lindanovick’s posterous

Hi,

Beginning immediately my old email address at lnovick1940@earthlink.net is no longer valid.  My personal email is hotinpd@gmail.com and my business email is lindanovick@windermere.com.  Thanks for making the change.

Linda

Welcome back!  Linda Novick, Associate Broker with Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley talking about the #1 gated golf and tennis active adult community in the nation. We are located in Palm Desert, about half way between Los Angeles and San Diego, just off of the 10 freeway. Palm Springs is the most well known city in our area and was originally the vacation area of choice for Hollywood Actors. Most actors contracts stated that they must be within 2 hours of Hollywood in case they were needed, and Palm Springs became the playground for the rich and famous. Palm Springs bloomed and grew in the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack all had homes here. This was also known to be the vacation spot for our nation's presidents and the mega rich from around the world. Golf courses sprouted up overnight due to the abundance of land and fabulous weather. Ultimately hotels, spas and casinos soon followed. Today there are about 7 casinos, all with gambling and spas, many with hotels, and some with golf courses. All in all we have about 120 golf courses within 25 minutes of each other.

Beginning in the early 90's retirees started looking this way. The full time population here in the Coachella Valley has doubled and tripled. Del Webb started building Sun City Palm Desert in the early 90's, and building was completed about 2005. We have just under 5,000 home and about 9,000 residents. We are a city within a city. Within our gates we have 3 country club size clubhouses, 3 restaurants, 2 regulation golf courses, a beautiful 18 hole putting course, tennis and bocce courts, softball diamond, walking, hiking and biking trails, 2 complete fitness centers, a library 2nd to none, our own post office, numerous meeting rooms for games and crafts, an auditorium for meetings or movies, a ballroom for dinners, dances and outside entertainment and so much more. There is never a dull moment here with over 80 activity clubs to choose from. I would compare Sun City Palm Desert to scout camp; you can do it all or nothing at all.

My name is Linda Novick and I have lived here for 10 years. I am a real estate broker and have been in the real estate business for over 37 years. Please give me a call at 760/397-3652 or email me at lindanovick@windermere.com if you would like additional information on Sun City. Also ask for a free copy of my e-newsletter.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

Website: www.lindanovickmywindermere.com

Blog:  www.suncitypalmdesert.blogspot.com

Linda Novick, Associate Broker

Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

760-397-3652      760-773-3959 fax

Email:   lindanovick@windermere.com

Access the largest database of listings in the West:

http://www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

DRE # 00415294

We are into October now and our weather is right on cue, down into the 90's during the day and the low 70's at night. I'm excited to start walking outdoors again and playing golf on Tuesdays with the ladies. I have missed that this summer as I have worked almost daily. This has been one of the most active real estate summers here in the Coachella Valley in many a year. In May we had over 8,000 properties for sale in the Valley and now we are below 5,000. Of course many were foreclosures, and that brought the investors in from all over, primarily Los Angeles County. According to the National Association of Realtors there are still over 7 million foreclosures to be released over the next couple of years.

We have seen between 1.2 and 1.4 million buyers using the $8,000 tax credit to buy their first home (or first within three years). All sales using the tax credit have to close by December 1, 2009. There are, however, 12 more bills in Congress to make money available for home buyers, and not all of them are for first time buyers. The bill that is creating the most buzz is one for a $15,000 tax credit to anyone (not just first time buyers) who plans to occupy the home. We should see the results of those bills within the next month or so.

This is the time of year here in the Valley and at Sun City Palm Desert, where I specialize in real estate, that the golf courses are scalped and reseeded for the coming year. It is amazing to watch as one day the course is beige from the scalping, and within 3 weeks is green and plush. The trees are getting their haircuts and the planting of the winter and spring flowers are beginning. Snowbirds are starting to return and pretty soon the place will be buzzing about summer adventures and travel as friends reunite and begin a new season.

The Clubs here at Sun City Palm Desert are planning their schedules and agendas for season. Schedules for ladies, mens and couples golf will be posted online. Tennis courts are ready for you. Flyers describing hikes, bicycling trips, travel trips and other outings will be posted. The softball season will soon begin and teams will be at the ball diamond practicing. The 2 fitness centers will be full again, artists will be spinning and firing and painting their ceramics, taking classes in oils and pastels, how to make jewelry, create stained glass projects, wood projects, sewing, knitting and all other crafts. The creativity of residents here is quite amazing, as you can see for yourself at our bi-annual craft fairs. And don't forget about the billiard club, the bocce club, pet club, card clubs, writers club, drama, singing clubs and all types of game clubs.  It is all here, and in abundance at Sun City Palm Desert.

