Desert Sun Retreats 9/23/22

$615,000

Examining the August 2022 Coachella Valley Real Estate Market

Coachella Valley Market Snapshot

up 23.0%

Compared to 4.6% to

up 8.8%

up 81.1% to 12.1% 1.3%

Compared to down 25.8% Compared to 2021

We have been highlighting a market shift across the summer months, with many of these trends carrying into the most recent full month of data. Continue reading to see where the market is heading and what it means for the desert. Keep in mind the data and analysis in the recap is comprehensive of the entire desert resort region. Want to learn more about the current state of the market in a specific city, community, or neighborhood? Please contact your local Bennion Deville Homes REALTOR® or visit BDHomes.com for more. We will unlock possibilities for you.

Many market patterns from the previous summer months carried over into August of this year, but with some variation. The number of new listings hitting the market dropped, while the number of closed sales and properties going into pending status increased, indicating that the August recap could have a robust sales figure as those transactions close. With the number of active listings edging down, the median sold price once again increased, as did the average price per square foot. The sale pace, noted as days on market, slowed by a fair margin. The listing discount (sold price versus list price presented as a percentage) continued its steady decline, ending at a 2% discount. Due to the slowing sale pace coupled with the decrease in new listings, the months of inventory finished slightly lower than the previous month but remains above 2.5 months.

August’s trends and overall numbers could be a sign of things to come heading into the height of the desert’s prime season, when we typically see inventory rise along with sales activity. The number of homes for sale at the end of the month was 81% higher when compared annually. The status of this key metric indicates that the extreme nature of the pandemic-era market, which was fueled by limited inventory, is mostly behind us. As more homes go up for sale and buyers enjoy

up 3.3% Compared to

down 3.7%

up 136.4% Compared to 2021 COMPARED MONTH OVER MONTH AND YEAR OVER YEAR

Compared to month

additional choices, we expect the listing discount to continue its current course and return to a more normal level of about 3-5% off the list price. These factors will also allow home price gains to flatten to typical figures in the low-to-mid single digits. Regardless of your interest in buying or selling property, now is an ideal time to make your move before more competition enters the market, whether that be homes coming to market, or buyers in the buyer pool.

August saw 563 homes exchange owners, a 25.8% drop from the same time last year but a 3.3% increase month-over-month. Those transactions created over $490 million in sales volume, a 3.3% increase year-over-year but a 6.8% drop month-overmonth. A total of 797 new listings hit the market in August, a 16% decline from the same month last year and a 10.9% drop from July of this year. The month saw 736 homes go into pending status, a 2.1% drop from August 2021, but a 31.9% leap over July 2022. The median sale price of a home finished the month at $615,000, a 23% increase year-over-year and a 4.6% increase month-over-month. Likewise, the price per square foot of a sold home came in at $413, a 24.4% jump annually and a 6.7% increase over the prior month. The sale pace, noted as average days on market to sell a home, clocked in at 37 days, a 12.1% increase (slower) year-over-year and an 8.8% increase month-over-month. Additionally, the listing discount, calculated by dividing the final sale price by the list price, ended the month at 98%, representing a 2% discount, a 3% decline from the same month last year and a 1% drop from July of this year. The market closed out the month with 1,470 homes for sale, an 81% surge year-over-year and a slight 1.3% dip from the previous month. Overall, there are 2.6 months of inventory on the market to feed demand, a 136.4% increase year-overyear and a 3.7% decline from the prior month. A balanced market is considered around 6 months of inventory. Although buyers are gaining more leverage in negotiations, inventory is still scarce enough to give sellers a slight advantage.

OPEN HOUSES

VISIT BDHOMES.COM FOR MORE

• PALM SPRINGS •

3BD/2BA Desert Park Estates 2899 E. San Juan Drive $1,099,000 Dan Flogel 760-898-2291 Sat 11-2/Sun 12-3

3BD/3BA Villas at the Movie Colony 550 N. Indian Canyon Dr. $1,495,000 Doug McCourt 760-641-6567 Sat/Sun 12-3

OPEN: Sat 11:00am-2:00pm

3BD/3BA The Springs Country Club 51 Dartmouth Drive $1,599,000David Tallman 760-285-5922Sat/Sun 12-2 PALM DESERT

OPEN: Sat 12:00pm-3:00pm

• RANCHO MIRAGE •

3BD/3BA The Springs Country Club 15 Lafayette Drive $1,295,000 John O’Brien 619-990-4854 Sat/Sun 1-3

3BD/3BA Rancho Mirage Country Club 67 Kavenish Drive $719,900 David Goldberg 760-668-4558 Sat/Sun 11-2

