We have spent the last several days transitioning from our old office to the new one.  While we had all the furniture moved, the phone line was still set up at the old office.  So we laughed at the way we sat on the floor and worked.  Is this where Floor time got its name?  Oh well, we had fun! 10/21/2009

My team and I are so thrilled to have been a featured post in Lore Magazine.  If we can jump on board to the Internet and social networking, so can anyone.  It is amazing how quickly things have progressed and taken off and how excited our agents are to jump on board.  Please check out the article and leave us a comment.  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!     http://www.loremagazine.com/go/?blog_id=110 10/20/2009

Ok, so our team decided it was time to find a bigger space and we found the perfect spot a few weeks ago. With all of the remodeling, construction plus keeping the real estate side of things going smoothly, i want to congratulate my team for being amazing! Moving day came fast and not only did the agents move their personal belongings, but also rolled up their sleeves and moved desks, chairs and whatever was needed. Sweeping floors, cleaning up trash and running last minute errands was common and on top of that we had a remarkable weekend in sales. I am truly proud and grateful for my team, we work together in business and in fun and that is why we truly do have such amazing results. The friendships and memories created this past few days will be cherished forever! Way to go team! 10/19/2009

I just found out about a great program offered by The City of La Quinta and the Stewards of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve and Trail.   The 3rd Sat of every month you can go on a guided walk/hike with a group of others and learn something new about our great valley.  For example, Geology, wildflowers, track animals, history of the La Quinta Cove and thats just to name a few.  If you are interested go to the Shade Shelter oon the Bear Creek Nature Trail at the corner of Calle Ensanada and Avenida Montezuma. The walk begins at 8 am and the next walk is Oct 21st at 8am.  The topic of the day is La Quinta Trail Days....Sure is a great way to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.     10/19/2009

If you are looking for some safe family fun, this is the place to be.  Presented by the La Quinta Community Services and President Gerald R Ford Boys and Girls Club on Friday Oct 30th .  The fun starts at 3pm and of course it wouldnt be Halloween without a costume contest starting at 4.  Come out for the fun, the games, prizes and candy! Best of all , this is a free event and everyone of all ages are welcome. Fri Oct 30th 49-995 Park Ave La Quinta, Ca In the Gym of the Gerald R Ford Boys and Girls CLub     10/19/2009

Come experience Old Town La Quinta!  In the center of this quaint little town you can bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and watch a movie for free.  Or you can plan on coming early and eating dinner at one of the restaurants here in Old TOwn. What a great way to spend a family night .   Nov 20th  "Hotel for Dogs" Dec 11th  "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"   Bring the kids and plan on having a relaxing fun time.. 10/19/2009

I have sold real estate for over 9 years and sold way over 1000 homes. I still love the thrill and the high of the sale. The money is what we need to live, but the good and happy feeling of selling a house is what really motivates me to keep going and selling more. For me, this feeling comes right after an offer is accepted. Usually, the buyers and sellers are very happy then too. Research shows that is the best time to receive referrals.Putting a buyer in a home they love is like making a dream come true for them and me too. I also feel that my thrill passes to and is shared by the buyers. For many people, this is one of the biggest and most important decisions of their life. I am grateful to be a part of it. 10/19/2009

Going Green in Coachella and La Quinta.  It's always so encouraging for those of us who LOVE the outdoors and the environment in general to see an article such as this one in today's local paper, The Desert Sun.  http://tinyurl.com/yljrkyvI heard Mr. Freed speak last week and he's so fun, funny, inspirational and optimistic that I left feeling great!  There are many Green developments here in the Coachella Valley and La Quinta has several as well.  One of the developments that is certified LEEDS "green" is Puerta Azul.  Located in the East valley off of Madison and 54th, the small, gated, Spanish style community is user friendly.  Walking paseos meander throughout, with desert scape providing lots of interest as well as shade along the paseos.The homes are heavily insulated, cool and en... 10/18/2009

La Quinta Realtors..my staff is rather unusual.  I am not referring to mental help, but rather great staff, support systems, trusted personnel..you get it, the strength of our performance rests on our "behind the scene" staff.  That being said, let me introduce you to my arm of the HK Lane Real Estate Co.  We refer to ourselves as the K2 Sells branch of the HK Lane Real Esate Co.  I'm here to tell you that as Sales slowed in 2008 and 2009, I've had to replace my more experienced people with the following willing, attractive, and yes, MUCH lower paid staff. Penney:  Office gossip, but with her energy, charm and youth, I have high hopes for a superb career in the industry.  Meadow:  Front desk:  Well...what can I say except that she has GREAT hair... Lumahei:  Office Mgr.  Strange name an... 10/17/2009

Wow!  What a day and it is not even lunch time yet!  We decided a little over a month ago that we needed a bigger office.  The last few weeks we have re done floors, painted, carpeted and decorated the new space.  Today has arrived and we are trying to move from one building to another and it is chaos.  Trying to move, run out to show property and keep things running is more then i planned!  So wish us all luck to get through the day! 10/16/2009

