Whitewater, California........ Employment Opportunities

Are you looking for Homes for Sale in the Cabazon/Whitewater area of Southern California? There are many homes for sale, and all Buyers are looking for the best home for their money. Homes are priced differently, and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for the pricing other than the Seller wants a certain Price. There are several homes in the White water and Cabazon areas where you can find  affordable homes for sale. The area is changing, and the Morongo Casino, and Arrowhead Plant are two of the local employers. 

The Cabazon, Whitewater area of Southern California has many affordable homes for sale.  Enjoy the Lifestyle of the Desert, while being close enough to the City for all the amenities you need: Transportation, Shopping, Medical, and Entertainment.

The Cabazon Outlets and Desert Hills Premium Outlets also offer employment opportunities. 

Cabazon and White water are close to the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa which also offers employment Opportunities.

 Most of the lots out here are appx. 10,000 sq. ft. or about 1/4 acre. There is no City Sewer, everything is septic and propane. Housing ranges from new site built and Manufactured Homes to several resale homes.

Average Home Prices are ranging from around $100,000.00 for a resale to around the low 200,000's for a home like this. The one thing I would warn you about is that several of the newer homes went into foreclosure and are being auctioned off. But once these are gone don't expect for prices to stay that low......it is a matter of supply and demand.

Once the foreclosures are gone, then the resales look more attractive because of their price and the tougher lending practices.

Whitewater and  Cabazon both offer affordable living in an area that is about 2 hours from Los Angeles or San Diego, and 20 minutes to downtown Palm Springs. If you want to see some of the beaches that are just a couple hours from here...1 1/2 to 2 hours away go to my other Blog California Real Estate and Life and click on Beaches.

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty  and California Real Estate and Life Blog

Monday Morning.....your week in a nutshell

Wow, it's Monday again. This is the day we're supposed to start our week, but what if we didn't finish last week?  I have a pile of papers left to finish...73 comments on a couple different Posts to try to answer, and oh my...I'm already tired :)  But hey it's Monday, and last week was a great week, for many of us, and today many of you will be traveling to the Inman Conference in San Francisco. (I'm not going, this is for those of you that are).

Have a good Monday, whether you're traveling or just staying Home.  Our week is what we make it :) :)

In a Nutshell.....Whether your week holds traveling, vacation, clients or paperwork....make it the best one you can.

Mailing the wrong gift can be embarrassing :)

The other day I mailed 3 different Thank You Gifts, and was pretty happy that I actually got them mailed out.  You see I hate going to the Post Office, and used to give this chore to my assistant.  Not anymore....now I have to go myself, and everyone that knows me knows that if it has to be mailed.....it'll be awhile.  So, anyway, last week I finally got to the Post Office.....and I'll be a" Son of a b...." if I didn't mail the wrong thing to the wrong person :(

I wanted to give a little Thank You gift to a couple people, one of which was The Blog Artist  marti garaughty,  for helping me with my blog site.  I never know where he gets all his energy, and he consistently says he drinks a lot of coffee.....so I got THIS CUP for him......oh marti when you open the package I sent you....please know that I had one of those horrifying moments, then hilarious ones when I realized you got a totally different one than was intended for you :) :)

When people say it is the Gift that Counts...they probably didn't mail the wrong Thank You gift to someone...and if it ever happened to you, then you know how embarrassing it can be :)

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty 

Authoring the Real Estate and Life Blog on Active Rain and the California Real Estate and Life Blog

Monday Morning Gifts... Think of Yourself as a Ware, and then Sell It :)

OK, it is that day again...Monday.  The start of another week. The coffee is brewing and I have set my days agenda up..Let's see, check e-mails, get the stuff ready for printing, arrange my call list, and grab that first cup of coffee.  Yep, it's 7 am....and by 8:30 I will have done an hour and a half of blogging, checking mails, and then get ready for the day. The beginning of a new week.........

This guy might have the right idea.......do what you have to do, but don't stress either.  His job was selling the copper "stills" for making your own Moonshine.  You see he put on his nice clothes, got his wares ready, polished them up, and put them on display. He's ready.  Do you think it matters to him if there aren't a lot of people?  Maybe, and maybe not....point is he only needs one person to buy.....and he's ready for them.

