1. Sunshine 360+ days per year 2. Lots of events to attend- art shows, golf tournaments, car shows, wine tastings, bike rides, runs and walks, charity fundraisers 3. Lots of recreational activities- golf, tennis, pickle ball, hiking, biking, swimming, shopping 4. Lots of socializing at parties, happy hours, country clubs 5. Small town friendly atmosphere with minimal traffic 6. Affordable - prices are low compared to other areas of California 7. Lots of nice restaurants, bars, retail stores 01/20/2014

City of LA QUINTA… and the LA QUINTA RESORT & SPA The Cahuilla indians first roamed this warm land in the shadows of the Santa Rosa mountains and fittingly called it "Land of the Eternal Sun". In the early 1920's, wealthy San Francisco businessman, Walter H. Morgan commissioned renowned architect Gordon B. Kaufman to build a secluded hacienda-style hotel.  Formed from more than 100,000 hand-formed adobe bricks, and 60,000 locally fired clay roof tiles, local artisans crafted a small grouping of quaint casitas and a cozy dining room.  Morgan called this place La Quinta. La Quinta Hotel opened during the Christmas season of 1926, soon after, Morgan built a nine-hole golf course on the hotel grounds.  Designed by Norman Beth, it would be our very first Coachella Valley golf course, with gr... 01/11/2014

WHAT DOES LA QUINTA MEAN?I LOVE living in LA QUINTA, and I've come across many definitions of the term La Quinta, referring to the City of La Quinta. Some say that it was named after the La Quinta Hotel, but "What does La Quinta mean?"  Here are a few of my favorites: La Quinta :   Archaic term referring to a type of hacienda or rest-stop reached every five days on a long journey. La Quinta: Fifth City La Quinta :  Fifth stop on the Pony-Express route from Phoenix. La Quinta :  Portugese or Spanish farm leased for 1/5 of it's total profits. La Quinta :  A country home or manor.  La Quinta:  From Latin feminine quintus, first use 1754.  La Quinta:  A Spanish term meaning villa, which is a secondary home owned by upper class inividuals, usually for holidays.  La Quinta:  HOME. FIND YOUR H... 01/10/2014

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Sunsets in La Quinta   We are lucky to have beautiful weather in La Quinta in the winter, but we are also treated to some lovely sunsets!  I captured this photo last night right before the sun set behind the Santa Rosa Mountains!   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA 01/08/2014

*** UPDATE ON THIS POST: CAREER BUILDER CHALLENGE WILL BE HERE SOON! THE HUMANA CHALLENGE IS NOW SPONSORED BY CAREER BUILDER! ****  HUMANA CHALLENGE WILL BE HERE SOON!  I captured this shot at PGA West today.  The Humana Challenge is coming to La Quinta and the tents, signs, and bleachers are going up! Our home course, La Quinta Country Club will also be hosting the amateurs and pros! It is my favorite week of the year and I can hardly wait!For a list of the pros playing in the Humana this year, click here:  Humana ProsSEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA 01/06/2014

1. It is 75 degrees and sunny today with flowers blooming and golf courses open 2. Prices are lower than most places in California 3. Over 10% of the nations' wealth is here during the winter 4. There is alot to do year round outdoors - hiking, biking, golf, swimming 5. There is great shopping 6. There are lots of good restaurants 7. There are many 1st class events to attend - Palm Springs Film Festival, La Quinta Arts Festival, Bike Races, Wine tasting, Farmer's Markets, Car shows, PGA golf tournaments, and more 8. Lots of local attractions like The Living Desert, The Tram, Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Canyons and more   01/05/2014

You really are walking in a winter wonderland, if you're lucky enough to either live in our beautiful desert Valley, or if you're a visitor!  The weather outside is far from frightening, in fact it's absolutely amazing.  Clear skies behind majestic mountains that overlook wide open spaces.  All of the cities in the Palm Springs area come alive during the holiday season.  Palm Springs offers its tour of modern homes , as well as it's village shopping area, on Palm Canyon.  If you move just a little bit more towards the center of our Valley, to the cities of Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells, you've got to take a drive down our beautiful EL Paseo Dr., which is so festive and sparkly.  Sculptures line the median of EL Paseo, and ribbons and lights welcome holiday shoppers.  EL P... 12/22/2013

This is a great time of the year to buy a house. Not many people are out looking for a house with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. You have less competition on your offer. The homes look really nice decorated for the holidays. Most real estate agents have some extra time to show you homes as less people are listing and selling. Lenders also are less busy. Call today to view homes and buy a house for Chistmas. 12/20/2013

This is the time of year to say think you to all of the people who help us with out business through the year. Don't forget to send holiday greetings and gifts to these and others too: gate people escrow officers title officers appraisers brokers and agents painters gardeners cleaning people home warranty reps plumbers electricians handyman office manager carpet cleaner window cleaner pool service car washer and others     12/17/2013

When I first started in real estate, I thought the once the deal was closed, that my job was pretty much done. Through the years, I have learned, that this is not necessarily so. Some service items are necessary to aid the buyers and sellers and some are good just to stay in touch with the clients for future business. A few tasks I remember doing which should count for something: Getting the title on the house changed to their trust Helping with home warranty claims Questions on property taxes Help with remodels and repairs Questions on doctors, hairdressers, etc. I have had clients contact me with questions on just about any part of their life and I am glad to help!   12/12/2013

Here is La Quinta, California, we are spoiled with nice sunny warm weather most of the year. Right now we have lows in the 30's and highs in the 50's and sunny skies. People are pretty much bundling up and staying indoors. Between the cold temperatures and the Christmas preparations, there is not much action going on with home buying and selling. For me, I just keep marketing an dprospecting. I know the buyers will buy and the sellers will sell soon. 70 degree temperatures are predicted for the weekend. 12/10/2013

