Live Music in Old TownThere's always something entertaining going on in Old Town La Quinta, like live music almost every night of the week! Devane's Old Town:  Have dinner, drinks and dance the night away on Friday & Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to Midnight, featuring Dr. Paul The Music Doctor & Reggie Vision playing music from the 40's to the 90's. 760-771-5330 www.devanesoldtown.comHog's Breath Inn:  Relax to the soothing sounds of a piano singer (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday nights) or the lively 60's to 80's music of Sergio & Shirley (Friday nights) 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 760-564-5556  www.hogsbreathinnlaquinta.comOld Town Cellar & Wine Bar:  Various acoustic artists perform every Wednesday through Sunday night from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 760-771-8950 www.oldtowncellar.com... 02/14/2010

Tonite I heard from a past client with a Lot for sale at The Hideaway in La Quinta... it has been on the market for a long time and he is ready to get it sold !  I have been given the opportunity to market a wonderful Lot, with a beautiful location on the course at The Hideaway Golf Club-- it has incredible views of the Santa Rosa Mountains in charming La Quinta, California.  It all sounds swell... but ActiveRainers, this is my first Lot-- How Do You Sell The Dream Without a House?  What resources do you use ?  What is the best way to market a Luxury LOT ?    02/14/2010

Greetings Guests of Old Town Artisan Studio Charity Soup Event We are counting down the days and looking forward to your expected arrival to the Old Town Artisan Studio's 1st Annual Charity Soup event at 6:00 Pm Thursday, February 18th.  We will have special guests arriving via red carpet at 6:20 PM.  While we are awaiting your presence take the time to tune into Channel 2, Eye on the Desert, Monday Evening at 6:30 PM. We will be highlighted that evening and would like to share that special day with you. We also want to remind you of the silent auction at Charity Soup. Here is a preview of what is being offered: TravelAlaska Airlines:   2 Tickets  $870 Each The Inn at Langley:  1-Night Stay $315 Golf and Sports:Golf Club at La Quinta:  1 Round of Golf for 2   $200Golf Club at La Quinta:... 02/14/2010

La Quinta, California;  What to do on Valentine's Day?  Another beautiful weekend in La Quinta.  Yesterday was the Tour de Palm Springs bike ride.  There were bikers all over the valley.  It's a Charity ride that brings hundreds of riders of all levels.  I bet there are some "saddle sores" today..ha!La Quinta's "Art Under The Umbrella's" was also held yesterday in La Quinta's Oldl Town..approx 75 artists displayed their work and it was glorious.  The weather was about 80 degrees, balmy and the sun just created sparkling displays.  La Quinta's actual Valentine Sunday could be spent picking up some fresh flowers at the La Quinta's old town Farmer's Market this morning, having a cup of fresh brew, then taking a hike, playing some golf, watching the polo games at 2 pm at Eldorado and 1 pm a... 02/14/2010

Charity Soup EventOld Town Artisan Studio78-100 Main Street, Suite 104Thursday, February 18, 20106 p.m. to 9 p.m.Enjoy an evening of food, wine and live music and support the Old Town Artisan Studio, a non-profit organization serving the artistic needs of youth, special needs children and seniors with hands on clay pottery and clay sculpture training and education.A sampling of Hors d'oeuvres, soup and cookies from Old Town Restaurants will be served.  A raffle will be held for a spa package at The La Quinta Resort valued at $1,000.  There will also be a silent auction and door prizes running throughout the evening as well as a short presentation an informational video about the Old Town Artisan Studio shown.   To reserve your spot for this special event, call 760-777-1444 today.  All-... 02/13/2010

Old Town Farmers MarketSunday, February 14, 20108 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Visit the Certified Farmers Market on Main Street at Old Town La Quinta, where you will find the freshest, best tasting produce including fresh fruit & vegetables, honey, nuts, cheese, cut flowers & plants, fresh-baked breads from L'Artisan Bakery and live chef demonstrations! Come by and see us at The Lori Bowers Group!  For more info on what's hot and happening in the desert go to LiveTheDesertLife.com !The Farmers Market is open every Sunday through May from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with live music entertainment from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   The Farmers Market is sponsored by The Palm Springs Cultural Center. ______________________________________________________________________ 02/13/2010

