Palm 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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Rancho 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 has a new restaurant on the street – Catalan is a Mediterranean themed restaurant which now calls home to the building where Bangkok Five once was on Highway 111.
Catalan was launched this year by a father and son duo, Mark and Drew Davis. The owners source their products exclusively from local and sustainable sources whenever they can in a commitment to give their patrons a farm to table dining experience.
Chef Drew Davis had a passion for food even as a child growing up in Los Angeles. He worked at restaurants as a high school student and out of that experience, realized his life’s calling. That’s when he decided to take his craft to the next level by working at more prominent establishments and eventually attending the Culinary Institute of America. Drew has worked under James Beard awarded chefs in Florida and the Midwest.
Most recently, Drew worked as Executive Sous-Chef at prominent East Hampton New York establishment called Nick and Toni’s. He has also worked as a private chef for some entertainment celebrities, and finally decided to open his own restaurant here in our Palm Springs Valley.
The menu is ripe with pastas, beef, chicken, seafood, lamb, paella and many other sumptuous Mediterranean style items to choose from. There is a full dessert menu, specialty cocktails and tantalizing wine list.
Catalan is on my list of new restaurants to go to, we welcome diverse dining opportunities here in Rancho Mirage and our desert. Wishing you lots of luck, Catalan, and can’t wait to sample your cuisine!
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Palm Springs real estate rocks on!
The historic Colony Hotel in Palm Springs, built in 1936 has just been purchased by an investment group. Is this a new trend? Yes. Rents are going up, people are staying local (meaning not flying as much) and our Hotel room market here in the desert remains in high demand. Palm Springs IS a resort area.
The Colony is purchased by Investment group!
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Anyone in the market for a horse property? Not just any horse property . . . the late celebrity Merv Griffin’s equestrian estate in La Quinta was put on the market this week for $9.5 million. This property joins other local celebrity homes that are also on the market – actor Cary Grant’s home is going for $3 million and Suzanne Somers’ home is going for $17.5 million, both located in Palm Springs.
Griffin’s 39 acre estate is likely the only equestrian property in the Palm Springs Valley that has a racetrack. The 5,000 sf Moroccan-style home also includes a 16 horse stable with staff quarters at each end, 14 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, 4 one bedroom guest casitas, 2 3-bedroom guest houses, 2.5 acre lagoon and much more.
This equestrian -specific estate was built by Griffin in the early 1980s, as he was an avid horse lover and rancher. He wanted to have a place to breed Arabian horses and someplace he could relax with family and friends. Horses were his passion and so was living a lavish lifestyle.
Merv Griffin was born in San Mateo in 1925. He started out his career as a singer and then went on to host a game show, then moved on to eventually host his own show called “The Merv Griffin Show.” Griffin also played a part in creating and producing the games shows ‘The Price is Right,’ ‘ Jeopardy,’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ which are still popular today.
Next, Griffin got into real estate in the late 80s and 90s and began purchasing resorts, casinos and hotels. He owned the Merv Griffin Givenchy Resort & Spa here in Palm Springs and also the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. At his death in 2007, Griffin was estimated to be worth about $1 billion.
We were lucky to have Merv Griffin as a La Quinta resident. Should you have interest in this one-of-a-kind equestrian paradise, Kimberley Kelly with HK Lane will be happy to arrange a tour and offer her rich knowledge of the equestrian world.
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In the Palm Springs area and across the U.S., foreign buyers hunting for safe investments have been flocking to the U.S. housing market, attracted by low the prices here.
International clients accounted for $82.5 billion worth of sales during the 12 months ending in March, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors . Compare that to the $66.4 billion spent over the same period a year earlier.
These foreign purchasers , mostly from Britain, Canada, China, India and Mexico, made up 55% of all international purchasers. The four states of California, Arizona, Florida and Texas – accounted for 51% of the states in which international buyers purchased homes.
Several factors are driving foreign buyers to purchase in the locations they did, including proximity to their home countries, climate and convenience. It seems the East Coast attracted mostly Europeans buyers while the West Coast attracted mostly Asians. Florida has drawn South Americans, Canadians and Europeans.
There are many happy and proud new Canadian homeowners in our Palm Springs area here. I happen to have new Canadian neighbors across the street from my home. They got a great little Santa Fe with western exposure that’s taking some work to get it back into shape. But, they’re happy with their smoking deal and we’re happy to have nice, friendly neighbors who take pride in their home . . . even though they can only be there six months out of the year. It’s a win-win for everyone.
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Indian Wells – When you click onto The Nest website, you are greeted with “After 5, Life Begins Here.” That says it all about this Indian Wells hotspot. I have heard through the grapevine that The Nest is the place to go to see and be seen, to dance and have yourself some outrageous fun in our desert. I’ve also heard of a few couples who have met there and ended up in love and/or married. Hmmm, are they putting something in the drinks???
The Nest (Restaurant/Night Club/Bistro) has been around since 1965 . . . that’s a heck of a long time for an establishment to remain open anywhere, much less in the desert here. Current owners and hosts Kevin and Dodi Henry are making sure that the doors continue to stay open and that people can continue to partake of their wonderful food, vibrant ambiance, live entertainment and great service.
