By Kimberley Kelly
31 May, 2012
Buyers, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Sellers, Uncategorized
Christie's International Real Estate, Coachella Valley real estate, HK Lane Real Estate, la quinta real estate, palm springs valley real estate
Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network, has awarded Affiliate status to HK Lane Real Estate, which was founded in 2009 by Harvey Katofsky. HK Lane Real Estate has 160 sales associates in 3 offices and is a leader in the Valley’s luxury real estate marketplace.
HK Lane Real Estate will represent the Christie’s brand in the communities of La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Coachella.
Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, owns Christie’s International Real Estate in total and is represented in more than 40 countries. HK Lane Real Estate is proud to have been carefully selected among many brokerage firms to have a proven record of success in high end property sales and excellent client service.
“Over the past three years,” said Christie’s Senior Vice President Zackary Wright, “HK Lane Real Estate has firmly established itself as the luxury real estate leader in the desert. The firm exemplifies the Christie’s International Real Estate standards of quality, expertise, integrity and exceptional client service. It is with great pleasure that i welcome HK Lane Real Estate to our network of exclusive Affiliates.”
HK Lane Real Estate’s President and CEO Harvey Katofsky says, “HK Lane Real Estate is equipped with a wonderful group of top agents and is super excited to move forward with Christie’s International Real Estate. Already acknowledged in the desert as a premier luxury company, the advent of the Christie’s relationship skyrockets our company to the next level.”
The Coachella Valley is home to nearly 600,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Extending for 45 miles in Riverside County, it is part of the 13th largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Including famous desert resort cities like Palm Springs, Palm Desert and la Quinta, the Coachella Valley is a popular second home destination, offering world class golf, tennis, hiking, swimming, equestrian and a vibrant art and design scene.
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In La Quinta and across the state of California, Bank of America has announced that for a limited time, they are offering enhanced relocation assistance payments to qualified California homeowners who initiate a short sale without an offer. Those who qualify could be eligible to receive anywhere from $2,500 – $30,000 in relocation assistance and owe no more on their mortgage with the short sale of their property.
Many distressed homeowners are not aware of options available to them for avoiding foreclosure. It’s best to be proactive and call your lender before missing a payment. Then the embarassment and credit problems brought on by foreclosing on your home can be avoided. To not call your lender to discuss your options will only hurt your case.
Providing this enhanced Relocation Assistance Payment to distressed homeowners helps them with relocation costs and can also be used to help pay escrow items, such as past due HOA fees (a fee the banks will not pay for in a short sale situation). Banks are now more willing than ever to work with their borrowers to come up with a solution that works for all parties involved.
Remember that the Listing Agent in a Short Sale is your key to success, both for the Short Sale seller as well as the new Short Sale buyer. If you need help with your underwater mortgage, or simply doing your investigative work, give me a call at 760-285-3578. I am
experienced and short sale certified and consultations are FREE! I would be Happy to talk to you.
Even if you don’t play polo, but just love a rustic atmosphere that is classy and classic, not stuffy? Then the Tack Room Tavern . . . or Tack Room as most patrons call it . . . is just the place for you. It’s on the grounds of the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio and serves a full lunch and dinner menu every day . . . with Happy Hour from 4 until 7 nightly. There are cozy booths, saddle chairs and barstools around the bar with flat screen TVs placed about for sports-minded folks.
The staff is as warm and welcoming as the decor, making you feel right at home and treating you like a regular – even if you’re not. Most people dress down, but honestly, you can come to the Tack Room right off of the polo field and not feel underdressed. In fact, this is the crowd that is catered to here and everyone else just fits right in.
There is live music out on the pation at the Tack Room on Friday and Saturday nights. I’ve heard Rockabilly there . . . some Hard Rock too. They like to mix it up. You can even get up a shake a leg if you feel like it . . . it’s just that kind of place. Sitting outside in the fresh air on the patio and having some good down to earth yummy food and refreshment is pretty close to heaven. On Thursday nights, you can have some fun with Karaoke and Warren the Spin Doctor.
Hey, did I forget to tell you about the food? The food is yummy at the Tack Room Tavern. There are daily lunch and dinner specials and homemade soups, as well as standard favorites such as the Tack Room Wedge, Empire Polo Club Sandwich, “10 Goal” Kobe Style Burger, Pony Goal Tuna Croissant for lunch . . . and for dinner, try the Signature Rib Eye Steak, Baby Back Ribs, Cordon Bleu Chicken or delicious whitefish dish. There is a full wine list, beer menu, specialty drinks and an extensive tequila and scotch selection as well.