 That's what Mondays are for:.....getting ready for that one sale.  If we don't get up, get ready, and have our wares shined and on display....then we might miss that one person that is looking for what we have to offer.

Places to put your wares on display:

• Most local Chambers will allow you to not just put your business cards at the Chamber, but also fliers.  Get to know the people there....
• Senior Centers- People that have the Senior Designations or Market tho them...sponsor a class, go do a few Free Notaries, and let people see YOU....because aren't YOU the product you're selling?
• When tempted to run out without your makeup~  just remember to take your smile with you at least.....
• Make a plan, and try to stick to it.......put written materials out there, but also you....Volunteer, or at least talk to different people.  Call your sphere and just chat.......let them know you're still around.  a small " hi how are you?"
• After you've downsized, and gotten rid of all the fluff that a good market brought....think of the things that you did to get started....the things that worked then might still work.
  
• Have a little Enthusiasm with that morning coffee......then share it throughout the day.....

The most important thing to me is to make sure when I'm having that Morning Coffee is to think of all the good things that happened last week, and to make a conscious decision that This Week will be a good one also :)

***The only gifts today will be the ones you look in the mirror and find.  The ones that you will take out into your community today when you put your wares on display :)

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty

Real Estate and Life Coach

Authoring the Real Estate and Life Blog on Active Rain as well as the California Real Estate and Life Blog

Will Gas Prices Change the Marketability of Real Estate?

Think back several years.....as many as I can think of people that couldn't afford a certain area went a little further out.  And bought where they could afford.  Now what? Even if gas goes back down a little, I believe the greed of the Market, and the Oil Companies will never allow it to go back to what it was last year.  The Pandora's Box has been opened, and we are paying the price....literally.  So, what does this have to do with Real Estate?

My primary Market, West Palm Springs also known as Whitewater, CA is about 20 minutes outside of 2 bigger cities. 

A few years ago that 20 minutes didn't mean much.  Nor did it mean much that there are no stores, no jobs, and no public transportation in the immediate area.  You had to drive where ever you wanted/needed to go. And people were willing to drive in order to own a piece of the American Dream.  Well, that was then, and this is now.

Now, many of the homes have gone into foreclosure.  Many of the builders who were my best customers for buying land, stopped building more than a year ago.  And many of the homes they built have been auctioned off for about half the price they originally were selling for.  One of my Agents got a great deal on a new 4 bedroom, 2 bath home.  It's fine for her because she works with me in that area, and her husband has a good job not too far away. For some people it is still desirable to live in the outlying areas.

But what about the families that moved to these areas in order to be able to own something, but have to drive to work?  I have a listing in Sheldon, Missouri, in the country.  It is a fantastic price.....3 bedrooms on almost 2 acres of land.  Originally this seemed like a "steal" but if there are no jobs close to it, and you have to drive a distance into town...then that changes the Marketability of the Home.  It has now become a unique property.

Both the Sheldon and Whitewater properties have the same issues of no jobs immediately in the area.  And with gas prices skyrocketing....many people are opting for properties closer to town, or in town.  Is this a reversal of the last several years?  Are we going back to "city living"? And how do we Market this?

Whatever direction Real Estate goes....

• We have to have a handle on the needs of our clients.  If they need to drive a distance to work, then the new cost analysis of owning the home will have to be modified to include the annual expense of driving.  Something that was taken for granted by many is now something to be seriously considered.
• Sellers are in a different situation ~ not only are they currently competing with foreclosures, but now they have to competed with the high price of gas and how this has effected Buyers willingness to live further away from their jobs.
• Showing property ~ I remember jumping in the car and driving 20 minutes to show properties at the drop of a hat. These were almost always "lookie loos" not pre-approved buyers.  So this has changed, for land lots I do a lot more "talking on the phone" walking them through the area from one lot to the next.
  
  
  
  
  
  Change ~ Roll with it, and learn from it......Real Estate and how we Market Outlying Properties might change, but the need for people to own homes won't :)

By: Kathy McGraw- CELLing Realty - and California Real Estate and Life Blog

Palm Springs area Attraction: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Mt. San Jacinto State Park

Palm Springs is famous for many things, and one of them is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, located in Riverside County, Ca.  This is a tram system that in 10 minutes takes you from 2,643 feet up the mountain to an elevation of 8,516 feet.  You can see all of Palm Springs, the neighboring Desert Communities, Whitewater, and on a good day you can see the Salton Sea. 

