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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 – Firecliff, Palm Desert (Closed 2014)

After two-dozen or more visits to Firecliff over the last two years I recently realized that we have never posted a review! Firecliff is one of our go-to spots when we desire a nice relaxing dinner where the long-time servers know our names.

Firecliff features two popular outdoor raised patios overlooking El Paseo Drive, an intimate lounge area and two fairly intimate dining rooms. Music from two of our favorite pianists, Sonny Varo and Linda Peterson, drifts through the restaurant as they run through favorite standards and encourage guests’ requests.

Contemporary California Cuisine
Firecliff’s Contemporary California Cuisine menu offers all the classic favorites prepared by Chef/Owner Patricia Hook. Prime steaks, fresh seafood, rack of lamb, pasta and a variety of salads can be enjoyed in the lounge or restaurant areas.

My husband, Bill, enjoys the Oven Roasted Jidori Breast of Chicken while I usually lean towards the Red Pear Gorgonzola salad and the Roasted Poblano Chile. The Warm Apple Crisp is just one of several yummy deserts you can enjoy.

Firecliff Restaurant is located at 73-725 El Paseo Drive, Palm Desert (760) 773-6565

> View ALL Desert Dining Suggestions Here

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

Why My Being Busy Will Benefit You!

We were recently named by Keller William Realty as the #4 top producing agent team out of 3,000 Keller Williams Inland Empire agents in the Southern California region which reaches as far west as Pasadena. I don’t mention this to boast. My goal here is to let you know that our experience can and will benefit you.

It’s a fact that the average Realtor completes just seven real estate transactions per year. In my opinion it’s hard to stay on top of things professionally if you only work at it just a few times each year. The average Realtor wouldn’t see as many communities and properties and they certainly would not have much experience negotiating transactions on behalf of clients.


Indian Ridge Country Club, Palm Desert

Our team is on track to complete 50 Palm Springs area real estate transactions this year. We know that we continue to learn through experience and I believe that this will benefit you in being able to complete a smoother and more profitable real estate transaction every step of the way.

I welcome the opportunity to serve your real estate needs. If not me, you’ll want to choose an agent team that is busy, successful and experienced. Personally I choose my tax advisor, doctor and dentist the same way!

Average Transaction Source: National Association of Realtors® 2010 member survey.

From Sheri Dettman
In Sheri Dettman & Associates, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog

Get It Fresh! Certified Farmers Market Returns To 3 Desert Locations

The weekly Farmer’s Market returns to La Quinta, Palm Desert and Palm Springs starting today. The Certified Farmer’s Market (CFM) brings local farmers and vendors together to showcase the fruits of their labor directly to the consumer. The CFM is a gathering place where the community can learn about the importance of nutrition, fresh produce, and organic options and even taste test some delicious recipes! The market features farm and food-only vendors. Organic and transitional produce, herbs, lavender, cheese, bread, honey, nuts, eggs, olives and olive oil, fresh cut flowers, orchids and plants are featured, along with, eventually, wine.

Farmers Market Locations:

  • Old Town La Quinta at 78100 Main Street, La Quinta - Sunday’s 8 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Palm Desert Visitors Center at 72-567 Hwy 111, Palm Desert - Wednesday’s 8 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Palm Springs adjacent to the Camelot Theater at 2300 E Baristo Road - Saturday's 8 AM to 12:30 PM

From Sheri Dettman
In Lifestyles & Things To Do, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Dining Around The Desert – Pacifica, Palm Desert

Dining Around The Desert – Pacifica, Palm Desert

Pacifica is one of the larger dining establishments in the valley. Pacifica features an outside patio, a fairly large bar area with high-top tables for dining, and, of course, the main dining room.

Pacifica’s wine list is extensive and offers selections in all price ranges. Whenever my husband, Bill, and I dine in the bar area we often meet some very interesting people. A vodka bar is also featured offering 130 of the world’s finest vodkas.

For such a large venue I must say the Pacifica usually does a fine job providing good food, service, and an appealing atmosphere. While this isn’t fine dining, it’s usually well above average.

On our recent visit to Pacifica we sampled several appetizers, a salad, and a main course. My mussels were excellent, but our other appetizers were overcooked and dry. That said the sauces were excellent. Bill rated his yellowtail as “nothing special.”

Service was good for a busy night, although the courses of food did take a while to arrive. Upon completion of our meal our server asked us if everything was to our satisfaction. I gave her my honest assessment of the food and, within minutes, Mitch, the general manager and managing partner, came over and apologized. He also deducted all of our food from our bill before heading back to his kitchen to investigate.

We know from past visits that this particular experience at Pacifica was a rarity for us. We will certainly return and give Pacifica another try. In our several earlier visits to Pacifica we enjoyed a variety of fish from the extensive daily menu as well as some yummy salads and appetizers.

