If you're an outdoor person, and you can take the heat, summer hiking is awesome in the Palm Springs Valley.  But..hikers beware!!  Every single season, we have a brave, but crazy soul who doesn't believe the heat can beat them up.  Wrong!  At least one person is air lifted off a cliff somewhere here in the desert, when they get dehydrated, disoriented and panicked.  Use your heads people!  You cannot beat the heat! However, we have amazing hikes here in our Valley.  Here are three of my favorite hikes.  I much prefer hiking in the desert when it's a bit cooler, but I do still go out.  If you leave early in the morning or after twilight in the evenings and be sure to pack lots of water, it's still stellar.  The summer desertscape has it's own beauty.  Summer flowers and summer wild life... 07/23/2013

Buying down interest rates to get a buyer to be able to better afford a home and their payment was common several years ago. Recently, the interest rates have been so low that buying down the interest rates really did not make much difference. If you have buyers who were looking when the rates were as low as 3.5% and could buy a $400,000 home for a payment of about $1500 a month, and  now they can only afford a $300,000 home to reach a $1500 a month payment, they can buy down the interest rate to get it down or close to 3.5%. Many times the seller with contribute. Each .125% is about 1% of the total loan price. So for a $400,000 home to buy the rate down to 3.5% from 5% would cost about $20,000. This is a great tip to get deals put together and have a win for buyers and sellers too. 07/23/2013

PGA West in La Quinta has amazing views, from the mountains, to the fairways, to your own private backyard waterfall!   Janis Borgueta inspired me with her post Auto Awesome on Google+ Upload a Photo in Motion to Your Blog! to try out the new Auto Awesome feature in Google +.  When I was out previewing this week, I snapped some photos that I thought would make an impact with the Auto Awesome program.  I captured this backyard "spool" with waterfall on our tour of PGA West Nicklaus Private in La Quinta!  Thanks to Janis, it was easy to add to my blog and my website!     07/19/2013

The entire Riverside County will be reporting a more solid bottom line..after years of short sales and foreclosures turning our Palm Springs Valley real estate market on it's head, looks like our property values have recovered significantly. I would have to imagine that in most Counties in our United States, the recorders are reporting increasing property tax values.  That means the amount of money going to the County tax coffers goes up and many of the programs that were hit or cut can begin to recover.  Here in my Palm Springs Valley..part of Riverside County, we have seen a really strong recovery.  Of course that corresponds to a really HARD hit decrease in property values which we did see for the past 6 years.  We were right there with Las Vegas and Florida as the hardest hit counti... 07/17/2013

Here are a few examples on how higher interest rates affect buyers and sellers. A month ago a buyer qualified for a $300,000 house with a payment of approximately $1200 per month. Now to get a payment of $1200 a month, the can only afford a home about $250,0000. This affects sellers as well as they have less buyers for their home. Also as real estate agents and  brokers, we just got a pay cut as people can afford less for their home purchase. Buyers need to jump in now before the rates go higher and sellers need to negotiate now before prices and affordability go lower. 07/14/2013

This formula for profit in fix and flip houses is pretty much workable in any price range. I am doing a few examples. 1. Low end condo - 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 704 sq. ft. in a country club neighborhood with golf, pool, tennis, fitness, restaurant.buy it for $50,000. Put in $10,000 in improvements - paint, carpet, reface kitchen and bath cabinets. Sell it for $80,000. Deduct your costs going out of $5000 approximate. Your net profit is $15000 approximate. This is a 25% return on investment. There is a recent sale at $80,000 so there is a comparable sale for appraisal. 2. Home is 6000 sq. ft. with 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 3 car garage. Home is listed at $745000. I figure this based on a $700,000 sale price. There is a recent sale of the same home redone and sold for $940,000. This home will nee... 07/12/2013

