Old Town Coffee Company in Old Town La Quinta feels like that comfy pair of slippers you can’t wait to put on after a long day’s work . . . it’s casual, it’s cozy and the people who work there know your name (if you’re a regular like me). The coffee is yummy, very important at a coffeeshop, though I’m always amazed at the number of people who still flock to drink the swill at Starbucks (always tastes burned to me) . . . but, to each his own.
The hardwood floors and overstuffed furniture inside of Old Town Coffee Company make this the perfect place to meet up with friends or family for early coffee, brekkie, yummy lunch . . . or frankly, just about any time of day. There are an assortment of outdoor tables (some with umbrellas), nooks and crannies to settle into while enjoying your cappucino or latte or americano and something delicious to go with it . . . like incredible muffins, fancied up bagels, frittatas, smoothies, sandwiches and more. I’ve never eaten anything there that was less than scrumptious.
Situated on a prime corner in Old Town La Quinta, the OTCC is the perfect gathering place. There always seem to be bevies of bikers, adorable doggies, children, people dressed up, people dressed down, young, old . . . you name it, you’ll see it there. During events like the weekly Farmer’s Market on Sunday mornings, Art Under The Umbrellas, just to name a few, the Old Town Coffee Company is packed to the gills. There is spirited conversation and laughter floating in the air, a general good vibration all around. Wi-fi is available if you want to bring your laptop and surf the net.
So, if you haven’t made it over yet to Old Town Coffee Company yet, you should call up a friend and plan a rendezvous soon !!!
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Madison Estates is making a come back !!! This sprawling gated community located at Avenue 49 and Madison Street, one block east of Jefferson Street in the Vista Santa Rosa area of Indio, was originally designed to be a highly sought after address in our desert area. Construction began on nine well-appointed luxury homes, then going for $1,200,000 to $1,600.000. When the real estate market tanked and the development was stalled, these beautifully designed and well-thought out homes sat idle.
Ridgeback Partners, a real estate brokerage and management team, now own Madison Estates and are getting this upscale community back on its feet. The current owners recognize the value of the community’s location and original intent . . . and also that the market has changed since it first broke ground. Ridgeback Partners selected Family Development as the building team to finish out the nine original custom-quality homes. . . . and they’re priced at half of what they originally went for, starting at $600,000. Family Development has purchased 46 unfinished lots at Madison Estates, so there will be more grand homes to come.
Madison Estates’ homes are built in Tuscan, Spanish, Colonial and Mission styles, with each residence featuring more than 4,000sf of living space on half acre lots. There are many custom amenities and ugrades, including full landscaping, pool and spa are also included with these homes.
The downturn of the economy has an upturn . . . the luxurious and upscale homes in Madison Estates are now offering “Twice the Luxury at Half the Price.”
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Escena, a Mid Century Contemporary styled community in Palm Springs, is just another long-delayed development in our Coachella Valley currently experiencing a revival. Having debuted back in 2006, Escena held much promise with its offerings of an 18 hole Nicklaus golf course, fantastic clubhouse and dining facility and two innovative and modern-styled home developments by Lennar. It is ideally close to downtown Palm Springs, the Palm Springs International Airport, Interstate 10, Highway 111 and more (and let’s not forget its stunning views of Mount San Jacinto). And then, well you know the rest of the story . . . the economy took a nose dive.
The exciting news is that Alta Verde, the new developers at Escena, are planning this summer to begin selling Escena’s new homes, ranging in size from about 2,200sf to 2,800sf. These homes carry through, as one would expect from a modern, with open floor plans, clean lines and lots of glass . . . bringing the outdoors in. These homes are priced from the low $400,00s.
Alta Verde’s new homes in Palm Springs at Escena are different . . . different how, you ask??? Well, different enough that the new developers claim their homes boast modern space planning and design with a new edge, coupled with building technologies of today. They are calling their homes “This Century Modern.” Brilliant.
