Smoke Tree Commons

The developer, Donahue Schriber, says on their website that the shopping center will be open by Spring, '07. So far, Michael's, Jensen's Walgreens, Wells Fargo and others are opening up in the new South Palm Springs shopping center, located at Farrell/Barona and Palm Canyon.

Bring new life and organization to your garage

If one of your new years' resolutions is to clean out the neglected garage and perhaps even spruce it up a bit, read this do it yourselfer's article on how she transformed her cluttered and ugly garage into a space she could use.

Are we near the bottom?

Read what the National Association of Realtors reported today. Read the story here

Home price appreciation slows

www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/4426850.html (Houston Chronicle)

Listed: 2336 Caliente Rd., Palm Springs, CA

2336 S Caliente Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264. Offered at $909,000.

A custom built contemporary home by renowned architect, Stan Sackley. Strong architectural lines, clerestory windows and 12-foot ceilings make this unique Canyon Country Club home highly prized and special. Dramatic 11-foot wide front entry leads you down a sweeping foyer to a sunken living room, floor-to-ceiling dual sided fireplace, family room and walls of seamless floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking a very private and meticulously manicured yard and pool area. There are stunning mountain views from the updated kitchen with granite and private pool and multiple patio areas. There are three private bedroom suites with the master suite boasting dual walk-in closets and a spacious bathroom. The home also offers updated electrical, plumbing, roof, kitchen and a/c units with a central vacuum system and built-in sound system. Now is your chance to be part of a multi-million dollar neighborhood.

Listed: 922 Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs

922 Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Offered at: $759,900.

This stunning mid-century modern on a large lot in Tahquitz River Estates shows like a model, AND it has fantastic mountain views from both inside and out. The open floor plan has large rooms and a great separation of bedrooms, master suite on the west, guest suites on the east. The large eat-in kitchen offers granite counters, stainless appliances and a breakfast nook. The dining area overlooks a patio with an outdoor fireplace with custom seating. In that great outdoors is a tinted-bottom salt water swimming pool in a very private rear yard that also features a bubbling night lit fountain. The separate workroom in the rear yard could be an artist hideaway, cabana, an office, or whatever you like. With recessed lighting throughout and a 2 car garage, this home is a stunner.

It's Christmas in Palm Springs!

US Census Data shows Arizona the fastest growing population in the country

Arizona replaces Nevada as the fast growing state in the union, according to the US Census bureau. See their report here. According the the LA Times, much of Arizona's growth is due to an exodus of mostly Southern Californians seeking cheaper housing and less congestion.

As we know, our desert communities are growing for much the same reason, presumably with people wanting to keep the "California lifestyle".

Open House - 3308 E Loma Vista Cir., Palm Springs, CA

Open House Saturday, December 23, 2006 11-3pm. 3308 E Loma Vista Cir., Palm Springs, CA, Los Compadres

Considering a kitchen or bath remodel?

Check out Remodeling Magazine's 2006 survey of cost vs value report first. In Los Angeles, the average cost of a minor kitchen remodel was $19,555. The resale value was $20,081. Cost recouped was 102%. If you're considering a Home office remodel, the value isn't there according to the survey. In Los Angeles, on average, a homeowner will recoup only 80.8% of the cost if they sell. Considering adding a sunroom? Not a good idea, especially in our desert climate. In LA, a homeowner would recoup only 76.4% of the cost when they sell.

Here are a couple of photos of my Standard Poodles

Wolfie is the older of the two at just over 15 months. Kosmo, our new addition, is 12 weeks tomorrow!

2270 E Conchita Way, Palm Springs, CA. Extensive remodel for sale

If you're looking for extra square footage in the Los Compadres neighborhood in South Palm Springs, this remodeled stunner might be the home you're looking for. You'll love the expanded master suite and the expanded gourmet kitchen!

*all homes on this blog may or may not be Zephyr Real estate and/or Russell Hill's listings

photo source: Desert Area MLS

1393 S San Joaquin Dr, Palm Springs - Contingent (pending)

This well priced Los Compadres home has an accepted offer. Again, well priced homes are still selling quickly. This home has 3 bedrooms, 1.75 baths in 1560SF. Listed at $429,900.