If you are an active senior (55+) and would like to live in one of the most desired gated golf communities in the nation, then give me a call. I will help you find your dream home.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker, Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

Direct: 760/397-3952 Email: lindanovick@windermere.com

Website: www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com Blog: www.suncityrealestate.blogpost.com

Linda Novick, Associate Broker

Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

760-397-3652      760-773-3959 fax

Email:   lindanovick@windermere.com

Access the largest database of listings in the West:

http://www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

Linda Novick

Broker Associate, Windermere Real Estate

Serving Satisfied Clients since 1972

DRE Broker License #00415294

Sales in Sun City for the month of August were down to 7, well below the 22 sold in June and the 20 sold in July.  I think it is as simple as ‘August is not the month to try and sell your home’.  Most of the agents in the Valley were out of town and resting up for the coming season.  As of today 130 homes are for sale, up just slightly over the past few months.  Twenty three are currently in escrow, but only 6 have closed so far this month.  Interestingly, higher priced homes are starting to sell again.  We saw several in the million dollar range sell so far this month.  Unfortunately they sold for about ½ to 1/3 the price they would have sold for 3 years ago.  Seller financing is back, and is the only reason some of our recent sales were completed.  Interest Rates are still holding steady between 5.1 and 5 1/2% with minor daily fluctuations.  Lenders are still nervous and requiring full documentation for loans.  Can you say ‘no signature loans allowed’? 

My latest listing sold in just 3 weeks.  Buyers are out there, and now is the time for sellers to get positioned for this season.  Buyers will be coming back into the Coachella Valley and you want to make sure you and your home are ready.  Give me a call and I will help you with suggestions for preparing your home for the market; just a little something I have been doing for over 37 years.  Thanks for your support and for sharing this information with friends and family.  Let me know if you know someone who would like to receive my e-newsletter.  I would be happy to add them to my distribution list.

According to U.S. Senator John Seymour (ret.)...”The recession and high unemployment have sent the home loan default rate to 9.5%, almost one in ten.  Although, that significant increase in loan defaults will add considerably to foreclosures, the low unsold inventories and quick turnover of foreclosure sales should absorb the additional foreclosures and not dampen the housing recovery that is now underway in California.”  “The Golden State has lost much of its economic luster” says Seymour, “but fortunately, the technological spirit is alive and well and will lead us out of this recession and back to prosperity.”

Good Stuff:  Every listing I take gets its own website and that makes for great for marketing and exposure.  Additionally, my listings will end up on over 30 real estate websites around the world.

More Good Stuff:  I blog about Sun City Palm Desert on four different websites, and that drives buyers directly to me, and ultimately to you.   My blog address is listed below.  Take a look! 

The FBI has more than 2,600 open cases of mortgage fraud.  More than 300 special agents are assigned to mortgage fraud, which is up more tan 200% from three years ago.  Job opportunities anyone?  Most of the fraud cases are with homeowners who are upside down with their mortgages vs market value, and who are trying for loan modifications.  Be careful out there.

Safety Tip:  What’s Your Distress Code?  A distress code is a spoken word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any phone or in-person conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger.  Use this code if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don’t want to alarm them.   Choose your distress word or phrase and then share it with family and colleagues.  Keep it simple, i.e., “Hi Jane, I won’t be able to make it for dinner after all’ or ‘I need a copy of my bank funds out of the red file’.  Make it something easy for you and your friend to remember.

Once again, I hope you appreciate this information.  Please call me if you have any additional questions.  Also, feel free to let me know if you prefer not to receive my ‘info’ emails and I will remove you from my distribution list.  On the other hand, feel free to ask me to add your husband, wife or a friend that you think would enjoy and benefit from receiving my newsletter.

Kindest Regards,

Linda Novick, Broker Associate @ Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley                                      Visit me on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/Linda.Novick1

Direct:  760-397-3652   Office:  760-773-3958           Email:  LindaNovick@Windermere.com           Website:  www.LindaNovick.myWindermere.com

Linda’s Sun City Blog:  http://www.suncityrealestate.blogspot.com/

This e-newsletter is not intended to be a solicitation of your property if you are currently listed with another broker.

