March Events in The Coachella Valley

March has arrived in the Valley and I wanted to bring your attention to some of the happenings this month. The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Invitational draws celebrities, amateur contestants and enthusiastic spectators from all over the country and is scheduled for March 1-3, 2012. For more info contact: 760-674-8447. The BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament: The BNP Open is the fifth most attended next to the Grand Slam tournaments and features the top players in the world at the fabulous Indian Wells Tennis Garden from March 5-18, 2012.  More info at www.pnbparibasopen.com. The La Quinta Arts Festival is nationally recognized by artists as one of the renowned art festivals in the nation. Scheduled for March 8-11, 2012. Fashion Week El Paseo is presented and organized by Palm Springs Life magazine. The weeklong event will take place from March 18-26, 2012 in the El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert. Finally, The Kraft Nabisco Championship is the first “major” tournament of the year on the LPGA tour. March 26-April 1, 2012. Keep in mind that if you have any free time at all, we would be happy to help you find that perfect desert hideaway. There are many great values in this improving Real Estate market. Let us know how we can help. See you at the Tennis Garden! Bob

The 2012 Season is Upon Us!

January has arrived in our beautiful Desert and I want to update you on all the happenings this month. The 23rd annual Palm Springs Film Festival runs from January 5-16, 2012 and features a fabulous array of movies and movie stars.  More than 200 films from more than 60 countries, special events and gala receptions. Visit www.visitpalmsprings.com. The Humana Challenge (sponsored by the Clinton Foundation) will be at PGA West in La Quinta from January 19-22, 2012. This is the new name of the event formerly known as the “Bob Hope Classic”. This is a four day golf  tournament featuring tour players, celebrities (hey, where’s my invitation?) amatuers and many volunteers. Info. can be found at www.palmspringslife.com. Finally,  the Southwest Arts Festival returns to the world renowned Empire Polo Club in Indio,  a Coachella Valley landmark, from January 27-29, 2012  featuring the desert’s natural landscape and sweeping mountain ranges. Information at www.indiochamber.org. And,  while your having all this fun, keep in mind that home prices here in the Desert are more affordable than they have been in years. Call Marilyn, Barry or Bob and let us know how we can help you.  Regards, Bob

Cool Weather and Cool Things To Do

Fall has finally arrived here in our beautiful Desert.  The World Series is winding down and Football has taken center stage. The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies opens it’s 21st season with a new show, “Hot, Hot, Hot” filled with music, dance and comedy. The show plays through May 20, 2012 at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. Take your friends, it’s a blast. Info. at www.psfollies.com. The Rancho Mirage Art Affaire returns to Whitewater Park November 12 & 13 featuring 100 artists in a variety of mediums and live jazz music both days. Find out more at www.ranchomirageca.gov/residents/thingstodo/artaffaire.php. There has never been a better time to invest in Desert Real Estate. Call us today and let us know how we can help you. Regards, Bob

Summer is Here and Jazz is There

OK, so all is relative when it comes to Summer in the Desert. But I must say this Summer has been quite mild compared to previous ones and we are already halfway through August.  After living here for 31 years, the magic date for me is September 15. Although it can still be triple digit hot, the nights start to cool and the hope for cooler days is right around the corner. Just returned home from another baseball tournament in Lodi and a couple days in San Francisco. The weather was mild everywhere we went while the Eastern and Southern states continue to bake.  The Idyllwild Jazz Festival (the 18th Annual) is August 27 & 28.   This years event features Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band and many others. The two day event is presented on three stages and features some of the finest musicians in the world. Info. is at www.idyllwildjazz.com.  The Summer Real Estate business has been brisk. There are many opportunities available here in the Desert. Call us if we can help.  Regards, Bob

Reflections and Gratefulness

Well,  another Season in the Desert is winding down and as we settle into Summer, it seems appropriate that we should reflect on the past Season and acknowledge all those who made it a special and significant one for Ford Properties.  Thank you to all of our clients for your business and support. We would not be where we are without your unwavering dedication, loyalty and referrals.  We are grateful. To our fabulous and dedicated staff:  Maureen, Kitty, Marcy, Carol, Karleen, Barry and Tommi.   Marilyn and I are so fortunate to have you represent Ford Properties and you are simply: The Best. Thank you for your efforts. We also want to thank our family and friends for your love and support. Things can get a little crazy in our lives and it’s comforting to always have a safe place to go. We will be open all Summer if we can help you in any way.

