The 4th Friday of September in California is Native American Day.  In honor of this day, and the Native People, "Indian Week was celebrated around the State." Over this  week-end the 18th Annual Thunder and Lightning Pow Wow was held on the Morongo Reservation.  In Banning there was also a nice exhibit at the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center on San Gorgonio.  My family and I went to the new Center, and behind it there was an exhibit with a Kish set up.           Unfortunately we didn't get there early enough to participate in the flute making, but next year we'll know better. We left Banning and drove over to Palm Springs to see the Ramona Basket that was on exhibit for the first time ever at the Aqua Caliente Cultural Museum.  What a fascinating story of the Ramona Basket.   The Basket wa... 10/08/2008

Have you ever considered buying in the desert? Looking for an escape from harsh winters where you can play in the sun year round?  Could now be the time to take the plunge in your own sparkling pool, and buy?  Prices are lower then they've been for years, and interest rates are at historically low rates as well! So lets just see, what would it cost to buy a vacation home in beautiful Palm Springs?   Condo's are  priced from the $70,000s...so lets take an example of a 1 bedroom condo at the Biaritz Condos right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs: Asking Price:   $105,000 Down payment:  20% = $21,000 Loan Amount:   $84,000 Total Monthly P & I Payment, including HOA fees and taxes:  $939 per month Added bonus:  You can rent your condo out while you're not using it to help supplement you... 10/01/2008

Despite the economic troubles that continue throughout the country, there still are some good things that are happening in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area's housing market.  During the Second Quarter, the Coachella Valley was dominated by increased sales activity. 2,161 homes were sold, up .09 percent from a year ago Entry level homes sold, were up 16.8 percent from a year ago Inventory is down 4.6 percent from what was on the market a year ago.  Although still high, lower inventory typically means more demand. According to the First-time Buyer Housing Affordability index, 48% of Coachella Valley households could afford to buy an entry-level home during the 2nd quarter.  A year ago, less then 33% could afford to own a home. There continues to be a lot of pent up demand to buy hou... 09/28/2008

The following are the latest statistics for August 2008 sales in the Coachella Valley area, from First American Title.  As can been seen, sales are up significantly in most of the communities this past August, over sales reported in August of 2007.  September is proving to be busy as well.  As more residents come back to the desert for the season, we're seeing more listings hit the market.  We're also seeing more buyers looking to take advantage of low interest rates and bargain pricing.  Despite all the economic woes of the country, there are still smart buyers taking advantage of the great opportunities to buy here in the Palm Springs area. CLOSINGS FOR AUGUST 2008                           2008                                                  2007            RESALES             NEW  ... 09/19/2008

The famous Riviera Resort will be re-opening its doors soon adjacent to the historic Racquet Club Road Estates mid-century neighborhood.  This will add a welcome addition to the Palm Springs resort choices as well as provide restaurants, spa and a cool hang out for locals and tourists alike.  Please see the articel below from the Palm Springs Life newsletter:       The legendary Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs - currently undergoing a $70-million rejuvenation - will reopen in the fall, according to its parent company, Seattle-based Noble House Hotels & Resorts. While Noble House will continue to honor the iconic hotel's storied past and grand history, the revitalization transforms the property into a fresh, chic destination resort.  Once a playground for celebrities such as Frank S... 09/19/2008

Sometimes Real Estate Agents get a bad rap, perhaps this is because new home buyers and home-sellers do not like the fact that the realtor takes a commission. It is easy to see why some people do not put realtors in high-favor and I perfectly understand why this is happening, and I certainly do not blame anyone for feeling this way. Although no one in my family has ever said anything to me, I am sure some members of my family probably feel the same way. If you would let me explain why this negative perception of some folks misses the mark, you see, a realtor does not just sell your home; we do a lot more, at least I know I do. I really love working with my clients and I do the very best job possible. I spend countless hours running around making sure every thing is perfect and paying at... 09/18/2008

The NBA's Phoenix Suns will make history when they play the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game near Palm Springs, California in Indian Wells, CA on October 11th 2008. The game will be played at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, which boasts loge seating and 44 luxury suites. The home of the Pacific Life Open Tennis Tournament, a venue on the Pro circuit, it features a 16,100 seat stadium situated against the stunning views of snow capped Mt. San Jacinto. See you there! If you miss the game make sure you catch the tennis here March 9th-22nd with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic sure to be here once again. 09/09/2008

