If you are considering listing your Indio real estate this year, there are some steps you should take before you list it that will help you make sure that it shows as well as possible and is listed at the best price. This will get you ahead of the game and make the process easier, for both you and the real estate professional you decide to work with, whether it’s a listing agent, broker or realtor specializing in short sales.
To start, it will help for you to get an idea of the current value of your home. If you don’t want to get an appraisal right now, you can determine your price range by researching the value of comparable homes in the area. Make sure to find properties with similar features, such as square footage, lot size, and of course, number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You can definitely factor in any significant improvements you’ve made on your home, such as a new roof or even a swimming pool. However, you don’t want to price yours too much higher based on smaller features you may have added—the last thing you want to do is to price your house higher than all the comparable properties on the market. Some sellers even go to open houses in their area to see for themselves what differentiates their home from other similar houses. Amenities and upgrades can definitely make a difference in price. If you’ve already found a real estate professional to work with, it will definitely help to get their professional opinion on pricing.
The next step is to determine what you need from the sale of your home, which goes above and beyond the cost. Also make sure that you factor in closing costs, taxes and fees that you will need to pay to your realtor or agent. Determine the exact amount you actually need to get in order to make the sale doable, and then also find the number you want to make. This requires you to assess all your financial obligations, especially your current mortgage.
Once you’ve determined what you need from the sale of your Indio real estate, and have found an agent or realtor specializing in short sales to work with, you’re officially ready to start this exciting, life changing process.
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No matter what your age, Palm Springs Valley offers spectacular ways to enjoy Easter weekend. If you’re planning on moving to one of the desert cities or are already viewing homes for sale in Palm Springs, then you’ll love what the desert has to offer this weekend.
From March 28 through March 31, Mr. Horn will show at the Annenberg Theater, completing the first cycle of Desert Ensemble Theatre Company’s New Works program, which develops and produces original works.
On Saturday, March 30, The Gardens on El Paseo will host an appearance by the Easter Bunny with the Hop Into Spring event. A $10 donation benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert and includes a meeting and photo with the Easter Bunny. Hop Into Spring takes place from 11am to 1 pm on the Center Lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. If you’ve been considering property in Rancho Mirage, this is the perfect time to check out the premier shopping and arts enclave of the desert.
On Saturday night at 8 pm, Rob Thomas and his four-time Grammy-nominated band, Matchbox Twenty, will perform on the Special Events Center stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Thomas performed solo here two years ago to a sold out crowd that gave the show rave reviews. Also on Saturday night, the Spotlight 29 Casino hosts the Happy Together Tour, which features incredible artists performing some of the greatest pop rock of the sixties, including The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. The show starts at 8 pm. Why not spend the day checking out homes for sale in Palm Springs and then relax at one of these amazing shows?
On Easter Sunday, the El Paseo Bunny Hop offers another great chance for those interested in property in Rancho Mirage to check out this boulevard in its shining glory. From 7:30 to 10 am more than 2000 people will run or walk this 5k to benefit Family Services of the Desert. Other cool Easter festivities include an Underwater Easter Egg Hunt at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
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Whether you’re interested in equestrian homes, a beach bungalow, property in Palm Desert, or a small first house, there’s always a chance you’ll have to make some compromises during such a purchase. It could be giving up the idea of having a swimming pool or being a little further from your job than you originally planned. These compromises are often motivated by finances, as your dream house may not quite be in alignment with your real budget just yet—and sometimes, buyers want to focus on getting the best value for their money.
To get an idea of how much income you need to purchase a home, you’ll have to assess what type of mortgage payment you’re comfortable with and then factor in all of your other monthly bills and expenses. When you’re considering equestrian homes, you’ll also have to determine any associated costs that may be included with the maintenance of a barn, stable or other aspects of that type of property. In addition, when you buy a property, there may be other costs that you’ll need to add in, such as Home Owners Association (HOA) fees, homeowners’ insurance, property taxes insurance, and mortgage insurance, if required, among other costs.
