Have you watched the show "Are You Smarter Then A 5th Grader? I know watching the show can really make me question my education at times.  How about brushing up on history and learning or relearning about interesting topics on the History of American Independence? On Dec 16th at 10:30 am you can join Jack Sholl, Ranger of Independence National History Park of Pennsylvania right here in La Quinta at the La Quinta Senior Center.   11/30/2009

Well who says as adults we cant have good old fashioned fun?  The City of La Quinta agrees and there is now a co ed kickball league starting. Sundays Jan 17 thru May 12th 4-6 pm cost FREE 18 and up La Quinta Sports Complex   With the stress of day to day living, I think this is a fabulous idea.  For a few hours a week, be a kid again and enjoy the free things in life:  Friends, fun and laughter.  I know there is a kid in all of us, so lets let em out once in awhile 11/30/2009

I wrote a short and simple blog over the Holiday about an actual question that came up-- whether to bother Agents over a Holiday weekend.  It must have hit home, because it was featured and I received 86 comments so far!  To follow-up,  I did make the call.  It went to VM, but then the Agent texted me back within the hour.  I was able to show my clients a fair number of properties-- and they were very grateful.... they live in another state and came out to visit family for Thanksgiving.  We actually revisited a few of the homes again today-- and we may be making an offer this week.  I am thankful for all the great comments I received-- the overall consensus was to make the call to the Agent-- let them choose whether to call you back or not.  And do the best job you can for your client--... 11/29/2009

Buying a Home;  Who Do You Believe????  I'm looking at the LA Times for today, and all on one page of the Business section are the following Headlines.."October Sales Rise for New Homes.", "Interest rates drop, matching record low", "Fannie Mae to tighten mortgage lending rules"  Good Grief!  Is it any wonder Buyers are pretty cynical about what they are reading?Get a good local agent!  I am working with many out of town, and out of State, "Buyers to be" right now.  They skim Redfin, and other sites, they ask me to preview and give them my local advice..get a good local agent!  Real Estate is a ton of work, especially right now when your Agent HAS to be on top of the developments in their specialized areas.  I am heading out today to look at homes from Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian... 11/28/2009

Banks are Homeowners, Occupants are Debtowners.  1 in 7 is what this article says from Wall Street Journal..http://tinyurl.com/yfonrnb  1 in 7 homeowners are in default.  At least 30 to 90 days behind in their mortgage payments.  This number is astronomical!  Hopefully, some of the loans will be re-structured in such a manner that the owners can stay in their homes, but the reality is that the BANKS ARE THE HOMEOWNERS!  This is always the case, of course, when you sign a loan, but it is really apparent now since many of these Owners are so intent on NOT helping the occupants in the homes.  Why should they?  Those idiots took out the bad loans, right?  Well, that idea held water during the first flood of Foreclosures..blame the people that signed the loan docs.  Not any more.  Now, it is... 11/26/2009

I debated on whether to call a fellow Agent to ask about a property today.  I have a client in town for the holiday and wondered if several of her homes were occupied over the weekend.  Go direct, it says.... but maybe not over Thanksgiving.  If it was my listing-- I would want the call-- and would do what I could to show the property.  But I also have respect for my owners- and sure don't want to disturb them.  What is the protocol for calling an Agent on a holiday? 11/26/2009

Well I wish I could say it was me... One of our amazing Team Members at the Lori Bowers Group got a great listing today directly from her blog on ActiveRain !  Tina must pack alot of punch in her blogs-- because her new client found her after only 39 BLOGS during the last year!    He was dissatisfied  with his current Realtor and told her he had done some extensive research on the internet.  Her new listing found her ACTIVERAIN BLOG!  I was so happy for Tina-- and also thrilled that clients can actually materialize from our diligence on ActiveRain....Now I am going to get some blogging pointers from Tina-- because I am on blog no. 157 and counting... and have not had a DIRECT HIT !  But, thanks to Tina, I am hopeful! PS  I TOLD TINA IF SHE WROTE ABOUT HER ACTIVERAIN SUCCESS STORY... SHE... 11/23/2009

Old Town La Quinta--Always Something New! Boys & Girls Club Concert Friday, November 27, 20093 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a free concert on the lawn with instrumental and vocal music provided by the talented youth of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.  Bring a chair or blanket and sit back and listen to the music! 11/23/2009

PUMPKIN CRISP RECIPE 1 LARGE CAN PUMPKIN PUREE 3/4 CUP SUGAR 3 BEATEN EGGS 1 CAN EVAPORATED MILK 3 TSP. PUMPKIN PIE SPICE 1 BOX YELLOW CAKE MIX 11/2 CUP MELTED BUTTER  MIX FIRST 5 INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL--TRANSFER TO A BUTTERED 19x13 BAKING DISH SPRINKLE CAKE MIX ON TOP- DRIZZLE BUTTER OVER TOP BAKE @ 350 FOR 1 HOUR... GARNISH WITH WHIPPED CREAM! 11/23/2009

It's time to travel-- whether you are going to Grandma's house, Mom & Dad's, or travelling to see the kids over the holiday... and if you dread the trip to the airport-- here is a great video to help you calm down and enjoy your flight... or at least make it more pleasant! It really is true-- flying is far safer than driving! How To Cope With a Fear Of Flying on Howcast 11/23/2009

Thanksgiving makes me think of sharing and being grateful for everything we have! Even during these tough economic times...we have so much to be Thankful for ---and there are so many families out there that could use our help-- especially this time of year. Watch this HowCast and see how you can make a difference for another family in need! How To Help Feed a Family in Need on Howcast 11/23/2009

