While analyzing sales data from the Desert Area Multiple Listing Service (MLS), I looked at closed sales for the first 3 quarters of 2006, compared with the same period in 2002 thru 2005. What I found was very surprising (considering all the negative media over the past year) and encouraging. Searching sales from Rancho Mirage to La Quinta for 2006, I found that sales from $1 million to $2 million were off from 2005 by about 15%, but still ahead of 2004. Sales from $2-$3 million were up from 2005 by almost 50% and sales above $3 million were up more than 50%!