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

The best tip I have for selling your home quickly is to lower the price. The condition, market exposure and marketing, location, staging, all matter, but most of all the price matters most. Have your agent take you and show you similar homes in your area that are for sale and are recently sold, so you can see the real value of your home. There is an old joke in real estate that you are the best buyer for your home. Many sellers think their home is worth more than it really is. even though prices are rising, they are not rising enough to catch up with many seller's expectations on the sale price for their home. My advice: LOWER THE PRICE. 11/19/2013

Old Town La Quinta is my Village… Where is your village?   Even though we live in a resort area, and a valley with a chain of cities from Palm Springs to Coachella... we have a village.  Old Town La Quinta.. town center lies a mile from our home.   We can walk to it. We have an office in Old Town La Quinta, but we also shop there, have dinner, go to the Wine Bar, meet clients, and lunch with friends, attend Art Under the Umbrellas and the Farmers Market there.  We sell homes nearby, have a wine locker at Palmers, take our kitties to the vet there and we mail all our packages at the Old Town post office.  We have a village. We are locals. We love Old Town La Quinta.    SEARCH FOR HOMES NEAR OLD TOWN LA QUINTA 11/18/2013

Art Under the Umbrellas in Old Town La Quinta... the perfect Saturday   Today I am working in our California Lifestyle office in Old Town La Quinta and it is also the Art Under the Umbrellas event! When I arrived at 9:00am the artists were all setting up their booths with displays of their artwork, pottery, scultures, and jewelry! Art Under the Umbrellas is held from 10:00am to 4:00pm on the following Saturdays in Old Town La Quinta:  January 11, January 18, February 1, February 15 & March 22, 2014. Admission and parking are FREE!     11/16/2013

Yesterday I was at a real estate event at a new home development here in La Quinta, California. I learned that 2700 square feet is the median size of a home here in La Quinta. This means 50% of the homes are over 2700 square feet and 50% of the homes are under 2700 square feet. 80% of the homes over 2700 square feet that are for sale are priced over $2,000,000. The homes from 2800-3300 square feet have the least amount of inventory. These homes are usually priced from $900,000-$1,200,000 which is a very popular price point in La Quinta. This builder is going to build homes over 4500 square feet for $1,300,000 - $1,600,000. The vuiews are great and the golf course is amazing. I agree that these homes will sell quickly. 11/15/2013

Another beautiful day at California Lifestyle at La Quinta Resort It is always a treat to come to the La Quinta Resort at the California Lifestyle office in La Quinta.  This morning I captured this little girl in her rainbow dress dancing along the wall in front of our beautiful flowers! Hope you have had a wonderful week! SEARCH FOR HOMES IN LA QUINTA  11/15/2013

There are several reasons why you may be faced with having to list your home as a short sale in La Quinta, California  .   We understand that things happen and are out of your control.  Some of the reasons that we have helped other homeowners short sale their home are :   Medical Emergency Bankruptcy Unemployment Medical Bills Death in the Family Divorce Failed Business Reduction in Work hours Job Relocation/ Transfer  Do not  work with inexperienced real estate agents. Negotiations are crucial in a short sale transaction.  There are many steps, processes and procedures an agent must take to work a short sale.  The Desert Dream Team has many years of experience in short sale negotiations and will guide you through the entire transaction.  Call or email us today and we can sit down with ... 11/14/2013