Wessman Development expects to turn in a complete application for the Desert Fashion Project - tentatively renamed Museum Market Plaza - to the city a

Perhaps now Wessman Development will move forward with bringing shoppers back to downtown Palm Springs

Housing: curb your enthusiasm about a recovery

Does our local market relie on those bigger markets such as Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay area, New York, Washington DC to remain in the growth column? Perhaps. Read Bussiness Week's article to see what they say about America's housing outlook.

LISTED: 38790 Paradise Way, Cathedral City, CA

38790 Paradise Way, Cathedral City, CA "Cove" Listed at $519,000.

Opportunity to own one of the very few new construction homes in the Upper CC Cove. Southwest style, with 10ft ceilings, 18 inch tile flooring and berber carpet, beautiful pool and spa, stainless steel appliances, complete privacy.

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LISTED: 983 E Sierra Way, Palm Springs, CA

983 E Sierra Way, Palm Springs, CA. Offered at $840,000.


This is resort living at its best!! Situated on the 15th fairway of the Canyon Country Club with unobstructed views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains, this home is a gem and priced well below recently sold homes of similar type and size.The two master bedroom suites provide complete separation from the main living area and 2 other guest bedrooms. The updated/upgraded kitchen is huge with a built in appliances.There is a bonus breakfast/morning room to spend relaxing time over coffee and newspapers. The home has great curb appeal with very nice landscaping on all sides. A super covered patio in the rear with a professional misting system and built-in gas Bar-B-Q completes this perfect year round residence. The current owners have installed state of the art insulation in the attic and double pane Pella windows and doors throughout. This, and the 2 heating/cooling zones and the whole house evaporative cooling system keep energy costs to a minimum.

OPEN HOUSES - SOUTH PALM SPRINGS

12/16 to 12/17

Single family:
$390,000 1310 E Camino Primrose Palm Springs 12/16/06 12-3pm
$519,000 2084 S Divot Ln Palm Springs 12/17/06 2-4pm
$549,000 643 S Beverly Dr Palm Springs 12/16/06 11-2 Sat & Sun
$599,000 1987 S Divot Ln Palm Springs 12/17/06 2-4pm
$729,000 701 E Ocotillo Ave Palm Springs 12/16/06 9-3pm
$909,000 2336 S Caliente Rd Palm Springs 12/16/06 12-2pm
$939,000 922 E Anza Dr Palm Springs 12/17/06 12-3pm
$1,149,500 1155 E Cactus Rd Palm Springs 12/16/06 12-3 Sat & Sun
$1,210,000 2222 S Caliente Rd Palm Springs 12/16/06 11-2
$1,695,000 3125 Marigold Palm Springs 12/17/06 1-4pm
$2,379,990 466 Bella Cara Way PS 12/16/06 10-4
12/17/06 10-4

Condo:
$187,700 1655 E Palm Canyon Dr #618 Palm Springs 12/16/06 12-3 Sat/Sun
$209,900 2701 E Mesquite South Ave #AA140 Palm Springs 12/16/06 11-2pm
$340,000 500 S Farrell Dr #D28 Palm Springs 12/16/06 11-2PM
$420,000 2600 S Palm Canyon Dr #18 Palm Springs 12/17/06 12-3pm
$469,000 1975 S Camino Real Palm Springs 12/16/06 12-4PM Sat/Sun
$579,000 2910 Cervantes Ct Palm Springs 12/16/06 1030-230

Listed: 1672 E San Lucas Rd., Palm Springs, CA

This contemporary show stopper brilliantly combines elements of the 1950's with the richness & new conveniences of 2006. Surrounded by mature ficus, mature desert landscaping, fruit trees, cool grass & wonderful accent lighting. A new pool & spa has been carefully situated to maximize spectacular western mountain views. The custom kitchen offers new stainless steel Frigidaire Professional Service grade refrigerator, dishwasher,a 4 gas burner stove & convection oven. Marble tiled floors with Bisazza tiled backsplash along w/ custom built wood cabinets provide finishing touches. The spacious family room, stacked stone gas fireplace, floor to ceiling glass Fleetwood Sliding doors & windows allows great pool/mountain views. Oversized bathrooms w/ designer touches, large bedrooms which offer both privacy & mountain views. A partial list of this homes renovations include NEW: roof, dual 13 SER HVAC systems, Fleetwood sliding doors & windows, electrical, plumbing, marble tile floors & carpet. three Bedrooms, 2 baths. Listed at $789,900.

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