It's well documented here in the steamy Palm Springs Valley, that we are a seasonal, vacation community.  Meaning that we have a very set "season" and it runs from mid October through mid-April.  I've been living here in the desert since mid 80's so I've experienced this "flee the heat" mentality every April/May.  The past 5 years have seen some changes however.  Our "season" is lengthening.  I have many clients that originally intended to live here during our unbeatable winters, then head back to cooler climates.  They are changing their minds after experiencing our desert lifestyle. There is still a noticeable decrease in numbers of cars at the end of the season, but compared to past "ends of seasons", those numbers are climbing.  Our slower, friendly desert style of life is addicting... 07/09/2013

The current real estate market is changing daily. Here are challenges to the current real estate market: 1. Interest rates are rising 2. Buyers want to pay the prices of 2009 and sellers want get the prices of 2006 3. There are many homes available but not many in great condition 4. Appraisals are tough 5. Loans take a long time 6. Most homes have a lot of deferred maintenance for areas like pools, appliances, and air conditioning 7. Spit shine clean seems a long time ago 8. 115 degrees is just too hot to view homes 07/09/2013

People have lots of ideas of what makes a 'good deal' in real estate. A low price of course is at the top of the list for most people. A low price is combined with a desired location, condition of the home, upgrades on the home, size of the lot, condition of the home, size of the home, floor plan, school districts, amenities of the area, Homeowner's Association dues and amenities, terms of the sale. A complete package of all of the above meeting the desires and needs of the buyers is an amazing' good deal.' With that said, most people only get about 70% of their wants and needs when buying a home. Picking your 'perfect house' for value and needs is the key. 07/08/2013

Dry heat or not, it is hot in the summer in La Quinta, California. Here are a few ways we beat the heat and enjoy the heat. Here's to another long hot summer! 1. Lounge in the pool- morning, afternoon, and under the stars. The pool is without a doubt one of the best places to be. 2. Take a trip to the Top of the Tram in Palm Springs. 3. Spectacular summer movies. 4. Stay inside and read a good book followed by a nice nap. 5. Take a long stroll through the mall. Retail therapy works well in the heat. 6. Iced coffee at Starbucks or a nice cold Margarita fits the  bill. 7. Pick a nice restaurant with a view of the valley to have a long relaxing lunch or dinner. 8. Knots Soak City Water Park is a winner in the heat. Enjoy the hot sunshine each day. This area is so beautiful whatever the tem... 07/07/2013

The polo season is exactly the same as our regular season..in other words, from mid-October through mid-April.  As the season has lengthened here in the Palm Springs Valley, with more and more people choosing to stay longer and longer, so has the polo season. Eldorado Polo Club shuts down completely.  Now that Goldenvoice owns it and is figuring out how to utilize it for Events etc., the regular polo season will not be changing at that club. Empire Polo Club, however, has built itself into quite a summer polo facility.  Vicki Owens continues the management of players/fields throughout the entire summer..used to shut down in August, but not any more.  Games are starting right now at 7:30 a.m. and last chukkar is generally over by 10 a.m.  Then the horses are cooled down with baths, and r... 07/06/2013

Will higher interest rates affect home prices? Will buyers have a sense of urgency to buy before prices even go higher? We have to recognize that interest rates of 5% are not that high. Many of us have not paid 5% in our lifetime. With that said, this extra 1-1.5% does make a difference for home affordability. People who could afford a $400,000 home a few weeks ago now can only afford $350,000 or less. Will the prices adjust for this or will people just buy less of a home. Time will tell, but if need to buy a home or even refinance a home, the time to act is now. 07/06/2013

The average U.S. household uses about 400 gallon of water a day or 100 gallons per person per day. Here are some easy ways to save water: 1. Take short showers. A 5 minute showers uses 4-5 gallons compared to a 50 gallon bath. 2. Using a water efficient showerhead can save you 750 gallons a month. 3. By running your washer and dishwasher only when they are full, you can save 1000 gallons per month. 4. Fix leaking toilets and faucets. 5. Shutting off water while brushing your teeth, washing your hair or shaving can save up to 500 gallons a month. 6. Be sure sprinklers are only on the landscape and not over spraying onto driveway and sidewalks.     07/05/2013

