Many people think that buying for resale is different than buying for personal taste. I tell people that pretty much what you like personally is what will also have better resale value. A good location, nicely updated and upgraded home, great room plan with at least 3 bedrooms and 3 baths with a large 2 car or more garage, a nice large yard with a pool, big closets and a casita is what most people want. People like and area that looks pretty and a manned gate and low homeowner's dues. A nicely done and well- maintained home will bring more money in resale and more enjoyment for you too. 06/28/2013

Here are some tips to help stay cool this summer in 100+ degrees: 1. Wear light colors 2. Wear sunscreen 3. Wear a hat 4. Wear sunglasses 5. Drink lots of water 6. Have ice packs available 7. Condition yourself in small doses to adapt to the heat 8. If you feel dizzy or have a headache, get to a cool air conditioned space quickly 9. Stay out of the heat in the middle of the day when it is the hottest 10. Stay in the shade whenever possible 06/27/2013

PGA West Nicklaus Private Market Report June 2013  La Quinta, CA 92253    PGA Nicklaus Private Market Report June 2013 La Quinta, CA     Currently in the PGA West Nicklaus Private neighborhood there are 20 Active Listings ranging in price from $534,000 to $2,750,000.  So no matter what your price range, there is a home for you at PGA West! June 2013 finds 1 Home with Back-up-Offer status and 1 Home Pending. 3 Homes have Sold in June, and  5 Homes Sold in May, the same numbers as last year.     I sold a home on Interlachen in the PGA West Nicklaus Private neighborhood last month, we had 2 offers in the first 5 days!   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN PGA WEST NICKLAUS PRIVATE    06/26/2013

I came across a fantastic opportunity here in the city of La Quinta.  I went to view the property for one of my investors and decided it was just too good to pass up.  Got myself pre-approved, represented myself and darned if my offer didn't get accepted.  Now I'm REALLY living my Buyers' experiences! Loan Docs:  My Lender is terrific, but I wanted to kill him.  The repetition of each underwriter..good grief.  Now I know exactly what my Buyers are experiencing. Home Inspection:  I used a great inspector that I give a lot of work to.  He did a good job and I experienced negotiating my own Request for Repairs and following up.  Escrow:  List Agent negotiated his company.  Well, the good news is that I found out why I will never recommend this company.  The bad news is that I had to ride t... 06/26/2013

The Citrus Club Market Report June 2013 La Quinta, CA 92253      The Citrus Club is an enclave of custom and semi-custom homes surrounding a Pete Dye designed 18-hole Championship golf course.  Located near Old Town La Quinta and the La Quinta Resort & Spa the Citrus club is know for it's breathtaking mountain views!     Currently there are only 5 Active Listings in The Citrus Golf Club neighborhood with 1 new condo listing on Mango for $679,000. The Active Listings range in price from $679,00 to $2,385,000. 6 Homes have Back-up-Offer Status and 2 homes are Pending.   2 Homes have sold in the month of June, and 5 homes sold in May. In 2012 7 homes sold in June and 4 homes sold in May, which indicates that the inventory this year has fewer options compared to 2012.    SEARCH FOR HOMES IN... 06/26/2013

Rancho La Quinta Market Report June 2013 La Quinta, CA 92253      Currently there are 33 Active Listings in the  Rancho La Quinta Country Club neighborhood.  The homes range in price from $419,500 to $1,895,000. There are 10 homes in Back-Up-Offer status and 5 homes pending.  This is a positive sign! 6 Homes have already sold in June, and 9 homes sold in May!  Last year 11 homes sold in May, and 9 in June.  So the market indicates that the buyers are still stepping up and taking advantage of the low prices. There is one new listing in June on Rancho La Quinta Drive for $995,000.  We look for more new listings later in the summer and as fall approaches.   SEARCH FOR HOMES AT RANCHO LA QUINTA CC     06/26/2013

