Looking for something to do after Mother's Day brunch? Mother's Day is generally a great day for open houses, especially here in the desert where the temperature is a beautiful 90°. The skies are clear, gentle breezes and clear views of the mountains everywhere! PGA West in La Quinta has six golf courses spread out over approximately 1200 acres. There will be many open houses for viewing .on the Greg Norman course, which is where my open house is, there will be approximately six homes to view. Come on by! 81345 Kingston  Heath  Dr. is offered Designer furnished including a golf cart for $1,399,000.  The most popular floorplan , the Ventana, with a detached Casita sits on a stellar homesite with highly sought after southern views.  The elevated resort style Pebbletec, saltwater,  pool an... 05/11/2013

Here in La Quinta, California, we are blessed with sunshine nearly everyday. From October to May our weather is usually between 65 and 85 degrees. From June through September we usually have 85 degrees early in the day and up to 110 or more. I am so happy this week as we have had a whole week of weather with highs in the low 80's. Guess what - I sold 3 houses this week. Even the people who live here are happy to be out and about. The people  moving here are really grateful for such great weather when viewing homes. It is so wonderful to walk in the morning, have the doors at the office open, and have homes very comfortable when viewing. 05/09/2013

La Quinta Cove Market Update Spring 2013   The market in the La Quinta Cove has changed in the last year.  Unlike other parts of the desert that have been slower to recover, the Cove has rebounded and the lower end homes under $120,000 are nearly impossible to find.  Last year we had an investor that purchased 23 homes ... all of them under $130,000.  Now when a home comes on the market under that price point a bidding war ensues and multiple offers are the norm.   Most of the homes in the La Quinta Cove are 1100-1400sq. ft. 3 bedroom/2 bath with small backyards.  They are ideal for the active rental market and tenants are abundant. With its proximity to Old Town La Quinta and it's wrap-around mountain views, investors find the La Quinta Cove very desirable! HOMES FOR SALE:  62 Homes ar... 05/07/2013

I absolutely support office caravans for new listings, here in the Palm Springs Valley. Why not? I always gain some important feedback for my sellers. We all know that the first 30 days of the listing are critical. Why not get as many fresh eyeballs, especially educated realtor eyeballs, into your home? First impressions are huge for potential buyers. I love to watch my fellow agents first impressions of my listings… It helps me! And then I can help my seller… It's a win-win! I have found in my listing presentations that some sellers don't like the idea of a bunch of people trooping through their home .However, once I explain the value of the "troops" experience, they generally come around.  I tried to attend as many caravans as I can, even if I don't have a new listing. I have also fou... 05/06/2013

LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB MARKET REPORT SPRING 2013   HOMES FOR SALE:  35 Homes for sale ranging from $320,000 to $1,599,000. HOMES IN ESCROW:  5 Homes in escrow as of 05/06/2013. HOMES SOLD YEAR TO DATE:  8 Homes SOLD as of 05/06/2013 Inventory has continued to grow as more and more homeowners have decided to list their La Quinta Country Club home.  There are approximately 515 homes that line many of the fairways or neighbor the golf course.  With an eclectic mix of homes ranging from classic haciendas to contemporary and modern, the La Quinta Country Club neighborhood has a home to match almost any country club buyers needs! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA COUNTRY CLUB Follow La Quinta Country Club Homes on Facebook  La Quinta Country Club Tour La Quinta Tennis Villa REDUCED $200,000! Tenn... 05/06/2013

Our real estate market is as close to a perfect market as you can get. Buyers want more than than their budget will allow. The sellers want a higher price than the market will bear. We have adequate inventory. The weather is perfect. Interest rates are low and mortgage brokers are aggressive. Whether you are an investor, 2nd home buyer, move up buyer, or primary home buyer, now is the time to buy. for sellers, the prices have gone up some and have leveled out so now is the time to buy. My advice for all: DON'T BE GREEDY. You can get a good fair deal whatever side of the table you are on. 05/05/2013

No need to wax. Just sweep and mop on a regular basis and they stay clean and shiny. Mop floors with clear water or just a dash of liquid dish soap. Be sure to change the water when it gets cloudy. Too much soap or dirty water will make the floors dull or sticky.Don't use scrub pads on ceramic tile floors or you might scratch them. Our professional cleaners wash most floors by hand, cleaning, and drying a small area at a time. 05/03/2013

You can do a simple web search to see if you are one of many property owners who overpaid their taxes and see the amount they are elgible to claim. Under Revenue and Taxatiobn Code 5097 and 5102, property tax refunds that go unclaimed for four years after the payment date or one year after the mailing of the claim form ( whichever islater) may be transferred to the county general fund on order of the Board of Supervisors. Once approved by the Board of Supervisors, a transfer to the general fund occurs if a verified claim is not filed by Thursday August 1, 2013. Visit the website: www.countytreasurer.org/propertytaxrefund.aspx  to view the list of umclaimed refunds, to print a claim form, and for additional information.   This notice was printed in the Desert Sun on May 2 and 3. 05/02/2013

Here in La Quinta, California,( near Palm Springs) as real estate agents and brokers we sell a lifestyle and the buyers get a home for free. People buy homes here for the over 140 world class golf courses, social life, beautiful mountain views, warm sunny days almost everyday, biking, hiking, spas, fitness. This area is really popular for retired people. The restaurants and shopping are good. The people are friendly. There are lots of parties. This is a great place to live.   04/30/2013

