La Quinta Country Club Homes-- Recent Sales     In the second quarter of 2010, to present (9) homes sold in the La Quinta Country Club area.     Average selling price was $552,388---- up from $451,296 in the first quarter. Avergage price/sq. foot of $198.25--- up from $ 166.87  in the first quarter The Days on the Market figures ranged from 35 days until sold-- to the lengthy 1441 Days on Market!    04/23  48700 Santa Ursula                       $300,000         $85.96 /sq.ft          207 DOM*  On and off market 05/12  78496 Calle Seama Bank Owned     $187,500         $113.64                 57  DOM* 05/17  48885 El Nido    Bank Owned           $515,000         $132.12             1441  DOM 05/27  78237 San Timoteo                       $1,400,000       $324.68               216 DOM 05... 08/13/2010

In the first quarter of 2010 (7) homes sold in the La Quinta Country Club area. Average selling price was $451,296 Avergage price/sq. foot of $166.87 The Days on the Market figures ranged from 48 days until sold-- to the lengthy 901 Days on Market!    01/08  49005 Cedros Circle                    $385,000       $175.00/sq.ft      495 DOM 01/15  49130 Eisenhower  Short Sale        $730,000       $182.50     48 DOM*  On and off market 01/22  78472 Calle Huerta  Bank Owned    $205,000      $105.89          57  DOM* 02/26  78019 Lago        Bank Owned         $395,000     $166.81           901 DOM 03/01  49786 Coachella                            $520,000      $212.33            238 DOM 03/31  78965 Lago                                  $425,000       $170.96            506 DOM 03/31  78223... 08/13/2010

I have been blogging lately about mixed signals, mis-information (whether intentional or not) particularly from national franchise brokerages trying to paint a rosy picture inside a muddy landscape, and buyers and sellers being VERY CONFUSED about the state of housing market. Is it getting better, or getting worse? Or staying the same?   Buyers and sellers are not the only ones confused.... many real estate agents, including myself, are equally confused. Just when you convince a client to lower their listing price, a similar home down the street sells for a higher price (which of course makes you feel like an IDIOT, having just done an exhausting study of "comps"). Then a week later, a similar home sells for a much lower price than where you were advising your client to list at. Then a ... 08/08/2010

Short Sale Buyers;  Pick a good one!  "What the heck is she talking about now?", you must be thinking..I am not talking about picking the greatest property for the least price/sf.  That's what most Buyers consider the best Short Sale around.  That IS the best buy around, but not  necessarily the best opportunity to actually acquire a property as a Short Sale.  Have your Realtor check into the Liens against the property..that means EVERYTHING! Exhausted Short Sale buyer.. The strongest possibility for a successful Short Sale closing is if there is only ONE loan and the property is the Seller's primary residence.  Why???  Because that loan is non-recourse, and the Lenders will work with you the quickest, knowing they cannot pursue the Seller for a dime more than the Trustee Sale price.  E... 08/05/2010

Old Town La Quinta  Summer Events Sip, See and Savor at Old Town Cellar! Tuesday, August 3, 20105 p.m. to 7 p.m. La Quinta Arts Foundation presents a series of artists creating intimate galleries at Old Town Cellar throughout the summer months.  The galleries will be set for 4 weeks each at which time you are invited to stop by anytime to enjoy a glass of your favorite wine, a nosh, and take in the incredible art for sale. Join us at a reception the first Tuesday of each month to meet the artist and representatives from acclaimed wineries and enjoy complimentary wine tasting and tasty nibbles. Tuesday, August 3 - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Artists: Ric & Tim Vigallon, Metal Sculpture & Bart Aldrich, PhotographerWine: Bennett Lane WineryNibbles: TKB Bakery & DeliThe final reception date of this ser... 08/02/2010

La Quinta SUMMER SWIM PROGRAMS La Quinta Pool at Fritz Burns Park corner of Avenida Bermudas and Avenue 52 Information: YMCA at (760) 341-9622 or visit online at www.ymcaofthedesert.org. FREE Swim Night for Families August 6 6 pm - 7 pm Open/Recreational Swim Monday - Friday, 2 pm - 4:30 pm Saturday, 10 am - 1 pm $2.00/Ages 12 & under, $3.00/Ages 13 & up Morning & Evening Swim Lessons July 12 - July 23 July 26 - August 6 August 9 - August 20 $55/per person For swimming levels and descriptions visit www.ymcaofthedesert.org. Adult Water Aerobics Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm July 12 - August 6 $35/session or $8/drop-in Adult Lap Swim Monday - Friday, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm $3.00/person 08/01/2010