The  Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is located at the base of the Majestic San Jacinto Mountains. There's no need to rush onto the car because the floor rotates so everyone gets a 360 degree view.  It is absolutely spectacular.  And for people like me, they have a handrail that you can hold onto. Just hold onto the handrails in the center, as the ones by the windows rotate as well. Here are a couple pictures taken out the window going up.  They don't do the view justice, but look close and you will see one of the trams going down, and look at the cable.......up , up, up you go.

Tram Information: Located at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains just a few minutes Northwest of downtown Palm Springs. It is also about 2 hours from San Diego or Los Angeles, Ca.

• Address : 1 Tramway Rd. Palm Springs 92262. 
• Phone number: (760) 325-1391
• Hours of Operation: M-F the first car up is around 10am.  Week-ends and Holidays usually around 8am.  Make sure you check when you get off what time the last car goes down.
• Ticket Prices: Adults- $22.25    Children- $15.25     Sr's (over 60) - $20.25
• Prices and Hours of Operation are subject to change without notice......

Other Important Info.....

• Use Sunscreen in the summer
• Take water if you are hiking
• NO PETS ALLOWED
• Absolutely Beautiful views and hiking trails
• Can take a picnic lunch with you, and I would suggest taking your own water, and if you have kids: snacks and/or lunch as the food can be quite pricey.
  

The above shot was taken on the way up, looking down.  Almost directly in the center of the photo you can just make out the Tram that is going down.  The tram goes at about 10 miles per hour.....Now the next picture was taken looking up.  There are a few of those towers, and you can see the cables better that haul the Trams up into the San Jacinto Mountain Park.       

Tuesday Truths......Why the #1 can be the Loneliest Number in Real Estate

"People, people who need people are the luckiest people in the world"......these are words I remember from Barbara Streisand appropriately named "People."  So, if we need people, and Real Estate is a People Business, then why do we work alone?

As I wrote last week I have closed down my other Office. 

Boy that was hard.  A lot of memories came flooding over me as I drove into town, and again as I pulled into the parking lot.  I remembered all my hopes and dreams, and sitting outside at the little table talking to people that were going into the hair salon next door.  You know the Hi, Good Morning greetings that let you know you are connecting with someone....connecting with people.  I loved that office for that reason....the people.

We say Real Estate is a people business, but working from home I have a hard time with this.  I want to see people.  I want to answer the phone more to clients, not really telemarketers, but even they will do in a pinch when I am feeling like having a conversation and no one is there.

People.....even with all the gossiping, and the idiosyncrasies of different people, I miss being in an office.  I want to be around more people.  I think that is why I like blogging....I can feel the different emotions of the people that I have come to know.  There has been so many times where people here on Active Rain have put their hearts on their sleeves, or had such traumatic events occur that there was no way the emotion couldn't be felt.  And the ups and downs....give a little encouragement, and get a whole lot back.  People are the ones blogging.

"People" are blogging couldn't be more true.  Yes, we are on a Real Estate Network, and all of us have something to do with the Industry no matter how slight that might be.  We all know about the benefits of learning the tech stuff, free programs, photo tips, staging, mortgage.....and you get the idea. But that's not all....

We get to share in each others Success's too.  Just this morning I saw that Sally Cheeseman won 1st Place in a contest on the best spots to visit in your area.  See her post here.  And not only that, but last night I saw she had gotten a  new listing over the week-end, and to find out this morning that she already has an accepted offer......People.  My heart is smiling, and I am so happy for her as she works hard, and is a wonderful friend that I met here.