Hi Orange County,

Do you remember me?  My name used to be Linda Blanks and I sold Orange County Real Estate in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.  I was most recently with First Team Real Estate where I managed the South Coast Office.  Prior to that I was in the First Team Anaheim Hills Office.

I started my real estate career with Wiginton Real Estate in Anaheim in the early 70’s.  If you remember me and would like to connect again, you can find me at Windermere Real Estate in Palm Desert.  All the information is below.  Give me a call.  I would love to hear from you.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker

Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

760-397-3652      760-773-3959 fax

Email:   lindanovick@windermere.com

Linda Novick

Associate Broker, Windermere Real Estate

Serving Satisfied Clients since 1972

DRE Broker License #00415294

Sales in Sun City Palm Desert for the month of August were down to 7, well below the 22 sold in June and the 20 sold in July.  I think it is as simple as ‘August is not the month to try and sell your home’.  Most of the agents in the Valley were out of town and resting up for the coming season.  As of today 130 homes are for sale, up just slightly over the past few months.  Twenty three are currently in escrow, but only 6 have closed so far this month.  Interestingly, higher priced homes are starting to sell again.  We saw several in the million dollar range sell so far this month.  Unfortunately they sold for about ½ to 1/3 the price they would have sold for 3 years ago.  Seller financing is back, and is the only reason some of our recent sales were completed.  Interest Rates are still holding steady between 5.1 and 5 1/2% with minor daily fluctuations.  Lenders are still nervous and requiring full documentation for loans.  Can you say ‘no signature loans allowed’? 

My latest listing sold in just 3 weeks.  Buyers are out there, and now is the time for sellers to get positioned for this season.  Buyers will be coming back into the Coachella Valley and you want to make sure you and your home are ready.  Give me a call and I will help you with suggestions for preparing your home for the market; just a little something I have been doing for over 37 years.  Thanks for your support and for sharing this information with friends and family.  Let me know if you know someone who would like to receive my e-newsletter.  I would be happy to add them to my distribution list.

According to U.S. Senator John Seymour (ret.)...”The recession and high unemployment have sent the home loan default rate to 9.5%, almost one in ten.  Although, that significant increase in loan defaults will add considerably to foreclosures, the low unsold inventories and quick turnover of foreclosure sales should absorb the additional foreclosures and not dampen the housing recovery that is now underway in California.”  “The Golden State has lost much of its economic luster” says Seymour, “but fortunately, the technological spirit is alive and well and will lead us out of this recession and back to prosperity.”

Good Stuff:  Every listing I take gets its own website and that makes for great for marketing and exposure.  Additionally, my listings will end up on over 30 real estate websites around the world.

More Good Stuff:  I blog about Sun City Palm Desert on four different websites, and that drives buyers directly to me, and ultimately to you.   My blog address is listed below.  Take a look! 

The FBI has more than 2,600 open cases of mortgage fraud.  More than 300 special agents are assigned to mortgage fraud, which is up more tan 200% from three years ago.  Job opportunities anyone?  Most of the fraud cases are with homeowners who are upside down with their mortgages vs market value, and who are trying for loan modifications.  Be careful out there.

Safety Tip:  What’s Your Distress Code?  A distress code is a spoken word or phrase that is not commonly used but can be worked into any phone or in-person conversation for cases where you feel that you are in danger.  Use this code if the person you are with can overhear the conversation, but you don’t want to alarm them.   Choose your distress word or phrase and then share it with family and colleagues.  Keep it simple, i.e., “Hi Jane, I won’t be able to make it for dinner after all’ or ‘I need a copy of my bank funds out of the red file’.  Make it something easy for you and your friend to remember.

Once again, I hope you appreciate this information.  Please call me if you have any additional questions.  Also, feel free to let me know if you prefer not to receive my ‘info’ emails and I will remove you from my distribution list.  On the other hand, feel free to ask me to add your husband, wife or a friend that you think would enjoy and benefit from receiving my newsletter.

