The east end of the Palm Springs Valley is home to Vista Santa Rosa, an unincorporated area of beautiful equestrian properties and agricultural farms. It encompasses approx. 14 sq. miles and is bordered on 3 sides by La Quinta, Indio and Coachella. There have been ongoing rumblings of Vista Santa Rosa being annexed into La Quinta or Indio, but who knows what will happen with that… or when?
Meanwhile, check out Deer Creek Equestrian Center, a polo pony training facility located in this peacefulrural part of the Valley. Once you enter the gates of this active equestrian community, you will drive down its streets lined with olive trees, eucalyptus and date palms. Deer Creek offers 5 to 10 acre private ranchettes, each separated with white safety-vinyl fencing. Owners have the privilege of using the 20 acre polo field and exercise track.
Deer Creek is an HOA maintained property at the cost of approx. $750/mo. Some of the ranchettes boast custom homes and others offer park models..but there are codes for building here. It’s a unique and special place for horse lovers in our Palm Springs Valley!
Deer Creek was founded by actor Bill Devane with the intention of bringing together like minded people to enjoy horses in a beautiful countrified setting. It is a tightly knit community with players of varying levels and where enjoyment and love of the game are paramount. Ideally located in the heart of Horse Country, Empire and Eldorado Polo Clubs are less than a 5 minute drive away. Als0 close by is a State park with riding trails and a lake, Desert HITS Equestrian Center and the Jacqueline Cochran private airport.
So, if you have a bent for the Equestrian and are looking for the perfect area to buy or build your dream ranch, Deer Creek in Vista Santa Rosa may just be the place for you. Give Kimberley Kelly a call . . . she is a realtor with HK Lane Real Estate in La Quinta and can help you find that perfect horse property. Being an Equestrian herself, and having played polo for several decades now, Kimberley is extremely knowledgable about the horse world.
More
If you haven’t had the pleasure of eating at this friendly and delicious culinary hot-spot in La Quinta, then you really must put a date on your calendar and make it over to Pho Vu. It’s located on the corner of Dune Palms and Highway 111. Pho Vu has only been open about a year and already has quite the following.
Pho is classic Vietnamese food, actually a comfort food – it is a rice noodle soup with a delicious rich broth that is simmered for many hours. In Vietnam, every family makes their own verson of pho. Owner Huy Vu, who ended up in America after being rescued off of a boat after fleeing Vietnam in the late 1970s, offers a menu with four parts: Pho or rice noodles; Bun or vermicelli bowls; Co’m Dia or rice plates and some delightful vegetarian dishes. With the dishes come a variety of sauces – you can doctor your dish up to be as hot – or not – as you like.
When you walk in to Pho Vu, it is light and bright and welcoming. The deep red walls are adorned with tasteful paintings of Vietnamese women and add just the right touch of authenticity to the surroundings. Honestly, every time I go to Pho Vu, nearly every table is taken . . . and there’s a steady stream of comings and goings, some folks coming to pick up their take-out comfort food.
Pho Vu is open for lunch and dinner every day, from 11am to 9pm . . . and will be open all summer . . . Yipppeeee !!! If the hot bowls of noodles don’t appeal in the 100 degree weather, there are cold dishes available as well. Prices are beyond reasonable, entrees go for $6.95 – $10.95.
For more info, call 760-775-2417. Don’t wait too long to try out the culinary delights at Pho Vu in La Quinta!!!
More
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.
More
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 !!!
More
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
More
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 !
More
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.
More
Just Listed !!! Check out this new Short Sale Listing in
fabulous Bermuda Dunes Country Club! A little TLC is needed on this home, particularly the outdoor living areas, pool & spa and landscaping.
It’s a great home located on a great street, with 4 bd/3 ba on a large lot with a circular driveway. The backyard is south-facing and has a covered back porch and large pool with spa. The Kitchen had a $35,000 remodel about 3 years ago (per Seller) and includes a custom pantry, Bosch dishwasher and gas cooktop, KitchenAid dual ovens (all stainless).
One of the 3 full bathrooms has been completely remodeled in this home. The floors are 18×18″ ceramic tile set on the diagonal and all bedrooms and the great room are carpeted.
The Master bedroom has two walk in closets . . . and a Sauna !!! The 4th bedroom has a large built-in desk which could easily be converted back to bedroom space.
Bermuda Dunes Country Club offers an exceptional quality of life and some of the finest golf in California. It has hosted the PGA tour event, The Bob Hope Classic, for 49 years and has been home to celebrities such as Clark Gable and Arnold Palmer. The club is surrounded by gorgeous views of the San Jacinto Mountains, rolling fairways, fresh water lakes and luscious desert landscaping. . . and the homes are built around 27 scenic holes of classic style golf. The community is comprised of 17 Home Owners Associations and The Dunes Residence Club, a boutique style Residents Club for golfers – and offers the perfect desert lifestyle.
This home is a steal,
offered at $240,000. Trying to get a COOP Short Sale out of this one – that’s where Bank of America does a co-operative Short Sale listing and once it’s pre-approved, we can Close It within 45 days !!!
Just another Short Sale opportunity presented by the
Palm Springs Valley Short Sale Closer, Kimberley Joy Kelly…
I list, work and CLOSE my short sales, and I’ll CLOSE this one too!
How lucky are we here in La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley to have a world class resort venue like the La Quinta Resort & Club literally in our own backyard? Living in La Quinta Cove like I do, making a trek down Eisenhower to the spectacular La Quinta Resort & Club takes . . . say, maybe 5 minutes? Once you turn off Eisenhower onto the stately tree-lined entrance, you feel like you’re in another world. This iconic, historic hotel is always abuzz with people and activity – living the good life of ease and amenities. It feels like a vacation just being there on those beautiful grounds and taking in this elevated lifestyle offered to visitors from all over the world.
Congratulations to the La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West for recently earning top honors among Hilton’s hotel chains worldwide as Luxury Resort of the Year. What an honor !!! La Quinta Resort is part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel chain and was judged among 300 hotels and resorts. In addition, Gary Sims, managing director for the resort, also was recognized as general manager of the year.
The executive director of sales, Rick Blackburn, said this about the resort’s recent honor – “This is a tremendous honor for us. It truly reflects the increasing quality of our resort and its many services and amenities, as well as the vision of our management, dedication of our staff and overall commitment to providing our guests with exceptional levels of service.”
If you haven’t been to the La Quinta Resort lately, treat yourself to a gourmet dinner prepared by Award-winning chef Jimmy Schmidt at Morgans in the Desert . . . or a fine cigar and a haircut at Havana . . . or some long-overdue pampering at the spa. Even for us locals, there is much to experience here.
Take a Staycation today . . . at our very own La Quinta Resort & Club !!!
More
The east end of the Palm Springs Valley is home to Vista Santa Rosa, an unincorporated area of beautiful equestrian properties and agricultural farms. It encompasses approx. 14 sq. miles and is bordered on 3 sides by La Quinta, Indio and Coachella. There have been ongoing rumblings of Vista Santa Rosa being annexed into La Quinta or Indio, but who knows what will happen with that… or when?
