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La Quinta, CA Real Estate News

By Mary MacGregor, La Quinta Country Club Homes
(HomeSmart Professionals)
I hadn’t realized that Abraham Lincoln was the tallest man to serve as U.S. President (6’4”) and the only one to have a patent in his name (for creating a buoy system to hoist submerged boats). Impressive height and ingenuity–two unexpected traits I mentally add to the resume of our most beloved president.The La Quinta Museum is honoring the bicentennial year of our 16th president with a simple but affecting display of photographs and memorabilia. Recognizing the power of the nascent medium, Lincoln allowed himself to be photographed steadily throughout his presidency, most of them grave, head-on shots that reveal his craggy, somber visage.Some of the shots are iconic, some were new to me, like the tiny tintype of a younger man with mussed hair entitled, “Tousled Lincoln”, that supporte...
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By Kimberley Kelly, SFR, HAFA, GREEN, I do Real Estate like I played polo-to WIN!
(HK Lane, Christie's International Affiliate, 760-285-3578)
The Investors are back in force here in La Quinta and the Coachella Valley in general. Good news for those of us still in the business!  My experience lately has been pretty much the same for every Buyer..they submit an offer for less than my Comparables and I suggest.  Usually, they have to lose two or three properties before they step up both their price and their time frame.  Foreclosures have become a bit scarce.  They still come up, but because of Pent up Buyer Demand, they usually generate multiple offers.  It's time for the Listing Agents with the REO's to start raising their List Prices!  This would help reduce the multiple offer nightmare, and also help the market begin it's very slow climb back. According to Data Quick Stats as of today, Investors made up 22.7% of Riverside Co...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
It has been along time - maybe a few years - since I heard someone talk about writing in their journal. We still write down 10 things we are grateful for each day and 10 things we want to attract, but I don't know if many people are even doing that. With so much negativity in the universe it is pretty easy to attract the positive right now. I guess blogging is the new journal only the whole world knows. Maybe that brings more accountability and self- honesty? Do we have to dig as deep? Do we really analyze ourselves, our goals, our journey,and most of all the "WHY?" The "PURPOSE"? Do you know anyone who still journals? My 81 year old mother still writes a diary each day. She can tell me what she did twenty years ago and what I did too- how cute is that! Times are changing fast in so man...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
Right now we are lucky to have very low prices just about everywhere go. On the flip side, just about everyone has been hit by the down economy. In my business and personal life, I am very careful to watch day by day to save little by little and it really ads up to be alot over time. I picked up many ideas like this while reading the book "The Millionaire Mind" many years ago. Here are some ideas to think about the next time before you pull out your credit card or wallet.1. We share a sandwich at lunch if we buy one. This save $3-$5 a day. In many cases it is about the same costs as bringing a sandwich from home and can save calories too. 100 sandwiches a year is $500 a year approx. savings.2. I stay out of Starbucks. I know that sounds extreme, but $3 even once a week is over $150 a ye...
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We have pictures that we show our clients after we list their house of homes with "stuff" in them and after we depersonalize the home. We show them statistics that the depersonalized homes sell 30% faster and for 10%+ more money. People look at a home and whether it is true or not, they say- "my dresser is bigger than that and I have more stuff to put on top of it than that, so I cannot buy this house." Another favorite is-" I have more clothes than that, so I cannot buy this house as I do not want a crowded closet like that. "We had a house one time where the owner ( Miss Fashion Diva) refused to move some of her clothes and shoes to a wardrobe box in the garage so we could sell the house. She went to Las Vegas for the weekend with her girlfriends. The husband helped us relocate the cl...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
1. Property appraisal is too low2. Repairs required in the contract haven't been completed3.Sellers say they can't make move out date4. Buyers can't qualify for a large enough mortgage to buy the home5. Buyers purchase a new car 2 weeks before closing6. The inspector finds mold in the crawl spaceGood agents have run in to these and more and know how to work around them. It is best to speak to buyers up front about possible issues before they happen. Make sure buyers are qualified, sellers are ready to move, the home is in good condition, and the home meets market comps plus any other areas of concern are met before listing the house and/or submitting an offer. Crisis prevention is our way of life.    
