WHY PALM SPRINGS

Business first brought me to the Desert Valley, and a love for the life keeps me here.

My wife, Bettina, and I owned the first United States distribution asset for a Swiss natural sleep system. After meeting an Indian Wells textile designer at a trade show, we visited and were taken by the desert calm, mountain views and extraordinary quality of the morning and evening light. The dry climate appealed to us with 350 days of glorious sunshine a year.

More visits followed. Within months, we had found the Rancho Mirage home we still occupy, and we opened our California distribution in 2000. We sold the whole operation in 2002, allowing me to enter real estate.

My creative side runs to the visual, painting abstract acrylics outside in my off-time. I suppose that balances the meticulous traits that make me such a stickler for executing real estate documents correctly. Away from business, unwinding means immersing myself in the beauty and people that surround me. I'm energized by a hike for an hour in the mountains each day. Bettina is a fabulous cook; we enjoy hosting dinner parties to combine fine friends, fine food and fine wine.

WHY REAL ESTATE ?

Architecture and real estate follow naturally from my life-long interest in fashion, design and trends. That probably explains why I fell in love with Mid-Century Modernism -- seeing how those trendsetting architects came to the Desert in the 1950s and incorporated nature and our amazing light into the homes.

I find real estate exciting on two levels. First is the artistic enjoyment of the architecture, and helping people find the home that expresses their vision. Second is how the technology -- listings at my fingertips on a tablet PC, tools at my sellers' disposal, connected 24/7 -- enhances the mission.

Technology adds nothing if it fails to meet my clients' needs. That's why I incorporate developments like web-based DocuSign, which releases my clients from the logistics of signing paperwork. Without sacrificing security, they can complete transactions with me wherever they are over the Internet or sign documents in the field on my tablet PC.
 
EDUCATION AND BUISNESS

Being Dutch-born, Swiss-educated and North America-based, I've experienced a world of business endeavors -- quite literally -- in 26 years. That experience, plus fluency in German, Dutch, French and English, helped develop the broad horizons and diplomatic mindset to specialize in distinctive properties here and abroad. International real estate requires great commitment and drive; I'm proud to list it among my designations, along with Accredited Buyer Specialist, e-Pro and Residential Construction Certified. Most of all, I look forward to helping you find your place in the Desert.

Ralph W Haverkate, Broker Associate Tarbell Realtors, ABR,CRS,CIPS,GRI,e-PRO,TRC

DRE License #:01401709