OPEN: Sat/Sun 11:00am-2:00pm

4BD/3BA Sun City Palm Desert 78149 Kistler Way $725,000 Gayle Pietras 760-636-8527 Sat/Sun 12-3

2BD/2.5BA Sun City Palm Desert 78102 Kensington Avenue $929,000 Gayle Pietras 760-636-8527 Sat 12-3

3BD/3.5BA Indian Ridge Country Club 141 Rain Bird Circle $949,000 DW & Associates 760-776-7070 Sat 1-3

3BD/3.5BA Indian Ridge Country Club 383 Desert Holly Drive $975,000 DW & Associates 760-776-7070 Sat 1-3

• LA QUINTA

OPEN: Sat 1:00pm-3:00pm/Sun 11:00am-1:00pm

OPEN: Sat 12:00pm-2:00pm

3BD/4BA Indian Ridge Country Club 870 Deer Haven Circle $1,750,000 Barbara Merrill 760-668-5808 Sun 1-3

3BD/4BA Indian Ridge Country Club 780 Deer Haven Circle $1,850,000 Barbara Merrill 760-668-5808 Sat 1-3

• INDIAN WELLS •

4BD/4BA Indian Wells 45925 Manzo Road $1,987,500 John O’Brien 619-990-4854 Fri 1-4/Sat/Sun 12-3

Rancho La Quinta Country Club, La Quinta 49380 Mission Drive W. • $1,395,000 3BD/4BA 2841 SF Jeff Brandt • 760-578-5828

3BD/2BA La Quinta Cove 54770 Avenida Ramirez $559,999 DW & Associates 760-776-7070 Sat 10-12

3BD/2BA La Quinta Cove 54030 Eisenhower Drive $848,500 Randy Steele 760-534-4199 Sat 11-2

3BD/3BA La Quinta Cove 51889 Avenida Montezuma $875,000 Meg Maryatt 760-238-6006 Sat 11-2

3BD/4BA Rancho La Quinta 49380 Mission Drive W. $1,395,000 Jeff Brandt 760-578-5828 Sat 1-3/Sun 11-1

• INDIO •

OPEN: Sat 11:00am-2:00pm

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Under cover

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Curl up with a cozy blanket, indoors or out

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Living well with less

Tips for decorating small spaces

Wrenda Goodwyn Special to Fort Myers News-Press USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

“A home is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and buy more stuff.”

As an interior decorator helping homeowners redo and arrange their stuff and make it look pretty, I love this quote by the late, great comedian, George Carlin. And it’s true.

He also said a home is a “pile of stuff with a cover on it” and if you “didn’t have so much stuff you wouldn’t need a house. You could just walk around all the time.”

Funny stuff. And so true.

Let’s face it: we all have too much stuff. And we keep buying stuff. Trying to find the right stuff and hoping it will bring us happiness.

That’s why I decided to write this article. Our stuff is out of control. Try downsizing to a smaller space and you will quickly come to terms with what you really need and what’s most important.

This is not an article about tiny houses. It’s about living in less space in comfort while regaining control over your quality of life. With a little less stuff. It’s not about condensing your life down to almost nothing. It’s about surrounding yourself with what’s most important. And even if you don’t live in a small space (small being relative), the tips are the same. We never really have enough space no matter where we live. The guidelines apply to any home or space.

As an interior decorator, I’ve helped many clients who try to figure out how to downsize with a moving van full of huge, heavy stuff from their previous home. It can be a huge challenge. And an emotional one. Here is a little cheat sheet to get you started and then read on for a few things to keep in mind. If all else fails, call a professional. We know lots of tricks!

Small spaces cheat sheet

Make a thoughtful plan. Before you head out the door to buy containers to store things under your bed, creating a plan will save time, money and stress.

Make table that is the perfect base for building a collection of Pottery Barn’s

POTTERY BARN

Decorating

Continued from Page 10RE

The more you plan in advance, the easier living in a smaller space will be. The big question: how do you want your space to feel and what is most important to you?

What are your non-negotiables? What can you absolutely not live without?An antique or vintage piece. Collections from travels. A beautiful sofa that you love. Artwork that makes you happy. Anything that makes you so comfortable in your home that you would be sad to not see it every day. These are you nonnegotiables and give you a place to start your plan.

Small space does not mean small furnishings or artwork. It does mean fewer pieces to fit your space. More about this below.

Make your space your own. Don’t be influenced by over-styled magazine photos. It’s about what you love and need to be happy and comfortable.

A few small space don’ts

Don’t over-accessorize.

Don’t arrange furniture against the walls unless there is no other option.

Don’t take everything to your new space. Declutter. Eliminate what you don’t love.

Don’t skimp on countertops. Remember, you have less space so buy quality that will last.

Small space dos

Replace all builder grade mirrors and lighting. No more needs to be said. And if possible, add crown molding in your entry and living spaces. It will give your small space a finished, curated look.

