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Sheri Dettman

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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: Okura, La Quinta

Okura in Point Happy Center La Quinta. Photo: Sheri Dettman & Associates ©

We’ve been enjoying the Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar for two years now and, frankly, I don’t know why I’ve taken this long to post a review. Even if you’re not someone who enjoys sushi, Okura’s offers a number of cooked entries including steak, seafood, spareribs, tempura vegetables, chicken and many more, that are sure to please your taste buds.

If you’re like me, you likely re-order some of your favorites after you’ve visited Okura a number of times. My husband, Bill, and I continue to enjoy our two favorites from the sushi menu. If you like just a little spice try the Dyno-Mite Rolls prepared with sweet scallops flash fried with Tobiko, cucumber and aioli sauce. Another favorite of ours is Okura’s Volcano Roll. It consists of a California Roll topped with baked salmon and spicy tuna. Or, try the Baked Alaskan Roll, another version of the Volcano Roll with a sweet Miso glaze rather than the spicy salmon.

All You Can Eat Sushi Is Another Option

While we order ala cart from the menu, you might consider Okura’s $29.95 ‘All You Can Eat’ sushi menu. Basically, you are given one hour to eat all the sushi you can. To take advantage of this offer, everyone at your table must order this option and finish all of their food.

Okura features a nice little lounge area, a sushi bar, dining room and a small patio out front. In summary, Okura bridges the gap nicely between a hardcore sushi restaurant and a trendy first-class dining spot.

Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar is located at 78370 Highway 111, La Quinta in the Point Happy shopping on the northwest corner of Washington Street and Highway 111. (760) 564-5820. Okura has a second location at 105 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

> View ALL Desert Dining Suggestions Here

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Dining Around The Desert
Home Selling Tip: Professional Photography or Agent Photos?

Home Selling Tip: Professional Photography or Agent Photos?

Recent photo shoot at Lake La Quinta with Photographer Jeff Atkins

The vast majority of today’s buyers start their real estate search for Palm Springs area homes on the Internet. And we know that one picture is worth a thousand words. So why are so many agents still taking their own shall we say 'questionable' photos of their seller client’s properties?

Many of today’s buyers will choose whether to go see a property or not based entirely on the online photos and video tour. Using the services of a professional real estate photographer and our video team certainly costs more, but the result is magazine quality photos, and for luxury properties a video tour that presents each property professionally.

Personally I utilize one of the few in-house marketing teams in the desert and we invest in magazine quality photos of every property that we professionally market for our seller clients. Don’t you think it makes sense that the Realtor you choose to market your property is committed to aggressively and persistently invest in the sale of your home?

And if you're a buyer looking at Palm Springs area properties online and you see some questionable photos of a property, they weren't taken by us!

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Info For Sellers
New Visa Proposed In U.S. For Canadian Home Buyers

New Visa Proposed In U.S. For Canadian Home Buyers

Winter golfing at Rancho La Quinta Country Club

A new bill introduced in the US Senate last month just might bring more Canadian’s south of the border and for longer periods of time. The VISIT-USA Act proposed by Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Mike Lee (R-UT) proposes two different variations of a 3-year non-immigrant residential visa. One of which is a Home Ownership Visa, which is the subject of this blog post.

The VISIT-USA Act would create a new visa for Canadians citizens who meet the following conditions:

  1. Use at least $500,000 in cash to purchase one or more residences in the United States. Each property must be purchased for more than 100 percent of the most recent appraised value; and
  2. Maintains ownership of residential property in the United States worth at least $500,000; and
  3. Resides for more than 180 days per year in a residence in the United States that is worth at least $250,000; and
  4. Are not otherwise inadmissible to the United States

Proposes Expanded Stays From 180 to 240 Days per Year!

Under current immigration law Canadians visitors cannot spend more than 180 days in the U.S. The new visa would extend the number of days Canadians could stay in the U.S. from 180 to 240 per year and would be renewable every three years. If this bill were to become law we may see a radical change to the migration patters of thousands of Canadian snowbirds.

The new visa would not allow Canadians to work in the U.S. or obtain any U.S. benefits such as social security or Medicare. But U.S. tax residency could have numerous advantages for Canadian retirees. Once the dust settles on this proposed bill, Canadians may find that they have additional after tax dollars to use and enjoy in their new sun filled retirement.

Stay tuned for more on this new proposed bill.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying – Info For Canadian Buyers
Citrus Golf Club, La Quinta; New Lower Memberships Deposits!

Citrus Golf Club, La Quinta; New Lower Memberships Deposits!

Citrus Golf Club patio overlooking the driving range

Citrus Golf Club in La Quinta recently rolled back it's golf membership deposit from $100,000 to only $30,000. The new lower deposit rate is non-refundable.

Non-golfers, even those living outside the gates of Citrus can consider joing as a Sports or Social Member which also offers privileges at La Quinta Resort.

New Citrus Golf Club Memberships

  • Golf Membership: $30,000 (was $100,000)
  • Sports Membership: $10,000 (includes social and tennis at La Quinta Resort
  • Social Membership: $5,000

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Golf Communities

PGA Tour Player’s Luxury Villa at Madison Club, La Quinta


Madison Club Villa #1 at 81670 De Soto Ave, La Quinta

5,173 Square Feet / 4BD / 5BA / Decorator Furnished at $4,195,000

We rarely see a Madison Club Villa come on the market. And this Villa is even rarer as the owner is a top PGA Tour player. Villa #1 features two master suites and a private pool/spa. A short walk to the clubhouse and Spa. Please contact me for further information or to arrange a private tour of this property and Madison Club.

> Madison Club Community Profile

Desert Area MLS listing courtesy of Hideaway Properties and Coldwell Banker

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Golf Communities

Just Listed: Waterfront Living At Lake La Quinta

47741 Via Montigo, La Quinta On Lake La Quinta

  • 4 Bedrooms / 3-1/2 Baths
  • Den or Office
  • Pool & Private Boat Dock
  • Offered at $599,000

This home is clearly the best value in Lake La Quinta. Lake La Quinta is a gated community featuring a 25 acre private lake with electric boating, kayaking and fishing, a community pool, tennis and a large park. Living at Lake La Quinta is easy as front yard landscape is included in your monthly HOA's.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Featured Properties
What You Ought To Know About Rental Property Insurance

What You Ought To Know About Rental Property Insurance

PGA West, La Quinta

Many home and condo owners choose to rent their properties to short-term renters (less than six consecutive months). While this can be a great income opportunity, you'll want to check your homeowner policy for coverage. If it won't cover your home for short-term rental usage you'll want to look for a policy that does.

In speaking with Richard Cox of The Cox Insurance Agency in Palm Desert, Richard said, "We can now cover most rental homes and condos for short-term rentals at a very reasonable cost. Representing a first in the industry, this Comprehensive Property and Liability Insurance Program was created especially for homes and condos that are being used as short-term vacation rentals."

Short & Long Term Rental Coverage 
Richard further said, "This new program can be used by those who book their homes year-round or by those who only book a few days, weeks or months per year. Owners can now have peace of mind knowing that they are properly covered at a reasonable cost."

So, even if you think you are properly covered, you'll want to review your policy, or have your agent review your policy. "Most vacation homeowners are simply not covered for the risk of short-term rentals." 

Richard Cox can be reached at 760.797.1800.
Email Richard

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog, Buying - Info For Buyers, Buying – Info For Canadian Buyers, Owning - Homeowner Tips & Resources
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