This week I went to visit my parents in Mesa,Arizona. I went to view some open houses as here in La Quinta, California we have many people who decide between moving here and the Phoenix area in Arizona. Gold Canyon is a very nice area like La Quinta on the fringe of the Phoenix metroplex area. There a incredible mountain views with nice golf courses and areas with nice homes in 55+ gated communities. For many years the prices in the Phoenix area have been about half price of here in the Coachella Valley. I was surprised to find the prices in the Gold Canyon area are now higher than they are here. I brought the comparable sales list and also flyers to show people that the La Quinta area is lower priced. It is quieter, smaller, and more personal. The mountain views in La Quinta are fabulo... 02/07/2014

I have done over 400 short sales in the past several years. I am very happy there are not many short sales in my area any longer. Nonetheless, I just got approval on a short sale I started to process on September 5, 2013. Now it is 5 months later and the buyer gets the home. I have learned over the years that each short sale is a new adventure. This one was extra interesting as it was turned over to a servicer from bank of America. The negotiator was very good and very patient, and helped me alot to learn their new process. I felt like an idiot as I learned their new ways of doing the doing short. I thought I was a short sale expert and was properly humbled through this process. Will I do more short sales? Yes I will. Now that I once again know what I am doing, bring them on. I know how... 02/06/2014

Award winning architect Guy Dreier designed home, now on the market in La Quinta! Recently updated with a state of the art entertainment center, and upgrades throughout, this contemporary beauty on the Mountain Course at the Waldorf Astoria La Quinta Resort is a perfect contemporary luxury retreat!   For a private tour or more information on this property give me a call! 77245 Loma Vista   Listing agent, Bridget Myers California Lifestyle Realty.  Kathy Schowe is seeking buyers for this amazing property!   LUXURY HOMES IN LA QUINTA 02/04/2014

My long time friend and mentor Bernie Gartland is a tax specialist. He is the former attorney general for Delaware and tax attorney in California for many years. If you have state tax or federal tax issues, Bernie can help you. He is honest and straight forward. He also is a bankruptcy specialist. He has a great accountant in his office and reviews all tax returns. Do not hesitate to call Bernie Gartland for a free tax consultation. ph: 760-771-771-0010 02/02/2014

Homes for Sale on the Golf Course in Trilogy La Quinta CA Search current golf course homes for sale in Trilogy here. You'll fall in love with the picturesque community of Trilogy located in La Quinta, California near PGA West. The 18-hole golf course community is most desirable for it's exquisite backdrop of the Coral Mountains, views so serene you may have to pinch yourself. What's the neighborhood like? A 55+ country club community, you'll find tranquil lakes, wildflowers and meandering walkways inside Trilogy.  The country club lifestyle of Trilogy offers a public 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, bocce ball, and a 28,000 square-foot Santa Rosa Clubhouse featuring a banquet room, card room and state-of-the art fitness facility with group fitness classes and an indoor walking track.... 01/28/2014

I have worked in real estate for over 12 years non stop. Even on vacation I answer my phone and return emails, do offers, etc. Yesterday I had a real wake up call about how out of touch I am becoming. I went to an outlet mall about 30  miles from where I live. I found that since I had been there they had built a 9 story parking garage and added about 40 stores and were in the process of adding 45 more. I asked a clerk how long this had been so different and she said for over a year. Then on the way home I went by Lexus to get my bluetooth synced and enroute I  went down a road that I had not been on for over ayear and there are 2 new shopping centers. I decided to take a few hours each week to go somewhere local that I have not been in awhile so I know more about what is happening in my... 01/25/2014

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