Market Report -Last 5 Sales in La Quinta Country Club June 2013     78055 Coronados Circle  Listed 10/05/09  for $519,000   SOLD 06/05/13 for $385,000 78172 San Timoteo Drive  Listed 01/24/2013 for $1,395,000   SOLD 02/04/2013 for $960,000 48801 Santa Ursula Drive   Listed 03/30/2013 for $609,000   SOLD 06/04/2013 doe $550,000 49452 Avila Drive  Listed 02/13/2013 for $430,000   SOLD 05/29/2013 for $365,000 48840 Eisenhower Drive  Listed 10/25/2012 for $550,000   SOLD 05/17/2013 for $500,000   Homes in La Quinta Country Club are beginning to sell-- once they are reduced and priced realistically.  Saavy buyers know that our market still has not rebounded like the beach communities or the Bay area.  Follow La Quinta Country Club Homes on Facebook   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA COUNTR... 06/08/2013

I had this great listing a couple weeks ago..might've been one of the last great deals left in La Quinta.  It generated multiples of course and one agent in particular had been hunting it.  He wrote an ok offer, and we countered as a multiple offer situation.  He came back with just an okay counter.  My Seller accepted a better offer with terms that worked for her.  What does he do?  Insists that I HAD to send a response to his counter.  I told him that my seller had accepted another offer and that was that.  He did get angry! What in the world was he thinking?  In this market here in the Palm Springs Valley, (as with so many other areas), a GREAT property will not sit around.  If it's generating multiples, that is probably because it is priced aggressively..not hard to grasp.  Write a ... 06/08/2013

Network.  Just the word implys "work"..work with a net?  Net people or things in while you work?  In my mind, networking is simply living in the world on a daily basis.  I exchange greetings, small snippets of "how's it going with your daughter?", or something similar.  Just living and touching bases with other humans as I go through my day.  Is this my version of "networking?" Seems I'm always reading about how the only way to increase your sales numbers is to NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!  I simply cannot bear the idea of going to a networking event after a long day of being with people, solving problems, exchanging ideas..just being amongst each other.  I often read these articles and blogs and start to beat myself up a bit.  "Am I not doing enough?"  "Could I build my business even mor... 06/06/2013

Arnold Palmer's new Summer & Bar Specials         Arnold Palmer's in La Quinta is one of our favorite spots in the entire desert.  Not only does it have a great atmosphere with tons of Arnie memorabilia, a fantastic patio, live music, a friendly staff, and Dustin & Corey running the show-- Palmer's also has great food!   Located close to Old Town La Quinta and the La Quinta Resort-- Palmer's always has free valet parking and a friendly smile at the door! You never know, you may see Arnie there too!     Unlike years in the past, Palmer's will not be closing this summer... Palmer's is  Open Wednesday thru Sunday all Summer at 4:00pm.         Featuring a new Summer Dinner, Bar, & Happy Hour Menu   3 Course Summer Dinner Specials  Wednesday Night Prime Rib Sunday Night Fried Chicken 3 Cour... 06/06/2013

4th of July Events in Old Town La Quinta    Don't miss the La Quinta 4th of July Parade & Community Celebration being held on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at La Quinta Community Park, 77865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta. Activities will be held throughout the day to entertain families and visitors of all ages! The 4th of July Parade starts at 7 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m.The celebration will include a Chili cook-off, beer garden, kids zone, food and entertainment and free swimming at Fritz Burns Park!Businesses and organizations interested in participating in the parade or to be a vendor please contact the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, (760) 564-3199 — at La Quinta Chamber of Commerce.   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA 06/05/2013

Is the La Quinta Post Office Closing near Old Town? I work in Old Town La Quinta and live less than a mile away.  A few years ago they opened a larger La Quinta Post office off of Adams and Hwy 111.  Since that time I have been hearing rumors that our smaller Post Office in Old Town La Quinta on Bermudas St. was closing. Today I asked the clerk and she told me that not only were they not closing, but they had renewed their lease for another five years!  She said that the revenues generated by over 2000 post office boxes there are plenty reason to keep it open and operating.  NO!  The La Quinta Post Office near Old Town is not closing anytime soon! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA   06/05/2013