So if you’ve never taken the drive out to the Tack Room Tavern in Indio to partake of its down home hospitality, it’s your time. Right now, things are laid back and easy for the summer season. Come on down to the ranch, I’ll save you a seat at the bar. You’ll be glad you did.
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Palm Springs Valley home sales are trending upward, reports show. Meanwhile, countrywide sales are declining. Home sales here in our valley rose 9% last month compared to April 2011. Median prices in the valley -meaning half sold for more, half sold for less – rose up to $218,000 . . . from $210,000 in March, $195,000 in February and $165,000 in January – – – according to Data Quick.
California Desert Association of Realtors compiles home prices differently from Data Quick, basing them exclusively from the Desert Area MLS sales. It listed median home prices at $230,000 for single family homes and $194,500 for condominiums.
Home prices have been boosted, in part, by the drop in availability of low priced properties such as foreclosures, short sales, etc. and regular homes. This low inventory encourages the sale of the good homes . . . and they sell quickly. So it’s not just that the lower priced homes are selling . . . the high end market is improving also.
Experts believe that record low interest rates, housing affordability and an economy that continues to recover will mean a steady improvement for the housing market through the end of this year. Some see housing prices going up 10% between now and a year from now.
So if you’re thinking about buying a new home, your window of opportunity for best prices and most affordable loans could be a small one. Your local realtor, Kimberley Kelly, has been helping clients Buy and Sell homes in our Valley for 11 years. Her track record speaks for itself . . . feel free to give her a call for a free consultation regarding your real estate needs! Call her now at 760-285-3578 or email her at kjkpolo@earthlink.net. You’ll be glad you did !!!
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I am not a tax professional nor an attorney. I am posting this because he IS, and gives a very clear, concise understanding of the tax non-implications of a Short Sale for both Primary and Investment properties. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/6901YZhzqII
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Just released Sales figures for homes claims an increase of 3.4% for April over the previous month..great news! Remember that this is not for a local market..read about it here..
In our local market, Palm Springs Valley is on fire. La Quinta homes in all price points are moving again. The Luxury homes have not settled and the mid price point ($500-$800,000) is still a little murky. What I mean by this is..home with GREAT views, locations, floor plans, upgrades-these are selling for close to List Price set by the Sellers. These List Prices are often 30-45% what they would have been in 2005-2006.
Homes are sit or are bid DOWN are ones that may have a less desireable exposure, view, and floorplan or amenities.
The other interesting thing is that the numbers of Foreclosed properties has dropped..distressed propereties accounted for 28% of these sales figures. Here in La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Indio, the numbers of distressed properties has dropped dramatically. Inventory is actually LOW.
If you are a distressed homeowner..meaning you owe more than your home’s value, give me a call. Being stressed about your monthly payment can be solved with a Short Sale!
Thinking about a Short Sale?
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to live the Country Club life affordably in Indian Palms CC in Indio !!! This home is not a Foreclosure or Short Sale . . . it’s just priced like one. The home is unusually large, newer, (2004), has 4bd/2.5 ba and is on an oversized lot and with gated RV parking!
Best yet? This home is in the LOW HOA area of the Club. You enter the front through the security gated and covered front porch to this freshly painted, newly carpeted home with lovely, neutral, 18×18 Ceramic tile floors. The kitchen is VERY Large and sports granite tile counters, a breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.
This home has a separate dining area and also a family room with a fireplace. The Master bedroom has a comfy bathroom with a spa tub, large shower stall and Vanity area. The walk-in closet features extensive built-ins. Ceiling fans are present in just about every room, including front and back covered porches.
The interior Laundry area, with a skylight, is close to the double garage. There is even a central vacuum system installed! Two A/C units, wired for hi-speed, built in desk and media area in 4th bedroom. Wow! PHOTOS up on 5/28.
Hurry on this one, it won’t last, priced low at only $217,000 !!! To tour this home, call Kimberley Joy Kelly, listing agent with HK Lane Real Estate. She’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you find the home you’ve dreamed of. Call her at 760-285-3578 or email her at kjkpolo@earthlink.net
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Did you know the interesting history behind
The Quarry at La Quinta, the world renowned golf community tucked into the foothills of the Coral and Santa Rosa Mountains? It sits on what was once an abandoned sand and pit gravel mine . . . and who knows, maybe once upon a time, gold was mined there ?
