This month I would like to start by wishing everyone a Very Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous and Healthy Year in 2012! Sometimes I find that I am too focused on the real estate business, and not focused enough on all of the positive things in my life. So, this is a great time for us to reflect on what we have.

As 2011 draws to a close, I am again looking forward to next year! This has continued to be a very challenging year for real estate sales in the valley, as well as across the country. Real Estate values continue to decline, the economy is struggling around the world and unemployment remains high. Even though my personal business was up substantially from 2010, it was a difficult year.

So, what about 2012? Overall, I expect to see some increase in both real estate sales and real estate prices. Not by large amounts, but we should be turning the corner this year. Prices will probably remain fairly level for a number of years, but if the price decline stops, it will be a positive signal for both Buyers and Sellers! The number of bank owned properties in the high-end has dropped dramatically over this year, which will shift more buyer focus back to standard sales.

I noted last month that showing activity had started to pick up, and this did translate into an increase in sales activity over the past 3-4 weeks. It seems that some buyers are now tired of waiting and are moving forward with purchases they have been putting off, which is another good sign of market improvement. And, I am expecting this to continue thru the upcoming season.

This month I have included the following articles you might find interesting:

•	High-End Hits the Auction Block: This article from The Wall Street Journal looks at the increase in Luxury Home auctions, not due to distress, but as a way to move a property quickly.... Read more
•	Another WSJ article on a New York City developer building a 90-floor, ultra luxury building with top-floor penthouses available for nearly $100 million!... Read more
•	Sunny Days on the Salton Sea, an article courtesy of Desert Magazine of The Desert Sun, looks at the history of the Salton Sea and what an important part it played in the growth of the Coachella Valley. Very interesting!... Read More
•	Windermere Real Estate Coachella Valley has joined with Luxury Portfolio International, giving us a very strong reach into Luxury marketing worldwide. This is the Luxury Portfolio 2011 Holiday Gift Guide... Take a look
•	Bank Owned Homes For Sale Priced Above $1 Million: This list is down to 6 homes, the smallest amount in almost 2 years! A home at Mirada Estates tops the list at $3,295,000. There are also 4 homes in escrow and 1 has closed in the past 30 days... See the complete list
•	The 10 Most Expensive Desert Homes sold in November 2011, according to the Desert Area MLS. Selling prices ranged from $1,700,000 to $6,000,000! My listing and sale at Tradition was 2nd highest at $4.5 million. The Vintage was at the top of the list, and there were homes at Bighorn, Toscana, Mirada and The Hideaway... See the complete list
•	Mortgage Rates as of 12/15/2011: Rates remain very low!... Read More

I always enjoy getting your input from this newsletter. And, the circulation continues to grow! Please have your friends sign up! Have a Happy Holiday Season!

Sincerely,
Bruce