Kindest Regards,

Linda Novick, Broker Associate @ Windermere Real Estate                                                                                                   

Direct:  760-397-3652     Office:  760-773-3958         Email:  LindaNovick@Windermere.com          

Website:  www.LindaNovick.myWindermere.com

Linda’s Sun City Blog:  www.lindassuncityrealestate.com

Visit me on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/Linda.Novick1

Linda Novick, Associate Broker

Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

760-397-3652      760-773-3959 fax

Email:   lindanovick@windermere.com

Access the largest database of listings in the West:

http://www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

Hello readers and welcome back to Linda's Sun City Real Estate.  It has been an absolutely perfect week here in Sun City Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley.  Temperatures are in the mid 90's during the day and low 70's at night.  Golfers and tennis players are out in record numbers enjoying their own private paradise before the snow birds start arriving next month.  Actually, we all love to see our snow bird friends come back to begin another season of friendship and sharing our favorite sports, activities and stories.  We can't wait to hear about the wonderful places each has visited and the experiences we have shared.  There is a great sense of family and caring here in Sun City Palm Desert.

October is the month our golf courses are scalped, reseeded and prepared for the new season.   As a rule we are without both courses during reseeding, but this year it will be staggered so there will always be one course open.  And we didn't do that before because???

The baseball commissioner will be getting ready for the new season, the new teams will selected and training will begin soon.  We have the perfect softball diamond for the players and a great grassy area for you to come watch the games.  You should see some of these guys and gals play.  They are great!  The new golf boards have been selected for the men’s, women’s and couples golf and they are busy preparing for the new season that begins November 1st.  Men’s, women’s and couples putting clubs are also in full swing.  The same can be said for the tennis and bocce clubs.  In a way it is like waiting for the spring flowers to start the summer, except we start the new year (season) in October.  This is also the time of the year to get your golf cart serviced and ready for season.  Golf carts, by the way, become the second car for most residents.  It is a great way to head down to the pro shop, restaurant,  post office, library, pools, yoga, tai chi, aerobics, card game rooms or the fitness centers.  We even have two golf cart gates into the shopping center next door where you can do your grocery shopping, stop by the drug store, get a cup of coffee at 'Just Java', have your nails or hair done, go to the bank, get your hearing checked, go to the dentist or have a meal at our local Italian restaurant.  That is called 'easy living'.

Yes,  life is good here in Sun City Palm Desert.  What is not to love?  I would be delighted to share my 37 years of real estate experience with you.  Give me a call and I will show you what makes Sun City Palm Desert the flagship of Active Adult gated golf club community living.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker

Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley

DRE # 00415294

Direct:  760-397-3652

Email:  lindanovick@windermere.com

Website:  www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

I held an open house today at one of my beautiful listings; 3 BR/3.5 BA, double garage plus golf cart garage in Sun City Palm Desert.  I was sharing information about the surrounding community with a visitor, and after he left I felt so good about all the things I said that I thought I might share with you.

I live and work in Sun City Palm Desert, a senior active adult community in the heart of the Coachella Valley.  We are about 2 hours from both Los Angeles to the North, and 2 hours from San Diego to the South.  We have sun practically every day of the year, allowing residents boundless recreational opportunities.  With over 120 golf courses, we are considered the golf capital of the world.  The Coachella Valley is surrounded by majestic mountains and clear, blue skies.  Joshua Tree National Park is a world wide destination for rock climbers and viewing, and is located just 1/2 hour north.  The Indian Wells Tennis Garden hosts many of the world's most exciting tennis tournaments.  Hiking trails are practically never ending.

Spas and wellness centers are plentiful.  Restaurants of all levels dot the landscape.  Shopping is an art in itself as over 350 high-end shops are everywhere, especially on our beautiful El Paseo Avenue.  Culture is available in the form of art museums, the McCallum Theatre and 6 or 7 casinos with big name top notch performers.

We have the desired climate, fine arts, outdoor recreation, fabulous shops, entertainment and dining.  Don't forget Knott's Soak City and The Living Desert for the family.  The Palm Springs Airport is an International Airport.  Medical care is unsurpassed with 3 world renowned hospitals.

We are definitely the destination for people of any age; especially baby boomers; who want to live life to the fullest.  Call me for a personal showing.

Linda Novick, Associate Broker, Windermere Real Estate C-Coachella Valley

Direct:  (760)-397-3652

Email:  lindanovick@windermere.com

Website:  www.lindanovick.mywindermere.com

Linda's Sun City:  www.suncityrealestate/blogpost.com