I suggest you hire a certified mold inspector to inspect any home at the time of sale. Other times to have a inspected include: 24-48 hours after a water leak When you see mold on the walls, floors, vents, ducts, or other areas When you see moss or other growth anywhere in your home If you can smell moisture and it does not go away or get worse As we all know, it is way better to be safe than sorry when suspecting mold. The best plan is to call a certified mold inspector and get it located and remediated or cleared. 04/30/2013

Summer Golf Tour Registration begins on Monday, May 6! ONLY $69 per player to register and reasonable weekly green fees Continues through August 25 The La Quinta Summer Golf Tour is back. This 13-week golf program allows participants to play at some of the finest courses in the Coachella Valley. Tour participants may pick and choose which courses they would like to play. Players may choose to play in either single or team divisions; plaques will be awarded to the top finalists in both divisions at the Golf Tour Banquet on August 24. This very popular summer program is back for another year of fun in the sun! Advance, intermediate, and novice golfers are all welcome to enjoy playing on this 13-week golf tour. Every Saturday morning, participants have the opportunity to play at some of th... 04/29/2013

Here in Palm Springs, CA., as with most areas of the country, we are recovering beautifully from the crash and burn of the housing market.  It now appears, in hindsight, that 4th Quarter of 2012 was the absolute bottom if you base your data on price/sf.  My clients are feeling like they "missed the bottom."  Well, you did.  But, that's ok.  Many buyers did not have their finances in order, their jobs in line, perhaps enough time to recover from a Short Sale or Foreclosure to jump in the past couple of years.  However..I like to point out 6 things that will make you feel better as a buyer.. 1.  Loans are at an all time low.  Lenders are lending money again, and their rates are fantastic!  This means you may be able to qualify for more house than you could have a year ago.  Not a bad thin... 04/28/2013

Whether you are a buyer, seller, investor, or real estate agent, be sure to read the Covenants, Codes, and Restrictions for Homeowner's Associations. These rules can change periodically and it is important for you to know what they are. Check specifically about rules for renting, pets, guests, noise, plantings, past and future assessments, and dues increases. Homeowners associations usually meet at least a few times a year and it is good to attend the meetings where you live or own property to meet the people in charge and stay current on what is happening in the homeowners's association. Before purchasing, it is especially important to know the rules and how they will affect your life. The financial condition of the association is also very important. You want to be sure the services p... 04/27/2013

To me the key to find homes for buyers is to know the inventory. Have them meet you at your office or better yet in their home to discuss what they are looking for prior to driving them around at $4 a gallon. Have them tell you in detail what they are looking for - bedrooms, bathrooms, garage, pool, square footage, yard, age of home, location, etc. Then show them some homes online and pick out 4 best homes. As you walk through these homes with them, have them tell you what they like and do not like in detail about each home. If you know the inventory of the area you can find them a home immediately or watch for one to come on the market that suits their needs and then act fast! The good homes and the good deals do not last long as we all know. 04/27/2013

If you are indoors - STAY THERE! Drop, cover, and hold on. get under a sturdy desk or in a hallway against an outside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplace, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out od the kitchen. Do not run downstrairs or outside while the building is shaking. If you are outside - GET INTO THE OPEN! Stay away from buildings, power lines, chineys, and anything else that might fall on you. If you are driving stop. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop under a bridge or overpass or under tress, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. If you are on or near a steep hill - watch out for landslides, falling rocks, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake. 04/26/2013

Be sure to do a final walk thru on your home before closing. Alot can happen within a few days or even a few hours. You want to be sure to see the home after the occupants vacate. You want to look for leaks, dirt, stains, toilets, and other maintenance issues. Flush the toilets. Open and close all doors. Use the sliders. Open and close the garage door. Run wter in the sinks. Try the fireplace. Try the garbage disposal. Turn on the stove and oven. Check the lights. Check the air conditioner and furnace. Also, check anything else you can see or think about. This may save issues down the road for the buyers and the agents too. 04/26/2013

What IS a "Boomerang Buyer?"  I love new terms.  It will be fun to see how much this one is used over the next couple of years.  Here in the Palm Springs Valley, which was hit extremely hard by the housing recession, it has taken flight. A Boomerang Buyer is a buyer that had a Short Sale or Foreclosure in their past.  Being a Short Sale Agent during the crash and burn cycle, helped me watch how credit reports evolved.  Four years ago, we were told that a Foreclosure would haunt you for 7 years and keep you from being able to buy another home.  Short Sales were a murky area..we were told anywhere from 2-3 years, but certainly less than a Foreclosure ding on your credit.  Here we are..7 years into the meltdown and here come the "Boomerang Buyers!"  Turns out the Lenders figured out that M... 04/26/2013

Here's a good sign in La Quinta!   Very excited this listing is in escrow!  Are you ready to sell your home in La Quinta?  Call me for a free consultaion on your desert home!       SEARCH FOR HOMES IN PGA WEST! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA!   If you price it right... you will get an offer... in any market! 04/22/2013

  I just listed this PGA West condo for $367,000 at the end of last week... we already had 2 offers and opened escrow on Friday!  Today another agent called to see it and asked if he could make a back-up offer.  Of course! It just goes to show you... If you price it right... you will get an offer... in any market!         SEARCH FOR HOMES IN PGA WEST! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA!     04/21/2013

La Quinta Country Club Receives Prestigious Distinguished Club Award From Boardroom Magazine! Boardroom Magazine is one the most respected trade publications serving private clubs.  La Quinta Country Club was nominated by Boardroom magazine's independent Membership and criteria Committee.  After the nomination an on site visit and evaluation was conducted regarding the "Membership Experience" at LQCC. To be a Distinguished Club is to belong to an elite group of clubs that provide the very best Member Experience in the world!     04/18/2013