Coachella Valley Real Estate By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!
Coachella Valley Properties By Kimberley, SFR, HAFA, GREEN
Residential, Equestrian, Land
I Do Real Estate The Same Way I Played Polo – To Win!

Archive for June 2012

Mortgage Rate with a 3 in front?????

Mortgage Rate with a 3 in front?????
la quinta short sale expert

La Quinta Buyers..do you qualify for a mortgage with a 3 in front of it???

You too could qualify for a mortgage rate with a 3 in front of it.  Refinance?  Same thing.  This is a very enlightening article from today’s New York Times talking about a young couple that did just that.  Huge documentation will be required of course, but that’s true with ANY mortgage or refi.

The keys are…

1.  Your Credit score..it needs to be in the 700’s minimum.

2.  Money in the bank..prove you can cover a couple months’ payments.

3.  Job Security..prove you’ve got a good job that seems secure

4.  Other assets?  The more cash, or paid off assets..the higher your odds.

The appraisals are starting to come in where they should here in the Palm Springs Valley, so if you’re qualified, why not give it a go?  Of course..the paperwork will be equal to that of a Short Sale, so have your docs in order!

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Love Authentic Pizza? Then Piero’s Pizza Vino in Palm Desert Is For You

Find Authentic Pizza at Piero's Pizza Vino in Palm DesertHave you heard the buzz in Palm Desert about Piero’s Pizza Vino on El Paseo?  This home of authentic Neapolitan Pie is getting a lot of attention and all I’ve heard is good things about it’s true to form pizza.

They make their pizza in a wood burning oven (imported from Naples, Italy) with four key ingredients – the oven itself, San Marzano tomatoes, Fior di Latte Mozzarella and 00 Flour.  Simple.  Delicious.

The San Marzano tomatoes are the perfect pizza tomato – grown in the Campania region of Italy near Naples.  They are kept longer on the vine, have few seeds and a meaty flesh.

The Fior di Latte Mozzarella is made  fresh in-house daily by Piero’s chefs from pasteurized or unpasteurized cow’s milk.

Piero’s  dough is made daily using the basic Neapolitan recipe from flour imported from Naples and is called 00 or Doppio Zero. It is the most highly refined flour but has a higher protein content than many of the less-refined ones.

The pizza cooks between 60 and 90 seconds and never more than 2 minutes, making the crust crispy and a little bit charred.

Did you know that cooking authentic pizza is such a science?

Besides serving the obvious, custom pizzas, Piero’s has a full menu featuring salads, appetizers and pasta dishes.  Beer and wine are served and there is an outdoor patio, bar and dining room seating for your dining pleasure.

So if you’re a pizza lover or just love everything Italian, put going to Piero’s Pizza Vino in Palm Desert on your summertime calendar.  They’re open daily from 11:30am to 10:30pm.
Enjoy !!!

 

 

 

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Palm Desert – Indian Ridge Country Club Is “Where Real Living Begins”

Indian Ridge Country Club - Palm Desert's Piece de ResistancePalm Desert is home to many of the finest upscale country clubs, certainly in the valley, and in the whole country as well.  Indian Ridge Country Club is one of them.  And there are many reasons why.

Indian Ridge Country Club was voted “Best of the Best Private Golf Club in the Coachella Valley 2011-2012.”  That tells you something right there.  World class golf, played at the club’s two fantastic Arnold Palmer Signature championship golf courses.   And its 42,000sf Clubhouse is both beautiful and an award-winning piece of architecture.

Did you know that Indian Ridge is an equity club and one of the few completely member-owned, member-operated country clubs in the valley?  The club is fully developed, established and financially stable . . . and not many clubs in the valley can boast that.

Did you know that Indian Ridge Country Club is superbly located right in the heart of Palm Desert and the Palm Springs Valley?  It’s minutes away from Interstate 10 and the Palm Springs International Airport, as well as fashionable El Paseo Shopping District, the McCallum Theatre, The River and many other desert attractions.

