I recently listed a house on my street-- and was thrilled to get the listing!  I love the area, love the neighborhood, love the views... I'm hoping I can convey my enthusiasm for my home to any prospects looking at my new listing!  What a great way to establish myself as an "expert" here-- by promoting my business right here at home. I already know the HOA info, Country Club info, Tennis and Pool specs, and most of the neighbors! Plus, it makes it easy to check on the property, do open houses, replenish flyers-- It just does'nt get any better!  Now, a quick sale, and a big SOLD sign in the front yard are what I want for the NEW YEAR!  12/27/2009

          I am close to completing my E-PRO class and will be certified shortly.  I consider myself internet and computer saavy-- I have my own domain name, 2 web-sites,(1 Real Estate + 1 Lifestyle),  Facebook Fan-Page, LinkedIn, Plaxo, 2 twitter profiles, ActiveRain and an Outside Blog.  But I had all these things going BEFORE I even started the E-PRO class.  I agree E-Pro has cnnected me to a few new RE Community Sites and has given me a few new marketing ideas-- but has it made me a better Realtor?  I mainly wanted to complete the class to gain the Designation as an E-PRO... because I alread was ONE!  Now, will the client notice or even CARE if I am "certified" ?  I hope so!  12/27/2009

Museum Hours 10am to 4pm - Tuesday through Saturday FEATURED EXHIBIT   Opening REception Southern California Bird Singers perform traditional songs of the Desert Cahuilla people. Meet artist David Salk and Coachella Valley resident Dennis Wharton James, descendant of George Wharton James. This exhibit presented by the La Quinta Arts Foundation and the La Quinta Historical Society. Date: November 6, 2009 Time: 5-7pm                                                              Events Lecture and Native American Basketry Demonstration by Alice Kotzen, noted artist and author. Limited to 30, reservations required. Date: November 7, 2009 Time: 10am - Noon "Muskat's People: The Story of the Cahuilla" by Ginger Ridgway, Curator and Director of Programs for the Agua Calien... 12/23/2009

Over 300 children benefited from the La Quinta Police Dept Annual Christmas Toy Drive.  The La Quinta police station began collecting toys in November for local children who needed a little Santa style Christmas Cheer. 15 officers volunteered their time to hand deliver the toys and were greeted with many smiling faces. For 12 years now the La Quinta Police Department has been playing Santa and w are so thankful for them. 12/23/2009

HK Lane Opens La Quinta office!  HK Lane Real Estate Co. has opened it's new 4,000 sf La Quinta office located in Old Town on the corner of Tampico and Desert View.  With over 80 agents, HK Lane, as of November 2009 already ranks 5th in the marketplace...and only in business for 6 months!!!  That's because so many of the local top producers moved to HK Lane when Harvey Katofsky decided to return to the business he started many years ago here in the desert.The La Quinta office joins the Palm Desert office, which is run by Broker Ron Gerlich, HK Lane's VP and Chief Operating Officer.  Gene Darr, most recently with California Liefstyle Realty, will be the onsite broker serving the La Quinta office.  Gene is a 30 year real estate sales and management professional.  HK Lane's progressive Int... 12/22/2009

Today I had floor-time and it was a cool, cloudy day here in the So. California Desert-- highs in the 60's are our "winter days".  I was bundled up in turtle-neck and sweater and went out front to talk to a couple who had stopped to check out our flyers.  They were dressed like it was a warm and balmy day-- and I easily guessed it--- they were from Canada. They were'nt in the market for buying or selling-- but asked me for restaurant info and I found out they were staying all the way up in Palm Springs-- 45min away from our Old Town La Quinta.  I recommended Melvyn's Ingleside Inn for a romantic dinner and told them to ask for Brian to get a great table!  We talked about the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and their grand daughter who hopes to play there in a few years. They have been coming... 12/21/2009

A beautiful new hotel, with a prime location shut its doors in Aug due to the economy and hard times.  It was such a disapointment to all around because it was not only a beautiful new hotel but the location was superb.  Located right across the street from the famous Indian Wells Tennis Garden, this one one closure no one anticipated. However the good news is, Homewood Suites was able to restructure the loan and will be reopening in January.  Not only is this a great sign of the market getting better but is also good for the valleys low unemployment rate.  The hotel has rehired the former employees and many will have a job in the new year. Is this truly a good sign that the tides are changing? 12/21/2009