Pacifica Seafood Restaurant is located upstairs on the second level of The Gardens at El Paseo shopping center and reservations are suggested. Pacifica Seafood Restaurant: 73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert (760) 674-8666. Consider also enjoying live jazz next door at Sullivan’s Steak House before or after your meal.

Suggestion: If you’re interested in food and travel, consider seeing Anthony Bourdain at the McCallum Theater in Palm Desert on February 19th at 8PM. Mr. Bourdain is a chef and the author of Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly. He also hosts Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. 

> View ALL Desert Dining Suggestions Here

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Price Increases Offset Lower August 2010 Sales

Price Increases Offset Lower August 2010 Sales

A PGA West Community Pool

After several months of city-by-city Palm Springs area sales increases, the August MLS numbers finally show some slowing when comparing August 2010 with August ‘09. Our impression is that continued double-digit price increases in many valley cities could be starting to ‘price out’ some local buyers or at least put some prospective buyers on the sidelines.

As an example, La Quinta recorded an average price increase of 12% in July 2010 and then 13% in August 2010 compared to the same months in ’09. To date, many buyers that invested during the summer of ’09 have seen some nice appreciation over the last year.

As usual, Sheri will be publishing the city-by-city August sales and price results in her upcoming monthly real estate newsletter. Click here to subscribe now. 

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

Dining Around The Desert: The Crab Pot, La Quinta

One of the great things about The Crab Pot in Old Town La Quinta is the large family friendly patio for dining. Crab Pot also features a newly remodeled bar area inside with large flat screen TV’s for the sports crowd.

On our recent visit Bill and I shared a half BBQ Chicken and a large order of King Crab legs. We seem to hit Crab Pot about once a year. The food is decent but not special enough to warrant frequent visits. That said Crab Pot is a good choice for the kids or large parties as they offer lot of fun finger food.

The Crab Pot's specialty is their Seafeast for two or more. It includes a variety of fresh seafood, steamed with a variety of spices. They poor it out on your table on butcher paper, give you a bib and “let you go at it.”

Say hello to Melissa who serves at the bar five nights a week. Melissa is one of the most engaging and customer focused servers in the desert. While we were dining quite a few locals came and went and she addressed each patron by name. Happy hour is Monday – Friday from 4PM to 7PM and includes food and drink specials.

The Crab Pot is located at 78121 Avenida La Fonda in Old Town La Quinta (760) 564-7333

From Sheri Dettman
In Dining Around The Desert, Sheri's Palm Springs Area Blog
Luxury Home Sales Increase

Luxury Home Sales Increase

Sales of higher-end homes are up this year in several desert cities. In Indian Wells, 23 homes priced at more than $1 million sold during the April - June second quarter, up from five homes during the same period last year. In La Quinta, 83 homes priced above $750,000 sold April - June, up from 53 during the second quarter of ‘09.

Sale activity in La Quinta and Rancho Mirage at selling prices greater than $1 million rebounded during the April to June quarter beyond a typical seasonal bounce. That said, these markets are still showing price weakness, as owners must compete with distressed properties in order to sell. This continues to create purchase opportunities for buyers desiring to enjoy the amenities of the desert’s upscale communities.

Palmilla Luxury Home, La Quinta

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

Hot Community Update: Legacy Villas, La Quinta

When the price is right buyers respond! 50 Legacy Villas condos and luxury Town Homes have re-sold during the past 12 months including 20 during the last six months. Legacy Villas continues to be a sought after ‘lock n’ leave’ vacation community.

Inventory continues to get a little tighter month-by-month as buyers continue to take advantage of 40%, 50% and even 60% discounts from original sales prices. Over the last six month the average time it takes to sell a Legacy Villas home is only 82 days!

There is currently a 4.2 month supply of active inventory at Legacy compared to the national average of 12.5 months supply of re-sale homes.


Legacy Villas Town Home

Go to Legacy Villas page

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

Local Inventory Betters National Averages

If you’re like me you do a lot of research before investing in any large purchase. And if you’ve been reading our Blog or subscribing to our email newsletter you likely know that we’ve been reporting on differences in our desert property sales and inventory levels compared to the national real estate statistics.

In sharp contrast to national real estate inventory there has been a fairly consistent drop in local resale home inventory this year in a number of popular developments. In fact several communities now have resale inventories between 4.2 and 6.8 months supply, compared to the national average of 12.5 months.


Rancho La Quinta Country Club

Is Now The Time To Buy?
Is now is a great time for you to invest in the desert? If you’re interested in one of the many communities with shrinking inventory that’s also priced correctly, then yes, now is a great time to contact me and get started – especially if you plan to hold and enjoy or rent your new property for two or more years.

You and I will work as a team discovering your likes and dislikes and then I’ll help to identify a number of great opportunities when they come along.

Source: The national press reported on September 15th that “existing home inventory had moved up to a 12.5 month supply in July,” according to the National Association of Realtors®. Local inventory numbers from the Desert Area MLS®.

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