We have many great restaurants in La Quinta, California. During the summer months there are specials galore for great food and drinks at bargain basement prices. Have you been to: Stuft Pizza - happy hour starts at 3pm with prices from $3-$7 Arnold Palmers - happy hour too El Ranchito Hog's Breath Old Town Wine Bar Solano's Lg's Steakhouse Red Robin The Beer Hunter Buccatini Taco de Ojo La Brasserie Figue Chipotle Las Casuela The Cliffhouse 06/25/2013

Summer is a fun time at Trilogy La Quinta. Each year more and more people stay at Trilogy La Quinta for the summer. The mornings and the evenings are cool and delightful. The afternoons are hot and invigorating. You can see people throughout the community including the pool, fitness, golf course, walking, biking, and in the restaurant. There are many activities like movies, cards, dances, wine tasting, tennis, BBQ's. Even the spa is busy in the summer at Trilogy La Quinta. \ For a fun and active lifestyle for people 55+, Trilogy La Quinta is a fabulous place to be all year round. 06/21/2013

  Homes for Sale in The Enclave Mountain Estates Neighborhood La Quinta, CA 92253 Why Do People Live here? The Enclave Mountain Estates is an exclusive gated group of custom luxury homes that border the La Quinta Resort Mountain Course... nestled beneath the Santa Rosa Mountains.  Private and quiet, with amazing views, these homeowners enjoy the beauty and solitude of the The Enclave Mountain Estates , but have the amenities of the La Quinta Resort & Spa right outside the gate.  The Enclave Mountain Estates are not only just steps away from   the La Quinta Resort & Spa, , but  Old Town La Quinta is right down the street. So you have a world class resort nearby, with restaurants, spa, golf, tennis, and shopping too!   Looking for a home in The Enclave?   Interested in finding homes for s... 06/20/2013

Finally today I saw an article in the Honolulu Star Advertiser telling how former Bank of America employees were told to lie to clients about their loan modification and short sales. The employees were told to tell people that documents were missing when they were not. They were told to tell clients the files were in review when they were just sitting for months. They were even offered $500 bonus for getting people to let their homes go into foreclosure. This brought back a lot of bad memories for me. I spent many hours a day for years on the phone with Bank of America trying to help clients get loan modifications and also trying to get short sales approved. I was told over and over that they were missing papers when I had proof the fax had gone through. I would call daily and hold for ... 06/20/2013

An Angel in Oldtown La Quinta A good friend of mine shared this photo with me of his daughters dance recital in Old Town La Quinta.  I have been creating cards for marketing and for gifts and I enhanced his photo to create this magical image of his daughter reaching to the sky. 06/19/2013

The La Quinta Country Club Neighborhood There are approximately 515 homes that either surround La Quinta Country Club's golf course or neighbor the course. Home prices range from $250,000 to $3,000,000 including seasonal rentals. The homes were built in the early 1970's to the present.  Many of the older homes have been remodeled and updated to luxurious desert retreats.   The homes at La Quinta Country Club range from hacienda style condos to modern masterpieces.  The eclectic styles ensure a home for many different tastes and price points. You can find homes on and off the 18-hole golf course, many with lake and amazing mountain views of the Santa Rosas. The neighbhorhoods include: La Quinta Golf Estates Lago La Quinta Montero Estate LQCC Villas Club La Quinta LQCC Fairways   Golf and... 06/19/2013

Everyday we get asked questions about the La Quinta Real Estate Market. Being knowledgeable is important in any real estate market so we have answers. Questions commonly asked are :   *How much is my La Quinta home worth? *Is summer a good time to sell my home in La Quinta? *How do I sell my home if i am away for the summer? *How is the La Quinta  housing market now? *How much home can i afford if I want to buy in La Quinta? *Is now still a good time to buy a home in La Quinta?   The list goes on and on. We understand there are a lot of questions when it comes to La Quinta real estate. That is why we are available to answer your questions and help you make a informed and smart decision. There is no cost or obligation, information should always be free. Call or email us today and let us ... 06/18/2013

