Warmer weather is right around the corner.
The snowbirds have gone home, there's parking everywhere and the kids are out of school.
Things really sow down when schools close for the summer. Vacations start, kids go to camp or the beach, etc.; however... not everyone can get away. Boredom can set in quickly when there's little to do and no money to do it with ..... which reminds me of a quote I've cited previously "If the Devil finds a man idle, he'll set him at work - J. Kelly - Scottish Proverbs 1721.
Don't be a victim - Keep Alert !!! and keep your garage door closed or at least only open enough so that no one can get under it, especially a small unattended child. Considering that heat rises, there may be no significant benefit anyway. You'd be better off installing a vent high above the existing vent(s) in your garage to allow a flow of air, getting an attic fan or whole house fan.
Watering tip to save money, save water and make your landscape drought resistant: Water once in the morning, a good soak so the water goes deep and the roots will follow. Watering 3-5 times a day, might make you think you're being nice to your landscape but a lot of water hits the sidewalk and gutter 3-5 times a day taking your money with it. There's 3-5 times as much evaporation - wasted water and money; and finally, the roots remain close to the surface where they are subject to higher temperatures and if subjected to severe conditions or a REAL drought came, they have no chance. Additionally, consider a smart irrigation controller from CVWD.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sales prices did well in May ...
Home sales rose 6 percent across the Coachella Valley in May in contrast to double-digit declines in Riverside County and the rest of Southern California.
Last month, 1,087 single-family homes and condominiums sold in the valley, San Diego-based DataQuick Information Systems reported. Cities with the strongest sales included Palm Desert with 203, Palm Springs with 187 and La Quinta with 142.
The median price — half sold for more, half for less — was $204,000 in May, a 3 percent decline from May 2010, DataQuick reported.
Compared to May last year, sales fell 12.5 percent in Riverside County and 17.4 percent across Southern California.
In recent months, the valley's home sales have fared significantly better than the rest of Southern California, driven by second-home buyers and bargain hunters.
That hasn't helped stabilize prices, but it is helping to slowly clear out the huge inventory of real estate, a critical step in rebuilding the local economy.
Read the whole story:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110621/BUSINESS04/106210314/Home-sales-rise-6-percent-valley?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
Last month, 1,087 single-family homes and condominiums sold in the valley, San Diego-based DataQuick Information Systems reported. Cities with the strongest sales included Palm Desert with 203, Palm Springs with 187 and La Quinta with 142.
The median price — half sold for more, half for less — was $204,000 in May, a 3 percent decline from May 2010, DataQuick reported.
Compared to May last year, sales fell 12.5 percent in Riverside County and 17.4 percent across Southern California.
In recent months, the valley's home sales have fared significantly better than the rest of Southern California, driven by second-home buyers and bargain hunters.
That hasn't helped stabilize prices, but it is helping to slowly clear out the huge inventory of real estate, a critical step in rebuilding the local economy.
Read the whole story:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110621/BUSINESS04/106210314/Home-sales-rise-6-percent-valley?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
Sunday, June 19, 2011
New law July 1st - you must have CO2 detectors in your home
All single-family homes in California with attached garages and fireplaces are supposed to have a carbon monoxide detector starting July 1 when a new California law takes effect.
Owners of apartment buildings have until Jan. 1, 2013, to comply with the law. “Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people and sending more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation,” acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover said in a news release.
The colorless, odorless gas is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices. It's also produced when gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.
CO detectors are easy to install and can be purchased at most stores that also sell smoke detectors, said Bill Peters, an information officer for Cal Fire. But not just any detector will do.
“You must buy one that's approved by the state fire marshal's office,” Palm Desert director of buildings and safety Russell Grance said.
They have to be connected to the home's electrical wiring and also have a battery back-up. The exception is homes without attic access and then a battery-operated detector is OK, Grance said.
The fire marshal has a list of approved devices and installation requirements on its website, http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/.
Read the full story as it appeared in the Desert Sun:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110616/NEWS01/106160310/New-law-takes-aim-silent-killer-CO-fumes
As always - Keep the faith !!
Owners of apartment buildings have until Jan. 1, 2013, to comply with the law. “Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people and sending more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation,” acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover said in a news release.
The colorless, odorless gas is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and many types of appliances and cooking devices. It's also produced when gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned.
CO detectors are easy to install and can be purchased at most stores that also sell smoke detectors, said Bill Peters, an information officer for Cal Fire. But not just any detector will do.
“You must buy one that's approved by the state fire marshal's office,” Palm Desert director of buildings and safety Russell Grance said.
They have to be connected to the home's electrical wiring and also have a battery back-up. The exception is homes without attic access and then a battery-operated detector is OK, Grance said.
The fire marshal has a list of approved devices and installation requirements on its website, http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/.
Read the full story as it appeared in the Desert Sun:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110616/NEWS01/106160310/New-law-takes-aim-silent-killer-CO-fumes
As always - Keep the faith !!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
La Quinta turned 29 yesterday!
