Developers looking across I-10 for growth  http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/NEWS05/803300330/1011/news05  Indio officials expect the desert tract to sprout thousands of homes, shops, schools and public safety buildings. A master plan that would provide a blueprint on how that could happen is in the works."This whole area is just vacant. It's so massive. It's (like) a whole new city," said Sean Moore, a senior planner leading the city's expansion efforts.Already, 24 square miles - or 15,360 acres - of the 34-square-mile tract along Dillon Road fall under the city's sphere of influence. The move was approved in September by the Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission, which handles annexations.A sphere of influence is an unincorporated area next to or... 04/07/2008

A couple of weeks ago I wrote this blog about the condition of foreclosed homes in our area.http://activerain.com/blogsview/415317/Property-Condition-for-ForeclosedSome of you may remember the picture of the pool I took:I did not approach the city council, but it seems it was on their minds as well.Negligent owners in Indio could be finedXochitl Peña • The Desert Sun • March 21, 2008http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080321/NEWS01/803210392/-1/NLETTER01&source=nletter-news A new law goes into effect April 4 targeting abandoned homes with overgrown landscaping, stagnant pools and other eyesores that scream "empty" to squatters.The law requires that abandoned properties be registered with the city and maintained. If not, the owner - usually the bank in foreclosed situati... 03/21/2008

I did a search and came up with some interesting statistics.  In what the media calls a dead market, sales are strong.  Of the 134 homes going into contract or sold last month, almost a third of those did so after being on the market under 30 days.  What does this mean for the buyer?Prices are in the range of many more buyers now. Lower prices can mean lower down payments, closing costs and taxes.Banks are loosening up their criteria to create new loans.Properly priced homes are selling.  The home you like today may be gone soon.  The days of sitting and waiting are slowly going away.The time to start looking is now, while prices are low.Interest rates are still affordable.  If you have any questions about homes available in our market today, please feel free to give me a call or send m... 03/13/2008

If you enjoy a great festival that gives a huge presentation but manages to keep the small, home town feel to it then here in Indio, California you will find exactly that.  At the annual Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, hosted by the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, there is something for everyone.  From the lure of the games and activities to the food and fun it is one non-stop joy ride lasting for ten days in February. Hosting some of the biggest names in the music industry, the festival has managed to book entertainment by some of these top stars such as Leann Rimes, country music singing sensation joined by Banda Novillo and Heart.  If that does not seem sufficient to draw in the crowds, you can also see an amazing performance by Gerardo Fernandez and Blues Traveler. ... 01/11/2008

Every nation has attempted at some point in time, in some way, to keep the spirit of their past alive in their hearts and the hearts of their people.  Here in Indio, California this is one of the top priorities.  Some years ago, there was an idea brought forward to assist in preserving the past of the inhabitants and people of Indio, but as with any  new idea, without proper attention and stimulation it fails to grow and for a season there was no activity.  It was not until 1996, when David Hernandez visited Indio and the Riverside County Date Festival was in action, that the idea was brought up once again to paint murals to impact the city and it's residents.  These murals would draw attention to the small city of Indio, drawing visitors, commerce and economic relief.  Aid was request... 01/06/2008

Yesterday, I attended an interesting Public Hearing before the Local Agency Formation Commission of Riverside County.  You see, I was notified that, as a property owner, our land parcels were going to be inducted into the City of Indio's "sphere of influence."  Now, being inducted into a particular City's sphere of influence is actually part of the annexation process.  It's a one-two punch.  First you throw a wide net over a unincorporated territory that is currently administered to by the larger County that you are part of, then you finalize it through the final vote of the Board of Supervisors, normally a couple of years later.  This is more of a layered approach which allows resistance groups to form up and battle; yet, allows the transference of large swaths of territory to the enti... 09/28/2007

The Bureau of Land Management will begin accepting bids for the auctioning of 51 parcels of public Conservation Land near Palm Springs tomorrow. The proceeds from this auction will be used to purchase other parcels of land in areas of California deserts. Most parcels being auctioned are located in residential areas. Should be interesting to watch what happens.  http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/cdd/CoachellaValleyLandSale.html   BLM-645-040-021 Desert Hot Springs  5.60 ACRES IN POR SW 1/4 OF SEC 6 T3S R6E       06/17/2007