March 16th, 2012
Come say "Hi" to Kerry, Sybill, Sherry, & Colleen of Windermere Real Estate at the BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
Question: Why are Winderemere Indian Wells agents Kerry Anderson, Sybill Allen, Sherry Owens, and Colleen Pappas all wearing fluorescent green uniforms? To honor St Patrick’s Day? Good guess, but no shillelagh…when they’re not helping their clients buy and sell incredible Coachella Valley homes, they’re volunteering at the BNP Paribas Open. The what? The BNP Paribas Open!
Folks identify the Coachella Valley with a lot of wonderful things…perfect weather (always)…great dining, fabulous shopping, golf, and TENNIS. The 37th BNP Paribas Open, the granddaddy of tennis tournaments, is held right here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The 37th BNP Paribas Open is the largest combined professional tennis tournament in the world. With play daily from March 11 through March 20, there are over 300 professional players with $9M in prize money (split equally between male and female pros). There’s plenty of room for everyone, too…Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s Stadium One is the second largest court in the world, with 16,100 seats. And right in the center of it all: volunteers Sybill Allen, Sherry Owens, Colleen Pappas, and Kerry Anderson (who has been volunteering with the tournament for 10 years). The professional tournament volunteer committees include ball kid coordinators, credentials, gates, information, lost & found, special events, transportation, ushers, and more. Aside from their love of the sport, the volunteers all appreciate that the tournament contributes to The Champions Volunteer Foundation which benefits youth recreational, educational and well-care programs including Foundation for the Retarded, Martha’s Kitchen, Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center, Boys & Girls Club, Shelter From the Storm, Gilda’s Club, Palm Desert Family YMCA, and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.
Oh, and for an extra point…who knows what the tournament is named after? Give up? BNP Paribas, headquartered in Paris, is the world’s biggest bank.
See? Windermere has all the right answers.
Tags: BNP Paribas, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Indian Wells, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Real Estate, tennis, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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March 12th, 2012
Nikki Reisman of Windermere Real Estate Rancho Mirage Office
Nikki Reisman has a gift for visualizing shape and color, and consigning it to canvas for the world to enjoy.
Nikki, an agent with Windermere’s Rancho Mirage office, has had art in her soul since she was a young girl. Was she good? “It kept me quiet,” she replies with a grin.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, she graduated from New York’s Vassar College with a BA in Art History, which she put to work teaching high school art. When broader horizons beckoned, she moved to Minneapolis and built an interior plant business. (“It was all the rage back then.”) Next stop: 10 years as a stockbroker with E.F.
Hutton and Smith Barney…and another 15 years running her own restaurant: Nikki’s Café and Bar. “It was all great fun,” she says. “But in 2000, I was tired of the snow, and I bought property in Ben Lomond, in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains. From there, it was an easy move in 2003 to the desert…and here I am!”
Building upon her native talent for drawing, Nikki paints bold abstract pieces on oversized canvases, employing color, depth and contrast, and often surprising herself as the work matures. “Sometimes I’ll come back to a painting and I’ll realize it’s not finished,” she notes. “Art is always evolving; it can say different things at different times.” Nikki’s work is represented by Colin Fisher Studios, Perez Road, Cathedral City.
Nikki applies equally exceptional insight and vision to the needs of her Windermere clients, and is available to help you with your next home purchase or sale. Nikki can be reached at 760-770-6801.
Tags: Coachella Valley, Colin Fisher Studios, New York Vassar College, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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March 9th, 2012
Valery Neuman of Windermere Real Estate Southern California 760-861-1176
Windermere takes exceptional pleasure in congratulating Valery Neuman, Broker Associate with Windermere’s Indian Wells Luxury Homes and Estates division (74-996 Highway 111). A consistently top producing agent, Valery has again been named by the Palm Desert Board of Realtors as the leading agent for her sales for 2011, closing the highest volume of real estate sales transactions (in dollars) in the Coachella Valley. Making her accomplishment all the more notable, this marks her third consecutive year earning this top distinction: in 2009, Valery closed over $58 million in combined sales transactions; in 2010, she surpassed her own record with combined sales exceeding $80 million, and in 2011, her combined sales were more than $52 million.