Here's a few of the La Quinta Windermere troops who gathered to make the celebration a better time for all. Windermere Real Estate is a City Partner and it is our pleasure to contribute in making this a fantastic event for our residents. The troops gathered early to make preparation to dispense bottles of water (always greatly appreciated), balloons for the kids and conduct a little putting event while introducing the The First Tee to the parents of the kids.
In summary, 2011 was another success ... Fun was had by all !!!!!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tax filing date is different this year
This year, because of weekends and holidays, your federal tax return is due on April 18 instead of the usual April 15 deadline. April 18 is also the deadline for several other important tax-related actions. For example, your first estimated tax payment for 2011 is due April 18. If you need an extension, you must file the appropriate form and it mail by April 18th.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
Spring is here and summer is looming. If you are considering changes to your landscaping, It may pay for you to consider CPTED - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Open - lighted - no place to hide. Crime behavior is a reaction to environmental clues. Crime can be influenced by the environment - the devious mind searching for an opportunity. Psychological ownership and boundaries cen be an important crime prevention tool. Is your property well maintained? Is it clean and neat with that lived in and aware look. Are your shrubs and bushed cut low and trees trimmed to avoid hiding places? Mature trees should be trimmed about 6 feet from the groud and when contemplating any re-design do your best to maintain an open view of your property.
as always ... Keep the faith!
as always ... Keep the faith!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Listingbook - the people's champ for property searches in the desert
Here's a re-post of an article in my Real Estate Blog that you might find interesting...
Listingbook is a new product available to Realtors. I happen to subscribe to it so that I am able to offer it to my clients and friends. Whether a Seller, Buyer or just interested in property trends, you can enter the site and request an account or receive an invitation from a subscribing Realtor. Account setup is real simple. Some Realtors will restrict account approval by requiring you to include your phone number when signing up - here is one that doesn't require that ... http://DesertListingBookFree.com
The property data is solely for available properties / active listings and is updated every 15-30 minutes so no bothering with properties that are already in contract or sold. Other than the Multiple Listing Service 'MLS' is has the most photos of any search site and includes: days on the market, price history, map reports, price reduction notifications, new listing alerts, virtual tours and property favorites folder (You can keep data on properties that interest you ... along with keeping multiple separate searches). With the MLS, you can't keep all the search data and results for future review.
Upon successfully opening you account, you will find that the sign-in scenario is not too cumbersome and I think you may find the results help you immensely. So, whether you are Selling, Buying, or curious about neighborhood activity (what your neighbor has listed their property for), this is the cream of the crop in property data websites
more free listingbook domains: http://DesertListingbookRealtor.com, http://LaQuintaListingbook.com, http://IndioListingbook.com, http://IndianWellsListingbook.com, http://RanchoMirageListingbook.com, http://CathedralCityListingbook.com, http://DesertListingbookRealtor.com, http://ListingbookIndio.com, http://ListingbookLaQuinta.com, http://ListingbookIndianWells.com, http://ListingbookPalmDesert.com, http://ListingbookDesert.com, http://ListingbookRanchoMirage.com, http://ListingbookCathedralCity.com, http://ListingbookPalmSprings.com...so along with http://DesertListingbookFree.com... your future search efforts for Desert property should be much improved.
Listingbook is a new product available to Realtors. I happen to subscribe to it so that I am able to offer it to my clients and friends. Whether a Seller, Buyer or just interested in property trends, you can enter the site and request an account or receive an invitation from a subscribing Realtor. Account setup is real simple. Some Realtors will restrict account approval by requiring you to include your phone number when signing up - here is one that doesn't require that ... http://DesertListingBookFree.com
The property data is solely for available properties / active listings and is updated every 15-30 minutes so no bothering with properties that are already in contract or sold. Other than the Multiple Listing Service 'MLS' is has the most photos of any search site and includes: days on the market, price history, map reports, price reduction notifications, new listing alerts, virtual tours and property favorites folder (You can keep data on properties that interest you ... along with keeping multiple separate searches). With the MLS, you can't keep all the search data and results for future review.
Upon successfully opening you account, you will find that the sign-in scenario is not too cumbersome and I think you may find the results help you immensely. So, whether you are Selling, Buying, or curious about neighborhood activity (what your neighbor has listed their property for), this is the cream of the crop in property data websites
more free listingbook domains: http://DesertListingbookRealtor.com, http://LaQuintaListingbook.com, http://IndioListingbook.com, http://IndianWellsListingbook.com, http://RanchoMirageListingbook.com, http://CathedralCityListingbook.com, http://DesertListingbookRealtor.com, http://ListingbookIndio.com, http://ListingbookLaQuinta.com, http://ListingbookIndianWells.com, http://ListingbookPalmDesert.com, http://ListingbookDesert.com, http://ListingbookRanchoMirage.com, http://ListingbookCathedralCity.com, http://ListingbookPalmSprings.com...so along with http://DesertListingbookFree.com... your future search efforts for Desert property should be much improved.
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