Did you know that the club has outstanding tennis facilities and program and state-of-the art fitness center and full-service day spa?

Did you know that Indian Ridge has two restaurants with outstanding food and a social calendar that never ends?

Indian Ridge Country Club is surrounded by a gated community of approx. 1,000 homes, with every home on the golf course and boasting gorgeous views?  The homes are available in a wide range of sizes and floorplans,  from approx. 1,500 to 4,580sf.

It’s a lifestyle all to its own at Indian Ridge.  Friendships are easily formed here.  Members here are diverse and interesting – some still working, some retired, some snowbirds.  And they all live at Indian Ridge because they’re living the perfect desert lifestyle . . . active and engaged in their lives.

Are you intrigued?  There’s so much more to know and learn about Indian Ridge Country Club.  If you would like to tour the property and find out more about the real estate and lifestyle there, call Kim Kelly, real estate agent with HK Lane in La Quinta at 760-285-3578.

 

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Palm Springs housing market BOTTOM..I’m sticking to it!

Palm Springs housing market BOTTOM..I’m sticking to it!
palm desert short sale expert

Trilogy in La Quinta

I am sticking to my belief and oft stated stance that 4th quarter 2011 was THE bottom for La Quinta and Palm Springs valley real estate.  Why?  The price per sq foot has gone up consistently since then for most developments.  This article from today’s New York Times supports this idea.  Each city and state is diferent but across the board in desireable areas, homes are selling!

Here in the Palm Springs Valley, it used to be just the entry level that received multiple offers, but it’s becoming more common now in the mid range..$600-$850,000 too.  And inventory is down.

Don’t wait too long to step up and buy.  Short Sales are still snapped up, but there are less of them to go around!  Refis and loan mods are working to help keep people in their homes.  Summer is a great time to look for property in our beautiful desert valley…come on out and see what all the hype’s about!

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Palm Desert Aquatic Center is Fun for Everyone!

Fun for Everyone at Palm Desert Aquatic CenterLooking for fun and refreshing things to do now that it’s officially summer and the triple-digits are upon us?

One of the Palm Spring Valley’s coolest attractions is none other than the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.  It is owned by the city of Palm Desert and operated by the Family YMCA of the Desert.  There is something there to please every member of the family. . . every age and fitness level.

The facility sits on 8 acres in Palm Desert’s City Center Park and includes 3 year-round pools for exercise and pleasure.  There is a 50 x 25 meter Olympic-sized competition pool which allows for lap swimming and competetive events.  It is also equipped with 1 and 3 meter diving boards.

 The 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic-sized competition pool provides long course and short course options for lap swimming or competition events. It is equipped with one and three-meter diving boards.

The 25-yard family recreation pool is shallow, heated and features two waterslides and a wade-in entry.  And the splash playground pool is ideal for those younger in age.

The Aquatic Center can be rented out for special events such as birthday parties, swimming competitions, corporate events, etc.

Admission:  $4 for Palm Desert adult residents and $6 for adult non-residents:  $3 for seniors over 60 and children ages 6-12 residents and $4.50 for non-residents:  $2.50 for children ages 2-5 residents and $3.75 for non-residents.  Annual and 3-month passes are also available.

Location:  73751 Magnesia Falls Drive on the northeast corner of Civic Center Park in Palm Desert.

For more information about the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, call 760-565-7467 or visit pdpool.com.

Just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen !!!  See you there !!!

 

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In South Palm Desert, Monterra is a Luxury Hillside Getaway

Monterra in South Palm Desert - A Hillside GetawaySouth Palm Desert?  One of the most coveted neighborhoods in the Palm Springs Valley . . . homes located in this beautiful hillside area south of El Paseo have Location Location Location !!!

Monterra is a small, 24 hr. manned gated community of 95 luxury residences built on large estate-sized lots, high up off of Mesa View Drive.  It is adjacent to the renowned Ironwood Country Club and is just minutes away from several other exclusive country clubs – Bighorn, The Vintage, The Reserve and more.  So if you are a golfer, you just hop on your golf cart and make your way to some of the finest golfing in the Valley… or in the world, for that matter.

