Make no mistake about it: The Coachella Valley is booming.


Since 2006, an estimated 33 people daily have become desert residents. And our growth rate since 2000 - standing at 32 percent - is moving faster than the state average, the surrounding Inland Empire and the national average.

Such growth has acted like a giant rock in a pool of water: The ripple effects touch numerous aspects of our economy - from home construction to commercial development, road improvements and more service-oriented companies and retailers relocating to the desert.

And more growth is coming.

Economist John Husing, a Southern California expert on demographics, business and labor trends, told business leaders last month at the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership luncheon, "Like it or not, the edge of urban Southern California is now quite close to the Coachella Valley."

In an analysis included in CVEP's economic report for the year, Husing wrote: "Today, the Coachella Valley has an economy that has become increasingly prosperous. However, it is one that is still overly vulnerable to seasonal and national cyclical fluctuations."

Here's a closer look at population trends in the valley, information from the California Department of Finance that's been analyzed by CVEP and Husing.

They are part of The Desert Sun's weekly analysis of economic and demographic trends, a snapshot that reflects the opportunities and the challenges of our regional economy.


Desert Sun

The front door of your home or office, the architectural front door that is, is an extremely important feature feng shui-wise. It is where the life force energy, the "chi", enters your home. Even though you probably use an interior garage door, primarily, it is the architectural front door that is considered the "mouth of chi."


In China, home of feng shui, doors are red. Your home owners' association may take a dim view of your having a red door. To attract the benefits of life force energy in your home, it is enough to have the finish of the front door in marked contrast to the rest of the house. Your garage door, on the other hand, should blend in with the exterior wall finish. You want the chi to be attracted to the front door, not distracted by the garage door.

If your front door has a lock that sticks which makes it difficult to open with one hand, it takes two to wrestle it open, it is irritating to you and slows the flow of opportunities in your life. Once the door is fixed, you'll be amazed at the simple pleasure of opening it with ease and notice good things flow more easily and continually to you.

Here in the desert, many front doors open directly into the living room/great room and a gorgeous view out large windows. If there is nothing to capture your eye between the door and the window, the life force energy enters your home through the front door and whooshes out the windows directly opposite.

You want the life force energy to meander or stroll through your home rather than whoosh through. An entry table with a sculpture or flowers either in the center of the entry or as a console table to one side captures your attention - and that of the chi as well. A distinctive and dramatic chandelier in the entry is also effective.

If you wonder whether the life force energy is strolling through or zooming out the window, pretend you are a guest coming to your home for the first time. Go outside. Close the front door. Then open it and see if your eyes go directly to the view outside or if your interest is captured by something, ideally a series of somethings, before it gets to the view.

If the entranceway is obstructed by boxes just delivered by UPS, your gym bag, assorted mail, magazines, and several days of newspapers, or anything else that could be described as clutter, that translates to headaches, respiratory ailments, and birth/delivery complications. All really good reasons to keep the entrance cleared.

Doors also represent our ability to make clear and considered choices in life. It is important that all the doors in your home have a full range of motion. That is, they can open completely and easily. When all your doors can open fully, you will find yourself dithering less and being more decisive.

Doors directly opposite one another across a hallway are "fighting." No, you don't need to remodel your home. A piece of art, eye level, placed to the right of each door as you face inward, creates a truce!

One last tidbit about doors: Take the time to clean any smudges or visible fingerprints off of them within 48 hours of your noticing them. Doors also represent communication between adults, so for clarity and fewer misunderstandings, keep your doors clean!

Visit www.luxurydeserthomes.com

Desert Sun

The latest economic forecasts suggest that the real estate market correction is coming to an end, offering consumers a once-in-a-lifetime buying opportunity.
The time for prospective buyers to enter the market is right now; and here’s why:

MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES ARE CLOSE TO 40-YEAR LOWS.

* The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate remains near 40-year lows. Currently
at 6.4%, this is more than an entire percentage point below 2000 levels.

* Low interest rates allow a substantially larger population of Americans to own
their own homes.

* For example, with a $250,000 mortgage, a rise in interest rates from 6.5% to 7.5%
means an additional $2000 in annual payments. This may boost currently
available homes out of financial reach for potential buyers. Today’s low rates offer
a unique opportunity for buyers.

INVENTORY IS ONCE AGAIN ON THE DECLINE.

* In recent months, there has been a record inventory of nearly four million homes on the market. However, total housing inventory levels fell 2.4% at the end of September to 3.75 million existing homes available for sale. As inventory continues to decline, the selection of homes will once again become limited. For prospective buyers, there may never be a better time to buy a home than right now.

* Taking advantage of the variety of homes available on the market today allows buyers the unique opportunity to find the home of their dreams.

