Real Estate Information

Hi Rob!

Hope that all is going well with you and the business. Thought that I’d send a quick note to add my thanks again to you and to the staff behind the scenes for the work selling my house and, of course, I can never send enough appreciation to Bobbi-Lou. Fortunately, I’m now resettling with family and enjoying them and my new surroundings.

Best wishes for continued success and, especially, for this 2012 season! Take care always!

Thanks again,

Lauretta

Lauretta Blake,

Chicagoan-At-Large

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

Villagefest

Villagefest is a true Palm Springs original, happening every Thursday throughout the year on Palm Canyon Drive. There’s food, fun, entertainment, and a chance to meet new friends. The event features a host of special events that tie-in with various holidays. Thousands of visitors flock each week to check out vendor booths offering a diversity of handcrafted arts and crafts, a farmer’s market, and a variety of food to please every palate. Stop by a sidewalk café for a quick bite, peruse the latest styles at one of the shops, or view the art on display at one of the galleries… most of the Palm Canyon Dr. businesses stay open late to welcome Villagefest guests. Hours from October-May are 6-10pm; June-September from 7-10pm.

If you are looking to buy or sell property in the Palm Springs area, we would love to help you get that Real Estate deal you are looking for.

Need to get everything ready in a hurry for the after golf soiree? Here’s a quick recipe that is guaranteed to please everyone you are entertaining after a day on the green. The “Post-Golf Pasta” is a delicious entrée with a flavorful “no-cook” tomato sauce that you can make in just minutes. Just blend tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil and spread it over your steaming pasta “as-is”… the sauce gets heated by the pasta and the flavors combine beautifully.

Post-Golf Pasta

8 ounces of linguini, spaghetti or angel hair pasta

3 large tomatoes, finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons olive oil (extra-virgin preferred)

1 small garlic clove, minced

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

Boil your pasta, drain and rinse in a colander. Begin stirring the ingredients, except for the parmesan cheese. Spread and gently stir the mixture into the hot pasta and top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 people.

If you are interested in purchasing or selling Real Estate in a golf community in the La Quinta Area, please let us know.  We would love to assist you.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets – a Quick and Easy Way to Update

We are all thinking of ways to save money these days. If you are selling your home and need a few renovations in order to get top dollar, or if you just need to give your kitchen a facelift, consider simply painting your cabinets for a fresh new look. Renovations can be costly, but painting can offer a cost-effective, quick and easy way to change the appearance of a tired kitchen.

It is fairly easy to paint wood-laminate, solid wood and metal cabinets. Flat-front doors and drawers are simpler to paint; cabinets with raised panels will require more paint and prep time. You can apply paint utilizing several techniques including rolling or brushing with a natural bristle or foam brush, or by spraying. The best applicator may depend on the type of paint or finish you select for the job. Be sure to consult with a professional before purchasing materials and beginning your project.

Before the painting process begins, remove the cabinet doors and all hardware. Thoroughly clean the cabinet surfaces and ensure they are free of grease residue using a solution of one part tri-sodium phosphate and four parts water. Cabinets need to dry thoroughly before paint is applied. Mask off the interiors with painters’ tape for a clean, finished look, and lightly sand the front surfaces and visible edges of the cabinet face frames. Do not remove old paint or varnishing if it is well-adhered; this finish will allow for smooth and optimum adhesion. Apply the primer sealer to all surfaces to ensure a well-bonded finish coat, and then get ready to start painting. Paint is first applied to the inside edges and openings of face frames, then the outer cabinet sides and the face frame fronts. Next, paint the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and any separate wood pieces or moldings. Flow the paint into crevices and corners and avoid paint accumulating in pockets. Thin, light coats do the trick, leaving fewer visible brushstrokes. Allow the paint to dry for at least four hours between coats. When completely dry, resand all surfaces lightly and apply the second coat. As a rule, two coats will complete the job.

A simple paint project can transform a kitchen in the most cost-effective way.

If you are thinking about selling your home and you need Real Estate help, please call our office.  760-880-9996 / 760-541-7006.  We are located in La Quinta near Old Town.

Keeping your lawn and plants healthy and green as it starts to heat up can be a challenge. It is possible to maintain a healthy lawn while conserving water. Be sure to program the timer on your automatic irrigation system for less frequent, but longer-duration watering periods. The objective is to water until right before you are seeing run-off. If plants begin to show signs of wilting, add in a special cycle for their zone specifically. Watering between the hours of 4am-8am; 8pm-1am will cut the effects of evaporation and further conserve as well. When hand-watering hanging basket plants, separate gardens, etc., use a hose equipped with a hand trigger so you can target the water right to the source, at the root system of the plants, and avoid waste. It is possible to conserve water while keeping your property looking lush and healthy even during these triple-digit days. It won’t be long and you’ll be ready to scalp your lawn starting in September, and start all over for the cooler months ahead.