THE BEST HOTELS ARE IN LA QUINTA! Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel & Spa 50-777 Santa Rosa Plaza La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 777-1711 (Click here for more information & special rates) Homewood Suites by Hilton 45-200 Washington Street La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 391-4600 (Click here for more information & special rates) Lake La Quinta Inn 78-120 Caleo Bay La Quinta, CA 92253 (888) 226-4546 (Click here for more information & special rates) La Quinta Resort & Club 49-499 Eisenhower Drive La Quinta, CA 92253 (800) 598-3828 (Click here for more information & special rates)a 08/01/2010

La Quinta Country Club Tour Welcome To La Quinta Country Club! Founded in 1959, La Quinta Country Club members enjoy a rich heritage other clubs dream of possessing. Most people are drawn here by golf and quickly fall in love with the beautiful desert ambiance and camaraderie among members. Although the spectacular golf and weather are the initial attraction to our club, genuine respect and interest in each other is the foundation that binds our special membership. Today, La Quinta Country Club is about to embark on it’s newest chapter, the new Santa Barbara style clubhouse opened the Fall of 2009. The new clubhouse is stately, sophisticated and inviting, qualities that are expressions of who we are as a club. Come explore LQCC to learn more about our exciting future. We are making hist... 07/28/2010

Are Short Sales REALLY the BEST deal???  I deal with a lot of Short Sales.  I represent Sellers and have done so for many years.  I also represent Buyers.  My Buyers are not always intending to look at a Short Sale, but just about every one of them becomes mesmerized with the price/sf.  Let's face it.  Short Sales are almost always priced below the rest of the neighborhood comps..based on price/sf. It's probably pretty easy to see where I'm going here.  Don't Buyers care about ANYTHING except price/sf???  It depends.  If I am working with investors, they ONLY look at the price/sf for that location in that development.  If I am working with someone who is hoping to capitalize on the low prices here in the Palm Springs and La Quinta areas, perhaps to buy that vacation home they've been dr... 07/15/2010

Short Sale Team formed at HK Lane Real Estate.  With the numbers of Short Sales rising rapidly, we have formed a team specifically designed to handle them at HK Lane.  Harvey Katofsky and Ron Gurlich, our steadfast leaders, (also owner and Broker) at HK Lane, have joined forces with some top professionals.. Paul Bojic:  Real Estate Attorney AND Broker.  Paul is available to help qualify Short Sale potential Sellers to make sure that the route of Short Sale is their best solution. Kimberley Kelly & Ally Valesquez:  List Agents.  I have years of negotiating with Short Sale Lenders, and Ally has been listing and selling REO's and Short Sales as well.  Short Sale Success:  Professional Short Sale negotiation team that will help to convince the Lenders and Investors that YOUR particular situ... 07/08/2010

Short Sale Tidal Wave...is it coming???  I have been doing Short Sales for over 4 years, am SFR certified, read about the Short Sale process daily, try to keep as updated as I can, but still have a nagging thought in my head.. "Am I ready, (not if, but when), that Short Sale deluge hits?"  Because I truly do think it's coming.  Here in the Coachella Valley, we are seeing Short Sale numbers increase on a monthly basis.  Our distressed inventory numbers have dropped, and the Short Sales always appear to be the "best deals" around.  Well, they should be because we all know they are long and torturous to complete. I suspect even more are coming end of 2010 and 2011, 2012 will be inundated.  Why?  The Shadow Inventory of Homeowners 30 days or more behind on their mortgages, job losses and ed... 07/03/2010

                                                                                                                     Cooking with Class We tried out the "Cork & Fork" at Cooking with Class last night!  Wow-- amazing food, fun surroundings, and excellent service! And Here's What Else is Cookin' this month: Dinner and a Date - "Summer in France" July Food and Wine Tasting Dinner "Simply Trader Joes" "Fit and Fabulous 4th" "Couples in the Kitchen" "The Best of Julia Child" Breadmaking Workshop "Italian Classics for Everyday Entertaining" and their popular Saturday $5.00 Wine Tasting! Great News...It's BACK!! BY POPULAR DEMAND, CORK AND FORK" HAS RETURNED! JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 5:30 pm-9:00 pm FOR THE "THE BEST HAPPY HOUR IN TOWN!" Feast on delicious food and enjoy their amazin... 07/01/2010

Buyer's Agents...Stay AWAY from my Short Sale Listings!  Of course I do not mean ALL Buyer's Agents, but if you are representing a Buyer for a Short Sale, and you do not understand, and truly grip what is involved in a Short Sale..drive on by and do not look back. I CANNOT MAKE the Lenders do anything!  I cannot force them to "be sensible", "be logical"...be ANYTHING.  Short Sales are very different than traditional Sales, and if you as a Buyers' Agent do not completely comprehend how much work, time, effort, organization, pleading, begging, and cajoling I do to try to get those Investors to see why they should take the offer, please, please, I beg you..do NOT submit that offer. I try very hard to screen my Buyers and their Agents to be sure they "get" the Short Sale process.  But, some... 06/23/2010