Regards, Bob

Coachella Festival and the Arrival of Spring

The Coachella Festival arrives in the Desert this Friday April 15 through Sunday April 17 at The Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. The event features over a hundred bands and this years headliners include Kings of Leon, Chemical Brothers, Arcade Fire, Kanye West and many,  many more.  High temperatures are forecast to be in the middle to high 90′s which means we have seen the last of our “cool” weather. We can put away the long sleeve shirts for the next 5 months.   The event has stages and tents set up throughout  the grounds,  each playing live music and featuring many genres of music including:  hip hop, alternative, electronic and rock, as well as large sculptural art exhibits. The Country themed Stagecoach Festival follows the Coachella into town. There are many great values in this Real Estate market. Call “Ford Properties” and let us guide you to the right property. Regards, Bob

Tennis Time In The Desert

The 2011 BNP Paribas Open has arrived in the Valley.  From March 7-20  The Indian Wells Tennis Garden will again host hundreds of  the greatest Tennis players in the world, including the top three players on both tours-Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki (No.1) Roger Federer and Vera Zvonareva (No.2) and Novac Djokovic and Kim Clijsters (No.3). One of the new additions for the players and fans this year will be the addition of “Hawkeye” replay technology and video displays on all match courts.  First round play begins Wednesday March 9 for Women and Thursday March 10 for Men. For more information and tickets, visit www.bnpparibasopen.com or call the Indian Wells Tennis garden at 800-999-1585.

As our gorgeous weather continues, there are some incredible Real Estate values in the Desert. Call us at 760-346-9750 and let us know how we can help.

Regards, Bob

Jazz and Baseball

Well the Season is in full swing in our beautiful Desert and the weather is fabulous. Actually we have a “Cold Front” coming through this week which will force our daytime temperatures to “plummet” into the middle 60′s. Yikes! How will we survive?

If you’ve never been to The IW Club and Restaurant in Indian Wells, now would be a great time. They are introducing “IW Jazz Cafe”, Thursday through Saturday evenings in February. The events will feature a number of jazz musicians and a wide range of jazz. The cafe will offer a large selection of wines and champagne by the glass and new drink specialties along with a tapas menu, from 9p.m. to 1 a.m. Contact www.indianwells.com for more information.

Baseball 2011 has arrived! The San Francisco Giants will be defending their World Championship,  opening March 31st at home against the dreaded Dodgers. Go Giants!  

We are always looking for fabulous homes for our Rental Program. Call Maureen or Kitty at (760)346-9750 to make an appointment.  Marilyn has many great opportunities for Buyers in this market. Call her at 760-567-8980 and let the “Palm Desert Expert” help you find the perfect property. See you soon. Bob

“Winter in the Desert”?

Seems funny to be talking about Winter here in our beautiful Coachella Valley when it’s 67 degrees and sunny outside. Meanwhile, the rest of the Country is battling rain, snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain and other assorted weather events.  How lucky we are to be in Palm Desert. There really is no better place to be. (This time of year!)  Of course in August this blog may take on an entirely different flavor. But for now,  life is great in the Valley. We don’t get the opportunity to go to LA very often, but were fortunate to spend a night at LA Live. This is the entertainment complex that includes Staples Center, Nokia Theatre and lot’s of nice dining spots. We attended the play ”Hair” at the Pantages Theatre with some friends and had a really groovy time!  Stop by and say hello at our Fred Waring Drive office. We are directly across from Palm Desert’s greatest entertainment venue,  The McCallum Theatre,  and are here to serve your needs daily. Regards, Bob