Good Afternoon Folks,

For two days, May 7 and 8, the Southern California Association of Governments was in town for their annual conference dedicated to transportation and urban planning. SCAG’s Region consists of 191 cities and five counties stretching from the harbors of Orange and Los Angeles Counties to the Colorado River sharing our border with the State of Arizona, and then south where California borders with the Republic of Mexico. 


There were estimates of more than six hundred attendees. Sponsors took up the walls lining the main hall, sponsored seminars, and a couple of meals. The seminars were focused on providing information to city and county elected officials, especially for those in their first terms. Housing for all economic levels and transportation are usually the primary topics.


However, the “Keynote Speaker” Suneel Gupta | Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Energy & Resilience was particularly engaging. Just one of his points is that we are trying to fit too much into our work lives. We work from one hour into the next, taking meeting after meeting without a breath in between. He suggests that we schedule our meetings for 55 minutes, then take a break focusing on something pleasant. It is his belief that at the end of the day we will have accomplished more and make it home with some positive energy.

 

Last week’s Meet the Builder Networking Night at Meritage Homes was a tremendous success, with a great turnout of DVBA members and industry professionals enjoying an evening of networking, collaboration, and touring the beautiful Altair and Lucent communities. Many new connections were made throughout the evening, making it another valuable opportunity for members to engage with peers across the building industry. A special thank you to Rachel, Toni, and the entire sales and marketing team at Meritage Homes for their hospitality and partnership in helping make the event such a success.

Please check out our partner’s Greater Palm Springs Business News Report from Friday.


Greater Palm Springs Business News

Best wishes,

James Brownyard

Executive Director

 

Mission Statement The DVBA is an association of building industry professionals, representing all levels of the construction industry and committed to ensuring that building of all types remain vibrant and strong in our region. We are dedicated to providing excellence in community development while protecting the natural beauty of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.



Vision Statement To be an industry sector leader and collaborative partner in the complex economic and regulatory environments of the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.


Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS: SAVE THE DATE

Friday, August 21


14th Annual

Bowling Bash


Location:

Fantasy Family Bowling Center

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm


Registration Open!

Click here to register now



Wednesday, June 17


Anniversary/Membership Appreciation Party


Location:

Palm Springs Air Museum

5:00. pm - 7:30 pm


Members and Public Officials Free!


Renovate Palm Springs

A Vision Towards the Future of Palm Springs

 

It all started with M.O.R.E. Services.

From co-living to traditional real estate to Renovate Palm Springs, my journey has always been centered around one thing: creating better living experiences while maximizing property value.

In 2014, I began with hands-on projects—refining layouts, systems, and operations across shared living and rental models. Early on, I operated as a fully licensed, structured business—even before local regulations were clearly defined.

When a city inspector arrived to investigate, I was able to demonstrate a fully compliant operation.

That moment defined how I operate today:

Operate ahead of regulation — not behind.

From Sales to Execution

In 2019, I became a licensed real estate professional and launched Desert Premium Properties, representing buyers and sellers with a strong focus on strategy, protection, and results.

By 2023, I identified a clear opportunity in the Greater Palm Springs market: aging housing stock with strong value-add potential. This led to the creation of Renovate Palm Springs (RPS).

My first full renovation project validated the model—overseeing permitting, budgets, timelines, and execution through to resale.

Today, I operate at the intersection of real estate, construction, and market strategy.

 

What I Do

I work with homeowners, buyers, and investors to ensure properties are positioned correctly from day one through final sale.

  • Pre-listing renovation consulting to increase resale value
  • Buyer guidance on value-add opportunities
  • Builder collaboration on design, finishes, and pricing
  • Project oversight to protect timelines, budgets, and quality
  • 

Working With Investors

Most investors don’t have a construction problem—they have a positioning and exit problem.

I work alongside investors to:

  • Align design, layout, and finishes with real buyer demand
  • Provide pricing and resale strategy before construction begins
  • Help avoid overbuilding or misalignment with the market
  • Position projects for stronger, more profitable exits

My role is to act as a bridge between construction and the market—helping ensure what gets built is what actually sells.



Current Focus

A full gut renovation of a South Palm Desert golf course property is nearing completion—demonstrating the full acquisition → execution → resale model.

Looking Ahead

I’m expanding into development and actively building relationships with local investors and partners to bring well-positioned, high-quality projects to market.

Let’s Connect

If you’re:

  • A builder planning your next project
  • A homeowner considering selling
  • A buyer looking for the right opportunity

Let’s connect early and position it correctly from the start.

Renovate Palm Springs

760-292-3612 ▪ RenovatePS@outlook.com

Latest Industry and Legislative News

Mortgage rates move to highest level in 5 weeks, but homebuyers shake it off

Homebuyers appear to be getting used to the new normal of higher mortgage rates, even the highest in over a month. Buyer demand for mortgages helped to push total mortgage application volume up 1.7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.



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House releases amended housing bill text, schedules vote for next week

The two chambers have been stalled on a bipartisan housing package for months, and the House is finally making a move to vote on an amended package.


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Gov. Newsom’s May budget revision asks cities to do more with less on housing and homelessness


Following the release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2026-27 budget proposal, League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman issued the following statement.


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‘We’ve been pretty straightforward’: White House draws a line on housing bill

The White House is mounting pressure on the House to pass the Senate’s housing bill as-is, but the lower chamber is bucking the directive for now.


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Why surveillance pricing bans are suddenly gaining traction this year (and not just in California)


A law advancing in the California Assembly makes it illegal to set prices with algorithms. Three other states have passed such bans in the last month.


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California: State Farm violated law in handling of L.A. fire insurance claims

The Insurance Department found hundreds of violations by State Farm and calls for millions of dollars in penalties and a possible suspension.


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California State Legislative Bills 
DVBA is Tracking

 These bills are considered “Job Creators” by the California Chamber of Commerce


https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1693



AB 1693 (Zbur: D Hollywood) The bill would streamline permitting for tenant improvements at retail locations, while ensuring these modifications comply with all applicable building, health, and safety requirements.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2205


AB 2205 (Quirk-Silva; D-Fullerton) This important proposal would reinstate California’s New Employment Credit (NEC), which has been highly effective in incentivizing businesses to hire full-time employees in designated census tracts and economic development areas. The program ended last December and should be reauthorized by the Legislature.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2205


AB 2124 (Pacheco; D-Downey) This bill would create a framework for independent evaluation of proposed legislation that imposes costs on utility customers, helping identify unnecessary or duplicative programs and reducing future rate pressure.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2366


AB 2366 (Ávila Farías; D-Martinez) This legislation would require state agencies and the Legislative Analyst’s Office to evaluate proposed new regulations to determine their fiscal impact on cost of living in California, thereby ensuring affordability is considered.


Make sure to check out the NAHB Membership Savings program for numerous discounts!

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