Old Town La Quinta is the place for big fun this week! Wednesday... VIVA-- the new Mexican hot spot is having a Grand Opening on Wednesday from 3:00-5:00-- with LIVE Mariachi music, sangria, cervesas, and apertivos on the House!!         On Thursday...Old Town Cellar is hosting the wonderful Napa winery "Plumpjack" for a wine tasting from  5:00=6:00--- Stop on by The Lori Bowers Group in Old Town and say hello!  And visit LiveTheDesertLife.com to check out more fun stuff going on in the desert!   02/22/2010

La Quinta and Coachella Valley Luxury Properties..Price Drops ahead.  This is a great article from yesterday's Business section of the L.A. Times.  In La Quinta and the Coachella Valley, luxury home Sellers are often left "chasing the market", exactly as our low to middle priced residential Sellers were doing up to about a year ago.  Buyers set the Prices!  Homes priced above $2,000,000, vacant land and of course Commercial properties in La Quinta and the Coachella Valley are still dropping..finding that spot (usually about 50 to 60% below peak pricing), where the Buyers return.  Keep in mind that there are also less Buyers for these high priced properties BUT Sellers still MUST respect that the Buyers will respond when they believe the price is fair for that property in that location i... 02/21/2010

Today I showed some homes in my neighborhood that are great buys for the area.  They were foreclosures.  My buyers were pleased to finally see some rock-bottom low prices inside the gates.  The bad news is that I have had dinner in these homes-- I have known the families, I have seen them in their glory.  One home-- the owner had lost his job, his wife, and his home.  The other-- a grandfather whith family and grend kids coming to stay-- had a downturn in his business, and had to let it go. It was very sad to see how depressing and lifeless these homes looked without the furniture and stripped of many appliances.  I had seem them full of furniture, appliances and life.  I had seen them decorated for the holidays.  I had been there for parties.  My buyers were happy to see a great deal, ... 02/18/2010

If you are looking for a place to get away from the cold, a place to inspire you with its beauty, a place to hike, bike, play golf & tennis, swim & sun-- wine & dine.... the LA QUINTA is the place for you! Our temperature today is 76☼ with a high of 79☼ !  The market is just right for purchasing that 2nd home you have been waiting for-- Come on down to La Quinta and see what a wonderful future you can have here! Visit The Lori Bowers Group in Old Town La Quinta-- and check out the dining, shops, Farmers Market and Art Under the Umbrellas! For more Desert info and fun stuff-- check out LiveTheDesertLife.com! I took this photo in my backyard yesterday!  Wish you were here?   02/18/2010

  www.oldtowncellar.com We love going to the Old Town Cellar--wine is amazing and the food is great!  We are so lucky to have this great Wine Bar in Old Town La Quinta!   Old Town Cellar Thursday Wine Tastings   Thursday Feb 18 5-6pm   $10 Paul Hobbs Winery Tasting Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Malbec, 2 Cabernet’s   Thursday Feb 25 5-6 pm  $10 Plumpjack Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Reserve Chardonnay, Merlot, 2 Cabernet’s   Join us and take advantage of some great deals   Stick around and enjoy some great food and Chris Laterzo live on Stage 6:30-8:30 Stop by and see us at  The Lori Bowers Group!  For more fun stuff happening in the desert-- go to LiveTheDesertLife.com! 02/16/2010

Update: The KPSP Channel 2 airing of its Eye on the Desert Old Town Artisan Studio and Charity Soup Event has been changed to today, Tuesday the 16th of February, at 6:30pm. Please see my previous post for information on the upcoming Charity Soup event. See you there! 02/16/2010

The Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday, February 27th and 28th in La Quinta CA. The event will kick on in Old Town La Quinta, where more than 75 rarely seen classic cars from museums and private collections will be on display along Main Street from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. for public viewing. The cars will then depart on a driving tour through the Coachella Valley and return to Cuistot restaurant in Palm Desert, where the cars will again be on display from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00p.m. On Sunday, February 28, beginning at 10:00 a.m., the stunning cars, along with a description of each vehicle and its significance, will be displayed on La Quinta Resort & Club's Mountain Course. Conjuring up images of the popular Palm Springs Road Races during the 1950s, a... 02/16/2010

Housing in La Quinta, Calif.  Recent Sales update.  Following are statistics I have compiled from the MLS.  These would not include pocket listings, or properties sold that were not listed in the Desert area MLS..La Quinta Single Family Residences:  74 Sales Total Highest Sale:  $2,175,000 in Andalusia Lowest Sale:  $81,000 in the La Quinta Cove La Quinta Condominiums: 30 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $610,000 in PGA West Lowest Sale:  $80,000 at Casitas Las Rosas Vacant Land: 4 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $2,170,000:  90 acres in Coachella Lowest Sale:  $64,000:  Desert Club Estates 02/16/2010

La Quinta Home Sales.  Jan 1 to Feb. 14.  Following are statistics I have compiled from the MLS.  These would not include pocket listings, or properties sold that were not listed in the Desert area MLS..La Quinta Single Family Residences:  74 Sales Total Highest Sale:  $2,175,000 in Andalusia Lowest Sale:  $81,000 in the La Quinta Cove La Quinta Condominiums: 30 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $610,000 in PGA West Lowest Sale:  $80,000 at Casitas Las Rosas Vacant Land: 4 Total Sales Highest Sale:  $2,170,000:  90 acres in Coachella Lowest Sale:  $64,000:  Desert Club Estates 02/15/2010

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