Valery, a licensed real estate professional in the desert for over two decades, represents a prestigious core of international buyers and sellers for the most sophisticated estates and properties across the Coachella Valley. A large part of her success is rooted in repeat clientele and referrals. An integral member of the Windermere Premier Properties program, Valery is at the leading edge of the Valley’s luxury market. She commands a dedicated team whose experience and backgrounds include escrow coordinating, advertising, and contract administration, and clients clearly appreciate this total package of customer service; her sales in the current year already include several high end properties, including a $10.5 million sale at Bighorn.
Crediting outstanding professionalism and work ethic for this impressive success, Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California, is proud to recognize Valery’s remarkable accomplishment. “Valery Neuman represents the best of what our business has to offer, and we are justifiably proud that she and her team call Windermere home. Windermere has, in just ten short years, become the real estate market leader in the Coachella Valley. We share her dedication to providing the finest service in the industry.”
Tags: Awards And Honors, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Coachella Valley, Golf Homes, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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March 1st, 2012
Many people are unaware of the difficulties of helping a loved one deal with Alzheimer’s disease, an illness sometimes nicknamed ‘the long goodbye’ because as the condition slowly advances it steals the memories of its victims, who for years can remain in good physical health.
Judy Genton of Windermere Real Estate Southern California
Judy Genton, an agent with Windermere’s Indian Wells Main office, knows the challenges faced by family members and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. In 2011, she became a caregiver for the second time in 3 years. With the same dedication and drive she shows to her buying and selling real estate clients, she is working to support the fight against this condition. Judy recognizes and supports the work of the Five Star Club, an Eisenhower-sponsored day care center for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and a support center for caregivers. “If you’ve had or have someone close to you affected by this disease, you know how hard it is to see a family go through it,” says Judy. “The Five Star Club provides invaluable support and assistance to these families.”
On Saturday, March 3, as part of her dedicated effort to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, Judy is participating with the Five Star Club Team in the Alzheimer’s Association 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She encourages those who would like to support this important work to join the Walk and/or donate. “The pressures brought on by this disease are difficult to comprehend. The support and relief provided by organizations such as the Five Star Club can be unbelievably instrumental in helping family members and other caregivers get through,” says Judy.
Tax-deductible contributions to the Five Star Club Team will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Details about the March 3 walk in Palm Desert, as well as information on how to donate, can be found by clicking HERE.
If you’d like to talk with Judy about your real estate needs, she can be reached at 760-773-3958.
Tags: alzheimer's, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Eisenhower Medical Center, Events, Five Star Club, Indian Wells, Neighborhood Involvement, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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February 28th, 2012
Where in the world can 10,000 bicycle riders come together for fun, camaraderie, PERFECT weather, and a smorgasbord of worthy causes?
Why, PALM SPRINGS, of course!
On February 10-11, Windermere agents once again participated in the Tour de Palm Springs, the largest ride of its kind in the Western United States.
Windermere participants this year included Carol MacFarlane, Michelle White, Don Rossignol, and Tianna Woods.
“The Tour is just a great opportunity to do good things for good people, and have lots of fun doing it,” says Don Rossignol, Managing Broker, Windermere’s Rancho Mirage office.
Tour de Palm Springs is an annual event which raises money for an impressive roster of non-profit Coachella Valley organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Animal Samaritans, Desert AIDS Project, Martha’s Kitchen, Palm Desert YMCA, and Pegasus Riding Academy. Last year, the Tour raised more than $225,000 for local charities. For more information, go to www.TourDePalmSprings.com.
Photo (l to r): Carol MacFarlane, Michelle White, Lliam Jones, Don Rossignol, Tianna Woods, and Allison Williams
Tags: Bicyclist, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Events, Neighborhood Involvement, Palm Springs, Tour de Palm Springs, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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February 27th, 2012
Windermere this year celebrates its 10th year in the Coachella Valley, and proudly recognizes David Cantwell, Managing Broker of Palm Springs Main, the first Windermere Coachella Valley office. Still in its original location at 850 N. Palm Canyon, this office and its agents set the pace for the success to follow. Today, Windermere Coachella Valley offices number 19, blanketing the valley from Palm Springs to Indio, including Garner Valley and Lake Arrowhead. In addition to its fully-staffed locations, clients take advantage of onsite offices at a number of the most prestigious developments in the desert, including Indian Wells Country Club (Indian Wells), Morningside and The Springs (Rancho Mirage), and Deep Canyon Tennis Club (Palm Desert).
“We set the bar pretty high. We knew we were building something very special when we opened our first office,” said Bob Deville of Bennion & Deville Fine Homes, Inc. and co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “I don’t think anybody could have guessed that in just ten years we would be where we are today. It’s very rewarding, and at the same time very humbling.”
