This Weekend It Is The Southwest Arts Festival

The Empire Polo Grounds in Indio this weekend will host the 24th annual Southwest Arts Festival where over 270 artists will be showing and selling their work. The hours are from 10am to 5pm all three days and a three day pass is just $20. Daily admission is available as well.

The Empire Polo Grounds are south of Hwy 111 on Monroe at 51st street. Enjoy the great weather this weekend with a stoll through the Polo Grounds and the Festival.

Real Estate Is Local

[caption id="attachment_315" align="alignright" width="112" caption="Palm Trees and Sunshine in The Coachella Valley"][/caption]"WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Capping the worst year for housing since World War II, sales of new U.S. homes fell sharply in December for the second month in a row after a popular tax credit for buyers was set to expire, the Commerce Department estimated Wednesday."

This headline appeared on news service wires across the country in the last few days. Network newscasts lead with the statistic of 9.3% drop in sales for the month of December. Radio stations declared the housing market to still be shaky. Well the reality is that Real Estate market is still very much local.

The Palm Springs / Coachella Valley experienced a sales increase and a median sales price increase in December 2009. National, regional or statewide statistics are useful to focus on general trends in the economy but the only way to truly understand the market you are in is to have local statistics.

These stats are:

Sept 09: 812 homes sold
Oct 09: 814 homes Sold
Nov 09: 776 homes sold
Dec 09: 915 homes sold

Median sales price during these months went from $177,500 to $193,000.

January is off to a great start and there are lots of buyers looking in the market. Offers are flowing and it seems quite busy. Not that everything is perfect and the market is certainly still challenged by finance issues and foreclosures but no one can say the Palm Springs market experienced a sales drop in December of 2009.

For more information about market conditions in Palm Springs be sure to see my website at www.PSagent.com

Credit Card Changes Next Month

[caption id="attachment_308" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Managing Your Credit"][/caption]By now you may have heard about the changes in the credit card laws coming next month. Most stories that I have heard revolve around the great benefits and new protections for consumers that are built in. It turns out that is not the whole story.

The article linked below uncovers what the banks will be doing to verify your income. The credit reporting agencies will now be using records they obtain from many industries to "estimate your earnings" they will adjust your credit line based on what they estimate your salary is regardless of what you say it is.

The article further predicts that small business owners, who have been relying on the cards to cover gaps in income, will be the most affected by these changes. Read more about this at: Credit Card Changes Coming

Clearly a smart strategy would be to plan on a new year of not relying on your credit cards. Start now before the banks start randomly reducing your credit lines that you may be counting on. By taking action now you can avoid getting caught down the road with no options.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

An unprecedented series of storms off the coast of California has brought the Coachella Valley 4 straight days of rains. We have had some street flooding and by now everyone knows whether or not their roof leaks!

Last time it rained for many days in row - about three years ago we wound up with the prettiest green covering on the otherwise brown hillsides around Palm Springs. I am watching to see if that happens this time. It felt a little like Ireland the last time.

So until the sun comes back here is our chance to have a fire in the fireplace or clean out the closets looking for sweaters! (Did I mention it is a little cool too!)

Supply oF Existing Inventory

The Stats Keep Coming in From year end 2009 reporting Below you will see a chart detailing the steady decline in available inventory in the Coachella Valley.

• _______2_______       3_____          4_______
  Dec-09    6.1              6178            1011
  Nov-09    7                6621               950
  Oct-09     6.7             6569               980
  Sep-09     7.3            6478                888
  Aug-09    7.1             6586                 923
  Jul-09      7.7             6928                898
  Jun-09      7.9            7255                 924
  May-09     8.1            7678                 945
  Apr-09      7.6           8210                 1083
  Mar-09       7.5          8729                1166
  Feb-09       11.6         9080                  785
  Jan-09        11.4         9028                 794

Column 2 is the number of months it would take to sell existing
inventory if no more came on the market.
Column 3 is the # of Properties For Sale on the Last Day of Month Column 4 represent the # of Properties Under Contract end of month

While no one is declaring the Real Estate market has returned to perfect health these are very good signs that the patient is improving. Lower inventory with a steady supply of buyers means prices can begin to rise as they did in December 2009.

The Living Desert Palm Desert California

THE LIVING DESERT – PALM DESERT CALIFORNIA CELEBRATING 40 YEARS IN 2010

One of the great resources here in the Coachella Valley is the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Started in 1970 this interesting park is part zoo, part nature conservancy and part Desert Oasis.

Ongoing attractions include an amazing model train display located totally outdoors (you can’t do that in Des Moines or Seattle!) a Carousel, featuring endangered species, an animal hospital and regular giraffe feedings that the public can participate. Seasonally the Living Desert host dozens of other events from lecture series to parties and a holiday light show. They even sponsor trips to other natural wonders such as Whale watching in Baja and nature outings to Catalina Island.

The Living Desert has over 450 desert animals and hosts over 350,000 visitors every year the array of flora and fauna represents over 10 different ecosystems.

Opportunities to support the Living Desert abound with membership, adopt and animal programs and dozens of events throughout the year. I have been a member for 4 years now and have really enjoyed it. Learn more at

www.thelivingdesert.org