All of the cities in the Palm Springs Valley, from Palm Springs on the Western edge, through Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and into the Eastern cities, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella, are finishing out their abandoned new home projects.  This is happening all across the country, and I am so glad it's happening here in the Valley. The past four years have seen the green construction screens become ever more tattered and torn by the desert sands and wind.  Not any longer… Today we're going to visit one of the new home developments in the southern tip of the city of La Quinta, Andalusia at Coral Mountain.  A beautiful golf course community, this Drummond development rolled up its carpets, and shuttered the windows, during the slow years of 2008-2011.  2013 however has been a ba... 12/08/2013

Many people want to wait to list their home until after the holidays. December is a great month to sell your home. There are fewer homes for sale during December. You know the buyers who view the home are serious buyers. Home show well decorated for the holidays. Call me now to get your home sold before the new year! 12/07/2013

The Palm Springs Valley offers approximately 120 Golf Courses!  What??  It's true, so today I'm just going to present some of the Stats and information, regarding the Golf Course Communities in the city of La Quinta. PGA West:  Offering six golf courses, three public and three private, and covering approximately 1200 acres, PGA West is the largest golf course community in La Quinta. Home price ranges run from approximately $150,000 to approximately $3,000,000. Membership is $40,000 and monthly dues are $1145 per month. Total home numbers are approximately 2950. The Hideaway:  Known as "the social club", home prices range from approximately $1,000,000 approximately $7,000,000. Golf membership is $150,000 with monthly dues of $1650. There are approximately 250 homes. The Citrus:  An affil... 12/06/2013

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO while visiting LA QUINTA 1. Cruise up to Palm Springs and flirt with Marilyn @Forever Marilyn!2. Take a Balloon  ride!3. Visit Indio and drink a date shake and see "Sex Life of a Date" @ Sheild's Date Garden!!4. Visit The Living Desert!5.  Have lunch in Old Town La Quinta and check out the shops!6.  Take in El Paseo ... for art galleries, lunch, and more shopping!7. Go see the Palm Springs Follies before it's too late!8. Visit Rancho Mirage, and tour Sunnylands, Annenberg Estate.9.  Have a fabulous dinner at Melvyns, Le Valluris, The Nest, Arnold Palmer's, Cork & Fork,  Cork Tree, La Spiga, Cuistot, Desert Sage, The Wine Bar, Lavender Bistro , Morgan's in the Desert, Wally's, Mastro's, Okura, and  The Tropicale. 10. Play some golf, tennis, get a massage, hike the cov... 11/26/2013

Speechless Sunday:  Driving Home from the Market   We had our first "winter storm" this weekend, meaning we had some clouds, sprinkles, and the day time temp dropped to 70 degrees.  Of course, the sun doesn't stay away long here in the desert.  I was driving home from the market and pulled over to capture this shot... the light and the sky were so clear.   SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA 11/24/2013

It's been a little rainy and wet the past couple days here in the desert and we are so NOT prepared for water!   Our sand base does not absorb the water endlessly as so many think..rather, the water makes the sand get hard and compacted and the excess water runs off the top.  Our Palm Springs Valley desperately needed some "wetting down", and we're getting it.  Not enough to stop anybody from going outside, but enough to settle down the sand in our winter paradise. Real estate hasn't been dampened at all however!  Just represented a Buyer for another gorgeous home at Andalusia in La Quinta.  81647 Andalusia Dr.  Andalusia is a Drummond Bros. development that has still got some standing inventory from 2007 and 2008.  If you're lucky enough to grab one of the remaining homes, you'll get a... 11/23/2013

Spa Villas in La Quinta are inspiring! (And a great investment!) If you love coming to the desert... for the weekend, or for weeks at a time-- you can do no better than staying in one of the Spa Villas at La Quinta Resort. What most people don't know is that you can own your own Villa- and if you choose, become part of the Resort Rental program to recoup some of your investment on a regular basis.  Get paid every month for owning a vacation home in La Quinta! Right now there are just a few of these Villas on the market- and only one 3BR/3BA unit under $1Million.  You won't find a better place to stay or own in La Quinta! I was so inspired by the beauty when touring the Spa Villas, I created this image to share with you!  SEARCH FOR SPA VILLAS IN LA QUINTA     11/23/2013

Spa Villas at La Quinta Resort… Best Investment in La Quinta that you Don't know about! You love coming to La Quinta, and you especially love the La Quinta Resort.  Did you know you can purchase a single family residence here that can be rented out as part of the hotel?  This is the best kept secret in La Quinta! The La Quinta Spa Villas are single family residences adjacent to the La Quinta Resort, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom villas are just steps from the Four Star Luxury hotel and spa. Fireplaces and wrap around patios, room service, fitness center, and tennis, allow you to pamper yourself at your private desert getaway.  Pool and spa off the patio are shared by one other villa and are maintained and heated year round. Owners may take advantage of the La Quinta Resort Rental program for ... 11/20/2013

Mountains in your backyard at PGA West On our real estate caravan today at PGA West, we toured 8 homes at PGA Legends and Palmer Private.   The homes range from contemporary to traditional and are priced from $489,000 to $895,000 with 3-4 bedrooms and most with 3.5 baths. One thing they all have in common is the incredible backdrop of the Santa Rosa mountains. If you want mountains in your backyard... this is the place for you! SEARCH FOR HOMES AT PGA WEST  11/19/2013