Now may be the time to short sale your home. Here are a few check points for you: Do you owe more than your home is worth? Do you feel defeated with such a big loan hanging over your head? Do you have a legitimate hardship? Are you ready to live a more simple easy flow life? Have you been denied a loan modification or principle reduction? Are you ready to start over at rebuilding your weath? i offer a FREE no obligation consultation to see the best plan for you to move forward in your life. 02/09/2013

When I am showing houses, I am always amazed at how many  people walk into a home and immediately start looking at what is wrong with the house. I tell them before entering the home, that I want them to look for what they like about the home. Then we walk back through and they tell me what they do not like about the home. It is very interesting that when they focus on what they like about the house, they remember the house better and like it more. It also gives them hope that they will find a home that they love and enjoy. I also have them rate each home on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best. I can usually tell from them rating if they are realistic on their expectations of a home. I tell them most people are able to achieve an 8 or 9. " What is right with this house?" 02/08/2013

The Lori Bowers Group Paradise Properties has great real estate agents with great performance and sustained results. The agents are focused, driven, and work through inspired action. The Lori Bowers Group Paradise Properties works with 15 core values to achieve top results for buyers, sellers, and investors. Confidence Focus Self Control Open communication Friendship Fun Professionalism Enthusiasm Competency Innovation and entrepeneurship Integrity Loyalty Commitment Team Compassion 02/07/2013

Over the years I have sold alot of homes to other real estate agents - local agents, out of area agents, agents I meet at seminars, agents refer me to agents, agents I meet from doing presentations in their office, agents I do transactions with, and other ways too. I have learned I like to deal with agents. Most are professional, understanding, honest, on target, set to go, know the process, realistic, good sense of humor, and most of all grateful. Most agents own multiple homes and understand what it takes to own and manage real estate.  I enjoy sharing and socializing with them. They are open with me on their goals and how they expect to reach them. I truly treasure my clients who are real estate agents and brokers and attorneys. 02/05/2013

  East of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley, lies the City of La Quinta.Tucked away in a cove surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains are 63 small houses. Many have a Hollywood history!The exceptional thing is that these Spanish Colonials were all built between 1935 and 1941. They are related by their modest size, white adobe-like exteriors, low, red-tiled roofs, and wooden lintels. Many of them only show the tops of their red-tiled roofs to the outside world. Who built these homes? Who lived in them? Why are they sprinkled around the Cove without rhyme or reason? February 21st from 1-5pm, Maggie Gordon, author of Historical Casitas of La Quinta Cove, will lead a  tour of our iconic homes! Cocktails served at final casita! For more info call the La Quinta Historical Society :  760-564... 02/04/2013

Many people still think that real estate agents and brokers are relaxing when they are not showing homes. Here are some things I do when I am not showing homes. I preview at least 10 homes a day. I scour the MLS daily and email homes to various clients. I do 2 hours a day of prospecting and marketing. Past clients and future clients call with questions. I do flyers, brochures, enter listings. Listing appointments.     02/04/2013

Fire extinguisher Medication Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water First aid kit and handbook Flashlights and batteries Water for 3 days Canned and packaged food Waterproof heavy duty bags for waste disposal Copies of personal papers and ID in a remote location Extra sets of car keys and house keys Matches in a waterproof container Cash and coins Eye glasses, contact lens supplies Pet food 02/04/2013

I am so happy to have the 49ers in the Superbowl today. I lived in the Bay Area through the last string of Super Bowls where the 49ers were the champs. I never thought this would be the year! I am happy for them and for all of us fans too. The Bay area can have the World Series Champs and the World football champs all in the same year. It is a great day to relax, enjoy, eat, sleep, cheer, and celebrate. This is my Superbowl Holiday. My day to recharge and refresh. Go Niners!!!!!! 02/03/2013

My beautiful desert Valley is rampant with Art.  Art shows, Art Galleries, Art Museums, Artists..Theatre, live shows from the East end in Indio at their Performing Arts Center to the West end in down town Palm Springs.. Art in the Palm Springs Valley is often associated with the Music Festivals in Indio, but those are fairly new..about 12 years old.  The Palm Springs Museum always has fantastic exhibits.  The Museum in Old Town offers up it's own eclectic style.  Art Walks down El Paseo the first Thursday of every month. If you are thinking of buying a home in the Valley, and like Art, Theatre or just watching Artists' work in plein air form, this is the place for you!  Especially in the winter..where else can you get our amazing weather but in the Palm Springs Valley??? 02/02/2013

Through out my years of selling homes, I continue to be amazed how there is always a home for everyone. While we are doing the home search, it is hard to imagine that a home will 'show up' to meet the clients needs and desires. I live in a small area and it has always worked out, that people end up with the perfect home for them. Sometimes when taking listings, I feel anxiety about selling a home due to location, decoration, condition, etc. When I let it go and go with the flow, the home does sell to the perfect person. I look at it like adopting a pet. People seem to always find the perfect pet for them. It truly does all work out the way it is supposed to work out. 02/02/2013

