La Quinta California Real Estate: December 2010

I am fed up with paperwork. I understand that alot of our real estate paperwork is necessary legally. We have so much other paperwork in our lives too - leases, car title and insurance, life insurance, health insurance, homewoners insurance, home owners association information, medical records and bills, utility bills, credit card information and bills, more and more documentation.

What can we do to reduce the paperwork and documentation? Where is this headed? How much more paperwork and documentation will we put up with?

It seems many of these requests are for people to fill files to look busy for their job security. I know people need jobs, but what does this all prove? Does it help anything?

For me, I am sick of this. It is like I am punished for keeping good records. What about the people who do not have the documentation?

Canadian home buyers represent 23% of international home purchases in the United States. This figure was only 11%  three years ago.

For the time ever, Canadian home buyers exceeded California home buyers in Phoenix, Arizona.

The value of the Canadian dollar versus the United State dollar plus the prices on homes in the United States have spurred the international purchases in the United States.

For more information you can view www.realtor.org/international

Here is the saying of the day. I love this saying.

" I can only please one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either."

I feel when I call many people, this is their thoughts. It is funny but also true.

I love Morgan's Restaurant. To me it fabulous. The food is extra special and the setting really feels luxurious. I am glad to report that they are now open for lunch too.

The Realty Trac figures just came out for the Coachella Valley for sales in October 2010. The new market statistics for sales in October are very interesting.

651 total sales

476 sales $100-$299,000

131 sales $300-$599,000

31 sales $600-$999,999

13 sales $1,000,000 -$1,999,999

73% of the sales were under $300,000

Only 2% are over $1,000,000

Lower priced homes are selling much faster for many reasons. There are more foreclosure and short sales in the lower ranges. Also, financing is easier to get in the lower price ranges.

In the $600,000-$899,999 range in Palm Desert, there have been 6 homes for sale and only one sold in the past 12 months. This means the time to sell is 72 months or 6 years.

Buyers have great advantages in this market in the Coachella Valley, but the good news is that homes are selling and prices are still very low.

We still have bargain home prices in La Quinta, California. There are many nice homes for sale at prices as low as 10 years ago. Many of the homes are priced lower than they were when they were new.

Examples:
Bella Canto  - Corner of Calhoun and Jackson - border of Indio and Coachella - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage - almost 2000 sq. ft. for $127,000

Villa Montego - former model home - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, nice views - near Jackson and Avenue 48 - $119,000

La Quinta Cove - 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage- ready to move in - $95,000

La Quinta Fairways - Part of La Quinta Resort and Club near Ave. 50 and Park Avenue - 3 bedroom, 2 baths, pool and spa, 2 car garage. Very nice home and priced lower than when it was new about 9 years ago. $325,000

For these and other deals too, call me. I will get you the best deals around in La Quinta, California

Lori Bowers

ph:760-831-1595

email:theloribowersgroup@gmail.com

What are you going to do this week to start the New Year off with a bang?

Are you going to sit around and reflect and wait for the  New Year to arrive or are you going to get started now?

Are you shopping and relaxing this week or are you contacting clients and doing floor time, open houses, and other forms of marketing?

Are you previewing homes?

Are you ready to connect at the New Year's eve Party?

Are you on your phone and in the office ready to go?

If you are working and putting the energy out there to do business, it is there waiting for you. You can sell or list homes this week.

Now is the time to start the New Year- why wait or waste) 5 days?

Last year I volunteered to serve on a committee at our local real estate board - the California Desert Association of Realtors- for the first time. I was put on the Grievance Committee. It has been interesting and educational for me.

I have met some agents I did not know.

I learned alot about the protocal of grievances.

I brought more visibility and recognition to my company.

I found out the time commitment was not huge and was well worth the time and energy spent to contribute.

I recommend that every agent give back to their profession as much as they can. Serving on a committee at your local real estate board is a good way to give back and contribute to our profession.

Some of the committees include: MLS, education advisory, golf tournament, community service, program advisory, sholarship, local government relations, greivance, and commercial investment exchange.

How about we all commit to at least one committee for our board by Jan. 1, 2011?

This is a beautiful setting and great sport to watch too. The Empire Polo Fields have many good events throughout the winter season. The Sunday afternoon matches are extra exciting and bring lots of spectators.

Are you on a vacation?

Resting at home?

Playing golf?

Shopping?

Skiing?

Surfing?

Visiting family and friends?

Doing open houses?

Doing Floor Time?

Cleaning out your closets and pantry?

Doing your plan for 2011?

Assembling information for your 2010 taxes?

Hiking?

Sleeping?

Cooking and baking?

Reading?

Blogging on Active rain?

It is all good. Let's hope we are doing what we want to enjoy our life at this time of year.

Happy New Year 2011!