                                                           HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!   Did you already go buy the box of chocolates, the roses, the pre-made card?  Does'nt your sweetheart deserve a little more than that?  It is'nt about the amount of money you spend--it is about the amount of time-thought-effort you put into it that really matters!  This year-- take the initiative and use your brain- as well as your heart!  This quick video will give you some new and fun ideas to make that Valentines Day something special!! How To Make a Creative Valentine on Howcast 02/13/2010

Art Under the UmbrellasSaturday, February 13, 201010 a.m. to 4 p.m.Art Under the Umbrellas is a diverse collection of 70+ artists exhibiting their original creations along Main Street in Old Town La Quinta. This popular event also features live entertainment and wine tasting at Old Town Cellar & Wine Bar. When you are in Old Town, come on by The Lori Bowers Group and see us!  And for more info on what's new and fun in the desert visit LiveTheDesertLife.com !Additional dates include: March 27 and April 10, 2010.  Art Under the Umbrellas is a partnership with Old Town La Quinta and the La Quinta Arts Foundation. www.lqaf.com 02/13/2010

La Quinta Resort and Club, one of the Palm Sprigs original destination resorts and Hollywood getaways since 1926, moved a step closer to implementing its major restoration and renovation master plan this month, when it received unanimous approval from the La Quinta Historic Preservation Commission. The 5-0 decision marks the first formal vote on the $300 million master plan project which will add 631 hotel rooms and nearly 90,000 square feet of additional banquet and commercial space. During the meeting, Historic Preservation Commissioners noted the Resort's commitment to leaving all historic elements of the property untouched with the exception of the Resort Core, the Morgan House and La Casa, which once restored will be considered for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Pla... 02/13/2010

Attention Artists, Artisans, and anyone interested in Art....  If you have been wanting to try working with Clay Sculpting, glazing and kiln firing and other Clay art techniques, be sure to stop by the Old Town Artisan Studio, located in Old Town, La Quinta CA. Most of the artisan have never tried Clay Sculpting (or in some cases any form of "art" before) until stopping by the studio and are now "addicted"....   Also, just a reminder of our upcoming Charity Event - see below    La Quinta CA Old Town Artisan Studio's Annual Donation Celebration will be held February 18, 2010 at 78-100 Main St, Suite 104 in La Quinta, CA. Call 760-777-1444 to reserve your spot. With just a $10 raffle ticket you could win a wonderful 2 nights in a Deluxe Poolside Casita and dinner for two at the Adobe Gril... 02/11/2010

New FHA Guidelines;  Bye-bye Flipping Rule..Great summation of the new FHA guidelines courtesy of RealtyTrac.  Working with first time buyers and investors here in the Coachella Valley, both of these issues will be important in 2010. Securing FHA-insured mortgages are attractive to borrowers because down payments are only 3.5 percent. Most conventional loans now require 20 percent down, keeping many creditworthy borrowers on the sidelines. New Guidelines The new rules - which are temporary and take effect this summer - come after more than a year of stringent standards from lenders. Among them: Better Credit Score - New borrowers will have to have a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for a 3.5 percent down payment. Previously, there was no minimum score. Those with lower scores will... 02/11/2010

With the desert providing the kind of temperatures needed for outdoor activity, La Quinta is easily one of the most desirable destinations in the valley.  Unlike what you may believe the desert does offer desirable spots such as the Griffin Ranch where perfection is made.  With majestic mountains backing the ranch and roaming pastures in the foreground, this ranch is everything Merv Griffin imagined it to be. The overall theme at Griffin Ranch is equestrian, the luxury and elegance is precisely what you will find with the homes.  The guard-gated community offers four residential collections that consist of 11 unique single-story floor plans.  Some of the architectural styles you can expect to find within the community are based off of Monterey, Andalusian, Spanish Colonial, Contemporary... 02/10/2010

Coachella Valley Property is Hopping!  The market has risen again..totally different conditions and terms, but it is definately alive.  La Quinta, Palm Desert, West Indio, golf course communities and high end properties..and yes, dare I say it..even vacant land is generating interest.Vacant land prices have dropped spectacularly..from a high of approx $250,000/acre in the East Valley to a range between $30-50,000/acre now.  That is what is driving interest again.  Developers are looking as always, but also small farmers, equestrian riders, date farmers, ag farmers.  They are able to pick up parcels at a reasonable price, with plentiful water, and amazing views.  I don't see building picking up for the next 12 to 24 months due to a standing inventory of homes still out there, but buying ... 02/10/2010