I recently sold a home for some of the nicest clients I ever had. They had a beautiful second home they were selling due to the husband's illness. The home showed beautifully and they kept it clean and pristine. For no reason, the home did not sell for over a year. Throughout this year, they were kind, supportive and more than patient. We had one offer and the buyers flaked. They were still very nice and understanding. Then 6 months later I got another offer. They were happy and grateful. They made the home like new. Then the closing was delayed 2 weeks. They were very sad and frustrated but still were do nice. Once the home did close, they sentme a very nice card and note thanking me. Now the icing on the cake - yesterday I received a $100 gift card from them to one of my favorite rest... 02/02/2013

I have an elderly lady whose husband died and she has to move out of her own with a short sale. Her income is $1600 per month. She can pay up to $800 a month. Here is what I have learned: 1. 1 bedrooms with no income assistance is $850-$975 a month. 2. Moderate income is $44,000 for 1 person and $60,000 for 4 people. They must have good credit and they can rent a 3 bedroom, 2 bath with water, gas, cable, trash included for $900 a month. 3. Low income - you cannot have had a bankruptcy for 3 years or owned a home in the past 2 years. What about this poor lady and others who need a 1 bedroom and have had hard times. Not only do you lose your home, you cannot rent a low income apartment for 2 years. Only in America. 01/31/2013

As a real estate broker, I view homes everyday. I have big opinions on how homes need to be presented. I love my home and am very comfortable in the home, but with that said, it is far from decorator perfect. As my friend a decorator said  - most homes need some 'botox.' With that said, I do understand that the home you list to sell is not necessarily the same home you live in.  I have lived in my home nearly 2 years and pretty much used furniture and accessories that were special to me int his home as I was downsizing. Now I am ready for some new colors, new furniture and sprucing up. I am cleaning drawers and closets, painting some access walls, changing bedding and towels. It looks cheery, fresh, and happy. I am committed to do this each few years. It is way easier and less expensive... 01/28/2013

After closing over 2400 real estate transactions, I suggest you close those escrows fast. Anything can happen during an escrow period to stop the sale from closing. Beware and watch out for these issues and others too - Seller dies Seller changes his mind The house starts on fire The buyer loses his job The buyer changes his mind The price of the home falls lowers The home floods The buyers divorce Title issues surface Liens surface Buyer's credit falls lower Home does not appraise Home inspection raises issues and there are more............................................. 01/25/2013

Now more than ever it is a very good idea to have your home staged before selling it. What a difference alittle paint and alittle decorating do. One of the best ways to get more money for your home is declutter and depersonalize your home. When we live in homes, it is hard for us to see past alot of items that detract from our home. Put flowers out in front of your house - red, yellow and pink. Clean your windows and powerwash the house. Paint the front door and garage door. Use diffusers to get good smells in the home and closets. Turn on the lights and soft music. 01/23/2013

There are many reasons to buy a new home. It is fun to get a home that has never been used or lived in. You get to pick the lot, upgrades, colors, floor plan. You get a complete one year warranty and warranties on roof, air conditioning, windows, structural, etc. for many more years. The neighbors in new home areas are usually more friendly as no one knows anyone when they move in. You can landscape the yard as you wish. You have minimal issues due to the warranty for several years. A new home is truly your own home. No one else has touched it.   01/20/2013

Whether you are a buyer, seller, investor, this is a great weekend to attend open houses. Attending open houses is a great way to learn the inventory of homes in your area. It is also good to see how many buyers are out there viewing homes. It is a good way to connect with other agents and brokers. When doing deals with other agents, it really helps to have a personal connection. You can view lots of homes in a short time. Attending open houses also gives me good ideas of what to do and what not to do when doing my own open houses. Today is a great day to attend open houses. 01/19/2013

I love showing homes. I have learned over the years a process to find the perfect homes for clients with minimal time and hassle involved. 1. Have the client describe in detail what they want in a home - price,size, location, special upgrades, etc. 2. Pick 4 best homes to show them. 3. Have them tell you what they like and dislike about each home. 4. Have them rate the home on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the best. Tell t hem 8 is usually the best anyone can do. 5. Show them homes that meet their criteria even if the price is higher. This shows them reality 6. On Day 2 show them homes that are the best for what they want in their price range. 7. If they do not take any of these homes, tell them you will call them when a great home for them comes on the market. 8. Watch the market eac... 01/18/2013

PGA West in La Quinta, California is a golfer's dream play to live and to play golf. With incredible mountain views and 6 lush famous golf courses, PGA West is known through the world. Condos start at approximately $225,000 for 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 car garages. Executive homes go up to over 4000 sq. ft. and $2,000,000. There is golf, tennis, fitness, privacy, serenity, restaurants, and a wonderful lifestyle. Check out this area today on the Golf Channel. They are showing great views of the Humana Golf Tournament.   01/18/2013

How many times have you received a real estate contract with errors? These errors can be spelling errors, blanks left open that need to be filled, incorrect dates, and even incorrect address. It is always good to proof read your listing and purchase agreements and all other documents before presenting to clients, other agents, and brokers. In our office, we double check each other to be sure our contracts as are perfect as we can be. Clear and correct contracts expedite approval and acceptance and easy flow closings too. 01/17/2013