Here is an easy way to estimate how much income you’ll need to buy that property in Palm Desert that you’ve been dreaming about: target mortgage payment + consumer debts ÷ .36 = gross monthly income needed to qualify for a loan. The exact ratio will depend on the lender and type of loan, so it’s best to be conservative when making these calculations so that you don’t overextend yourself.
A good rule of thumb is that for every dollar of debt, you should make twice that in income. Therefore, if your monthly mortgage payment is $2000, you’ll need to make at least $4000 to offset that debt. With all of those factors in mind, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not buying a new home at this stage makes sense for you.
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While recent years were not the easiest for real estate professionals and the construction industry, even when it came to ultra-desirable properties that are typically in great demand, such as La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate, 2013 is shaping up to look like a great time for prospective home buyers, sellers, and the agents, brokers and short sale realtors who work with them.
The following information was excerpted from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI):
“74.9 percent of homes sold between the beginning of October and end of December were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $65,000. This was up nearly a percentage point from the 74.1 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in last year’s third quarter.”
In addition to that good news, research indicates that nearly three quarters of the local markets in the United States are improving. As all of our local markets move further down the path to recovery, potential buyers, especially those considered median-income, are building confidence that owning a home in the near future is a plausible goal. Here in Palm Springs, we’re seeing growth and positive movement as well, especially when it comes to La Quinta and Rancho Mirage real estate.
Another positive trend that brokers, agents and short sale realtors are all consistently reporting is that low interest rates are increasing affordability, which obviously can make it a lot easier for prospective buyers, especially those considering buying their first home. Additionally, sellers have become more realistic when it comes to pricing their properties. This makes the process much easier for real estate professionals as well— when buyers are confident and assertive, and sellers are realistic with their expectations, it’s hard for everyone involved not to have a win-win experience.
It sounds like 2013 is indeed your year to buy a home!
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Residents and owners of real estate in Palm Desert have lots to look forward to this week—especially music lovers. For starters, on Tuesday, March 26, the McCallum Theatre will host a performance by one of music’s most creative and original artists, Grammy Award winner Boz Scaggs. This repeat performance will include fan favorites such as “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle,” among many others. The show will run from 8 to 10 pm.
On Wednesday, March 27, from 8 to 10 pm, country-steeped garage band The Mavericks will perform at the McCallum Theatre. Led by Cuban American lead singer, Raul Malo, the Mavericks emerged from Miami more than two decades ago with their own brand of post-modern country, featuring unforgettable hits like “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” “Here Comes The Rain” and “Dance The Night Away.”
On Thursday, March 28, Jesse Cook will also perform at the McCallum Theatre. The Paris-born, Toronto-trained virtuoso guitarist consistently breaks the boundaries of popular music with each of his new recordings and gives a superb live performance. The show will take place from 8 pm to 10 pm.
On Saturday, March 30, The Blue Man Group will also take the stage at the favorite venue of Residents and owners of real estate in Palm Desert, the McCallum Theatre. The Blue Man Group presents an unrivalled, high-octane theatrical experience that will immerse you in an explosion of comedy, music, and technology.
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This weekend in Palm Springs is packed with some fun and eclectic offerings for the entire family. Whether you live here already or have been checking out Palm Springs home for sale or homes in La Quinta or Indio, a visit this weekend is certain to make the entire family fall in love with the Coachella Valley.
This weekend, from March 22 through March 24, the smash hit Broadway musical production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will show at the McCallum Theatre. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this take on the classic love story features lavish sets, spectacular costumes and unforgettable production numbers.
Also taking place this weekend is the Food and Wine Festival Palm Desert. This premier food and wine tasting event includes some of California’s most inspired chefs offering an extraordinary sampling experience. Located under The Big White Tent on Larkspur between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain in Palm Desert, the event will have an educational slant that showcases the valley as a culinary destination. A visit to this event will inspire your taste buds and an inkling to view Palm Springs homes for sale.