Our prices have leveled out for the past month. It looks like now is the time to invest in real estate in La Quinta and Indio, California. Prices are at prices of 2001 and even lower. There are many nice homes in great locations available. Interest rates are lower than in many years. La Quinta and Indio is where the sun shines 360 days a year and there are over 120 golf courses in the area not to mention hiking trails, biking trails, restaurants, and great shopping too. There are very few apartments in La Quinta and Indio so there is a need for homes to rent, both vacation rentals and long term rentals. You can expect a break even on rentals up to a 10% positive cash flow. Most homes in Indio and La Quinta are less than 10 years old so maintenance is minimal. This is the time to invest ... 02/10/2010

I have several deals going right now-- working with skittish buyers, and frustrated sellers.  It is no accident, that I went to work FOR WITH a very experienced Broker, Lori Bowers.  I have been in the Real Estate business for less than 5 years-- and I sought out a forward thinking, progressive, and saavy Mentor to guide me and help me steer through these challenging markets. Tomorrow morning we are meeting with Sellers who are anxious to get an offer-- I am hoping to learn some new techniques, verbage, and skills  to help build their confidence,  settle their nerves, and find out what their bottom line really is. Next week, we will meet with the Buyers and explore some creative ways to put the deal together-- perhaps with owner financing , a longer escrow, or assuring them we can sell ... 02/09/2010

For all the wine lovers out here in the Coachella Valley, I wanted to remind you to save the date. Feb 27 @ 9 am with bus returning around 5:15. What a great way to enjoy fine wine, tour the beautiful wineries in Temecula and meet new people.  For $29 per person you get a luxury bus ride, time at 3 well known wineries and the best part is you don't have to worry about drinking and driving.  Cost of wine and extra.   You can register onine at  www.la-quinta.org 02/09/2010

My Broker, Lori Bowers, is a very progressive Broker, Realtor, and Agent... she embraces change, believes in the power of social media and the internet-- and the advantages of joining ActiveRAin !  In the last few weeks she has begun a campaign within the office to get our Agents to join the ActiveRain community and get blogging!  She has had contests for fun prizes like gift cards to Old Town Coffee and the requirements are 1. Post 3 Blogs on ACTIVERAIN! 2. 5 Comments on our YOUTube videos 3. Post 3 ads on Craigslist 4. Record 3 Flip Videos of properties 5. Make  5 comments on fellow Agents blogs   She is FORCING us to not only participate in AR, but to get our names and our brands out there!  Not only are we engaging in the AR community, we are engaging in the world-wide-web Community... 02/08/2010

Every year they publish the Best of the Valley picks for the Coachella Valley and California Desert area!  The categories include burgers, sports bars, theatres, hiking, happy hours, spas, dog parks, wine shops, furniture stores, tennis courts, car washes, high schools, and many, many more categories! If you love the desert as much as I do-- check out LiveTheDesertLife.com! You can cast your vote until February 14th-- and I will publish the results to see how your favorites fared!  Click on the icon below to cast your VOTE !    02/08/2010

Do you owe more than your home is worth? Are you having trouble making your payments due to financial hardship like divorce, health issues, loss of job or cut of income on job?Our Company the Lori Bowers Group has been doing many short sales in our area for over 3 years. We are very proficient in getting the short sales excepted by the banks at minimal hassles to our clients.Here are 5 tips to help you get through this process:1. Be sure you have a complete and accurate and professionally presented package. This really makes a difference for bank approval.2 months bank statements2 years tax returnsfinancial statementhardship letterThe agent will provide the rest if the information - compatibles,2. Stay in constant contact with the bank- you and your agent. The squeaky wheel gets the oil... 02/08/2010

La Quinta offers a serene beauty...Before the game on Super Bowl Sunday, I took a hike behind the La Quinta Cove.  Ended up in Old town and swung back to the park across the street.  It is the BEST family park.  There is a shaded area with a jungle gym and swings and the best thing is the footing.  The ground is a padded, cushioned thing..amazing.  I don't even have kids, but it's fun!Looking North from hiking trail towards Old Town.The beauty of no HOA's!Street Scene in Old Town Baseball field at the parkwhich also has outdoor fitness area along with the basketball courts..La Quinta is alive; desertscape.La Quinta is full of active things to do, a beautiful setting and peace..for more info on Coachella Valley properties.. 02/08/2010