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1. Take ownership of your happiness. Make peace with yourself2. Don't believe everything you think. Go beyond the mind and let go. Incline your mind towards joy.3.Let love lead. Focus on gratitude. Practice forgiveness. Spread lovingkindness4.Make the cellss of your body happy. Nourish and energize your body. Tune into your body's wisdom.5. Plug yourself into Spirit. Invite connectionto your higher power.Listen to your inner voice. Trust life's infolding6. Live a life by inspired purpose. Find your passion. Follow the inspiration of the moment. Contribute to something greater than yourself.7. Cultivate nourishing relationships. Surround yourself with support. Tend to your relationships. See the world as your family.This works!
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This has been really bugging me for some reason this week. Must be the time of year. Seems to me the areas and homes with untrimmed trees really devalue not only the home, but the area too. The home can be nice with landscaping, painting, etc. but look grungy due to overgrown trees., Especially here in La Quinta.we have so many beautiful Palm Trees, but when not taken care of they can look grungy or sickly. Often times people rush to water the grass, plant flowers and shrubs, but forget about the trees. Trees can add so much to the landscape, so don't forget to include them in your list of things to do.
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
1. Sellers want real genuine agents that TELL THEM THE TRUTH. People can handle the truth, but want to know what it is. Do not be afraid to let them know the real value of their home.2. Have lots of letters of RECENT referrals. Let the clients talk to each other.3. Stay in touch with them. Find out the method of communication they like whether it is email, text, phone, mail, in person. Also, find out how often they want to hear from you. Make it at least every other day.4. In addition to the above contact, let them know feedback each time their home is shown.5. Make an effort to show up for each showing. This really does help sell the home. It also lets you know the weaknesses buyer see in the home.6. Having lots of listings builds more listings. People look online to see who lists more...
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This is still the key to success is real estate. I have a team of 15 agents and we all answer the phone 7 days a week at least 12 hours a day. Guess what- we are all top producers! Just today I picked up 2 more clients from agents who once again did not answer the phone. We all know people will wait for a doctor or lawyer. They wil not wait for a realtor- even their longtime realtor. They want realtors to be available 24-7. I actually put off being a realtor for about 20 years after I saw my realtor walk out of her party at her house with over 100 people there to go write an offer after she had answered the phone during the party. Now that is my life too. I love being a realtor. I am embarrassed and frustrated by realtors who do not answer the phone. If you are a realtor, please ANSWER ...
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Our team watches the HGTV show real estate intervention. It is like role play for getting sellers to price their home to fit the market whatever their situation. Mike Aubrey, the Realtor, has really good communication skills with sellers as well as a real talent to know the real price where a home will sell. By showing potential sellers only 2 other homes in the neighborhood, one of our agents was able to get the home listed $60,000 less than the sellers had originally suggested. It is much easier to sell homes when you are setting the market, not trailing the market. Most of the setting the market results in a higher sales price and a faster sale too.
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By Mary MacGregor, La Quinta Country Club Homes
(HomeSmart Professionals)
The eagerly awaited reopening of the La Quinta Certified Farmers' Market will occur September 27 as the popular open-air market commences its second season in the streets of Old Town La Quinta. "We love being back in Old Town," enthused manager Paul Palodichuk. "They have been incredibly supportive, and it is one of the best places to have a farmers' market."  You couldn't ask for a more appealing backdrop for a food-and-flowers market than the Spanish Colonial architecture of Old Town. The pedestrian-friendly venue has become the heart of historic La Quinta and the nascent market has transformed normally slow Sundays into the week's busiest day for the retail shops. Between 500 and 1,000 people packed Old Town during the market's first season and the number of vendors this season has i...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
  Strolling through Old Town La Quinta, is a nice way to pass the day. Restaurants, boutiques, cafes and shops as well as small businesses in a quaint "Old Town Feel" Outdoor Plaza. Beginning  Sept 27th from 8-12 you can enjoy the goodies and pick up fresh produce or homemade bread at the Old Town La Quinta Farmers Market.  What a casual way to enjoy your Sunday Mornining.          