Foreclosure & Defaults;  Banks set precedent.  The thing is that trying to predict the numbers of homes that will be foreclosed on in 2010 is impossible..because of THIS!  http://tinyurl.com/y9n962x  When consumers are told it is immoral, but the banks and big businesses use abandonment as a business tool, it is only logical that homeowners will follow suit..and with much less guilt.  This is not a new topic, but it is really eye-opening how the Media is beginning to approach strategic defaults from the "other side".  The "other side" being from the point of view of the homeowners, rather than simply the side of the Mortgagors..er..Lenders and Banks.  As the year has progressed, and we homeowners have watched bank after bank, and business after business either walk away, restructure, mo... 12/19/2009

I played Santa today. With a dozen Windermere colleagues, we loaded up the vans and trooped south to deliver Christmas gifts to our fourth-graders at Oasis Elementary. Although only 23 miles south of our La Quinta office, Thermal is a world apart from its ritzy, country-club neighbor. Date-palm orchards, produce fields and forlorn businesses bracket the two-lane road. The snow-tinged Santa Rosa Mountains follow us southward, reminding me that this is still part of our beautiful Coachella Valley. Oasis now has a brand new school this year—thanks to the tenacity of its spirited principal, Elizabeth Ramirez—but that doesn't alter the fact that the students are primarily the children of migrant workers and endure the concomitant obstacles—poverty, lack of stability, illiteracy. The median h... 12/18/2009

I called for an update today on a short sale that I have been working on since October  and was told that I did not have authorization--- WHAT?  I have been talking to them (and getting info) for months, and now I am not AUTHORIZED?  The nice lady told me that actually, the file was short on authorization docs, and pretty much short on everthing else.  Hmmmm.  So I was given a new set of numbers for faxing and I returned to the machine and sent off my 69 pages to the appropriate departments.  Am I back at square ONE ?  How can this be? If I call back tomorrow will I get my place back in line?   12/16/2009

78015 Main Street, Suite #110 (behind Old Town Cellar), (760) 861-8281During the holidays, be sure to visit The Present Factory, where children create handmade gifts with the assistance of an artist while you shop or dine!  Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until December 24th. Pricing:  Drop off fee - $5 per hour/2 hour maximum (includes supervision, artistic direction, juice and snacks. One present minimum.) Present fee:  $20 per gift (includes gift bag)  Tree Ornament fee:  $5.00 each   Ages 4 & up  *all prices include one child, multiple children discount available. 12/15/2009

Wine & Dine in Old Town this Holiday Season! Devane's Old Town78-065 Main Street, Suite #104, (760) 771-5330www.devanesoldtown.comDevane's Cuisine features Western American fare and timeless Italian specialities. Anextended bar menu offers an enticing array of small plates. The lunch menu features avariety of grilled sandwiches, fresh salads and pastas. Devane's dinner menu featuressumptuous starters and salads such as Oysters on the Half Shell and Devane's WedgeSalad, and classic specialities such as Veal Parmesan, Seafood Paella, HomemadeLasagna, Braised Pork Osso Bucco and a 10 oz. Choice New York Strip. Open dailyat 11 a.m. Dinner served from 4-10 p.m. Breakfast served on Saturday and Sundaysfrom 9 a.m. to Noon.Hog's Breath Inn78-065 Main Street, Suite #200, (760) 564-5556 (2nd Flo... 12/15/2009

Have you long dreamt of finding a magnificent private golf community that offers outstanding golf and a plethora of amenities?  If so, you need not look any further than the Quarry at La Quinta.  This golf community is recognized worldwide thanks to the meticulously carved land that places it at the base of the foothills between the gorgeous Coral and the Santa Rosa Mountains. While there are countless features and amenities to rave about with the Quarry, it is the golf that ultimately makes it what it is.  The award-winning Tom Fazio golf course has been described by many as "simply perfection."  Tom Fazio, a renowned golf course architect, has pieced together a golfer's golf course that people of all levels will enjoy. Thanks to the way the site sets, Fazio was able to create a course... 12/15/2009