I’m Looking forward to previewing this new generation of home, “This Century Modern,” when they become available in the summer. Just part of Modern architecture’s evolution and changing with and for the times. History in the making.
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Indio offers affordable resort living in the east end of the Valley at Indian Palms Country Club. Did you know that this 640 acre property has an illustrious Hollywood history? Who knew? What now boasts 27 holes of golf, nearly 3,000 homes and condos, time-share properties, a hotel and a restaurant was once called “The Ranch.” “The Ranch” consisted of a large ranch-style home, stables, citrus groves, guest quarters, and an Olympic sized pool. The property was owned by aviator Jackie Cochran and her husband Floyd Odlum, movie studio owner & investor, fromthe late 1930s until the early ’80s. Back then, “The Ranch” was a retreat for the rich and famous – the likes of Walt Disney, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Clark Gable, Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes, just to name a few.
Now, Indian Palms is a beautiful community that offers country club living at an affordable price. And who wouldn’t want to live here – where not only golf is offered, but also tennis courts, community pools, its own restaurant and a fitness facility?
And convenience . . . Indian Palms is close to Hwy. 11 with all of the available shopping, dining, movie theatre, etc; and is only 5 miles from Interstate 10 with it’s North Indio shopping district. Schools, JFK Hospital and much more are within walking distance.
Check out Indian Palms Country Club in Indio if you’re looking for the most value for your money and all of the amenities a perfect desert lifestyle offers.
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Point Happy Estates, a community conveniently located close to the intersection of Highway 111 and Washington St. in La Quinta, may be getting ready to be Revived ! Family Development, a Palm Desert-based real estate development company, has purchased 15 unfinished foreclosed homes and 23 lots here and this resurgence of interest and energy can only be good for the builders and buyers alike.
Point Happy Estates is named after Point Happy, a lovely little little cove area nestled up next to the Santa Rosa Mountains. It gets its name from early settler Norman “Happy” Lundbeck, who tended a small store there. Later on, the property was purchased by philanthropist Chauncey Clarke, who grew the first Deglet Noor dates in California there and also raised purebred horses at his Point Happy Ranch.
When built out, Point Happy Estates will feature 69 semi-custom luxury homes with average lot sizes of 10,500sf – all situated on 22 acres of prime La Quinta real estate with a secluded mountain escape. Many world class amenities are in close proximity, such as adjacent Point Happy shopping center, fine restaurants, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, Old Town La Quinta, La Quinta Hotel & Resort . . . and much more. Stay tuned as the best kept secret of Point Happy Estates becomes the buzz of the town as its vision comes to fruition.
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La Quinta Cove's crown jewel, La Quinta Hotel
La Quinta Cove is on fire . . . not literally, but properties in this beautiful piece of east valley, wrapped on three sides by stunning mountains ranges, are being snapped up at a very fast clip. Investors and homebuyers, both foreign and local, are grabbing up hot deals in this “best kept little secret” of a community that’s not so secret any more.
So what is the draw, what makes this Cove community such an appealing area of the Palm Springs Valley in which to buy??? Well, it only takes a drive around La Quinta Cove to understand why! For one, the Cove affords the finest Santa Rosa Mountain views around. The Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve is tucked away at the western edge of the La Quinta Cove and has trails for hiking, biking, dog walking and jogging. There is also quick access to several city parks.
Fortunately, too, is that La Quinta’s dark sky ordinance ensures that starry nights will shine brightly for all in the Cove. At the foot of the Cove and its Santa Rosa Mountain range, are two unique locations – Old Town La Quinta with its fine dining, coffee shop, boutiques and regular events and the La Quinta Resort and Spa, a world renowned destination resort.
La Quinta Cove residents have access to excellent public schools right in La Quinta, as a part of the award-winning Desert Sands Unified School District. The Cove is also located in the Imperial Irrigation District which offers the lowest electrical utility rates in the Coachella Valley. Home styles here vary from Santa Fe, to southwest style and from mid-century to contemporary to Mediterranean architecture. This area has attracted award winning architects, artists, designers, musicians and chefs who claim the Cove as their home.
