Keys to selling in 2007

This article from Inman News Real Estate has some good advice for those selling their home in 2007. Pricing, of course, is key.

Open Houses- Palm Springs : Los Compadres, Deepwell, Tahquitz River Estates

Opn Houses for the weekend of 1/13 - 1/14 in the Palm Springs neighborhoods of Los Compadres, Deepwell and Tahquitz River Estates.


Los Compadres:

2270 E Conchita Way, Palm Springs: Saturday, 12-3pm. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths. remodeled. $900,000.

Deepwell:

1011 S Sagebrush Rd, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday, 11-2pm. $729,000.
1632 S Sagebrush Rd, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm. $939,000.
1063 S Paseo de Marcia, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm. $929,000.
1155 E Cactus, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm. $1,149,500.
1515 Manzanita, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm $1,400,000.

Tahquitz River Estates:

1329 S Riverside Dr., Palm Springs: Saturday, 12-3pm $549,000.
1488 N Riverside Dr., Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday 12-3pm $569,000.
922 E Mesquite, Palm Springs: Saturday & Sunday 12-3pm $759,900.
1671 San Lucas, Palm Springs: Saturday 11-2pm $789,900.

Open House - 1671 San Lucas Rd., Palm Springs

Open house, Saturday 1/13, 11-2pm. 1671 San Lucas Rd., Palm Springs, CA 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Completely remodeled, lush grounds, new pool and spa. listed at $789,900.

Ramada Inn Makeover

The Ramada Inn at E Palm Canyon and Sunrise Way in Palm Springs is getting a major remake. The dated and dingy hotel was overdue for a remodel in a city that has several new swank boutique hotels. Hotels like Zoso and Horizon are stiff competition in a market that likes it hip and cool.

The "new" Ramada promises a modern, mid-century feel in a complete, from the ground up, remodel.

2193 E Amarillo Way, Palm Springs, CA

2193 E Amarillo Way, Palm Springs, CA Price reduced to $679,000. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. Great location at the end of a cul-de-sac. Huge mountain views! Originally listed at $698,000.

photo source: Desert Area Multiple Listing Service. Properties shown here may not be listings of Zephyr Real Estate - Palm Springs or of Russell Hill's

The Palm Springs International Film Festival starts today

The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from 1/4/07 to 1/15/07. The film festival has grown quite popular; bringing glamour back to Palm Springs. The LA Times has a great story about the history of Hollywood's love affair with the desert and what to expect in the coming years as Palm Springs remakes its image. It's an exciting time to be in Palm Springs!

Gorgeous Winter Sunrise over Mt. San Jacinto

I shot this photo of sunrise on the mountain this morning. It was a beautiful January day in Palm Springs!

Solar Power comes of age

The LA Times has a great story about the "rebirth" of solar power. Here in Palm Springs, one would imagine that solar panels would be popping up on roofs across the valley. For some reason, they're not. Oddly, we're not the leaders in the state when it comes to solar power. The Bay Area is. I did notice a solar company truck, Sun Power Corp, parked on Conchita Way the other day. Looks like someone local is taking the plunge and going solar. I hope to in the near future! I would hope our local elected officials would advocate solar power for new projects in the planning stage.

682 S Bedford Dr., Palm Springs - Contingent

682 S Bedford Dr., Palm Springs, Los Compadres neighborhood has an accepted offer. Listed at $749,000. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths.

Source: Desert Area MLS

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!