* Expanded selection combined with low interest rates offer buyers an opportunity that may never be available again
in their lifetime.

TODAY’S REAL ESTATE MARKET: THE BEST TIME TO BUY IS NOW!

Average 30-year Fixed Mortgage Rate

‘75 ‘80 ‘85 ‘90 ‘95 ‘00 ‘06

NOVEMBER

9.15
14.21
11.78
10.01
7.38 7.75
6.40
* conventional, conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage statistics by Freddie Mac

REAL ESTATE REMAINS THE BESTINVESTMENT AVAILABLE.

* The average home purchased five years ago has appreciated 49%. Even with the recent 2.2% decline in the median home price, this still equates to a more than 45% return on investment for the average homeowner. Media reports of a vast market decline are deceiving,and consumers will benefit from purchasing a home now before
prices begin to rise once again.

* According to Forbes magazine (using U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development statistics), U.S. real estate sale prices increased more than 56% from the beginning of 1999 to the end of 2004.

The S&P 500 index dipped nearly 6% during that same period.

n While year-to-year fluctuations are normal, real estate remains one of the best performing and consistent long-term investments.

Median existing U.S. home sale prices have increased on average 6.5% each year from 1972 through 2005, and 88.5% over the last 10 years combined. For consumers looking for long-term and stable growth rates, real estate is still their number one choice.

WITH THE MARKET CORRECTION NEARING AN END, HOME PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE AGAIN.

* Research indicates that home prices will not go any lower. While certain local markets may see limited price declines, the national picture remains bright. Pending home sales were up 4.3% in August, an early indication that buyers are returning to the market.

* The national median home price will rise 1.6% in 2006 and prices are expected to
rise again in the first quarter of 2007. As prices begin to rise again buyers who do
not act now could be making a costly mistake.
(c) N.A.R. www.luxurydeserthomes.com

LOS ANGELES - Southern California home sales plummeted in September to the lowest level in two decades as lenders balked at financing the most expensive homes, a real estate tracking firm said Tuesday.

A total of 12,455 new and resale houses and condos were sold in September in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, San Bernardino and Orange counties, according to Data Quick Information Systems.
It was the slowest month since the firm began keeping records in 1988, DataQuick said.

Local experience may be different, however.

"It's a different desert," Greg Berkemer, executive vice president of the California Desert Association of Realtors, said. "It's not always apples to apples when you compare back 10 to 15 years. Some of these cities look dramatically different than they did back then. While those numbers are mathematically correct, I don't know how relevant they are."

The previous low for the six-county measurement region was in February 1995 when 12,459 homes sold. The September sales average is 25,258.

Home sales volume across the Coachella Valley fell 16.8 percent in August compared to the same month last year, according to the California Association of Realtors. The trade group also reported that the valley's median price rose 6.4 percent to $377,920 in August, the last month for which local figures are available.

Berkemer said that the five-year boom in local prices and volumes has created a situation for which there is no local precedent. Homeowners, he said, if they bought in the last five to seven years, have seen a nearly 80 percent to 100 percent appreciation in home value.

The current downtown in sales, he said, is not, like other downturns in the early 1990s, led by an overall recession.

"Because there is no historical reference in recent times, real estate agents, mortgage lenders and builders may not be able to conduct their business the same way they did in a recession-led housing downturn," Berkemer said.

"It is a new market that requires new ideas. Buyers, sellers and the Realtors who represent them, along with builders, developers and lenders need to reset their expectations and think and do business differently."

The six-county drop last month came as lenders cut the availability of so-called "jumbo" mortgages by half, a reflection of wider uncertainties in the housing market, DataQuick said.

"Some of last month's drop was part of the longer-term slowing trend, but most of it was due to mortgage market turbulence and difficulties in getting jumbo financing," DataQuick president Marshall Prentice said.

The nationwide credit crunch particularly has hurt jumbo mortgage loans - exceeding $417,000 - which fell by 50 percent from August, DataQuick reported.

The drop in jumbo loans also hurt the median sales price for September in Southern California, DataQuick said.

The figure fell to $462,000, down 7.6 percent from August and 4.0 percent from September of 2006.

"There's a good chance there will be some 'catch-up' sales activity between now and the end of the year as jumbo loans become more available," Prentice said.

Prentice said: "Still, we can't expect the market to re-balance itself until sometime in 2008."



Desert Sun October 17,2007

The No Hassle – No Problem Listing®

Home Marketing System

• Sell your property yourself, while is listed, and pay no commission.
This does not apply to a buyer exposed to the property by my office or another agent.

• Cancel the listing at any time!