For more information on Real Estate in the Palm Springs or La Quinta areas please contact us.  760-880-9996

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino

For a Las Vegas-style vacation experience, visit Fantasy Springs Casino, just off the I-10 at Golf Center Parkway in Indio. It’s a complete lifestyle destination featuring a luxury hotel, entertainment/special events center, a pro golf course… and of course a bustling casino with state-of-the-art slots, challenging table games, track betting and a huge bingo palace. Some of the entertainment world’s most legendary acts appear at Fantasy Springs, and Rock Yard brings people together with free nights of live tribute band concerts. Many enjoy dining at Fantasy Springs enjoying the new Joy Asian Cuisine restaurant or the Fresh Grill, and cocktails at LIT or the 12^th Floor lounge and wine bar… just to name a few of the restaurants offered at the resort. Get the friends together and enjoy Fantasy Lanes Bowling with state-of-the-art lanes, late night laser bowling and fun arcade games. Many a birthday party has been hosted at the lanes. The Eagle Falls Golf Course is a Clive Clark 18-hole public course that’s picturesque and challenging. There’s always something to see and do, because there’s always something going on at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino.

If you are interested in selling or buying Real Estate in the Palm Springs, La Quinta or Indian Wells areas please contact us today.  We have great deals we would like to share with you. 760-880-9996

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

The Date Shed
Located at the Empire Polo Grounds, the site of the world-famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, The Date Shed is currently making its mark as one of the top cutting-edge music venues for Southern California artists. Designed from an artist’s perspective, it’s a cool and artistic bar atmosphere featuring a performance stage complete with innovative sound and lighting to provide additional impact to shows. Listen to your favorite bands or discover new ones in an environment where you can casually kick-back with friends. The Date Shed’s musical roots began when it served as a setting for private parties during the Coachella Festival. As a perfect spot for jam sessions, it naturally evolved into a regular venue for the music-loving public. For more than 50 years the historic building served as a refrigerated repository for dates harvested in the area. Come catch the “Coachella vibe” at The Date Shed where history meets the sounds of today.

The Date Shed

50725 Monroe Street

Indio

QR Codes

We are seeing them more and more—in the corner of magazine ads, in newspapers, and even on TV. That little square design known as the QR Code (Quick Response Code), an extension of the familiar UPC Code (Universal Product Code) commonly found on product packaging. A QR code is a specific matrix barcode that is readable by a dedicated QR barcode reader found on many of today’s popular smart phones via barcode apps. The code is usually made up of a cluster of black modules in a square shape positioned on a white background. The information encoded can be a URL link, text or other data. If you scan your smart phone over the QR code with your scanner app, you can receive instant information on a product or company and be taken directly to their website. The code provides unlimited information depending where it is linked. You can use a QR code to comparison shop for a product; even obtain a phone number, address and directions. QR Codes are the latest tech marvel, becoming more useful than standard barcodes because they store increased data and present information in mere seconds. Practically every business and many individuals today have a website with their information, a map to their location, and a list of products and information their business offers. If you add a QR code to your business card and all other collateral, anyone with a smart phone can instantly obtain your information. Promotional information, a discount coupon and other offers can be accessed by customers with their smart phone and taken to the register direct to complete a sales transaction. Many Real Estate agents have added QR codes to “for sale” signs, on advertising, etc. Look for those QR codes and adopt them into your shopping and lifestyle habits. They are a big part of your future.

Here is Rob Zwemmer and Associates, Inc's QR Code:

365 Things to Do in Palm Springs

Palm Desert Civic Center Park

What a wonderful spot to picnic, walk, workout, or just sit and enjoy the desert sunshine. You really have the sense of getting away from it all within the 70 acres of Palm Desert Civic Center Park. There are peaceful lakes, a picturesque walking path, 4 baseball fields, an amphitheater that hosts live concerts during the season, 5 picnic pavilions, a skate park, tot lot, dog park, 4 volleyball courts, 3 basketball courts and 6 tennis courts. Whether you are into extreme sports or just enjoy feeding the ducks, Civic Center Park has it all. Palm Desert Civic Center Park is the center of many of the Valley’s most popular public activities including the concerts in the park, the Fourth of July extravaganza and many other events. A relaxing walk takes you through beautiful desert landscaping of rare flora and fauna—even orchards—and there are numerous public art pieces on display including the moving Holocaust and Peace memorials. Barbecue areas are located throughout to accommodate even large parties. Gather the friends and family at Palm Desert Civic Center Park and celebrate the great outdoors while partaking in your sport of choice. For more information, contact the Coachella Recreation and Park District at (760) 568-9697.

For more information on Real Estate or things to do in Palm Desert or Palm Springs contact Rob Zwemmer and Associates, Inc 760-541-7006 / 760-880-9996.

Updating Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Many people are under the impression they need to downgrade their homeowner’s insurance policies because their home’s value has declined. Always remember, insurance is usually based on the cost of rebuilding and replacing the property… not its current market value. Even though the home is not worth as much, the costs involved to rebuild may not have dropped at all. Lowering your coverage could leave you in a vulnerable state if an unforeseen disaster occurs. Always discuss with a trusted insurance advisor before making a hasty decision that may cost you a lot more in the long run. When you receive your insurance statement each year, you may want to study and review your coverage. Check to find out if the possessions in your home are fully covered based on their cash value or replacement value. It could mean a big difference in how much actual coverage you have. Replacement value coverage always costs more, but it pays out more because it provides the money to replace valuables at their current, not depreciated value. Always have on hand receipts for your possession purchases and record a video log of your valued household items.

If you have additional Real Estate questions please call our office, we would love to assist you. 760-541-7006 / 760-880-9996