We're currently seeing the last of our triple digit temps here in Palm Springs as we enjoy the last few weeks of summer.  Soon, temps will be back to perfect conditions for the next nine months.  JanuaryHi: 69°Lo: 40° FebruaryHi: 72°Lo: 43° MarchHi: 79°Lo: 46° AprilHi: 87°Lo: 52° MayHi: 94°Lo: 57° JuneHi: 102°Lo: 64° JulyHi: 108°Lo: 73° AugustHi: 106°Lo: 71° SeptemberHi: 102°Lo: 66° OctoberHi: 91°Lo: 57° NovemberHi: 78°Lo: 46° DecemberHi: 70°Lo: 41° For more information on Palm Springs weather, visit: http://www.psview.com/ This Palm Springs weather site is the most popular online weather and live web cams provider in the Coachella Valley. Weather conditions and forecasts for Palm Springs are provided on this site. Palm Springs is known world wide for providing a warm and clear climate ... 09/07/2008

This years Fall Concert Series in Sunrise Park is returning just in time for a touching tribute to the over 3000 people who died in the deadliest attack on American soil on 9-11-2001. The popular Concert Series will commence on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs. The Marine Corps Combat Center Band will take the stage in an "American Salute Remembering 9/11" from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m  The Fall Concert Series in Sunrise Park has been entertaining folks in Palm Springs for more than 50 years. It was started many years ago by Mr. Howard Haddock also known as "Mr. Recreation" The concerts in the park carry on a great tradition of presenting community service programs for the residents and visitors here in the Coachella Valley area of Palm Springs. Michele Cirone-Collier, the ... 09/05/2008

The Southern California Earthquake Center and the Riverside County ShakeOut Regional Associates present "The Great Southern California ShakeOut" TOWN HALL MEETING Guest Speakers Include Dr. Lucy Jones, Chief Scientist, USGS and Dennis Mileti, Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado at Boulder Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 6:00pm-7:30pm Hilton Palm Springs Resort, Palm Canyon Ballroom, 2nd floor 400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262‐6605 09/04/2008

 Surviving on a fixed income is often feared by those getting close to retirement age.  With the high cost of living only continuing to rise, and retired people living much longer than ever before, it is no surprise that the mortgage industry has creatively begun to address this issue.  The solution is called the reverse mortgage and obtaining such a mortgage can help a retired couple remain in their home without the pressure of high mortgage payments.  In a reverse mortgage, you have choices to make regarding the way you want to borrow the money.  The first type of reverse mortgage is to obtain a lump sum.  This type of mortgage allows the homeowner to take out a lump sum of cash for a percentage of the value of their home.  Realistically speaking, a home that is worth $300,000 will ne... 09/02/2008

As posted today in The Desert Sun Erica Solvig • The Desert Sun • August 26, 2008 The Coachella Valley's median price dipped to its lowest levels since January 2004, helping boost July's housing sales. The drop might not be celebrated by sellers hoping to make large profits. But it's welcome news for potential buyers hoping to snag deals and for market watchers who have said prices need to come down in order for the valley to absorb the large number of available homes. "It's reaching that point that the market is beginning to stabilize," said Sam Schenkl, executive officer with the Palm Springs Regional Association of Realtors. "Rather than the perception that the sky is falling, people are starting to reach that point they realize that the market is going to swing back up." July's $274... 08/26/2008

Re-posting this information from a few months ago, as more people are coming to the desert looking for vintage shopping.  Please feel free to add your favorite shops and resources to the list! Palm Springs features an excellent collection of shops featuring Midcentury Modern Furniture & Furnishings . Whether its vintage or new, see the following list below:                            Mod Springs - Mid-century modern furniture & accessories. Address: 1117 N. Palm Canyon Drive, phone: (760) 327-5400  Asylum Home Store, Modern Classics - "Approachable Designer furniture", modern and classic furniture items, lighting, bedding, barware plus more.  Kartell and Candice Olson Lighting dealer. Uptown Palm Springs, Address: 844 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, Ca 92262. Phone: (760)864-1171   Vint... 08/24/2008

