La Quinta, California

La Quinta, California
Desert Luxury

Desert Luxury Realty

Thank you for visiting my blog. When you choose Mary Williams, as your real estate agent, you are working with a team of seasoned professionals who cater to your every real estate need. Buying or Selling your home does not need to be full of hassels or needless pressure. Take it easy and enjoy the luxury of the desert. I look forward to assisting you with your search or sell of your home. Contact me today!

Friday, August 29, 2014

Happy Labor Day from Mary!!

labor day

What is Labor Day and how did it start?

Have a safe Holiday weekend!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Do you still have a High Water Bill in the Desert?

water shortageSince we are so water conscious in the Desert and have been working very hard to conserve water, what if your water bill is still high?

It may be your toilet.

A silent leaky toilet is generally the culprit. Toilets along can waste up to 200 GALLONS of water A DAY!! However, it may not be as bad as it sounds … and may not even require a repairperson.

Test your toilet to make sure it is not leaking.

  • Clean the toilet bowl.
  • Grab food coloring – use a bright color.
  • Add a few drops into your toilet tank – not the bowl. This is where all the “guts” to the toilet are.
  • Wait about 15 minutes and make sure the toilet isn’t used or flushed.
  • If there is color in your bowl from the dye, your flapper is probably leaking. If not, your toilet should be good!
  • If your flapper is allowing water to pass, reach in and run your fingers along the bottom and rim of the flapper. Sometimes a piece of something will leave just enough of an opening to allow water to leak into the stool. Sometimes the flapper just wears out.

To replace the flapper:

We’re all in this together! One way to help save water is to install water conserving appliances and plumbing. That’s where I can help!   Give me a call to help you make your home more water conserving and energy efficient.

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Desert Area Homes for Sale

Your dream home awaits … Call 760-567-7282 today! Below are the latest properties featured in this week’s ad. Call me to see any of these great homes!

August 16 -17 2014 listings T
August 16 -17 2014 listings b
 

La Quinta Resort

We're a nice place to visit, but you'll really WANT to live here!!

Will that Remodel “Pay” you Back?

“Remodeling” has released its 2014 “Cost vs Value Report”

The surprising, but not surprising, remodel recouped cost is for a backup generator. This could possibly give you approximately 72% of the original cost of installation back into your pocket when it comes to selling your home.

Other top Costs vs Values in the Pacific area?

More Bang for your Buck
Steel Entry Door Replacement     113%
Garage Door Replacement            98%
Minor Kitchen Remodel               104%
Major Kitchen Remodel               89%
Window Replacement100 to    102%
Not so much
Garage Addition                           71%
Roofing Replacement                 76%
(Note: you STILL have to replace when needed, but don’t expect $$ for $$ return on what you paid to have your roof done)
Bathroom Addition                      75%
Bathroom remodel                      81%
Not sure if you should remodel, refresh or stage your home? Give me a call and together we can go over your options. A little or a lot, I will be able to walk you through the process.
If you’re coming back to the desert soon, why not start refreshing your Desert home now, so it’s all ready for your arrival!!

Call me today and let’s get started!!

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Mandatory Water Measures are now in effect in the Desert!

saving water

According to an article on the Desert Sun the DWA’s mandatory measures are:

  • Washing hard surfaces like driveways, parking lots and building exteriors is prohibited at all times.
  • Golf courses, parks and schools can water only between sunset and sunrise.
  • Lawn watering and landscape irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Running water for car washes is prohibited. Buckets are allowed and nozzles allowed only for rinsing.
  • Restaurants can only provide water upon request.
  • Commercial nurseries can only water between midnight and 6 a.m.
DWA would fine violators following a written notice for a 1st offense. A 2nd violation would lead to a fine equal to 25 percent of the customer's previous water bill. A 3rd offense would lead to a fine equal to 50 percent of the previous bill. We’re all in this together! One way to help save water is to install water conserving appliances and plumbing. That’s where I can help!   Give me a call to help you make your home more water conserving and energy efficient.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Market Outlook for the Second Half of 2014

The California housing market had a very slow start in sales activity in 2014, as many investors left the market because of the lack of bargain properties. The double-digit increase in home prices and the surge in mortgage rates since mid-2013, meanwhile, curbed sales growth in the market as affordability for primary home buyers declined. Despite being down more than 10 percent for the first half of the year, sales started picking up at the end of the second quarter. While the decline continued on a year-over-year basis in June 2014, sales inched up 1.5 percent on a month-to-month basis from May 2014. The decrease in sales in June was the smallest since September 2013, and the statewide sales number was the highest in the last eight months.

graphMeanwhile, the statewide median price dipped slightly from the previous month after increasing for three consecutive months. The statewide median price was at $457,160 in June 2014, as compared to $466,320 in May 2014 and $428,700 in June 2013. The statewide median price finally slowed down to only a single-digit increase from the same month of last year, after increasing by double digits for 23 straight months. It appears to be stabilizing and will likely hover around $450,000 in the second half of 2014.

Supply conditions in the housing market also showed signs of improvement when compared to the previous year. The unsold inventory index inched up slightly in June to 3.7 months from 3.6 months in May. Inventory at the state level increased 2.3 percent from May 2014 and jumped 21.9 percent from a year ago. Housing supply improved in all price segments, except the below $200k range, which declined 6.1 percent when compared to the same month of last year. Price segments above $200k experienced double-digit increases in supply on a year-over-year basis.
With inventory improving and home sales slowly moving back up, the market is more balanced, and we could see further market normalization in the upcoming months as interest rates remain at the lowest levels we have seen so far this year.  Sales should improve in the second half of the year as many primary home buyers realize that interest rates are likely going to increase towards the end of the year, and home prices are not going to decline in the short term. As such, sales for the rest of the year are expected to be at about the same level as that of last year. For the year as a whole, California existing home sales are projected to decline 4.4 percent when compared to 2013, but a stronger economy should propel the housing market to bounce back in 2015.

As for home prices, the gain in the statewide median price is predicted to be smaller than that observed in 2013. Home price appreciation will continue to slow down through the latter half of the year and the gradual increase in interest rates in the second half of 2014 will cap the upward movement in home prices. The statewide median price is expected to increase 10 percent from 2013, but will have a more moderate growth rate in 2015.

**All information is from the California Association of REALTORS Market Snapshot.