The Palm Springs Main office, now home base to about 80 agents, was the first to employ a full-time non-competing Managing Broker to provide an additional layer of customer service and agent support, one of the key features credited for Windermere’s success. “The market in those early days was much more rapid than today,” says David Cantwell, Managing Broker. “There wasn’t yet any indication of the downturn the national market experienced. The Coachella Valley was one of the last markets in California to slow down. And now, we’re at the cutting edge of the recovery. We haven’t seen this much movement, this level of excitement in years.”
What does the future hold for Windermere? “We’re going to continue providing our legendary brand of customer service and products,” says Deville. “Clearly, we’re doing it right.”
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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February 14th, 2012
3 Sisters Survival
Kathleen O’Brien, an agent with Windermere’s Palm Desert San Pablo office, is summoning deep-down strength to help her make it through a particularly tough patch in her life.
Kathleen, or ‘Sunshine’ as she is known to her friends, is currently recovering from double mastectomy breast cancer surgery. Her family has been especially hard-hit; in less than one year, both her sisters have undergone double mastectomies for the same disease. The American Cancer Society statistics indicate that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and that for women with two first-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer, risk is tripled. Sunshine’s mother and grandmother also battled the disease.
Sunshine and her sisters, Angel and Brenda, are all feeling positive about the future, and are working to inspire others facing this monumental struggle. Closer-knit than ever, they have put their story on their Facebook page: Three Sisters Survival.
“It’s important that all women routinely check themselves, and have regular exams,” says Sunshine. “My sisters and I hope by sharing our story, we’re helping others with early detection and treatment.”
See below for more information:
3 Sisters Face Battle Against Breast Cancer – San Diego News Story – KGTV San Diego
http://www.10news.com/news/30403498/detail.html
For readers in the Coachella Valley, Kathleen’s story appeared on Monday, February 13: Channel 3 at 5:00 PM and on Channel 2 at 5:30.
Tags: American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer, cancer, Palm Desert, Three Sisters Survival, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 31st, 2012
Contact Cindy Harcar, Windermere Laguna Niguel 949-350-2862
Cindy Harcar (27941 La Paz, Suite A) was attracted to Windermere’s entrepreneurial spirit and reputation, which complement her exceptional customer service and strong negotiating skills. Drawing from an impressive corporate background, Cindy provides highly successful, professional marketing plans unique to each seller for maximum exposure in today’s market.
Cindy brings 25 years’ experience to real estate, which include illustrious teaching and corporate careers. With a Masters degree in Administration, she specialized in marketing and sales, where her 14 years in medical sales led to a position as Regional Vice President for a medical software company. Cindy retired in 1997 when her company went public; after taking time off to master golf, cooking, and being a three-time grandmother, Cindy set her sights on real estate.
Cindy’s recent sales include one in Laguna Beach (representing the seller on a home which sold for $2.8M) and one on Balboa Island (representing the buyer on a $1.9M purchase). An impressive percentage of Cindy’s success comes from repeat and referral business, a reliable indication of her reputation and abilities; her clients include friends she has known since 5th grade. “My clients know me and trust me,” says Cindy. “They know everything will be handled in a professional manner. I’ve proven myself, and they clearly recognize how hard I work for them. They come back to me, and they refer their friends and family to me. There is no better recommendation.”
For an appointment with Cindy Harcar, call 949-350-2862.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Laguna Niguel, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 27th, 2012
Click on the graphic or visit us at www.DesertOpen.com to see a list of this weekend’s open houses!
To see a complete list of homes for sale, please visit us at www.windermeresocal.com.
Tags: Coachella Valley, Open Houses, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 25th, 2012
It’s 1962. Nobody’s heard of the Beatles. AT&T launches Telstar, the first communications satellite. The Incredible Hulk gets his own comic book, and Jacqueline Kennedy takes television viewers on a tour of the White House. And in 1962, John Veytia gets his real estate license. As much a powerhouse today as he was then, Veytia exudes a vitality that fills a room and inspires everyone in it. He’s never been bored, never given himself the chance. He’s marked every trend, ridden every wave, dispatching challenges with gusto, wit, and his unique brand of charm. But aside from that easygoing affability, what makes Veytia stand out are his professionalism, dedication to principle, and a serious reputation for getting the job done, with experience 
which includes 6 years teaching Real Estate Law. “In 50 years in this industry I have pretty much seen everything,” says Veytia. “Through it all, there’s been one constant: my very best effort. My clients deserve it, and I see that they get it.”