Until today, I'd given my hometown of La Quinta short shrift in my autumnal quest to explore Coachella Valley's plethora of hiking trails. A few days ago, Sue, aka The Energizer Bunny, and I crossed off the trails crisscrossing the Rancho Mirage foothills on my hiking to-do list, adding them to those recently tackled in the Coachella Valley Preserve and the Palm Desert mountains. So, today Marianne—a more sedate, stop-and-smell-the-roses hiker—and I decided to ease into La Quinta's hiking possibilities with the Bear Creek Urban Trail, a 6-mile loop circumnativing the homes nestled in the southernmost pocket, or cove, of the Santa Rosa Mountains. La Quinta Cove is the city's oldest residential area—with some bungalows dating back to the '30s—and offers an eclectic jumble of architectural... 11/19/2009

Mortgage Delinquincies Up for 3rd Quarter..Nevada, California, Arizona and Florida lead the way..http://tinyurl.com/ykwzdow  I firmly believe that the delinquincies will lead to more foreclosures through most of 2010.  I also think that in my area of California, the Coachella Valley, and in particular La Quinta, Palm Desert and the Eastern Coachella Valley, this will be reflected in more drops in the mid to high priced homes especially.  These homes have not slid in price as much as the low end where there are plenty of buyers waiting for product.   Golf Course homes, and gated communities with newer homes will see some bank owned properties pulling their sales price/sf down.  I have Buyers that are awaiting this scenario.  They are looking to buy a second home, or move up into a golf c... 11/17/2009

I love where I live in La Quinta, California, but each year the holidays are challenging. People look at the holidays as time to relax and have fun. My children are grown and not living at home. Then people think I can relax even more. At this time there are gifts and cards for clients, employees, family and friends. There are parties and entertaining at my home. There is the decorating, then the ancillary people we acknowledge and thank especially at this time of year - the security people at the gates, the gardeners, the pool service people, the mailman, the housekeepers, the bankers, and on and on. My checkbook is already hurting. I love to give, but it is harder and harder each year to do it physically and also financially. People come here to relax and cannot understand that once I... 11/16/2009

La Quinta's NEW spot; The Wine Bar.  I love Old Town La Quinta, but I noticed last season that there wasn't any music!  What??  There is now, and I am told there will be more this season.  The Wine Bar in Old Town is fabulous.  It is owned and run by a very intense fella, Justin, who closed up his wine bar in Palm Desert on El Paseo to focus entirely on his wine bar in Old Town, La Quinta.  It has paid off.  In the middle of August, I stopped in for a glass of wine and some apps and was pleasantly surprised to see a duo setting up to perform.  Turns out, that was their intro and it went over so big, that they are  now playing at the Wine Bar every Friday and Sat. pm.  Joanne, the singer, sounds a bit like Sheryl Crow..throaty and sultry, but what a strong voice!  She adds some excitemen... 11/16/2009

When you decide to put your home on the market-- Here are a few tips to get it SOLD ! 1. RID YOUR HOUSE OF CLUTTER! 2. HIDE YOUR PET'S STUFF! 3. MAKE YOURSELF SCARCE! 4. CAREFULLY CONSIDER YOUR FIRST OFFER, IT MAY BE THE BEST YOU GET! 5. DON'T TAKE LOW-BALL OFFERS PERSONALLY. 6. MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION CURB-SIDE... TRIM SHRUBS AND HEDGES. 7. REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS, PHOTOS, KIDS ARTWORK, ETC. 8. TOSS OUT OLD RUGS, BEDSPREADS...REFRESH! 9. MAKE IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT WITH NEW PAINT, LIGHT COLORED CURTAINS, ETC. 10. DO ANY REPAIRS NEEDED BEFORE YOU PUT IT ON THE MARKET!                                                Click on the house to see the video!  11/15/2009

The Desert Sun features LQCC New Clubhouse! WE are so excited about the new Clubhouse at LQCC!  and it has even made the news...with the economic times and dreary forecasts, it is great to see some signs of recovery and excitement in La Quinta!  Larry Bohanan of The Desert Sun wrote an article this weekend featuring the new Clubhouse and interviews with the new General Manager!  LQCC is celebrating it's 50th Anniversary this year-- and the beginning of a new era!   LA QUINTA— Bruce Zahn says he’s heard some of the snowbird residents of La Quinta Country Club are coming back to the desert a bit early this year. “The membership is pretty excited,” said Zahn, the general manager and chief operating officer of La Quinta, one of the oldest private country clubs in the desert. “The word is ou... 11/15/2009

The city of La Quinta is getting a new fire station.  Not only is that great news for the local community and firefighters, but also it is a boost to our local economy.  The City of La Quinta saw the need for local jobs and people out of work and for the first time ever, awarded a majority of the contracted work to local contractors.  They were able to do this, by building the new Fire Station into 13 phases.  So 8 out of the 12 contracts will be right here in our Coachella Valley.  The new fire station when complete will be 7,500 square feet and house up to 4 engines.  The ground breaking has already begun and is expected to be complete in 10 months.  On a positive note for local residents , the location is expected to improve response time. Thank you La Quinta for not only giving us a... 11/13/2009

I cant believe the holidays are upon us. Where does the time go?  I noticed the big tree is up in Palm Desert and stores have the Christmas decorations already out.  So I figured since everyone else is thinking about the holidays, i should too. Dec 4th   5-9pm Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Old Town la Quinta.  Santa, music, and activities as well as a chance to shop for unique crafts and gifts for your loved ones.  The best part about it is the beautiful Old Town La Quinta location.  11/11/2009

Jan 18-24 is the Bob Hope Classic here in our own beautiful La Quinta.  For the first time ever, the tournament is being played exclusively in La Quinta.  SilverRock is the home course this year which is just down the road from us.  So golfers and fans save the date, there is sure to be a lot of activity and events.  If you need a place to rent, give us a call early so we can make sure you find a spot.       11/10/2009