Here are some of the most common reasons that homes do not sell: 1. Many sellers are very picky about when people can view the home. Buyers need easy access or they will pick another home. 2. The price is too high. We have an old joke in real estate that the best buyer for your home is you. If you have not had 10 showings in the past 2 weeks, you need to lower the price at least 5%. 3. The photos on the internet need to be redone and improved. These photos provide the first impression. If the photos are not excellent, many buyers will just move on without even viewing the home.   06/18/2013

Many owners are out of area owners and have not seen their homes for many years. I suggest if you have not seen your home in one year or more, that you at least check it out on google maps satellite. Many local real estate agents will be happy to take photos and email you photos of your home. Even when people are paying their rent, it is important to protect your equity by viewing the homes you own at least once a year. Doing a walk through on the home regularly is imperative. You can be sure there is not deferred maintenance and that the renters are taking good care of the home. 06/18/2013

Homes for Sale in The Citrus Club Neighborhood La Quinta, CA Why Do People Live here? The Citrus Club is an enclave of homes built within a vast grove of mature citrus trees. The golf course  designed by Pete Dye in 1987 is know to be one of the most challenging in the valley.   Conveniently located between the La Quinta Resort & Spa, and Old Town La Quinta, and PGA West.  So you have a world class resort nearby, with restaurants, spa, golf, tennis, and shopping too!   Looking for a home in The Citrus Club?   Interested in finding homes for sale in The Citrus Club neighborhood of La Quinta? Click that link to find all the currently available homes in this area of La Quinta.  What's the Neighborhood Like? The homes you would expect to find for sale in The Citrus Club neighborhood are hom... 06/16/2013

I was very lucky to have really good parents and sister too. I grew up in Iowa and my dad was a barber. My mom was a stay at home mom and spent her life making a nice home for my dad, my sister and I. My dad worked very hard all day in his barbershop cutting hair in the basement of Hotel Burlington. All day, he had no outside light and only saw the people who came there to get their hair cut. One time when the shop was flooded and he stood on boards to keep cutting hair. He was honest, funny, and great at cutting hair. It was and still is his passion. He is 85 years old and still cuts hair in his garage for his neighbors. My dad taught me a lot about small business and entrepreneurism. He had me shine shoes in barbershop when I was 12 years old. I saw first hand how a business was run. ... 06/16/2013

I am a desert local.  That statement in and of itself means that the daily temperatures affect my body much differently than someone who is just entering into this summer inferno of the Palm Springs Valley. June gloom?  No… The June gloomers from our neighboring beach communities are heading out to the desert to try and capture some warmth. I love the heat! 110 °sounds excruciating, I know. However, there is a balmy breeze that helps to cool and the evenings and early mornings are crisp and cool. June is fantastic here in the desert. That being said, I guarantee you that my clients from San Diego, that I am showing property to today, will struggle! They will be dressed for the heat with shorts and sandals, and tank tops. I on the other hand, will be wearing a long sleeved top, one of my... 06/15/2013

Homes for Sale in Duna La Quinta Neighborhood La Quinta, CA Why Do People Live here? Duna La Quinta is an enclave of homes built from 1984-2002 around the Dunes Course at the La Quinta Resort & Spa. They are known for their incredible mountain and fairway views, sparkling community pools, and resort style living. Conveniently located between the La Quinta Resort & Spa, and Old Town La Quinta.  So you have a world class resort nearby, with restaurants, spa, tennis, and shopping too!   Looking for a home in Duna La Quinta? Interested in finding homes for sale in the Duna La Quinta neighborhood of La Quinta? Click that link to find all the currently available homes in this area of La Quinta. What's the Neighborhood Like? The homes you would expect to find for sale in the Duna La Quinta ne... 06/15/2013

  I captured this photo of a palm behind our La Quinta home a while back.  We are so lucky to live in an area filled with such beauty.  I am amazed every day, by the nearby Santa Rosa Mountains, by the majestic palms, and the ever-changing desert sky! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA   06/09/2013