer wanted to be in, and took down the addresses of the model of homes that they wanted, looked them up on Zillow to see if the lot would work for them, and sent letters to all those properties that would work.  We had a few calls come in from those letters and met with one who was very knowledgeable of the market and we are now working to put them together with this buyer. The next blog will tell you how this faired.  But I would never do this if I didn't Truly have that buyer! What are the ways you have gone out and found the right home for your buyer when it just isn't on the market? 09/07/2011

Taken from Google... The first big Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor Union of New York.[1] It was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882 [2] Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.[2]. Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.[3] The September date originally chos... 09/04/2011

While sitting here at a quiet open house I was reading your blogs on Active Rain.  So much good information. I read one that talked about submitting offers in person rather than via email or fax.  It seems the person to person has been substituted by technology in most of the real estate world.   Even though we use email and faxing with courtesy calls and communication to the other agent I have to believe that there could be some deals that may go by the wayside because we weren't eye to eye expressing the desires of our client.  No matter how well we write that letter of explanation and information or how well we communicate with the other agent we never know how much of that communication makes it to the other party and if it does what the impact will be. There is no technology that c... 09/04/2011

  We, as Real Estate Professionals, are priviledged to be in such a worthwhile profession.  Our most valuable assets are our clients.  When we do what we have been trained to do and do it right we release them to do what they do best.     Success is the progressive realization of worthwhile, predetermined, personal goals. - Paul J. Meyer, Entrepreneur   I love what I do!     Make it a terrific day! 09/04/2011

When I read the following quote it resounded loudly to my spirit.  How many times have I "thought" the words we all have heard somewhere "things come to those who wait"?   So many phrases become part of our thinking.  Whether they are "true" or not our mind stores them and they affect our lives.     Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. - Abraham Lincoln   Make it a Great Day! 09/04/2011

Rich In History - Palm Springs to Indio Sure, you love visiting the desert--who doesn’t? You know about the great climate, the wonderful restaurants, exceptional shopping, amazing activities and entertainment venues. You’ve even been thinking (dreaming?) about buying a home here and living the desert lifestyle year-round. But you might not know about the richly embroidered tapestry of history from which today’s Coachella Valley has blossomed.   For hundreds of years, the valley has been home to a number of different tribes of Native American Cahuilla Indians, including the Agua Caliente, Augustine, and Cabazon bands.  Late in the 19th century, the area’s many natural features, including the rich agriculture, mineral hot springs, and dry climate all began to attract visitors and entrepre... 09/02/2011

Tips for Selling! Clear away all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house.  Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3 or 5 items. Clear away all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops.  Clear the refrigerator exterior of messages, pictures, magnets. Rearrangement of furniture might be needed. The hidden is not really hidden!  Take the time to clean out closets, cupboards and drawers, as well as the garage. If you have a “space” problem invest in a short term storage unit.   During showings leave on certain lights and soft music is welcoming. During showings its best for the seller to be away...all the more reason for a “For Sale By Owner” to higher a Realtor! Try to look at the house through the buyer’s eyes, as though you’ve never se... 08/27/2011

How do you feel when you walk in your door after a few busy days of hard work and see your shoes, mail, newspapers, those unlooked at magazines or catalogs scattered around that you just “haven’t gotten to, but will”, things on the kitchen counter you haven’t put away, etc.?   Does it not just make you feel TIRED looking at it?  Why is that? Clutter in your home “draws” from your energy bank.  It is “matter” in your home that actually has a “vibration” to it...all that “static” of activity is going straight to your body and draining your energy. Think about a potential buyer walking into grandma’s house that is stuffed with “nick nacks” and every inch of the wall or shelves is full of family photos, there is 20 years of magazines or books and doilies under every lamp.  The energy of you... 08/27/2011

The most obvious quality we all appreciate is loyalty.  But within the context of loyalty there should be some perimeter.  If I am not doing my job as a listing agent, i.e. staging guidance, professional photos, marketing, communicating, open houses, creative networking, making sure my listings have excellent exposure, and in short doing everything possible to sell their home, then I would not expect loyalty.  From a seller’s point of view if an agent is not doing all that should be done and after careful determination that they may be incapable of doing the job then for their best interest they should find an agent who is capable.  But if everything is being done and the home has not sold loyalty is very much appreciated!  With continued creativity in marketing and pricing accordingly ... 08/27/2011

Desert Collection - New Listing - 83840 Wolf Creek Rd, Indio, CA A primary residence or desert escape, you'll take pleasure in calling it your own. Desert Collection is a premier, gated community of all single-level homes in North Indio. Located off Golfcenter Parkway near Fantasy Springs Hotel & Casino, Desert Collection is a quaint community of 144 homes built by Reynolds Communities and is completely built out. Homes for sale in Desert Collection Remodeled and like new, this home offers  a courtyard gated entry, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths plus a powder room, open floor plan, separate laundry room, double sided fireplace, master suite with new travertine shower and floor, guest bedrooms with Jack & Jill bath, and private casita with separate entry. Featuring 2341 square feet of living space ... 08/16/2011

Inventory is LOW! Here in the California Desert it is approximately 112-114 degrees and yet we are busy showing property to serious buyers and entertaining interested sellers...now is the time to list....the inventory is so low that the good homes on the market will catch the buyers who are serious about buying.  When they are here in this heat they want to buy and they will! Call us Now.  We actually have buyers waiting to find the right home.  (FYI - we have a buyer looking for a home in Sun city Shadow HIlls approx. 2230 sq ft with a pool for approx. $375,000 if the home has the right lot sq ft and appropriation.) (760-972-7520) bonnieandclyde@windermere.com Bless you all! Bonnie       08/03/2011

If you are thinking of buying a second home but are concerned with how you would maintain and watch over it during the months you would not be in residence let me set your mind at ease.     We have many gated communities, some are guard gated and some of these guard gated communities have 24 hour security.  Nearly every community have home watchers available for a minimal cost per month depending on the degree of service you would want.     Home watchers oversee many aspects of your home.  They usually charge from $50-$100 per month and visits can be bi-weekly or weekly.  Some of the services they provide are as follows:     Turn on all faucets, run dishwasher for a 10 minute rinse, run the garbage disposal, flush toilets Check the thermostat and verify that the air-conditioning (or fu... 07/15/2011

Sun City Shadow Hills is a fabulous Del Webb community in the Coachella Valley of California. Located in Indio, CA, the community opened in 2003 and is planned for 3,200 homes upon completion. Although smaller than neighboring 55+ communities, Sun City Palm Desert will be just as grand with world-class amenities, finely crafted homes and the famous Del Webb lifestyle. The amenities at this elegant California active adult community are centered around the well-appointed Monticello Clubhouse and Recreation Center. With 35,000 square feet, the community clubhouse features a wide variety of amenities to support a physically fit and socially active lifestyle. There is a fitness center, aerobics and dance studio, indoor walking track and indoor lap pools. There are numerous rooms for hobbies ... 07/14/2011