La Quinta Arts Festival 30th Year!

The La Quinta Arts Festival returns March 8-11th, 2012 to Civic center park in La Quinta CA

Often cited as one of the top art events in the nation the Festival has won many favorable mentions.  In addition to all the great art in just about every category there is, the festival features live entertainment. There ia also a great selection of  food and drink options and is a perfect way to spend your day in the California Sunshine. Use the link above to take you to the Festival website.

Admission fee. Multi day passes available.

Learn More About La Quinta California

Tennis Takes Center Stage In Indian Wells Mar 5-18 2012

The eyes of the world......

will be on The Desert this coming week as one of the top five tennis events in the world comes to the Tennis Garden at Indian Wells. Millions of Tennis fans from every corner of the world will be treated to a view of the great weather, great facility and amazing Tennis taking place right here in the Coachella Valley.

     Events at the Tennis Garden are not limit to just watching the famous players.  There is live music -  tennis ball recycling events, a fashion show, a kids day and even Paralympic wheelchair tennis players in action in an exhibition match. With this link you can see the entire events schedule.

Daily ticket prices start at $35 and there are many package options available as well.

At this time players scheduled to appear include Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova, Na Li, Samantha Stosur, David Ferrer and Vera Zvonareva among  many others.

    Follow all the Excitement on the BNP Paribas Blog

Real Help For Homeowners Fighting Foreclosure

We are always told to watch out for something that seems too good to be true, because it probably isn't!  You will have to suspend your disbelief in this case however, because NACA.com is the real deal.  It is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1988,  that is designed to help homeowners secure fixed rate financing with no games gimmicks or tricks. It also has helped thousands of homeowners negotiate with the banks that hold their mortgages to get permanent rate and principle reductions. NACA can also provide you with valuable credit counseling service to help understand your mortgage loan and what you will be able to afford.  Perfect credit is not required to obtain financing though NACA.

Watch the CNN video about the founder of of NACA

The best part - beyond the real help you can receive from NACA?  It is totally, 100% free!

What do you have to do?  You will have to organize your finances before you go to them. Paycheck stubs, tax returns, current mortgage coupons and a monthly household budget should be at the ready.

How to Start: Go to the NACA website and click on the button that applies to you - looking for a fixed rate loan to purchase a home? Looking to find a solution to stay in your home?  It is that easy.

NACA has events and office throughout the country and you will be able to find them on their website. NACA has agreements with most of the major banks and the banks even come to NACA events to help you on site.

Currently - February 2012 - NACA is offering fixed rate 30 year financing at 3.875%

Be sure to let anyone you know that is having trouble with their mortgage about this truly free, truly helpful organization.

Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament

Will be held March 1st-3rd 2012 at Fantasy Springs Casino. Their beautiful Eagle Falls course is the site of the Golf tournament while the hotel and its fine dining establishments  in addition to the conference center is the site of the parties, auctions, banquets and fashion show.  The tournament supports the Barbara Sinatra Childrens Center at Eisenhower hospital  and other charities.

Use this link to find out more information and how you can get FREE tickets for this great event the 23rd annual Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament.

Celebrity participants  this year include:  Pat Boone, John Callahan, Dave Dettman (aka Dr. Gadget), William Devane, Tom Dreesen, Ann Meyers-Drysdale, Patrick Evans, Chad Everett, Dennis Farina, Vince Ferragamo, Rollie Fingers, Tom Flores, Steve Garvey, Willie Gault, Rich "Da Coach" Gilgallon, Berry Gordy, Beverly Johnson, Dan Lauria, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kris Long, Joe Mantegna, Ron Masak, Danny Masterson, Jack McGee, Dan McGrath, Jim McMahon, Gary Mule Deer, Frankie Randall, Smokey Robinson, Bill Smitrovich, Kevin Sorbo , Joe Torre, Paula Trickey, Gary Valentine, Ron White. Fred "The Hammer" Williamson,Paul Anka, Norm Crosby, Michael Dante, Peter Marshall, Margo Rey, Dick Van Dyke

Riverside County Fair & Date Festival 2/17-26/12

The 66th Annual Riverside County Fair and International Date Festival returns to the Valley Starting this coming Friday.  This fun event is so varied that anyone could find something to enjoy.