Either you or I can cancel by calling and saying “I want to cancel the listing”. It’s that simple. The cancellation becomes effective at the time you call. (Please allow 3 business days to have the sign removed and the listing withdrawn from the Multiple Listing Service).

• No advance fee of any kind.
You only pay if I procure an offer that is acceptable to you.

• “No Pressure” presentation.
I will never allow you to be “pressured” by the buyer’s agent. All offers will be faxed or delivered to my office and presented to you by phone, so
you can make your decisions privately.


TRY THIS SPECIAL NO-RISK OFFER!

Put more money in your pocket with the No Hassle – No Problem Listing® exclusively with Barry Lotz. Most brokers will charge you the same fee no matter how your home sells…. even if you find the buyer. With the…. No Hassle – No Problem Listing® you have complete flexibility…. From “Full Service” to “Do It Yourself”

4% We find the buyer and write the contract. There is no other agent involved.
Our commission is just 4%.

1% You find the buyer and there is no other agent involved. We write the
contract and walk it through escrow for you.
Our commission is 1%.

6% Another agent represents the buyer. Our commission is 3% and the other
Agent also receives 3%.

0% You find the buyer and there is no other agent involved. You don’t want
our assistance. You pay nothing.
*Limited Time Offer. Other terms and conditions may apply - Offer subject to change at any time. Applies only to homes listed by Dr. Barry Lotz valued at $700,000 or more. I will consider meeting or beating any written offer by a licensed Real Estate Agent. Please call for details. Any and all reimbursements paid at COE + 3 days. I will sell your home for the best price and terms possible!


Limited-Time Seller's Listing Package Deal for Executive Homes listed over $750,000*

$2000 cash moving allowance* paid directly to you at closing!
FREE Maid Service for entire Listing Period* (up to $250 per month reimbursed to you at closing)
FREE Virtual Tour Package Upgrade to Showcase your home
Platinum Marketing Program with print advertisements and up to 20 pictures posted to the MLS, and up to 6 pictures posted to Homes.com and Realtor.com. Your Home Featured on my award-winning Website with a 10-picture Slide Show (site has had over 42,980 hits so far in March 2007)
Unique 24-Hour Toll-Free number for Buyers to obtain more information on your listed property (easy national exposure and tracking at no cost to you)
Exceptional, personalized service that will exceed your expectations (priceless)
Call Dr. Barry Lotz at 760.574.7676 for a FREE consultation regarding selling your home

We service zip codes:
92201, 92203, 92210, 92211, 92225, 92230, 92234, 92236, 92240, 92241, 92252, 92253,92254, 92256, 92260, 92261, 92264,92266, 92268, 92270, 92274, 92275, 92276, 92277, 92282, 92284, 92285, 92314, 92315, 92324, 92352, 92508
Specializing in Palm Springs Real Estate, Palm Springs Homes, Palm Springs Properties, Palm Springs Realtor, Palm Springs Real Estate Agent, Palm Springs , Palm Desert Real Estate, Palm Desert Homes, Palm Desert Properties, Palm Desert Realtor, Palm Desert Real Estate Agent, Palm Desert , Indian Wells Real Estate, Indian Wells Homes, Indian Wells Properties, Indian Wells Realtor, Indian Wells Real Estate Agent, Indian Wells , Rancho Mirage Real Estate, Rancho Mirage Homes, Rancho Mirage Properties, Rancho Mirage Realtor, Rancho Mirage Real Estate Agent, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta Real Estate, La Quinta Realtor, La Quinta Real Estate agent, La Quinta, La Quinta Homes, Real Estate Sales and Service, Buyer Broker, Buyer's Agent, Real Estate, Realtor, Real Estate Agent, Relocation Specialist, Residential Real Estate, Residential Properties, House, Homes, Single Family Residence, Homes with Views, Split Levels, Ranchers, Pool Homes, Golf Homes, Waterfront Homes, Estate Homes, Luxury Homes, Estates, Investment Real Estate, Investment Properties, Foreclosure, Repo's, Short Sales, Fixers, Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Properties, 1031 Exchanges, Duplexes, Tri-plexes, Four-plexes, Apartments, Multi-Family, MLS, Multiple Listing Service.



http://www.luxurydeserthomes.com/home-seller_offers-indian-wells-la-quinta-palm-springs-california-real-estate.asp

After a historic run-up in prices, the housing market has come back to earth. The following are the key steps that you can take to attract offers;
1. Find and use a realtor who's actually sold a few high-end homes in the past six months, like myself, then ask them to delineate their market plan for your home and what the contingency plan will be if the home does not sell within the desired time frame.
2. Find out about Internet and TV spots as well as premier magzine ads that will be employed by the realtor to sell your home.
3. Put together with your realtor an attractive brochure, virtual tour, street specific web site and at least eight photos to be used for flyers, brochures, e-mail flyers and for posting on the MLS as well as Google Base, Yahoo and Realtor.com plus ancillary hubs as we at Number ! Expert employ.
4. Decide on an asking price that is realistic by using CMAs - comps, that are no older than 90 days.
5. Stage the home with a professional stager or hire a decorator. Remove personal "clutter", clean out closets to make them appear asthere is plenty of space.
Add mulch to flower beds, paint, stain or varnish the front door, make floors and light fixtures sparkle, remove crowded furniture and store all political and religous mementoes as well as any business, sports and personal awards. Lastly, store small counter-top appliances under the cabinets.