Long a favorite of locals, celebrities, golf & tennis stars and the like . . . The Nest is the kind of place people want to go to unwinding after a long day at the office, playing 18 holes or a few sets of tennis. It’s something to look forward to and you will not be disappointed. The atmosphere is “desert casual,” though you will see some of the ladies (and men) who really deck out for their “Nest” experience.
The Nest is open every night, with their summer menu available from 5-7pm. The live entertainment starts at 6pm on Wed.- Sat. and at 7pm on Mon, 8pm on Tues. It is located at 75188 Highway 111 in Indian Wells. Valet parking is complimentary . . . that’s just the kind of place The Nest is.
So when you’re ready for some fine dining, maybe a little dancing and a cocktail, then The Nest is the place for you !!!
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Bermuda Dunes CC home; multiples
If you are considering jumping into the Buyers competition called “buying a home in La Quinta”..or the Palm springs Valley in general..be prepared. There are MANY other buyers waiting to do the same thing. The luxury market is the only market that is not experiencing this in our desert valley..and even that market can generate multiples if the property is priced right, has staggering views and tons of upgrades.
The entry level..$250,000 and below here in the desert is barren of good buys. The La Quinta Cove, North La Quinta, South Palm Desert, and pockets in Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells as well as Cat City are experiencing multiple offers on most every home listed. My last two listings in La Quinta and one in Desert Hot Springs on the golf course, generated multiples within 3 days. Only 1 was a Short Sale.
I wasn’t aware of how similar it is elsewhere…this from todays LA Times.
If you are thinking of listing your home whether short sale or equity, give me a call!
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There is a small, intimate community in La Quinta called Hidden Canyon. This newer gated development of about 200 homes was built in 2005-’06 by Transwest, also the developers of Griffin Ranch in La Quinta. It is located on Eisenhower Drive between Washington Street and Avenue 50 and greets you with its elegant, understated entrance . . . but what lies beyond is spectacular, as the homes are nestled in along the base of the dramatic Santa Rosa Mountains. The views are stunning here and the setting is private and serene.
These single-family homes range in size from approx. 2,400 to 3,464sf and sit on large lots. Three, four and even a few five bedroom homes are available in Hidden Canyon. The HOAs are low, at approx. $185, because they can be – there is no gate attendant, fancy clubhouse or fitness center here. What you do have is extensive walking trails and greenbelts that weave their way through this lushly landscaped community.
But the best thing about Hidden Canyon is its location – just minutes away from the world class amenities offered at La Quinta Resort and Club, with its spa facilities, fine restaurants, etc. You can walk or bike to the Resort, as well as to Old Town La Quinta to enjoy its fine dining, boutiques, cafes and more. There’s biking and hiking on the beautiful trails in La Quinta Cove . . . and nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden offers affordable tennis lesson to children and adults of all ages and skill levels.
If you want to live the life the luxurious desert lifestyle without paying high HOAs, then Hidden Canyon may be just the place for you. Call Kimberley Kelly with HK Lane Real Estate in La Quinta to give you a tour of the community or to look at homes for sale there.
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With mortgage rates at historic lows, some La Quinta homebuyers are shopping for the best loan deals online. The online mortgage marketplace has become an increasingly popular resource for borrowers to research loan rates and options. Borrowers can save a lot of time and possibly money if they find a good deal that works for them. But these online loan marketplaces can also be overwhelming, especially when the deluge of offers from various lenders start pouring in.
The newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises borrowers to begin their search with reading the fine print of each of the sites they have narrowed down to work with. It is important to understand the terms of use and privacy policies.
When shopping for loan rates on online sites such as Bankrate.com or LendingTree, be sure to read their FAQ sections (Frequently Asked Questions). Be aware that these sites are in the business to make money working with lenders by generating leads via a pay-per-click formula. If you are providing personal information like your credit score, be advised to find out how widely this information will be circulated . . . and understand that many lenders will be contacting you. For instance, at Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, the avg. number of rate quotes received by a customer is 20, whereas at LendingTree, it is 3 to 5.
Typically, sites will provide rates and information specifically from the lenders they are signed on with. An exception to this is Bankrate.com which offers one table that includes its own lending clients in addition to the 5 largest banks and other lenders in approx. 600 local or metropolitan areas.
Let it be known that for the last 3 years, the difference between the highest and lowest available rates was wider than it has been most recently – which makes comparison shopping even more important . . . though advertised rates are indicative rates, not offers. Borrowers also need to figure the mortgage initiation fee and closing costs into their calculations.
Experts suggest that borrowers make sure they feel in control and only give your personal information out to lenders of your choice. If a credit report is pulled by lenders, it is in your best interest to find out what rights they have to that information other than evaluating your loan request.
Doing your research on the various sites you visit will serve you, and make sure you find out about the quality control at the sites you visit. Legal experts suggest that online sites who advertise that they are making the easiest and fastest comparisons for the borrower may not be in your best interest, as this process should be analytic and take due amounts of time.
So, the moral to this story is – be wise, take your time, do your due diligence, ask questions and read the fine print. If an offer sounds too good to be true . . . it probably is.
If you are looking for a Buyer’s Agent, Kimberley Kelly is experienced and successful at representing the Buyer’s best interest and working hard to find just the right house for them. Buying a home is a big financial and emotional investment and you want to work with an Agent you can trust. Give Kimberley a call at 760-285-3578 for a free consultation or check out her website at www.kimberleyjoykelly.com. You’ll be glad you did.
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Palm 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.