Isnt this a beautiful time of year? Here in La Quinta we are so fortunate to have clean, beautiful parks to enjoy. I walked over to the park for a few minutes this afternoon to clear my mind and decided to "Flip" it. It was so peaceful watchingthe ducks and birds and listening to the water. With temps in the 80's it was a great way to take a small much needed break. 10/14/2009

10/14/2009

As I was sitting in my office early this morning, I received a call from a potential client in North Dakota.  As we talked she asked me how the weather was and wanted to know if it was raining.  I looked up outside my window and realized once again how blessed we are here in La Quinta.  I went out my door and took a picture to send to her and thought I would share it with everyone.  We may have hot summers, but the next 9 months are truely paradise.  I guess that is why La QUinta is called "The Gem of the Desert".  Have a great day wherever you are!   10/14/2009

The median single family home price in LA QUINTA this week is $677,450. The 804 homes have been on the market for an average of 133 days. THIS WEEK     Most Expensive Listing          $10,500,000 Least Expensive Listing         $ 84,900 Median List Price                  $677,450 Average List Price                 $937,505 Total Inventory                     804 Average Days on Market        133  Percent of Properties with Price Decrease 31 % Percent Relisted (reset DOM) 11 % Percent Flip (price increased) 3 %   10/13/2009

My team and I love the internet, website, blogging, facebook, craigslist, and on and on. The bottomline we have found is that when it comes down to it we still have to have the skills and personal relationships with clients, other agents,other brokers, lenders, servicers such as lenders, title companies and escrow companies to put the deals together and have them close. Even when the transactions are regular sales the personal relationships are essential in our area of La Quinta, California for several reasons. The deals flow more smoothly when the parties all are on board and work together well. Most people want to work with people they feel they knwo and can trust in a market that is at best unstable and unpredicatable at the current time. People have enought stress and chaos in most ... 10/13/2009

I left home with plenty of time to go to my office and felt like my car wasn't running well. I realized I had forgotten my phone and turned around to get it. Then the steering and transmission slipped and I pushed the gas ans slammed the brake. I hit a stone mailbox and really damaged the car badly. The car was towed. In place of my Lexus SUV, I now have a little rental car with manual roll up windows, a noisy AC, and tiny back seat- not good for a Realtor. I am waiting to see if I can negotiate a new car or wait out the repairs on this one. At least I am ok and no one else was involved. Life can sure change quickly. 10/12/2009

I love being a real estate broker in La Quinta, California, but I constantly have to watch myself for burn out. Her are some tips I have developed over the years to watch for and then I know I need to stop, relax, and take a break for a few days before continuing forward.1. I wake up in the middle of the night and start trying to solve a work related issue. I call this "hamster head."2. I frequently start completing the sentences of someone I am talking to.3. I regularly feel overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to complete.4. I start to run late alot.5. I often find it hard to concentrate, especially on tasks that are complicated or that I do not want to do.6. I get frustrated and angry more easily, often over more minor issues.Do you relate to any of these? Have you ever felt th... 10/12/2009

La Quinta has been called the Gem of the Desert. La Quinta continues to be a city of progress where the quality of life is second to none. Sunny skies, happy people, nice new homes, stores, lots of golf courses, beautiful mountains, lots of flowers, great restaurants, and shopping too.The population has grown from 24,000 in 1999 to almost 45,000 today. This is a great area to visit for vacation, snowbirds for longer winter stays, and full time living too. Who couldn't be happy everyday in such a beautiful place with so many fun things to do? If you are ever in La Quinta, give us a call. 10/12/2009

La Quinta's Art Under the Umbrellas decisively served notice today that the season has indeed begun. Under blazing bue skies and 90° temps, it is hard to believe other states have seemingly bypassed autumn for winter weather. Here in the east end of the Coachella Valley, I can see the recent infux of Canadians and others who have opted for sleeveless sartorial garb! I happily strolled the streets with my girlfriend, Marianne, salivating over artists new to me while listening to live music, enjoyed lunch al fresco, and left quite contented. Today marks the fifth season of the outdoor art festival at Old Town La Quinta sponsored by the La Quinta Arts Foundation. Its root harken back to the '90s when it started as a small art show at the La Quinta Resort & Spa. Even though the nation is w... 10/10/2009

La Quinta and Coachella Valley Condominium Sales are having even more problems.  It seems that some condominium devleopments are having a great deal of trouble getting financing for loans.  The following is information I received today from a very aggressive, local Lender, regarding La Quinta and Coachella Valley Condominium Sales.  Will more Buyers choose to WALK AWAY from their condo offers???? Several rule changes are making it harder and harder to get loan approved in Condo developments, especially here in the Coachella Valley.  Fannie and Freddie have already tightened up their lending requirements for Condos, and The FHA has new regulations that are going to have a huge impact here in the valley.   From now on whenever I receive a lead on a buyer who is buying in a condo developme... 10/10/2009