From Camel and Ostrich races - to Live concerts with Major artists - to local variety acts - carnival rides and even a singing competition the variety is fantastic.

Sponsored by the Fantasy Springs Casino the fair is open most days from 10 am til 10 pm. For exact details, tickets and parking instructions visit the fair site.

Major name entertainment scheduled to appear at this time includes LeAnn Rimes, Hot Chelle Rae and Uncle Cracker,

Other entertainment includes a WGAS Demolition Derby, bull riding, Battle Of The Bands  and Super Fiesta concert featuring mariachi music. Last but not least don't forget all the unique foods you can try at the Fair.

So find your way to Indio over the next week and prepare to be surprised at all you can find to do.

Watch the Video Tour From 2011's Fair:

Should I Bring My Friends and Family With Me to look At Real Estate?

  

Buying a new place is a very exciting time in every ones life. In fact,  if you are not excited please check your pulse! You want to ask a million questions, you want to see as many places as possible and you want to share it with your friends and family.


On the surface getting in the car and going through a bunch of houses seems pretty simple and straight forward.  The truth is that looking at Real Estate takes concentration. It is a big decision that will impact your life for many years to come. It is crucial that you think about the elements of the purchase that are most important to you. Your “must have” list and your “do not want” lists are just the starting point. Once you are looking at properties that closely match your needs and wants is when you must pay the most attention.

There are a hundred little things that can make a big difference in the quality of life you will enjoy once you make a place yours. Where does the sun come up? Is the neighborhood a quiet one? How will you live in the house? Is the laundry close to the bedrooms? Is the kitchen too big or too small for your cooking needs? Does the master closet seem cramped?

While friends and family may have the best intention are they really going to know the exact requirements you have? More to the point are they going to be a help or a distraction? It is unlikely that they will have the same taste as you. It is equally unlikely that the things that are important to you will be the same things that seem important to them.

Over the years I have seen one or two “tag along” people who were incredibly dedicated, invested and helpful in the process. These were the exceptions to be sure. More often than not I have seen them hinder the process and cause you – the buyer- to miss the finer points of a property. Your Realtor, needs your attention to both convey what is important about the property and to hear your feedback. Extra people are rarely helpful in that process.

The best suggestion is to do your selection alone and then once the decision is made make a trip back to the property to show friends and family why this is the perfect property for you. Then you can share your wonderful new place without worrying about distractions that might keep you from spotting the perfect place.

Search For Your Palm Springs Area Home Here

Palm Springs Modernism Event 2-16-26-12

Palm Springs is forever tied to and truly is an open air museum of the Mid Century Modern look. From commercial buildings to private homes, stunning examples of this architectural style are part of everyday life in our Desert paradise.



Modernism week grew out of a successful show that was started in 2001 to showcase the style right here in Palm Springs. It has morphed into an international event every February including home tours, lectures, films, parties and of course the show that started it all held right here at the Palm Springs convention center. One of the best parts of the show is that each year more and more Modernism connections are found. For example this year will be the second year that the Airstream travel trailers of that era are on display. Also, this year there will be a special night lighting of featured commercial properties in downtown. Interesting and fun this is truly a not to be missed event.

Many sponsors and partners are now part of the event including the Palm Springs Art Museum and Palm Springs Historical society among others. Kudos to all the sponsors for bring such a relevant and interesting event to life in Palm Springs.

See the website for Modernism week. See tickets available for the Events

Watch A Video on the illuminated feature of this Years Modernism Event:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao6AtRhuosg?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

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Find Your Own Midcentury Modern Home in Palm Springs