The Veytia Group is a closely knit cadre of exceptional real estate professionals led by Veytia himself. He credits much of their success to repeat and referral clients who are used to the finest. Veytia says it best: “Give me and my Team 1% of your confidence. We will EARN the other 99%.”
John Veytia and The Veytia Group serve their clients from the Windermere Real Estate office at 32351 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. They can be reached at 949-415-0111.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, John Veytia, Laguna Beach, Real Estate, The Veytia Group, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 24th, 2012
Each year, Coachella Valley dons its finest evening wear and pays homage to its Hollywood roots by welcoming filmdom’s finest directors, producers and actors to the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Held over a ten-day period (this year January 5-16) and now in its 23rd year, the Festival is recognized as a major player in the world of cinema, offering a sophisticated, high profile venue for hundreds of films, many from first time independent artists and studios. Windermere recognizes the many benefits of being host to an event as important and prestigious as the Festival, and for 2012 continues its sponsorship at the Platinum level. “There are a multitude of reasons so many have chosen to make their first and second homes here in the Coachella Valley,” says Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “One of the greatest of these is our incredible diversity of lifestyles, social and recreational opportunities. The Palm Springs International Film Festival spotlights an important facet of our appeal: a broad range of entertainment options and personal interests. When the Festival and other grand events bring visitors to Palm Springs and its neighboring communities, they fall in love with this place. They have done so for decades, and with all we have to offer, that’s not going to change.” Among the many characteristics continuing to draw people to the Valley, Deville credits a strong real estate market which includes affordable prices in every range, an exceptional inventory of properties from weekend condo to million dollar estates, and savvy buyers and sellers who more than ever recognize the desert’s great opportunities. “It’s a wonderful place to live, to work, and play,” says Deville. “There’s a strong sense of community which ties us all together here.” Windermere and its agents are noted for support of important local services; individual agents devote time, effort and money to a multitude of causes important to them, and entire offices join together throughout the year for various causes. “Windermere appreciates the opportunity to support the Palm Springs International Film Festival each year, in part, because we advance many of the same causes, including one of the most vital: educational and enrichment programs tailored for the Coachella Valley.” Proceeds from the PSIFF help to fund scholarships to low income students.
To learn more about Windermere, visit www.WindermereSoCal.com.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Film, Film Festival, Palm Springs, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 20th, 2012
Windermere Real Estate Southern California is synonymous with community service in the Coachella Valley. Windermere offices sponsor a great number of causes throughout the year, and individual agents contribute their own time, money and effort to myriad other agencies, services and interests. With involvement by agents from Windermere’s La Quinta, Old Town La Quinta, Indian Wells Main, and Indian Wells Country Club offices, Windermere Real Estate is sponsoring a special screening of the documentary, ‘The Wrecking Crew’, about the musicians who played with the greatest musical stars of the 60s: The Mamas and the Papas…The Beach Boys…Cher…and Elvis Presley…all backed by this Los Angeles Sessions musicians group. Though the documentary has earned international awards and critical acclaim, distribution costs have kept the film from market. Proceeds from the Windermere presentation will go toward licensing so the film can be enjoyed by those whose lives were touched by this music. 50/50 raffle tickets benefiting the Windermere Foundation will be sold during the event, with prizes to include musical items signed by Crew members. The Windermere Foundation is one of the ways Windermere agents give back to their communities–funded with a contribution from every Windermere real estate transaction, the Foundation raises money for programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children’s programs, emergency assistance, and other services to those in need.
The event, being held Sunday, January 29th in the main ballroom upstairs at the Indian Wells Country Club, begins at 6:00 with a Meet and Greet and cash bar, with screening at 7:00. On hand to represent the many artists in the film will be Denny Tedesco, producer/director, and three members of the Wrecking Crew: Bill Pitman, ‘Master of the Danelectro Guitar’ (Wild Wild West TV theme); Don Randi, who played piano for both Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s Las Vegas performances; and Hal Blaine, whose drumming marked such recognizable hits as Paul Revere and the Raiders ‘Cherokee Nation’.
Tickets ($15 General and $10 for Seniors) are available online, Click Here.