Short Sale Cashola! But my Short Sale offer is higher!  It's difficult to understand, but here it is..it depends on when you submitted your offer and also the terms/conditions you included in the offer. List Agents want to get their Seller as much as possible, but they also want to get the Short Sale assigned to a negotiator and worked and hopefully CLOSED.  If I am representing a buyer on a Short Sale, the first thing I do is call the List Agent if the property is not showing contingent.  If it is my Buyers' offer is guaranteed to be a back up offer..no matter what the offer is.  The List Agent is already working the offer in 1st position.  "But my offer is higher!  The List Agent even said so.."  That may be true, but there is one offer at a time worked with the Short Sale negotiator... 06/21/2010

Agents; Don't blame ME if your client can't wait for the Short Sale to be done.. I received a phone call from the Buyer's Agent yesterday afternoon on one of my Short Sale listings that I just received the Bank's Counter on.. "My Buyer has been hanging in here for 2.5 months!  I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU are now telling me, you haven't got this accepted!  That's Bull****!  How is he ever going to qualify for the CALIF state tax credit?"  Here's my response...  "What part of Short Sales are you not familiar with Mr. Buyer's Agent?  The part where there is NO set close date?  The part where there is a HUGE CONTINGENCY on this deal..that of Lender approval?  What part of the e-mail that I sent you directly quoting our negotiator stating "We CANNOT guarantee a close by 6/30" did you not understand... 06/19/2010

Short Sale fantasies..yikes!  The've crept into my fantasy world, and I feel obliged to share...In my mind...I meet a homeowner who has tried everything.  They've been working with their Lender.  They've tried the Loan Mod.  They've kept up on taxes, HOA's, utilities, lawn mowing, pool maintenance, and the home is in great shape.  They call me because they want to save their credit to the best of their ability and are usually embarrassed, and exhausted, but still trying to do the best they can...and are finally at the Short Sale stage.My distressed homeowner agrees to go see their CPA..and does. They feel informed and okay about the possible tax consequences.My distressed homeowner agrees to contact their Lender and supply them with all financials, letters & docs the Lender requires for... 06/13/2010

Another La Quinta Short Sale Home SOLD!  The proud new homeowner of this La Quinta short sale is sure to enjoy the mountain views from every direction of the home. The La Quinta home featured tile floors, dining area, fireplace, a spacious living area, vaulted ceilings, separate laundry room with cabinets, and master suite with double sinks, separate shower and soaking tub. The new owner will also enjoy the private pool, palm trees, landscaping, covered patio and BBQ of this La Quinta cove home!             Buyers don't let another short sale deal fall apart. Deal with an experienced La Quinta Short Sale agent!   If you are considering selling your home as a short sale in the La Quinta area, please contact me for a free consultation to see if a short sale will work for you.     La Quint... 06/11/2010

  Daily Summer Specials                                                                      VIVA! Cantina & Grill  - 760-777-6625 Margarita Mondays - $4.95 Margarita's All day & nightTaco Tuesday - $1 Taco BarWild Wednesdays - A shot of tequila and a beer for $5Tijuana Thursdays -  $2 Tijuana Dogs Fiesta Fridays - A Cabo fish taco and a beer for $5Saturdays & Sundays - Happy Hour all day & night in the Cantina and on the patio. Old Town La Quinta is.....                                                 ...THE HOT SPOT for HAPPY HOUR!____________________________________________________________________________ 06/10/2010

Palm Springs Restaurant Week Now thru Sunday, June 13, 2010Dine at Devane's, Hog's Breath Inn & VIVA! Restaurant Week is a culinary celebration featuring restaurants from the entire Valley from Palm Springs to Indio. Participating restaurants are offering a three-course menu at the fixed price of either $24 or $36 per person (tax, beverages and gratuity are not included).  Old Town La Quinta restaurants participating in this year's event with $24 fixed menus to enjoy include:  Devane's, Hog's Breath Inn and VIVA! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to experience some of the best restaurants the desert has to offer. Restaurant Week is the perfect time to visit your favorite restaurant or try something new, as chefs prepare delicious three-course meals for your dining pleasure at a fixe... 06/10/2010

  Best Gelato in the Desert!  COOL OPTIONS in Old Town La Quinta! Gelato, Sorbetto and Ice Cream Now Chilling Out in the heart of La Quinta Village  Hanging out in Old Town La Quinta is now even cooler - just in time for summer. Old Town La Quinta welcomes Cool Options - a new gelato, sorbetto and ice cream shop opening TODAY in Old Town La Quinta. "After the recent closing of Baskin Robbins in La Quinta, it's great to have new 'Cool Options' in the community," said Leslie Locken, property manager of Old Town La Quinta. "We're excited to provide a gathering place for kids, seniors - and everyone in between - to enjoy refreshing treats." Cool Options will be offering a menu of Palazzolo'a gelato and sorbetto, Clemmy's all-natural and sugar free ice cream, homemade gelato pies, a Cool Opt... 06/10/2010