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Sheri’s Palm Springs Area Blog

Whether it be real estate updates, restaurant reviews, events, or highlights of unique homes in Palm Springs, follow Sheri as she covers all that Palm Springs and the surrounding area has to offer.

Dining Around The Desert: Cliffhouse, La Quinta

The Cliffhouse Grill and Bar in La Quinta changed ownership January 1st, 2012. This local favorite is now owned and operated by the longtime owners of Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert. On a recent visit to Cliffhouse, we checked out the changes since the new ownership took effect.

Driving up to the restaurant we found that valet parking is now mandatory. While seldom fans of valet parking, Cliffhouse’s small parking area is well suited for valet parking and the $1 service fee (tip not included) is reasonable.

Cactus Bar And Grill

My husband, Bill, and I have always preferred dining in the Cactus Grill and Bar (that includes a cliff-side patio) rather than the dining room. The bar menu hasn’t changed much and Cliffhouse continues their tradition of Happy Hour drink specials (3:30- 6:00 PM as of this writing), along with all night food promotions including Taco Tuesday and Burger and Beer Friday.

The dining room menu now offers more fish specialties, which makes sense with their Pacifica Seafood connection. On our recent visit, I enjoyed the in-season baked California artichoke and a roasted beet salad. Bill ordered the Salmon Creek Farms pork chop with roasted butternut squash puree, green beans and homemade apple butter. New additions to the dinner menu include Pacifica’s sugar-spiced salmon, blackened catfish, seafood stew, and steak and lobster.

From burgers to tacos and seafood to steaks, it appears that Cliffhouse will continue to host locals and visitors in style for many years to come.

Cliffhouse is located just south of Point Happy Center at 78250 Highway 111 in La Quinta (1/4 mile west of Washington Street). 360-5991.

Cliffhouse Photo: Bill Dettman

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert

Just Sold At PGA West, La Quinta

Just sold by Sheri & Ed at PGA West Legends

57815 Seminole Drive, La Quinta
Sweeping desert and mountain views
2,501 Sq. Ft. w/pool on the golf course
MLS #21447217
Priced at $669,000

Photo credit: Sandi Philips

From Sheri Dettman
In Recent Sales, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

Desert Home Sales And Prices Climb In First Quarter of ’12

Mountain View Country Club, La Quinta

Home Sales & Prices In Several Cities Increase, Inventory Continues To Shrink

Both sales and prices of desert homes and condos in several desert cities were on the rise again during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of ‘11. Over $608 million of desert property was sold during the first quarter in the five most active desert cities listed below.

Home Sales In Indian Wells: Sales +21.05% / Average sales price +11.90% to $917,983
La Quinta: Sales +9.35% / Average sales price +3.28% to $588,105
Palm Desert: Sales +3.45% / Average sales price +1.93% to $455,488
Palm Springs: Sales +2.07% - Average sales price -1.93% to $428,130
Rancho Mirage: Sales -4.26% - Average sales price -7.96% to $578,496
Indio: Sales -9.46% - Average sales price +2.09% to $308,879

Data Source: Desert Area MLS sales of homes and condos that sold for $200,000 and higher in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 2011. Data compiled by Sheri Dettman & Associates©. Disclosure: Data is deemed to be accurate but cannot be guaranteed.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Real Estate Market Updates

Home Sales Over $800,000 Zoom In First Quarter of 2012

PGA West, La Quinta

Last week I reported that both sales and prices of desert homes and condos were on the rise again. Today let’s drill down into those sales numbers a bit further to see ‘where the action is’ in different price segments.

I had our number crunchers take last Friday’s sales numbers and break them down by price segment and what we discovered is that sales at the higher end really took off in the first quarter of 2012 versus the same period of ‘11.

Price segments from $200,000 and higher showed modest sales gains, while sales at $800,000 and greater literally took off! Here’s the breakdown:

2012 First Quarter Sales Volume By Price Segment Versus 2011

Homes sold from $200,000 to $399,999: +3.14%
$400,000 to $599,999: +1.90%
$600,000 to $799,999: -1.83%
$800,000 to $999,999: +4.55%
$1M to $1,499,999: +30.30%
$1.5M to $1,999,999: +9.09%
$2 Million and greater: +15.79%

Data Source: Desert Area MLS sales of homes and condos sold in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 2011 in the cities of La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Indio and Palm Springs. Data compiled by Sheri Dettman & Associates©. Disclosure: Data is deemed to be accurate but cannot be guaranteed.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Real Estate Market Updates

100% Sales Growth Y-T-D In 2012!

Golfers at Mountain View Country Club in La Quinta

Let’s get right to the point. Real estate sales here in the desert continue to increase and things just seem to be getting busier by the month. Our local escrow company reported last week that new purchase contracts that were opened in February were up 60% over February of 2011.

Our real estate team had more clients viewing properties in February than any month in our history. Prospective buyers who have been looking at desert properties for the past two or three years are now buying. We’re also seen an increase in sales from people we’ve worked with for only a short time. Properties across all price ranges are active with big movement in those over $1 million.

Sheri Dettman & Associates Up 100% Year-To-Date

Our first three months of sales this year are on track to equal six months of sales in 2011. And 2011 was up 30% over the 2010! Keep in mind that our local desert inventory continues to tighten up in line with increased sales, so don’t wait too long to find a great value on your perfect home at a historically low interest rate.

We’d love to see you on your next visit to the desert. Please try to give us a few days notice to reserve a spot on our calendar and remember–Real estate is indeed local!

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Real Estate Market Updates

Dining Around The Desert: Solano’s Bistro, La Quinta

We reviewed Solano’s Bistro in La Quinta (one of our favorite spots) in April, 2011 but want to give you an exciting update. Just last month, Solano’s moved into its new, much larger location in Old Town La Quinta. In addition to its expanded dining area, the new Solano’s includes a separate lounge area and a much larger patio deck. The décor is tasteful and clean.

The menu and many of Solano’s wait staff made the move, which in this case is a good thing. My husband, Bill, loves the stuffed chicken with Parmesan risotto while I prefer the Huckleberry Salmon, Sea Scallops or Italian Sausage Fettuccini. Solano’s offers a variety of salads, appetizers and soups, as well.

The new lounge and adjacent patio is a great place to hang with friends and family or just relax at the end of a busy day of golf, tennis, work or vacationing. That said, Solano’s new location has become so popular you should make a reservation ahead of time, and avoid dining there during prime time on Friday and Saturday evenings. Solano’s is open for lunch and dinner and is located at 78-075 Main Street, La Quinta in the heart of Old Town. (760) 771-6655.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert

The Hideaway Golf Club, La Quinta – Just Sold

Just sold by Sheri at The Hideaway Golf Club, La Quinta

53100 Via Vicenze, La Quinta
5,483 Square Feet
Priced at $2.95 million

From Sheri Dettman
In Recent Sales, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

Just Sold! On A Hill In Rancho Mirage

Just Sold by Sheri in the hills of Rancho Mirage.

Perched on a hill above Rancho Mirage this Mediterranean styled home offers its new owners sweeping views of the desert from the home, patio and pool areas.