Palm Springs Short Film Festival hailed as 'Sundance' of its format Festival with 317 movies to screen starts tonight Bruce Fessier • The Desert Sun • August 21, 2008 PALM SPRINGS - It's been called the Sundance of the short film world: a star-studded kickoff to the festival season; a place where deals are made and careers are launched. With 109 industry representatives and more than 100 members of the media from around the nation, Palm Springs International Short Film Festival and Film Market is arguably America's most important introduction to up-and-coming filmmakers. And it all kicks off tonight at Camelot Theatres. "Palm Springs is the big fish in the short film pond," said Sharon Badal, short film programmer of the Tribeca Film Festival in ... 08/22/2008

       Blake Smith will help guide 120 riders From New York to DC to Help Stop Global Warming PALM SPRINGS, CA-August 21, 2008: The Brita Climate Ride 2008 has selected gay travel expert and guide Blake Smith to join a team of seven leaders who will guide 100 cyclists on a 320-mile journey from New York City to the steps of the US Capitol in Washington DC. Smith will provide logistical and route support on the first-ever Climate Ride - a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels that will take place from Saturday, September 20 through Wednesday, September 24, 2008. "I've always loved taking people on adventures and showing them a great time, but this is something completely different," said Blake Smith, a resident of Palm Springs. "I'm a huge supporter of the ‘green' efforts that are ... 08/21/2008

Palm Springs continues to be rich with new development projects.  Here's a short list of some of the projects currently in various stages with the City of Palm Springs: Mountain Terraces at The Legends -   34th and Mesquite Ave - In Plan Check Four Single Family Homes - Bella Cara Way - Recently Completed Mondrian Hotel - Amado Road at Calle Alvarado - Approved by the City Council Olympian Villas (Senior Housing Complex) - 1550 Amado Road East - In  the approval Process with the City Happy Valley - Marquis Time Shares, 86 Vacation Ownership Units  - Areas Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way - Approved, in Plan check The Edge at Balardo, 68 2-story townhomes - 1501 Belardo Road South - Approved   08/21/2008

A new Thai restaurant just opened in Palm Springs across the street from our Pacific Union Real Estate office Chada Thai 1418 N Palm Canyon 760-322-3992 Great food, some of the best thai dishes I've even had...try the Pad Kee Mao-  my favorite. Excellent  service!!  Killer lunch specials from $6.95!  Enjoy and  thanks for supporting our local restaurants. 08/18/2008

 Time Magazine features Palm Springs this month, and the popularity of renting Modernist Architectural properties, which Palm Springs is famous for.  It starts out:   "It was the city where the Rat Pack partied, Elvis honeymooned and Eisenhower swung the only hole in one of his life. Palm Springs, California's fabled desert oasis, has long been a winter playground for the Hollywood set; the city lies just 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles. But it is also home to an extensive array of beautifully preserved Modernist structures that have turned this golf-and-cocktails resort town into a must-see destination for devotees of architecture."  Read the complete article here. Renting Modernism 08/06/2008

A few month ago, I wrote an article on how Propositon 8 can help Palm Springs & Riverside County homeowners reduce their property tax bill. Proposition 8, passed in November 1978, amended Proposition 13 to reflect declines in property values. As a result, Revenue and Taxation Code Section 51 requires the County Assessor to annually enroll either a property's factored Proposition 13 base year value or its Market Value as of January 1 (lien date), taking into account any factors causing a decline in value, whichever is less. With the current economic downturn, many Riverside County homeowners who purchased their homes after January 1, 2004 are taking advantage of this opportunity to save some money on their property tax bill. The deadline to file the Proposition 8 application is Sept. 1, ... 08/05/2008

What a very strange month we have been having in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. The weather has been more humid than normal for July in the Desert, and it has been extremely uncomfortable. In mid-July, we had a freak thunderstorm that hit the valley.  The thunder was loud & ominous and there were a few instances of lightning.  The next morning, over 1" of rain fell in one hour on Palm Springs, which caused some major flooding in the city. The following week, there was a 5.4 earthquake that hit the Chino Hills area of Southern California, and the shaking was felt in Palm Springs.  And top of this is the constant buzzing of the locust, or cicadas, that have inundated the town.  With all of these occurrences happening, one would think that the "plagues of Egypt" have fallen upon u... 08/05/2008