Many people find it hard to believe that we can live in La Quinta, California all year round. We have many days like today where the temperature is 100+.  We live our life pretty much like when the weather is cooler. we do get used to the heat and we do like the pool. Right now our valley is having Restaurant Week where all the restaurants offer special rates for special dinners. It is a good way to try lots of different restaurants and dishes at special prices. Also, there are short film festivals. There are very reduced rates on golf. Movies are fun. Shops have lots of sales. BBQ's are popular. Many people actually come here when it is hot to soak up the dry hot sun. This is also a good time for those of us who live here to catch up on doctor appointments, dental appointments, eye app... 06/03/2013

Today in La Quinta it will be over 110 degrees. We have at least 3 months ahaead of 100+ degree weather. Why do we like it here? Why do we stay here? What do we do? We stay here as the morning and evenings are great and there arenot may people here. Many people get scared away once the temperatures raise to 100+. We like the peace, quiet, calm, low cost rates for golf and restaurants. We like being in our home and having only 1 home to care for. We love sunshine everyday. What are our favorite things to do at this time of year? We adjust to the heat over time and pretty much do what we would do if it was not so hot. We swim, watch movies, work inside the home cleaning cabinets and closets. We read books and watch TV. We have BBQ's or go to dinner with friends. We do laundry, cook, clean... 06/02/2013

This is a notice to all buyers, sellers, investors, tenants, landlords, and real estate agents and brokers. Don't be greedy. Our real estate market is finally showing some signs of improvement. It seems everyone is at a standoff. sellers want to 'wait' or get way more than their home will appraise for. even the smartest buyers want the homes perfect and prices lower than appraisals. real estate agents and brokers are digging in their heals too on the prices and the commissions. Tenants want deals and perfect homes and landlords want higher rents as good homes to rent are scarce. What is the answer to all of this? Every one needs to give in alittle. Over the period of a lifetime a few thousand dollars is not life changing. We all need to pitch in to make the deals happen and continue to ... 05/31/2013

  Santa Rosa Cove is an enclave of homes that surround the La Quinta Resort & Hotel.    The homes have stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and the Mountain & Dunes Golf courses.  The homes range in price from $359,900 to $795,000. Currently there are 21 Active Listings, 2 with Back-up Offers status and 1 listing pending. 21 Homes have sold in the last year ranging in price from $240,000 to $765,000.   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN SANTA ROSA COVE     05/29/2013

Fritz Burns Swimming Pool in La Quinta opens SOON     La Quinta's Fritz Burns municipal pool, located at Fritz Burns Park, opens on June 2! Plan your summer swim activities: Lessons, rentals, movies, special events, and more.       General admission drop in is $3 for adults and $3 for youth age 15 and under.      Check on the benefits of a swim pass for both LQ residents and non-    residents.    If you’ve got a pool, this is a chance for your family to take lessons, get the kids out of the house, get the visitors out of your yard, and let the kids socialize with new friends.  Call the UMCA at 341-9622 or the pool 771-4347, or drop in to the pool to get your brochure with all the details of swim hours, lessons, rental fees.    There will be a special Fathers Day event on June 15, when D... 05/27/2013

  Set the Stage!     Spring is here and it is typically the busiest time of the year for Realtors.  Here in the desert, it slows down a bit but don’t be fooled: this may be the best time to buy and sell.   If you are considering selling, here are some tips to stage your home for success!     Every Square Foot Counts A home feels spacious without clutter, time to remove it!  Make the rooms feel open and welcoming.   Steel the show! Stainless-steel appliances are in demand these days.  If you don't already have them, remember that a small investment can bring big return.   Do You Smell That? Lightly spray air or fabric fresheners and to let in fresh air, if you have ceiling fans, show them off!   Got Light? A brighter room is a more inviting room.  Remember to let the light in and make su... 05/26/2013

I wish I was one of the Realtors in my office that has a "farm".  They live there, list there, sell there, get new listings there, sell there.  Boom!  I'm not one of those few, lucky agents.  I sell in the whole Palm Springs valley..Palm Springs (west side) to La Quinta, Indio, and Thermal (East side).  A lot of territory.  I LOVE that I get to go all over the Valley!  It's hot, hard and tiring, but I also get the chance to get out of my own area..even development.  I like figuring out the streets, the developments, the shopping areas, restaurants, popular hangouts..education is fun. I can only imagine how much easier it would be just to cover a few square miles..wow!  Sweet!  Yesterday, my San Diego clients came over on their second visit.  Narrowed it down between Rancho Mirage, (cent... 05/26/2013