Over the years I have had many wonderful clients who are still some of my best friends. On the other hand, I have some clients who are all business that I still out to get them. I do have a meeting with new clients and tell them - This is how I work. I will be there for you through this process to be sure you are treated honestly and fairly, that you get a great home for yourself, that the process goes as easily as possible, that the process follows a legal path, and that we have some fun too. The key for both of us is to enjoy the process. Try to relax and have fun, but most of all be kind and be calm. Let me know if you have questions or concerns and trust I can solve them for you or will get someone who can. We do not want drama. Many people are not kind or calm. They still create an... 07/04/2013

The city of La Quinta, California, is having a huge July 4th celebration. It all starts at 4:30 on July 4th in the La Quinta Community Park. There is a parade, chili cook off, and fireworks at 9 pm. If you want to participate in the chili cook off, the cost is $45. This is a great time to meet up with others from your community of La Quinta and enjoy some good old July 4th fun. 07/02/2013

Today it is over 110 degrees and my agents and I are going to visit several new home developments to tour the model homes. Here are some reasons why we do this: 1. We get an idea of new floor plans and surface materials like counters, cabinets, flooring 2. We get and idea of traffic of buyers out there 3. We build rapport with the onsite sales agents for listing referrals as well as they will help clients we bring to the development get the best lots and homes 4. We find out what buyers want to help our sellers stage their homes accordingly 5. We also can spot the weaknesses to sell against them when necessary 07/02/2013

La Quinta Cove is a favorite neighborhood of mine. Known for eclectic homes, wrap-around-mountain views, hiking trails, and proximity to Old Town La Quinta.  When I am previewing or working in the La Quinta Cove, I always have my camera ready because there are so many charming homes with interesting "puertas" or gates.               Whether they are in front of a hacienda style home, a Santa Fe adobe, or even a more traditional home... I love finding these charming puertas in the La Quinta Cove!                             SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA COVE             07/01/2013

La Quinta Cove Market Report June 2013 La Quinta CA 92253   Currently there are 44 Active Listings for sale in the La Quinta Cove ranging in price from $149,900 and $799,000.  The La Quinta Cove has an eclectic mix of homes as you can tell by the price range. Right now there are 20 Homes with Back-Up-Offer status, and a whopping 27 Homes PENDING!  So, July is off to a big start when these pending homes close! 23 Homes have sold in June 2013 in the La Quinta Cove, which proves that the market is as hot as the weather in La Quinta! 20 Homes SOLD in May 2013. Last year 32 Homes SOLD in June, and 28 Homes SOLD in May 2012.  Last year there were many more foreclosures and short-sales in the mix, and I believe that this is the reason more homes sold last year during these months. SEARCH FOR H... 06/30/2013

PGA West Palmer Private Market Report June 2013  La Quinta, CA 92253   Currently there are 21 Active listings in the PGA West Private Neighborhood, ranging in price from $190,000 to $1,050,000. Quite a price range in this neighborhood! There is 1 home listed as Contingent-Upon-Sale, 3 Homes with Back-Up-Offer Status, and 4 Homes Pending! In 2012, 9 Homes SOLD in May, 6 Homes SOLD in June. This year 10 Homes SOLD in May, and 7 Homes have SOLD in June... With 4 Pending, the July numbers should be strong!   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN PGA WEST PALMER PRIVATE   06/30/2013

This has been a source of debate by agents, buyers, sellers, investors, and others for man years. Do houses sell for less when the temperature is 122 degrees? The sellers are usually not around so they really don't care about the temperature. With that said, there are usually way less buyers around when the temperature is 122 degrees. This mean less competition on bidding on homes and more selection of homes without multiple buyers. The sellers during these hot times realize that the number of buyers is low and they like quick cash closes. Can you save some money by house shopping in 122 degree weather. The answer is probably yes! Today is another 122 degree day and a great day to buy a house in La Quinta, California. 06/30/2013