Consider lighting. If your space is flooded with great natural light, go bold with color. Not so much light? Think neutrals and softer tones.

Curate your space. Include a few statement pieces for visual interest. Mix old and new. Refresh vintage pieces with new upholstery/fabric.

Create an entrance. Even in the tiniest space. A small table with a lamp and a place to put mail is all you need and it says “welcome home.” West Elm has some good choices.

Kitchen. Think about a banquette

that can be used for eat-in and dining table. Create one to fit your space at Ballard Designs. If redesigning a kitchen, incorporate drawers instead of lower cabinets. Take the upper cabinets to the ceiling. Countertops: if budget permits, go with quartz for quality: shop for a remnant for your small space and save a lot.

Living room. Go with a full size sofa. Not a love seat. Swivels chairs and rattan chairs are great space savers.Use a rug and make sure it is large enough.

Window treatments: Shutters for a clean uncomplicated look. If you prefer drapes, make sure they go all the way to the ceiling. Instead of a coffee table, go with a soft, pretty ottoman. Bedroom. If purchasing a new bed,

go with one with storage. A good source: Pottery Barn. For a small room, skip the headboard and go with a piece of art. Closets. Well worth installing a closet system with drawers. Saves space and requires less heavy furniture needed for storage.

Paint. Depending upon your color palette, walls and ceiling can be painted the same color. If you are going all neutral, a favorite is Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. Stay with two colors: blues, blue-greens, creamy whites, greens are good choices.

Appliances. If you need to downsize appliances in a small kitchen, there are options. A prep sink, Smeg fridge, a dishwasher drawer. Lower cabinets and upper shelving for space saving.

Guest bedroom/office. Typical of a small space, we need to make this room function as both. Consider a built-in desk with shelving. A daybed for guests and use as a place to sit in your office. A closet system that works for clothes as well as office storage.

And if you don’t plan to downsize but would like to stay in your current home with less, these tips work for everyone in any size home. Just be sure to keep what you love. It’s what makes your house a home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

In a guest bedroom that does double duty as an office, a daybed that serves as a sofa (with a really good mattress) offers a solution. This Toulouse daybed adds a little French chic to a room that is a busy workspace and an occasional bedroom for visitors. POTTERY BARN

Woman’s passion is raising endangered butterflies

Bryce Buyakie Wooster Daily Record

WOOSTER, Ohio — When Nancy Martinez’s husband found a monarch chrysalis, she was elated.

Just a few days earlier, the population of monarch caterpillars living on her milkweed plants fell from 21 to 13, the largest drop in her three years of raising the insects.

“I thought birds and spiders and other insects had gotten to them, but I did research and learned they leave their home to form a chrysalis,” Martinez said.

While the couple, who live behind Wooster Community Hospital, has only found one pupa, she is sure more transforming larvae are hiding around her aptly named “butterfly alley.”

Raising monarch caterpillars is a hobby that sparked from the first phase of the pandemic, a love of gardening and neighborly competition, and for the retired third-grade teacher, it is also a way to help save the endangered bug.

The number of North American monarch butterflies has drastically decreased by the millions over the last few decades. From pesticides and herbicides to climate change, the monarch population is in dire straits.

Now, organizations and individuals like Martinez and her neighbors hope to make a difference.

“It’s a really enjoyable hobby because we can count the caterpillars and see how they are doing,” Martinez said. “They are also endangered, so we’re doing our part.”

Growing ‘butterfly alley’

“Butterfly alley” runs along the property line splitting their backyards. Five milkweed plants line a portion of their flower gardens acting as a fence. Surrounding the monarch plants are colorful flowerbeds that attract the pollinator, among other bugs.

The idea to create the garden started in 2020 when Martinez and her neighbor were stuck at home.

“My neighbor bought some milkweed, so I bought some too,” she said. “Monarchs had laid eggs on their milkweed but not mine, so I made a sign that welcomes the monarchs to my garden.”

Over the next two years, the two neighbors tracked the monarch popula-

tions in the gardens to see whose milkweed attracted the most pollinators.

When Martinez counts the caterpillars, she also notes their size and how much milkweed the growing infants have eaten.

“I have four milkweed plants and only one plant has any leaves left on it because of the number of caterpillars,” she said.

Her neighbors have one large plant that is between 75% and 80% eaten, by Martinez’s estimates. If the pupas keep it up, she may buy more milkweed next year to expand the butterfly garden.

“I want to keep doing it; it’s given a retired woman something to do,” she said.

And the smile it puts on her grandchildren’s faces to watch monarch caterpillars and butterflies grow is all worth it.