People....how about Jason Sardi.....the very first person that gave me a kind word when an Active Rain Thunderstorm hit about a year ago.  I wanted to jump right into my email, and embrace his words, they were given in a safe place (not on my post) and I could feel the compassion with which they were written.  Before that I stayed away from Jason...he was well read, and I was new :)  Boy was that some stupid thinking on my part, but blogging can do that.  We can feel insecure until we find the right people :)

The right people......so who are they?  I have been here awhile now....and I know there are people that just seeing their name gives me a great feeling. It took time, trust, and reading much more than just a certain Post they might write, remember the comments on others Posts, and do they answer when I comment on their Post. Yes, I look for the right people (right for me)....the ones that are givers, and the ones that care if someone is missing, or hurt, or has a success in their career.  The people that send brownies to a member that can't cook, or go get food for a wonderful virtual beach party :) 

So, who are the right people for me......everyone that I try to comment on. The ones I  know and the ones I haven't met yet.  Because when tit comes to tat, everyone has something to offer, good or bad.  We are in a People Business, and blogging is about people.....and people is more than just one :) :)

***These are just a few of my examples....now I would love top hear yours.....***

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty and Blog: California Real Estate and Life - stories and pictures of Real Estate, Military Matters, and Life in California.

Monday Morning Gifts......The Cross that Spawned a Memorial

Good morning. Yesterday my family and I visited Mt. Soledad in La Jolla, CA.  It was the first time in several years I had been there and was surprised at the changes.  This Particular site   was the site of many battles over the separation of Church and State, all because of a 29 foot Cross that sat atop this hill overlooking the whole area.

Our Constitution is pretty specific about seperation of Church and State.  I do not want to get into this debate, but suffice it to say that Mount Soledad had it's fair share of battles, because of 29 foot Cross that was supposedly erected in the 1950's as a Korean War Memorial.  For 17 years the right of the cross to be on public land atop Mount Soledad was challenged in the courts,  and the cross was ordered taken down.

   The Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial

Battles over the Cross went on for over 17 years.  But on August 14,2006 President Bush signed legislation effectively transferring  Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial to the Federal Government. 

Even if you forget about the Cross, Mt. Soledad is one of the most spectacular spots with 360 degree views of the area.  During the battles to save the Cross, the Mt. Soledad Association was formed, and they erected 6 concrete walls to ultimately hold appx. 3,200 black granite plaques honoring veterans who served our country.  Below is a show of a small sampling of the Memorial.

The next Monument that I found was in the Oceanside Harbor.....this one in commemoration of Pearl Harbor.

Fighting for our country, and honoring those that have is a large part of being an American.  At least this is my opinion.  I am a Veteran, as is at least one member of our family all the way back to the Civil War.  So, today I leave you with a short show on the Mt. Soledad Veteran's Memorial......and the thought that whether we believe in Crosses on certain land, or in a particular war, the bottom line is Be proud to be an American! 

***Our country, the People, and the choices we're given are what makes us great***

 By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty ~ Blog: California Real Estate and Life

My California Real Estate and Life Blog has information on Military Matters, and Relocations.  More Military Info will be added all the time.

My 200th Post........Trials of Changing Internet Browsers to Firefox

Some days I just feel old, but thankfully most days I have a lot of energy, and am willing to learn new things.  Trying them, on the other hand takes a lot of trust, and knowing that there is a learning curve, which of course for me means frustration, causes indecision.  Well I finally listened to The Blog Artist marti garaughty , and am using the Firefox Internet Browser.

When I first downloaded Mozilla Firefox , I wasn't sure if my poor little tablet had enough memory for everything. Any new technology can be like pulling teeth trying to make sure the learning process will be as painless as possible. So many of us just want to do what we're comfortable with, and I'm no exception when it comes to the computer, browsers, and complicated programs.

Anyway, about a month ago now I started my outside blog: California Real Estate and Life.  At the time, I was trying to learn the Word Press Platform, and marti kept saying to get rid of IE and use Firefox.  No, no, I thought, I  am having enough trouble learning a new blogging platform I have no desire to learn the idiosyncrasies of a new Browser also.  So I didn't do it.  For a month now I have heard.....get rid of IE, use Firefox.

So finally the other day I went to Laurie Manny's outside blog and downloaded it. Yep, a creature of habit, and scared to death that I might mess up all of my Internet stuff......I knew I had seen the Firefox download link on Laurie's site.....so that's where I headed.  I checked it out, but didn't download it.  Remember I was still paranoid about my available RAM so I went and bought 4 GB's, then went back and downloaded the new Browser.