Another benefit of living in Monterra is its panoramic mountain and down valley views, they are beyond compare.  Being located on a hillside, you’re protected from the wind.  The homes here were built in the late 1980s and are pristine, with beautifully manicured yards and private streets. HOAs are low at only $238/mo.

And even though you feel like you’re in your own little world when you own a home in Monterra, you are remarkably close to fashionable El Paseo, with its fine dining, upscale shopping, galleries, entertainment, etc.  Also minutes away are The Living Desert, the McCallum Theatre and many other desert amenities.

So, think about the convenience, the views, the golf, the privacy . . . and other advantages that living in Monterra has to offer.  You may just want to take a tour and see what life would be like living here . . . and having your own little piece of heaven.

Call Kim Kelly, experienced realtor with HK Lane Real Estate, who has the knowledge and experience you need and want when purchasing a home.  You’ll be glad you did !

 

 

  • Location: South on Hwy 74 (up hill), left on Mesa View Dr & follow to Monterra 24 Hr manned security guard house on left side, Palm Desert
  • Year Opened:  Built in the late 1980s
  • Number of Homes:  95
  • Recent HOA:  approx. $238 (includes 24 guard gate and private street upkeep)
  • Recent Home Values:  from approx. $660,000 to approx. $760,000
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Palm Desert – Classic Style Country Club at Chaparral

Chaparral - A Classic Style Country Club in Palm DesertPalm Desert is proud to be home to a private, gated classic style country club called Chaparral.  Driving through the front gates, you are met with breathtaking mountain views and an olive tree-lined avenue giving way to rolling fairway and water views.

Chaparral Country Club was established in 1980 and designed by famous golf course architect Ted Robinson.  Homeowners and guests only are allowed to play the 18-hole course coined “the Little Monster” by Robinson himself.

With its picturesque mountain views, 13 lakes and 45 bunkers, this executive course offers challenges and opportunities from tee to green on every hole.  Members also have access to a full-length driving range, practice bunkers with chipping greens, two practice greens and a 18-hole putting range.  It is truly a golfer’s dream here at Chaparral.

But there is more to offer at Chaparral than just golf.  With 6 lighted tennis courts and 21 heated pools and spas, there is something to offer for every active desert lifestyle.  The full-service clubhouse features two restaurants for fine dining, as well as a lounge for relaxation after an afternoon of golf or tennis.  Many social events keep members active and provide opportunities for socializing, as Chaparral is known for being a very friendly community.

The course is surrounded by 625 exceptionally well-maintained attached homes offering dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, manicured fairways and greens.  Floor plans range from 2bd/2ba and 3bd/3ba at 1520 – 2150sf.  In  the past 17 years, there have been no member assessments, as the club operates under fiscally sound controls.

Aside from the wonderful people, amazing views, fabulous amenities, etc., Chaparral is about location, location, location as it is situated right in the heart of Palm Desert and is only minutes away from shopping on the renowned El Paseo, the McCallum Theatre, The River and so much more. Palm Springs International Airport is less than 30 minutes away.

The living is easy and affordable here at Chaparral.  If you would like to tour this lovely community and find out more about what is for sale there, contact Kim Kelly with HK Lane Real Estate.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

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La Quinta Home Sales up AGAIN in May!

La Quinta Home Sales up AGAIN in May!
La Quinta short sale expert

Beautiful La Quinta

…and not just the City of La Quinta.  All the desert cities through the Palm Springs Valley showed significant increases in Sales numbers (up approx. 6.1% from May, 2011).

My Equity Listings (standard sales) are generating multiple offers now too..it’s NOT just the short sales or foreclosures.  If Sellers price their properties right..and I mean in the Luxury Market too..they WILL sell!  Don’t get greedy, continue to be sensible and take a look at this article from today’s local paper about the Sales numbers and price changes for La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley. 