To learn more about Windermere, visit www.WindermereSoCal.com.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Clubs and Organizations, Coachella Valley, Community Support, Events, Golf, Golf Homes, Indian Wells, Indian Wells Country Club, Movie, Neighborhood Involvement, Real Estate, The Wrecking Crew, The Wrecking Crew Film, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 19th, 2012
Windermere SoCal’s coastal offices are hitting it out of the park these days, making a LOT of buyers and sellers VERY happy! Permit us to drop a few names:
Vince Scuncio, Carlsbad office: Vince is listing 1-3 short sale listings PER WEEK! For those who aren’t quite sure what a short sale is…it’s where an owner’s agent can work directly with a lender to get authorization to list and sell a property for less than the amount owed. For the owner in that situation who is looking to sell, a short sale authorization can help. And for the lender, the reduced time and cost may make a short sale preferable over a foreclosure. Short Sales can be a win-win! Good job, Vince!
Though a short sale can be a viable option for homeowners and lenders with certain types of loans, the process requires an agent with patience and determination… and that’s when Carlsbad’s Jasmin Abdullah, Manny Lising, Ricardo Riley, and Chris Valdez pull off the seemingly impossible, bringing new life to the short sale process for their buyer clients. Show ‘em how it’s done, guys!
The Cliff Mensch group at the Solana Beach office is helping to keep the new housing inventory fresh throughout the region! In just the last 30 days, in addition to Cliff’s existing 55-unit Vista project currently selling, he just signed up a new 82-unit detached home development in the desert, an intimate 4-unit project in Hemet, and TWO luxury custom homes in Carlsbad. Zoom!
And then there’s Alvin Newton of the Solana Beach office, who just added another FSBO (For Sale By Owner) to his great list of clients. There are a lot of reasons why homeowners who try selling their own homes usually end up asking a licensed real estate for help: the legal requirements and implications of selling a property can be overwhelming to someone not trained and licensed, and the financial payback is clear (sales using licensed agents almost always result in selling prices that more than compensate for the agent’s commission!)
From the ‘Build It and They Will Live Happily’ department, we present Renee Reinert, also with the Solana Beach office, who excels at bringing all the parties to the table…developers, designers, and contractors, calling on her broad experience with land sales. Her buyer clients love her exceptional service and outstanding results.
For those not sure where they want to commit in today’s exciting real estate market, Judy Goldberg and Jill Stanger of the Carlsbad office have you covered! These two are the acknowledged Windermere Preferred Leasing agents for Coastal San Diego County.
Tags: Agent Tips, Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Carlsbad, FSBO, Lease, Leasing, Real Estate, San Diego, Short Sale, Solana Beach, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 18th, 2012
Windermere Southern California is looking ahead to 2012 after closing nearly $1.5 BILLION in transactions last year in the Coachella Valley. It is a suitable way to begin its second decade serving home buyers and sellers across the high and low desert, from Palm Springs to Indio and all points in between. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in our first 10 years,” says Bob Deville, co-owner, Windermere Southern California. “Roller coaster real estate prices, the coming and going of some good and not so good financing options, and the rise and fall of a sobering number of real estate companies.” Among the last regions in the state to feel the impact of the real estate downturn, the Coachella Valley is now at the forefront of the recovery. “There are a number of reasons for this,” says Deville, “but the easiest one to quantify is this: People want to live here. That is not going to change.”
This basic tenet is at the center of Windermere’s growth and success in the Valley. The desert’s near-perfect climate, relative affordability and diverse lifestyles, coupled with what Windermere owners and clients refer to as ‘legendary customer service’ have led to a thoughtful yet robust expansion from a single office 10 years ago to today’s 19. Home prices are still attainable for most buyers; rates are exceptionally low, and brisk real estate activity is keeping housing inventory at a manageable level. It’s a great place for Windermere to be as the company sails into the next decade. “We are proud of our accomplishments, and humbled, as well,” said Deville. “That a company can attain this level of success while navigating through one of the most challenging periods in our industry’s history is a testament to our beliefs, our principles, our agents, and our clients.”
For more information, visit www.WindermereSoCal.com.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Coachella Valley, Golf Homes, Historic, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palm Springs Central, Palm Springs South, Rancho Mirage, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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January 13th, 2012
Click on the graphic or visit us at www.DesertOpen.com to see a list of this weekend’s open houses!
To see a complete list of homes for sale, please visit us at www.windermeresocal.com.
Tags: Bob Deville and Bob Bennion, Coachella Valley, Golf Homes, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Open Houses, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palm Springs Central, Palm Springs South, Rancho Mirage, Real Estate, Windermere, Windermere Real Estate
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