If you’re feeling lucky this weekend, then you may want to hit The Price Is Right Live interactive stage show at the Special Events Center at the Fantasy Springs Casino. Just like you’ve seen on television for so many years, contestants will be pulled from the audience for the chance to win great prizes, including vacations, appliances and new cars. All the favorite games from television’s longest running and most popular game show will be played, from Cliffhangers and Plinko to the Big Wheel and the fabulous showcase. The show will take place on Friday, March 22 and 23, with two shows each day, one from 6 to 7:30 pm and the other from 8:30 to 10 pm.
If you’re visiting this weekend and the flurry of activities motivates you to move to the beautiful Palm Springs Valley, click here to take a look at some of the listings of homes in La Quinta, Indio and Palm Desert.
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Local Project Runway all-star Michael Costello
Between spa day Spa Day at the Gardens at El Paseo and Fashion Week, there has been plenty of pampering and fun for the ladies of Palm Springs. Whether you’re a fashionista or just appreciate shopping, if you’ve been considering moving to Palm Springs or taking a look at Palm Desert real estate, this week’s incredible activities have probably cemented those thoughts.
This week, visitors and owners of homes in Rancho Mirage and the surrounding areas can enjoy the final slate of Fashion Week El Paseo activities. If you missed out on the exciting last few days, such as your chance to watch Michael Costello debut his spring 2013 collection alongside 11 other Project Runway designers, there are still plenty of exciting events to catch.
On Thursday, March 21, from 11 am to 3 pm, there will be a trunk show of collections by Michael Costello and other Project Runway designers, who will be on hand for personal consultations regarding their collections that are available for purchase. As Michael’s hometown is Palm Springs, he’s a consummate favorite of all the residents and owners of Palm Desert real estate and the surrounding cities.
In the evening, Sue Wong will evoke the allure and glamour of eras such as 1930s Shanghai, Precode Hollywood, and Manhattan’s gilded Jazz Age in a showcase of her latest collection. The event will begin at 7 pm with a cocktail reception, followed by the show at 8 pm. Sue Wong’s trunk show will take place Friday, March 22 from 11 am to 2 pm, with Sue on hand for consultations.
On Friday, March 22, Houghton Head Designer Katharine Polk will showcase the Houghton Spring 2013 collection for independent women seeking effortlessly chic looks inspired by style icons such as Bianca Jagger and Katharine Hepburn. The event will commence with a cocktail reception at 7, followed by the show at 8 pm, and an after party for attendees at the Marriot Desert Springs. The Houghton Spring Trunk Show will follow on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.
On Saturday, March 23, Dior-trained Beverly Hills couturier and Designer of the Week Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Couture will debut his spring 2013 collection of stunning designs worthy of any red carpet. The cocktail reception will start at 7 pm, with the show starting directly afterwards at 8 pm, followed by after party in the tent, complete with a taco bar courtesy of Jensen’s.
If these great events have motivated you to make the dream of moving to Palm Springs come true, click here to view listings of homes in Rancho Mirage and properties throughout the desert cities.
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Sometimes it’s impossible to prepare for the challenges that life brings, which is why many families unfortunately find themselves owing more on their mortgages than their property is worth. In these cases, working with a short sale realtor may be the only way to avoid foreclosure.
A short sale is a very time-consuming transaction and can be a difficult one to navigate. To start the process, make sure you find a short sale realtor who will stay on top of all the details and has a lot of experience with these tricky transactions. Otherwise, you’ll be taking on a lot of stress and will subject yourself to some unpleasant consequences if everything isn’t done properly. Take the same amount of time you would allocate to hiring an agent to find your dream home in Indian Wells, if not more. Interview prospective realtors thoroughly and get referrals whenever you can.
Different states have laws that vary, so make sure to find out whether the lenders involved can go after you for the balance once a short sale is completed. If the lender agrees to waive the difference, you want to make sure this is clearly represented in the contract. You also may want to consider looking into the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program (HAFA) to see if this program can help you avoid paying the deficient balance.