This premier member-owned golf club is a highly sought after address on the east end of the Palm Springs Valley . . . and there are many reasons why. It is peaceful, it is picturesque and the lifestyle it affords is the Ultimate in Desert Luxury Living.
The Quarry was started by two avid golfers seeking to find an alternative to crowded golf courses and unavailable tee times. They purchased the 105 acre property, acquired an adjacent 255 acres and along with 13 founding associates, they developed The Quarry. There is a championship 18-hole course and a 10-hole short course, both designed by Tom Fazio – that are set in a pristine desert landscape with distinct areas of elevation. The courses are graced with waterfalls, streams and tens of thousands of native plants and trees. The Quarry’s championship course is ranked in the top 50 among Golf Digest’s 100 top courses. Some say golfing at The Quarry is the finest golfing experience in the desert . . . or anywhere, for that matter.
Many PGA legends have played at The Quarry, as well as its 300 members and guests . . . such as Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson and others. The club’s fabulous 21,000sf Mediterranean style clubhouse is casual, yet elegant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner on occasion. It also boasts a spacious veranda, golf shop and a nearby fitness center with pool & spa and tennis court. Members enjoy many social amenities including hiking groups, book clubs, card games and more.
The Quarry does not require real estate ownership to join – unlike many other local upscale golf clubs’ memberships, . Those who don’t own there and guests of members who want to stay onsite can rent one of 3 guest cottages.
The ultimate build-out of of homes at The Quarry is approximately 100, with 57 luxury homes now completed. 65 homes will ultimately surround the perimeter of the golf courses. The homes start at around $1 million. High security is provided, as there are 2 guards on duty day and night – one at the entrance gate and one patrolling the property.
For a private tour of The Hideaway Golf Club or any of its available properties, please don’t hesitate to contact Kimberley Joy Kelly, realtor with HK Lane Real Estate. She is very familiar with the La Quinta area and its many upscale Golf Communities – and will work to help you find just the right property for YOU !
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Today, Embassy Suites in Palm Desert is the location for a two-day foreclosure seminar (was held yesterday too) that the bank is putting on for it’s customers to discuss home loan modifications and other foreclosure alternatives. 10,846 BofA customers in a 175 mile radius of Palm Desert were invited, all 60 days or more behind on their mortgage payments.
Maybe Bank of America is finally putting its proverbial money where its mouth is and started truly reaching out to thousands of homeowners who are behind on their mortgages and facing foreclosure.
Many of those attending from the Coachella Valley are getting information on loan refinancing that could significantly reduce their monthly payments and principal so that they could stay in their homes. After all, Riverside County has the highest foreclosure rate in the state of California. There are knowledgable mortgage specialists, underwriters, HUD counselors and other experts ready and waiting to provide assistance.
Bank of America is providing one-on-one counseling service to its homeowner customers who are facing possible foreclosure or who want to explore other loan mods, etc. The event is free today from 8am to 8pm at Embassy Suites Palm Desert, 700 Highway 111. You can register by calling 855-201-7426 or go to bankofamerica.com/homeownerevent
If you are interested in exploring the possibility of Short Saling your home, please consider contacting Palm Springs Valley’s Short Sale Expert – Kimberley Joy Kelly. She has extensive knowledge,experience and Success in Short Sales and will be happy to give a free consultation. Call her at 760-285-3578.
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Beautiful quiet streets of La Quinta
Real Estate Sales rose over all in the month of March and now again in the month of April..over the same months a year ago. In fact, says Data Quick (the real estate info firm), April saw about a 6% jump in the median number for the state of California..to $264,000. In Southern California it jumped even more..about 3.6% to $290,000! So what??? Median doesn’t mean much except that half of the homes sold above that number and half below. Any time the median goes up, you can figure more pricey properties are selling..and that’s a good thing.
In our local Palm Springs Valley, La Quinta especially, I am seeing this in spades. I keep reading obout “shadow inventory”..I say “bring it on!”. We have enough buyers waiting to purchase in our resort Valley to absorb this inventory the banks’ keep promising they have. Where is it? My Short Sales still confuse the poor Lenders to the point where I have to figure whoever is keeping track of foreclosures has no clue.
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