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
We have a team of 12 agents all in one big room. We sure have fun. Many of us have worked together for several years. It is like a family. Each person has their own niche and we all work together to help each other for the good of the group. Some of the areas agents cover are: a few agents do short sales, one does expireds, a few do online social networking, also the standards of open house, COI, referrals, and farming. Each Monday we have an early morning meeting to present our victories of the past week and role play events of the past and situations we are working on. We have 2 agents who work full-time on marketing and a full-time transaction coordinator. Our business model is based on the Your Coach program of Tom Ferry. We also attend 3-4 seminars a year with Tom Ferry. Also, in O...
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By Mary MacGregor, La Quinta Country Club Homes
(HomeSmart Professionals)
The newly minted fourth-graders looked expectently at Mary Pat and me as we introduced ourselves during the first week of school. Twenty nine-year-olds commencing a new school year in a brand new school. They had heard rumors that grade four was special, even beyond the thrill of attending a just-built elementary school.   "Good morning, boys and girls. My name is Mary Pat and this is my friend, Mary. Two Marys. Perhaps you've heard that something special happens here at Oasis during the fourth grade. Well, Mary and I work in a company called Windermere and we adopt all the the fourth-grade classes each year. We'll be coming out to visit you throughout the year to do special things and have fun."The small sea of serious faces relaxes a bit. A smiling girl shyly beckons me over. Martha h...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
1. Knowledge of the market - they want to see 3 perfect homes. They also want their agent to be on top of the contract and legal rights and issues.2.Responsiveness - Always be available in 10 minutes or less. Know how they like to communicate - by phone, by Internet, by mail, by fax, in person, or other ways. People will wait for their doctor or attorney, but they will not wait for their Realtor.3. Enthusiasm - Be extcited about the area and life in general. People want to feel good and have fun while buying a home.4. Honesty and Integrity - People want to do business with an agent they feel they can trust. For many people this is one of the biggest decisions of their life.They want an agent who treats their money like it was their own.5. Genuineness - People want someone who is real, w...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
This private club and golf course is truly gorgeous. The Arnold Palmer designed golf course is the last low density golf development close in La Quinta. A unique feature is the $80,000 golf membership is included with the purchase of many of the homes and condos which range in price from $450,000-$1,800,000. Each home also has a social membership included at no charge and monthly dues which include tennis, spa, clubhouse parties and dining. This is truly paradise!
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La Quinta, California is the place- near Palm Springs. La Quinta Resort and Club and PGA West both part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Collection offer a golf membership with home purchase where you can have up to 9 courses as a part of your dues which are only in the $1000 per month range. How great is that! To top it off the courses are some of the best to be found anywhere in the world and in an area where the shines 360 days a year! The PGA Tournament the Bob Hope Classic is played on the Palmer Course each year in January. Homes and condos range in price from $250,000- $3,000,000+. Many snowbirds rent the homes and condos in the winter to enjoy the warm sunshine and golf on these courses and over 100 more in the area.    Lori Bowers- The Lori Bowers Group Desert Properties78015 Main ...
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By Lori Bowers, The Lori Bowers Group
Consistently, in our area we see the media saying the prices are going up when in fact our prices continue to decline. The median price is rising due to more higher end homes going into short sale and foreclosure. When we go to listing appointments, sellers think they can list higher due to these figures. We take along data showing them the real facts, but it is just one more challenge we face as Realtors and brokers to put the real estate market "back on track."Lori Bowers- Broker The Lori Bowers Group Desert Properties78015 Main St. Suite 110Old Town La QuintaLa Quinta, Ca. 92253Ph:760-831-1595Fax:760-771-5355Email:lori@loribowers.comwebsite:www.loribowers.com
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