Another reason why it helps so much to have a short sale realtor with strong expertise is that they can coordinate the transaction with the bank and help prepare you for what to expect from the process. When it comes to tax implications and protecting assets, it may behoove you to also hire an attorney or tax expert to ensure that you are doing everything correctly.
Last but not least, if you are considering a short sale, don’t stop paying HOA fees or other dues—they will continue to accumulate and can be a deal breaker when you find a buyer for your home in home in Indian Wells or another part of the region.
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One of the things we do best in Palm Springs is relax and enjoy life. It’s a lifestyle that is coveted all around the world—and a reason why so many migrate to the Coachella Valley and buy properties in Palm Desert, Indian Wells or La Quinta. This week is a perfect example of the ideal lifestyle that is so accessible in the desert communities.
Wednesday, March 20 is Spa Day at the Gardens at El Paseo. What better way to get through hump day than with some much-deserved pampering? This celebration of health and beauty takes place from 10 am – 2 pm on the center lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue, and will includes some of the valley’s finest spas and El Paseo’s best stores. Sneak out from work, hire a sitter to watch the kids, take a break from viewing Rancho Mirage real estate or simply schedule some me-time. For more information, click here.
On Thursday, March 2 from 6 to 8 pm, the Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series will showcase another installment of its free screenings of public art-themed documentary films, followed by a guest speaker. The screening will be of the Academy Award-nominated film, Waste Land, which follows artist Vic Muniz from Brooklyn to Brazil, where he photographs and collaborates with an eclectic band of “catadores,” pickers of recyclable materials, at the world’s largest garbage dump in Rio de Janeiro. The screenings are held at UCR Palm Desert, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert and are presented by the City of Palm Desert Public Art Department and the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center. It’s a perfect way to absorb some culture and fascinating knowledge after work or viewing properties in Palm Desert, as well as a cool way to spend time with the family. For more information, call 760.837.1664.
Music lovers can enjoy a live performance by Barbara Cook on Thursday, March 21 at the McCallum Theatre. Originally scheduled for February 14, the performance was reschedule to this week due to illness. One of Broadway’s most celebrated singers, Barabara Cook is acclaimed for her sublime vocals and performance style. The show will run from 8 to 10 pm.
If the spectacular Palm Springs lifestyle appeals to you, then click here to view some of our listings of La Quinta, Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage real estate.
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Less is more—and when it comes to getting ready to move or prepping Palm Springs homes for sale, that old adage is very true. The more spacious a home looks to a potential buyer, the more it will appeal to them. And the less you have to move, the less stressed you and your family will be. So why not get started with the decluttering process now, even if you’re just thinking of selling your home in Rancho Mirage or another desert area? Here are a few steps to follow that will help streamline the process.
Empty it out. Whether you are decluttering a drawer, a closet or shelf, the best way to start is to remove everything from the space. Empty it all out into an area where you can spread out all your goods, so that you can see what you have and then assess the situation properly. Clean out the area and then move on to the next step.
Start sorting. Once you’ve laid out all your belongings, you can now decide what to keep and what to junk. If you’re moving from across the coast into a home in Rancho Mirage, you may want to throw out more than you keep, as the style of décor may be completely different. If you’re preparing a home for sale, then why not challenge yourself to trashing either a third, or if you’re really brave, a half of all the items you’re sorting through?
Challenge yourself. Really look at your belongings and see what you can get rid of. Ask yourself some hard questions—when was the last time you used it? If something hasn’t been used in the last nine months to a year, do you really need it? If you’re having trouble deciding, think whether it’s something you could borrow or rent. If it is, then unload it by all means.
If you’re already decluttering and considering Palm Springs homes for sale, click here to check out some great listings.
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If you are considering listing your Indio real estate this year, there are some steps you should take before you list it that will help you make sure that it shows as well as possible and is listed at the best price. This will get you ahead of the game and make the process easier, for both you and the real estate professional you decide to work with, whether it’s a listing agent, broker or realtor specializing in short sales.
