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Road Trip Day 11: Turning A No Plan Day Into Something Special

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.


Monday, March 6:

This was going to be an easy day with no particular plan.  We did want to get some laundry done.  Gail volunteered for that job... or, at least, that's my recollection.  She tends to get up earlier than I do, so I figured she could get the laundry started before I ever knew it was a new day... and before the laundry machines got busy. 

This was our fourth morning at the Staybridge, meaning the fourth morning for breakfast burritos from the taco truck. The hotel still hadn't received their food permit from the city.  NOT.  We decided to pass on the burritos and go to Dennys to take advantage of their $4 value menu.  I ordered the Value Slam with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, and 2 pieces of bacon.  Gail ordered the biscuits and gravy.  I gave her one of the pancakes and a piece of bacon and she gave me 1/2 of her biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns.  It was the perfect combination for both of us... way better than another cold breakfast burrito.  

After breakfast, we drove to Date Palm Country Club just up the street to see if we could get a coupon for the 9 holes of golf we missed due to the horrible windstorm the day before.  Judy, the manager, was in so I politely explained the situation and asked if we could be comped for the 9 holes we paid for but did not get to play due to the hazardous conditions.  Her initial reaction was: "If I do that for you, I'd have to do it for everyone. We have no control over the weather."   That, however, did not deter us.  We had a polite conversation, did a little shopping in the pro shop store and before we left had a coupon for two free rounds (all 18 holes) plus a riding cart.  Yay.  Negotiation skills work in every facet of life.

I have always liked the Date Palm Country Club Golf Course and Community. I had friends who rented there during the winter for several years and we would get together with them,  play golf, and then go to their place and visit some more.  So, after securing our round of golf for later in the week, we drove around looking at homes for sale in the community.  There were many homes for sale but, if I buy a home, it would need to be ON the golf course. We saw some possibilities.  One home, in a great location, had a FSBO sign "$5,000 down. $400 per month".  That sounded kind of interesting but there was no actual price on it.  I took the number and thought maybe I'd call the owner later. I figured it must be an estate sale.  I knew the home needed a lot of work but if the price was right... well maybe.  Being the good (ex) REALTOR®, I knew a little more due diligence was in order.  I also knew this community was on Indian land and included a monthly lot lease payment on each property.  Turns out the lot lease is $1100 per month! Ouchy Wouchy!   That was the end of my due diligence.   In retrospect, I got to thinking maybe I should have offered to take the property off the guys hands (at no cost) if he let me have early occupancy, with no lease payments until December.    To me, the home itself is worthless with that kind of a lot lease payment. However, I could turn it into a seasonal rental and net more than the annual lot lease payments.  

Our next adventure of the day was to go looking for the "Pink Door" house that we had read about on the internet.  The article said: "if you go to Palm Springs and don't take a photo of it... it's like you didn't even go...".  I have been to Palm Springs about 25 times and had never been to see the Pink Door house.  So, you can imagine, my horror and concern that I had missed something so important! 


We went looking for the pink door house.  Turns out it was in a very interesting, upscale, 1960's neighborhood.  This "pink door" house must have started a trend because there were many homes in this neighborhood with doors painted interesting colors or, in this case, accessorized with lion statues and watermelon balls.   We had a wonderful time driving the neighborhood and discretely taking a few pictures.  


The Pink Door house neighborhood is near the Indian Canyon Golf Course which I have played several times in the past.  We stopped in at the clubhouse and had a drink on the patio and enjoyed the tranquil scenery of mountains and water and palm trees.  On the way back to the car, we saw a classic Jaquar Gail looked very good next to. 


Our Gonzaga Bulldogs are in the NCAA playoffs and were scheduled to play at 6:00, so we headed back to the room to watch the game and eat some food we already had in the room.  Gonzaga won and continue their march through the NCAA tournament.



And that, my friends, is how you turn a day with no plan (except to do laundry) into a great day!











Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Happy March !




Comments (25)

Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Carol Williams - I am sure the days are shorter when you are on a road trip!

Mar 27, 2017 10:01 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Carol I live through your vagabond adventures.... we are so regimented with three cats and a dog, Diane's routines going to work...coming home... I am jealous:))Endre

Mar 27, 2017 10:31 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Carol.  Sometimes a no plan day is the best day. It would be difficult for me to not have a planned out day.

Mar 28, 2017 02:38 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Carol and glad to see your smiling face in the rain more often.  Have a good one.

 

Mar 28, 2017 06:14 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Dorie Dillard .  There are so many things to do in the Palm Springs area, it's not to have a great day.  Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings.

Mar 28, 2017 06:21 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good Morning Kathy Streib .  Yes, they've made it to the NCAA tournament 18 years in a row but never made it to the Final 4.  Go Zags!!

Mar 28, 2017 06:23 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Ed Silva .  Sweet looking little ride, eh?  We didn't stick around to see if the owner wanted to do a straight across trade for my 2008 AWD Ford Taurus. His loss.   LOL

Mar 28, 2017 06:24 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Shahar Hillel .  Isn't that the truth.  As I told Dorie, there are so many things to do in the Palm Springs area, it's hard not to have a good day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Mar 28, 2017 06:25 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Lottie Kendall .  I love the P.S. area and there is so much to do, even if it means driving around looking at houses... which I love!  Thanks for reading.

Mar 28, 2017 06:26 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Praful Thakkar .  It's hard to jam everything in.  There is always so much to do.  Thanks for reading my little traveloque.

Mar 28, 2017 06:27 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Endre Barath, Jr. .  I hope you're enjoying the adventure.  Pets do limit travel.  I've seriously considered getting a pet for company since my husband passed but I just come and go too much.  Thanks for reading.

Mar 28, 2017 06:31 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning James Dray .  I think if you ever retired you could learn to enjoy a no plan day.  They're quite marvelous, with fun surprises.   Thanks for reading about my adventures.

Mar 28, 2017 06:32 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Will Hamm .  I loved my trip but it's good to be back in The Rain again.

Mar 28, 2017 06:33 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Carol. I enjoyed your day too. Yes, negotiation is a given and works in life. I too like the jag.

Mar 28, 2017 08:10 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Carol Williams Looks like fun. We are planning our road trip for July.

Mar 28, 2017 12:55 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Sheila Anderson ,  Glad you could enjoy the day vicariously through my blog.  

Mar 28, 2017 01:45 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Donald Hester .  Where are you headed on your July road trip?

Mar 28, 2017 01:45 PM
Donald Hester

Back to Wisconsin for a Wedding and visit family. We may hang a left and head to Kansas also to visit family there.

Mar 28, 2017 02:10 PM
Carol Williams

Sounds like a good time, Don!

Mar 29, 2017 06:14 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Hi Carol. I enjoy the day anyway........

Mar 28, 2017 01:46 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing your interesting day.

Mar 30, 2017 06:24 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Carol Williams - your blog post read like a good adventure story! In this business, we have many to choose from, but when you get to spend the day doing something as interesting as this, it makes the day so much more enjoyable. I'm also glad you pointed out the watermellon balls. I couldn't figure out what they were and was so curious! 

Apr 03, 2017 07:57 AM