I'm writing again about my experience tonite--- sometimes when you head out on a $2500 lease showing, and a $500,000 foreclosure... you can end up at $798,000 short sale or showing your own $1,250,000 listing.  Especially here in the Coachella Valley... it is a playground  for all kinds of people who are looking for a 2nd or 3rd home and you never know what you may end up showing on a Monday Night!  If you keep an open mind-- and are flexible and spontaneous--- the SKY is the LIMIT! 12/14/2009

I have a new client who I showed numerous properties to in a middle price-range last week.  Today, she drove down my street on her way home and asked about a few other properties...( in a much higher price range)... she also asked about leasing options. I told her I would call her and maybe we would go look at something...... I went inside and got on the computer... I really did'nt have anything new I wanted to show her in the upper range-- that I could arrange on such a short notice.  So I looked up some leases and came up with a house or 2 we could see right away. I mainly wanted to get some more face time with this client and build trust. We met and then spent the next 2 hours looking at houses and basically clarifying what she and her husband are looking for.  We explored another ne... 12/14/2009

My Broker,LORI BOWERS, works non-stop because she JUGGLES many CLIENTS at the same time... MULTIPLE DEALS, manages and inspires our TEAM, and is always there for us should we have questions or need support.  I am usually happy to have 1 or 2 DEALS  in the hopper-- and a client flying or driving in to look at  properties once a week or so.  Sometimes 2.... sometimes none. I don't mean I went and cashed a big check--- I DO mean that I finally got home near dark and was almost ready to close my eyes and go to sleep... and it was only 5:30.  I had a day of NON-STOP clients, sealed a LISTING, SHOWED 7 propertiesto a buyer, entered the listing in the MLS, put the signs up, met again with the buyers to REVISIT a few of the properties......called several AGENTS and WHEW!  I AM TIRED!  NOW I KNO... 12/09/2009

The La Quinta Historical Society is once again doing the annual tour of The La Quinta Resort and Club on Sat Dec 12th. Tour time starts at 9:45 with luncheon beginning at 11:30. Tickets are $ 50 per person and can be purchased through the Historical Society at 760-564-1283 La Quinta Resort was once a Hollywood hangout that opened in 1926 and has had many celebrities past and present enter its doors. This is sure to be a great tour, as even if the old legends aren't your thing, the scenery is sure to captivate anyone. 12/09/2009

California Desert Update;  It Does Rain in the Desert!!  Us, "desert rats" as we locals are referred to, are not used to rain and all the inconveniences of it.  Our streets are not able to handle the water when rain is dumped from the skies.  The sand itself cannot absorb the water if it doesn't have some time between dumps to allow the water to sink into the ground, hence the flooding that occurs rather quickly.  The sand's surface gets hard and the water just runs right off it..hard to believe sometimes, but true.I love the rain!  It makes it hard to get the ponies out for exercise, but we desperately need the rain to replenish our water table..this is a desert after all, and all the water we use has to come from somewhere!  We are still very low for this season and hopefully, we'll g... 12/08/2009

We have our office in a small town area of a larger community called Old Town La Quinta. We entered in the window decorating contest with a theme of " Home for the Holidays" and won gift certificates to the nearby restaurants. All of us came to the tree lighting event on Friday evening with choirs, carolers, and Santa. We had cookies and cider in our office for our clients and others who came for the event. December 9 we are attending an event with lenders and other realtors that is held in a parking lot and catered by Ruth Chris with a band. It is a chance to dress up and network with other real estate and ancillary companies. December 12 we are assisting with a charity event that donates shoes, clothes, toys, and food to needy families nominated by teachers in local schools. The event... 12/07/2009

Are you participating in your life?  Are you a joiner?  Do you go out of your way to engage people and participate in local and community activities?  I have found that the more I ENGAGE-- THE MORE I AM REWARDED!  By entering events, volunteering to help on committees, and actively participating in golf tournaments, charity fund-raisers, membership activities-- I am getting more and more business. GETTING BY GIVING-- WHAT A CONCEPT! I played in a golf tournament this weekend-- and before the weekend was over-- I had a new buyer, a new listing, and a great showing on a million-dollar fairway home!  If you have laid the groundwork-- and done the homework to be successful-- now is the time to ENGAGE AND PARTICIPATE!  And it's FUN! 12/06/2009