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

I have a listing at PGA West in La Quinta that is held in trust by a family who recently lost their mother.  My clients priority is to get the asset sold for the most money in the shortest time frame.  Sound familiar? I encouraged them to trust me and price it right.  Not too high, (to test the market), or too low (give it away).  It has been on the market since last Friday, and today we have a solid cash offer just a few thousand under asking.   If you price it right... you will get an offer... in any market! 04/16/2013

Last week I was contacted by the media and promotion department for the new Lee Morcus restaurant "Figue" in La Quinta.  I had written and posted a blog, and a few updates on my 365 Things to do in the Palm Springs Area page on Facebook.  They told me that they really liked my page and appreciated what I had done so far. They have invited me and a guest (husband) to come in for dinner this week and try out the restaurant with other media!  Wow, I never thought of myself as "media", but I appreciate the kudos and the chance to not only try their menu, but to make some new connections in our community! More about "Figue "  in Palm Springs Life! Figue on Facebook! 04/15/2013

  Search Non-Golf Communities in La Quinta Click on the links below to see homes for sale in these communities   Desert Club Estates Estancias at Rancho La Quinta Griffin Ranch Hidden Canyon  Laguna de LaPaz   Lake La Quinta  La Quinta Cove  Legacy Villas Palmilla La Quinta Polo Estates   04/14/2013

My husband and I moved to La Quinta, Ca. for the slower paced life, the lower cost of living, and sunshine everyday. Over the past 12 years that I have lived here and sold real estate, I have found that most people buy a home here either as a primary home or a second home for the lifestyle as much or more than the home. I have always liked to connect people so over the years, I have had a lot of parties and social events and tried to get people who bought homes from me  connected with others for a fun La Quinta lifestyle whether it is through golf, parties, charity work, exercise, restaurants, and more. It is so fun for me to see how people build a nice life here and the great friends they make along the way. What a gift for those of us over 55 years old to still have our lifelong frien... 04/14/2013

Lori Bowers has been a real estate agent and broker in La Quinta, California for over 12 years and sold over 2000 homes, plus does long term and vacation rentals. Lori has her office Old Town La Quinta and has 9 top performing and experienced real estate agents and brokers. Lori is known for her honesty, enthusiasm, knowledge, and true passion for real estate. Lori makes buying, selling, and leasing real estate profitable and fun too! For a FREE NO OBLIGATION meeting to discuss your short term and long term real estate needs and goals, please call Lori Bowers 760-831-1595. She will be sure you find your dream home(s). 04/13/2013

We need investors to buy homes in La Quinta, California. We need rentals for year round residents. We also have a sever shortage of vacation rentals. Most year round residents feel comfortable to pay $1200 -$1500 per month in rent. The homes sell for $110- $180,000. Most vacation rentals are in country clubs in the price range of $250 - $800,000. The rents vary from $4000 - $10,000 per month. We have many snowbirds who come for the winter from January 15- April 15. We also have people who come for shorter periods of time for the Paribas Open Tennis Tournament in March and the Humana Classic PGA Golf Tournament in January. There is also the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Tournament in April, plus the Coachella and Stage Coach music Festivals that attract over 100,000 people for 3 weekends in a row w... 04/13/2013

I went to show homes for vacation rentals for next season today. I called agents who asked to call first. Others said the lock box was on the home. I had 7 homes to show them. All of them were occupied when the MLS said vacant. None of them had lock boxes. I had to talk my way into the homes. I looked so silly to my clients and to the occupants.Per the occupants, all but one was already rented for next year. I wish the agents would update their listings. This makes all of us look bad. Thanks for letting me vent. 04/12/2013

Those of us who do short sales, know that it has become extremely common for the notes to be transferred at the last minute. You can be working away with the lender on a short sale, even have approval as I did on this one, and boom… You receive the transfer email. What does this mean? It means that the note was sold off to another servicer during your transaction. Needless to point out this creates one more hoop to jump through as a short sale realtor. For this particular short sale in the highly desirable area of North La Quinta California, I undertook the short sale with Homeward Residential almost 4 months ago. I listed the property at fair market value, have a phenomenally cooperative seller, a very educated short sale buyer, and a tenant who was fully informed every step of the sho... 04/11/2013

Winds have affected my day. They are over 50 mph. No one is around. It is like we are having a blizzard. It is 75 degrees and sunny but just  blowing away. We get this at the changeof seasons but most of the time the winds blow at night. It is to last until 9 pm tonight. I like having a catch up day to work in the office, but both of my appointments to show homes have cancelled. I sure hope they are not sacred off from buying a home. We get these winds about 30 times a year and usually for 4-5 hours, but once in awhile we get these gusts and blasts. What a mess and not good for allergies and asthma either! Wind, wind, go away and do not come back another day! 04/08/2013

Here are some simple ways to save money on home expenses. 1. Turn lights off when not in the room. save at least $100 per year. 2. Lower wattages on lighting in the house to 13 w fluorescents. Even if you use these lights only 3hours a day you will say about $20 per light annually. 3. Use solar lights for outdoor night lighting to say about $30 per light per year in power. 4. Have air conditioners serviced and change filters at least 3 times a year to increase efficiency. Savings about $150+ per year 5. Get a hot water recirculator to save water and hot water heating costs. Savings over $100 per year. 6. Take shorter showers to save water. Savings about $100+ per year. 7. Use low water plants and lessen irrigation times to save more water $100+ per year in water and gardening costs too.... 04/07/2013