The precipitous decline of the North American monarch butterfly

North American monarch butterflies are split into two groups: those east of the Rocky Mountains and others to the west of the chain. The former winters in Central Mexicowhile the latter migrates to coastal California.

Every winter, volunteers count monarch numbersat each wintering spot. The resulting data trend is worrisome to scientists and hobbyists like Martinez.

Since 1997, the population of western monarch butterflies fell by nearly 83%, according to data from the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch organization. That’s a nearly 1 million drop in butterflies.

Data collected from the late 2021 and early 2022 counts surprised many experts like Jennifer Thieme of Monarch Joint Venture in Michigan.

Returning from an all-time low population count over 2020 and early 2021, western monarch populations rose by 250,000 in late 2021 and by 150,000 in early 2022.

“While this is good news, it could

easily be a temporary bump,” said Thieme, the science coordinator for MJV.

Eastern monarch numbers saw a similar rise in 2019 before falling again.

Experts hope to count six hectares (roughly 15 acres) of overwintering monarchs each year in Central Mexico, she said. In 2019, scientists recorded more than six hectares, but that fell to less than half in the years since.

While there was a small increase this last winter for the eastern branch, Thieme said the population is still under six hectares.

Why did monarch numbers increase?

Defying the declining trend of the North American monarch butterfly, populations slightly increased during last winter.

Thieme described butterfly and other insect populations as “bouncy.”

Bug demographics fluctuate each year depending on the temperature, rainfall, the quantity and quality of food and severity and frequency of storms, among other factors.

In short, there is no one definitive answer, but Thieme said, the weather may have favored migratory patterns.

“Perhaps the weather supported more milkweed growth so monarchs could produce more offspring, or cooler fall temperatures benefitted the migration,” she said.

How could North American monarchs go extinct?

In the broadest sense, monarch butterflies will not be extinct if the North American branch disappears, Thieme said, as the flittering bug exists across the globe in places like South America, Europe, India, New Zealand and Australia.

But, she said, the loss would damage the ecosystem. Not only are they pollinators that help plants reproduce, they also are food for birds and other predators.

The decline of the North American monarch butterfly began with the mass use of pesticides and herbicides, Thieme said.

Between the 1970s and early 2000s,

Nancy Martinez points to one of the many monarch larva or caterpillar munching on the milkweed plants she has in her flower garden dubbed “Butterfly Alley.”

MIKE SCHENK/THE DAILY RECORD

Monarchs

millions of butterflies died from chemicals and a lack of food as herbicides targeted monarchs’ go-to meal and home, milkweed.

According to one study based in Iowa, the once abundant milkweed plant declined by 58% between 1999 and 2010 in Iowa.

Then climate change caused swings in temperatures and more severe weather, including storms and drought.

“Butterflies are very sensitive to climate, including temperature, precipitation and the changes in vegetation that are linked to these factors,” she said. “Too much rain or too much drought or temperatures that are too hot or too cold can kill monarch butterflies or limit how many are in the next generation.”

As drought becomes more frequent in the west along both migratory routes, more butterflies are at risk while increasingly frequent severe storms can kill swathes of the insect, she said.

Climate change is likely to change migration times, too, Thieme said. “Recent research shows that monarchs are migrating south 16-19 days later than they did 30 years ago, at least along the eastern U.S. coast,” she said. “This is likely because fall temperatures in that area have risen.”

The later monarchs migrate in the year, the less likely many of them will reach their wintering destination.

Because of these factors, the North American branch is nearing quasi-extinction, she said. The population is nearly small enough that one storm could render the eastern migratory branch nearly extinct.

“Right now, the North American migratory populations are in danger of reaching this point. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) research shows there’s around a 50% to 70% chance of reaching this quasi-extinction level in 60 years,” Thieme said.

How to save the monarch butterfly

To improve the butterfly population, Thieme said, governments and companies need to reduce carbon footprints and support native habitats.

For local governments, this can include taking the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, which aims to support native habitats and adapt local weed and mowing laws to support monarchs and other native species.

No Wayne, Ashland, Holmes or Richland county mayors have taken the pledge, according to MJV.

Individuals can plant milkweed and report their observations to groups like Monarch Joint Venture or any local organization.

“Educating others and advocating for positive change like reduced pesticide use and ordinances that support native landscaping are very important,”

she said.

When gardening for monarchs, Monarch Joint Venture recommends sunny plots with windbreaks while using an array of native plant species.

To attract butterflies colorful red, orange, yellow and purple flowers grouped together work best, according to the organization.

While MJV states that herbicides can be used to eliminate unwanted vegetation, herbicides that leave little residue in the soil like glyphosate should be used.

For more information on pollinator habitats, visit monarchjoinventure.org.

Monarch butterflies are seen in a garden. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND TIMES-GAZETTE

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