Even as I am writing this post I am learning more about the Mozilla Firefox  Browser.  I have no idea why people say that IE isn't good.  I like it just fine, but then again what do I know :)  Now I got a message that says my Browser, yes Firefox has blocked pop-ups from Active Rain.  What....oh gawd...how do I fix this.  IE had a pop-up blocker to turn on and off, and I cannot find it on here :(   I can see this is going to be interesting....but hey after 200 Posts on Active Rain it's time to learn something new :)

Here are a few things I found with this new Browser:

• You can import all your bookmarked sites from IE
• My MLS does not like Firefox.....it keeps giving me error messages
• Firefox is different than IE when it comes to closing a window.......I learned that there are tabs opened that you just close, and not the big X at the top like in IE (this doesn't even sound right but I know what I mean....LOL :)
• Under Tools there is something called an Error Console.....no pop-up[ blocker, or "get rid of my temporary files" like in IE, but I do have an Error Console.....I'm not sure I am liking this right now, but hey it's only been a couple days.......
• MY IE icon has disappeared, but I know it's there somewhere because another error popped up and somehow I was back on IE....Once this was fixed, Firefox was again showing.....oh my ~ oh my...this isn't as painless as I'd hoped.

It may not be painless, but again it's not impossible.  The best part is I know that IE is in the background somewhere, so it is like having a safety net.  I love having a safety net when it comes to learning new technology :) 

So, anyway........now I will be working my way through my blogs, writing for my word press one and writing for Active Rain's new localism, as well as setting up my Active Rain Outside Blog all with my new Firefox Browser. It's onward and upward with the things I learn here on Active Rain. 

Blogging has become fun, even when you have to learn new things   :) :)

By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty and California Real Estate and Life

Monday Morning.... Gifts of lasting value, and a Thank You to 2 AR Bloggers

Monday.....I have been waiting for this Monday because I have an overdue closing that is supposed to record at 8am today.  So, I am ready for today ~ let it be a good one.  Now how about the rest of you?  Did you have a good week-end?  Hopefully no one was in the flood or fire areas, and hopefully everyone had something positive happen.

This Monday, I want to give a special Thank You to 2 of our Colleagues.....then I am off to make a few gifts. Sometimes I buy gifts, sometimes I make them, and sometimes the gift is something I have written or read.  We all have our own idea of what a true valuable gift is.  And for many of us, it is something thoughtful, something the person took their time to do, time they gave us, or something they made.

A gift given from the heart is one that many of us value....ask any parent, or grandparent.  A Child on the other hand sifts through the Sears Catalog (do they even make these anymore) to find the newest toy, clothing, or other material thing that they want.  This is what is valuable to a child in the short term.  In the long term even children remember the time that was spent with them.

Think about the Dad that made it to all his sons games.....don't you think that child will remember?  How about the little girls remembering a day spent cooking together, or the recipes they are taught....how many times have you heard the smile in a little voice when they tell someone....."I made that!"  Or the little boy that cooks and the girl that plays sports as I believe that both boys and girls can do anything, and shouldn't be limited by gender.

Today I am going to be making some little FIMO (clay) gifts.  I will also be spending the time with my grandkids showing them all the possibilities, limited only by their imagination, of a gift for someone special.  All of us can "give" of ourselves in one form or another, and one of my ways is crafts.  So, this day will be a profitable one for sure....money in my pocket, and teaching for my soul.  A good day for sure.....

Here are this weeks Gifts ~ 2 wonderful contributors to our community: 

Gift #1-  is someone who every week has added value to the e-PRO Group by her wonderful Posts on Technology and Photography.  I am always amazed at the quality of these posts, and want to thank CJ also known as Cheryl Johnson for her wonderful, easy to understand contributions.  She gives and gives every week.  So Thank you CJ for being such a valued member of the e-PRO Group, and all of Active Rain.

Gift #2-   Cynthia Thilgman is another giving member of our community.  She has given so many positive messages throughout the Rain, that I cannot keep up with her.  I know that she has been doing a lot of localism posts for Military Relocation's in Onslow County, NC. But besides these she writes for Members. Last Christmas Cynthia shared some great gift ideas, and she is consistently supporting others.  I hope everyone goes to  her  Blog if you haven't already.....she truly is a gift.  Thanks Cynthia for everything you give to us, and for all the Positive messages.  Hope you have a great "balanced" summer :)

And just as a fun bonus here is an added gift this week:  The House Test

Now, I hope each of you finds something that benefits you not just today, but every day this week....

By: Kathy McGraw