Sweltering temperatures are not scaring purchasers away from the desert. On the contrary, savvy purchasers are realizing that this window of opportunity ( June - Aug) is the best time to buy.

Those preferred and popular communities such as The Tradition and Rancho La Quinta are holding their value. A possible 5% discount is the norm.

Most other desirous communities are seeing between 8% and 12% discounts at the most. The sellers are fully cognizant of the market, realize that their community is in demand and therefore feel that their prices are logical. Moreover, based on LA and Orange County prices, the Desert is still a good buy.

Now is the time to visit the desert if you find, through my daily updates, a home that is appealing.

I will do a comparable market study and confirm both the asking price and in my opinion, what offer we should begin with on that home.

I also maintain a "best buy" list so give me a call.

There are two extraordinary homes that are wll below market price in La Quinta - one for $669,000 and the other for $475,000 in golf course communities.

Call if interested

What is Your Home Worth?
Let us know about your home and we will be happy to give you a current value based on recent home sales and market activity.

Just sign in on the front page of www.luxurydeserthomes.com

Reflections on the Desert Real Estate Market

“What’s going on in the Desert Market Place in March 2007?


From time to time on my blog, you will find my personal observations regarding the state of the real estate market in Coachella Valley – Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Sun City and Indio, e.g. our local market.

These are derived from both my personal experiences in the field, observations and studies of data out-puts by various groups. These comments and observations are meant to be just what they are, my views and feelings on current market conditions.

The information in this space is not to be deemed a comprehensive study or absolute conclusion on the subject, but a timely snapshot of local conditions that will, hopefully, be of interest and of value to you, whether as a buyer or seller of residential real estate in the Coachella Valley cities.

Additionally, by visiting the “Latest News” button on my web site, you will also find selected articles on our specific market from the experts, the local newspaper, and assorted pundits.

Barry

March 1, 2007

Market Conditions are a Matter of your Perspective

Despite numerous headlines trumpeting a market recovery, a slump continues for some people.

After reading the upbeat article that appeared in the Desert Sun on February 11, 2007, entitled "Housing not really in slump", I offer my comments and observations.

If you are familiar with the ageless real estate adage: "What's the difference between Recession and Depression? Recession is when your neighbor is unemployed; Depression is when you are unemployed!" your perspective is determined by your own situation.

So, if you are active in the real estate market today, it's the same thing. If you are a buyer having finally found your dream home at what seems to be a bargain price aka “steal”, things look pretty good.

On the other hand, if you are a seller whose home is still on the market after nine months and if, in spite of several price reductions, you still don't have an offer, the market is definitely depressed.

Or, if you are a buyer looking for an affordable home in an attractive neighborhood and after searching for months, still haven't found anything, the market is still in a slump.

Simply stated, this is the point; it's not helpful to generalize or oversimplify as to what is happening in the real estate market here in the Coachella Valley. The market appears to be improving, albeit in some areas more than others, so let's be patient a little longer before drawing any conclusions.

When engaging in this type of exercise of market conditions, one should look carefully at conclusions that are based upon "statistical averages", especially if they are national or regional in scope. In many cases, they may not be relevant to your specific situation.

All real estate markets are local in nature. Whether you are buying or selling, get the facts and evaluate the factors that relate to your own city and your specific neighborhood of interest. For example, what is relevant in the Montage neighborhood in Indio may have little in common with what is happening in Rancho Santana in La Quinta, and Sun City Palm Desert is quite different from Sun City Indio.

This is an opportunistic market environment that adjusts seasonally. This is not a bad market for either buyers or sellers. You must make the effort to understand what's happening in your particular market and plan accordingly. With an experienced realtor, you lessen the risk just by bouncing ideas around with another person/Realtor. Whether one is in a slump or a rebound, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is your understanding of the relevant factors that are going to have an impact, either positive or negative, on the achievement of your specific goals.

Lastly, remember that a real estate professional with specific local market/city knowledge, is the best resource to help you achieve those goals.

Feel free to call or email me with any and all questions.