The number of distressed properties dropped from approx. 48% of sales to approx. 40% of combined sales.  Inventory levels:  Single Family homes:  2,266 and available Condos:  1,113.

The Median sales price in La Quinta jumped to $302,000 and there were a total of 165 Sales closed.  Median sales numbers are up through the entire valley by approx. 6% from a year ago.  This is due to more luxury properties selling.  Good news for the Housing Market in our Valley.

Inventory has not been this low since 2005!  Combine that with great mortgage rates and the heat is on!

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Rancho Mirage Country Club – Best Kept Secret

Great golf and great location at Rancho Mirage Country ClubRancho Mirage Country Club is a small, quiet community of 300 homes, mostly condominiums, located at the southeast corner of Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra Drives.  Life in this private and serene neighborhood is made for the golf lover, with the homes situated around the perimeter of the property with its 18-hole par 70 course in the middle.

This development was built in the 1980s, with the final homes completed in 1999.  The complex is small and intimate and the location is ideal, within a 4 mile radius of of Eisenhower Medical Center, Westfield Mall, the River, the McCallum Theatre, Agua Caliente Resort Casino and many other desert amenities.

The majority of residents in Rancho Mirage Country Club are seasonal  and mature, active adults.  Home ownership does not include access to the club amenities, but golf and social memberships are available.  The golf course is mature, with older trees and smaller, challenging greens.  During season, it is not the easiest thing to find a tee time, as the course is a very popular one.

For the non-golfers, there are swimming pools, tennis courts, locker rooms, an athletic facility and banquet rooms.  Tony’s Bistro is the Club’s own restaurant and serves up sumtuous food.

The homes, ranging in size from 1,700 to 3,200sf, are stuccoed in basic beige with clay tile roofs and individual patios.  The lush, mature landscaping and plentiful annual plantings add to the Club’s charm.

So, if you’re looking for ease of living in a club style atmosphere in a fabulous location, Rancho Mirage Country Club could be for you.  If you’d like to tour the community or would like more information about it, feel free to call Kimberley Kelly, realtor with HK Lane in La Quinta.  You’ll be glad to deal with a knowledgable, professional and hard-working agent like her.

 

 

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Rancho Mirage’s Crown Jewel – Sunnylands

The New Sunnylands Center and Gardens are open to the public in Rancho MirageSunnylands . . . the West Coast Camp David, located right here in Rancho Mirage in our Palm Springs Valley!

Walter and Leonore Annenberg created their midcentury modern residence in Rancho Mirage in the mid-1960s.  Their architect, A. Quincy Jones, utilized his creative talents to infuse this residence with features that were near and dear to the Annenberg’s heart.

And just this year, a new addition to Sunnylands opened – the 17,000sf Sunnylands Center – a new building where visitors can learn about Walter and Leonore Annenberg and the role they played in serving their country, promoting education and the arts and their philanthropy.

The informative Sunnylands Center features multi-media interactive exhibits, an orientation film and selected artworks from the Sunnylands Collections.

And don’t forget the Sunnylands Gardens that can be enjoyed and explored – there is a 1.25 mile garden path to be strolled through on one’s own – or on Fridays during June and July,  a one hour garden tour featuring design, sustainability, desert plants and bird watching is available.  The tours begin at 7:15am and no reservations are required.

Visitors who have preregistered and paid for tours of the historic estate may begin their tours by meeting their guides at the Sunnylands Center.

The fabulous facility of Sunnylands Center & Gardens is open free to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. September 1 to May 31; and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 to July 31. Sunnylands is closed in August.  Parking is free.

Note that tours of the historic estate and residence are scheduled when there are no retreats on the property and are available by advance reservation at $35 per person. No children under 10 years of age are permitted on tours of the estate and house.

I know it is summer and it is hot here in Rancho Mirage, but a trip to Sunnylands is definitely worth putting on the calendar any time of year!

 

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