Your credit score is broken into 5 main categories: Payment history accounts for 35%. Being late on a payment will have themost impact on your credit score. Amounts owed is 30% of your score. Have a positive effect on your score by keeping your balances at 50% or less of available credit. Length of creidt history accounts for 15% of your score.> a lack of credit will keep your score low. Also, keep accounts open as closing accounts will lower your score. New credit is 10% of your score. Every time you apply for credit an inquiry is registered which lowers your credit. Having 4-6 accounts helps your score. Types of credit accounts for 10% of your score. Mortgages, retail cards, automotive loans and leases, installment agreements have a positive effect on your score.Have a good mix of cre... 05/22/2013

I feel we have a real estate market that is better for both buyers and sellers than a few years ago. Interest rates are still at all time lows. Loans are alittle easier to get than a few years ago. Prices have increased a bit. There are still good deals out there. The challenges to me are that sellers feel the market is improving and they want prices from when the market was at the peak. The prices are not there yet and probably will not be in this area for some more years. The buyers still want prices from 3-4 years ago when the market was at the low. My challenge as a broker is to bring the buyers and sellers together so all are happy and the market keeps moving. 05/22/2013

Here is a tip to help you get top dollar for your home. A pristine clean and well maintained home gets more money. Declutter is first. Then new or like new carpet and paint. The yard is to be tip top manicured with flowers of yellow, pink, and whie. Closets are near empty and military clean and organzied. The cabinets and drawers are also spotless. Even the garage is near empty with not even dust. The cleaner the house, the more money it will bring and the quicker it will sell. Everyone likes a home that shows pride of ownership and is well cared for and extra clean and shiny too. Clean it yourself and then call the professionals and then clean more. You be happy you cleaned and cleaned and cleaned! 05/21/2013

JUST SOLD PGA WEST CONDO! This 3 Bedroom/3 Bath PGA West Condo on the Nicklaus Private Golf Course in La Quinta, listed at $367,000, just sold for $360,000!  We had the offer within the first week, and with a 30-day escrow it closed on Monday! I can find you a great place at PGA West, or any of the other golf communities in the desert... or sell your current home FAST! IS YOUR LISTING SITTING, OR SELLING? SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA 05/21/2013

When you get a reasonable offer on your home, take the money and run! There is an old rule in real estate that your first offer is usually your best offer. Don't be greedy. Over the period of a lifetime a few thousand dollars really will not matter. Are you truly ready to move onto to your new home and your new life? This unsold house is costing you money everyday. Take the plunge. Accept the offer and take the  money and run! You will be glad you did.  05/19/2013

As a real estate broker over the years, I have learned to adapt my life to be on call and ready to go 24/7. I have learned that whatever I need to do for my personal life and at home, I need to do early in the morning - exercise, clean the kitchen, make the bed, grocery shop, laundry, etc. I never know when someone will call to view homes or make an offer or some other issue will develop that needs immediate attention. Over the years, this has become my 'normal.' It is odd to me when I go out for lunch on a rare day off and see people living a really 'normal' life. Over the past year, I have been taking more time off and enjoying time with myself and my family more. With that said, real estate is my passion and is always in the back of my mind and I am set to go! 05/12/2013

 La Quinta kids’ summer classes at the La Quinta Museum    The La Quinta Museum is hosting an experience for elementary school age children called Cahuilla Summer Camp running for six Wednesdays beginning  June 12 through July 24 (no class July 3).  Come find out what was it like to be a child in a Cahuilla family hundreds of years ago? What did you eat? Where did you sleep? What did you wear? What chores did you have? What games did you play? Michelle Hedgecock of Caliso Learning will share her knowledge of Cahuilla culture with hands-on activities using some of the materials in the Museum’s collection. Sign up today for these free classes.  They are open to elementary school age children for 6 Wednesdays from 10:30 -11:45 am.  Make your reservation now because space is limited!  Call ... 05/11/2013