So, I ask you, what’s not to love about living in La Quinta Cove??? It’s got everything you could want for an active desert lifestyle . . . and so much more.
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With mortgage rates dropping, La Quinta homebuyers (and buyers all over the country) gain more purchasing power – as buyers with the same amount of monthly payment are able to borrow more money today and therefore purchase a more expensive house with more amenities than just one year earlier. Average 30 year fixed mortgage rates fell by 17.7% in a one year period ending in January 2012 – from 4.76% in Jan. 2011 to 3.91% in Jan. 2012.
The maximum amount a homebuyer can borrow to purchase property depends entirely on the amount of his down payment and the amount he’s qualified to borrow from a lender. His borrowing ability is based on these two factors:
1) current mortgage rates, which are always changing
2) home buyer’s income, which typically changes every year at the rate of inflation
It is known by lenders that on one hand, homebuyers are less likely to default if they are allocating no more than 31% of their monthly gross income to their monthly mortgage payments. Therefore, mortgage lenders are now refusing to lend more money than the buyer can repay at that 31% gross income ration amortized over 30 years based on a fixed interest rate.
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who wouldn't want to own in La Quinta???
I am working with Investors, or Investment groups from Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada and France..and that’s just in the first quarter of 2012. Our Real Estate market is benefitting from foreign buyers belief that the US is the best place in the world to park their money. These buyers are helping reduce our inventory and get the housing market back in balance again..come on down!
Foreign clients bought 41 billion worth of stateside houses and apartments during teh 12 month period that ended in March of 2011, according to the NAR. Pretty much the same as last year..BUT add in the $41 billion spent by immigrants who moved here within the past two years and people with visas for longer than 6 months and the total is $82 billion..up from $66 billion just a year ago.
Realtor.com is nov visible internationally and can be viewed from practically anywhere in the world..and in 12 languages. Wow! Talk about checking out real estate while in the comfort of your own home. What states are they buying in????
1. Florida- nearly 55% of all international sales from May to November, 2011 were in Florida.
2. California-appprox. 6% in California
3. Nevada-5 % of all foreign sales were here.
4. Arizona-17% of foreign investor sales were in AZ
Why in these states? Because these states have the most standing inventory! The glut of homes in these 4 states is still considerable and therefore the price/sf is the best buy..more for your international money! It’s not ALL about investment. It’s also about buying a home in a country where you want to live..even if it’s only part time.
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Canada price: $500,000. La Quinta price: $175,000
The Canadian housing Market is on fire..that sounds so much like our housing market reports from 2004-2006. The Market here in the Palm Springs Valley was literally “on fire!” Some areas of La Quinta would increase in value up to 22% in a single year. Where else but houses could you get that kind of return on your money?? La Quinta had the huge majority of New Home Sales. Land was cheap and expansive from La Quinta to the further Eastern areas of the Valley, Coachella and Indio. Thousands of homes were built..most were sold. The irony? Those same homes are still being SOLD..just at 50-60% discounts from the high flying days..and there are still many empty houses.
Statistics Canada says the national average price of NEW houses rose .1% in January from just one month earlier. The main contributors? Why, Calgary and Vancouver of course! The increases in these two fantastic cities offset the decreases in Victoria and St. John’s, N.L.
The NEW HOUSING INDEX saw a year over year price increase of 2.4% with the main contributor to this particular advance being Toronto and Oshawa regions in Southern Ontario.
Victoria posted a monthly price decline of .8% as builders reduced prices to stimulate sales in a slower market.
This sounds so familiar to me..I hope the Canadian market can stabilize and not crash. Banks were and are more conservative than ours so perhaps that will protect them? I know one thing..the Canadian market is encouraging our Canadian snowbirds to pick up a winter retreat at bargain basement prices. Those price/sf homes seem even cheaper to them with their own prices continuing to zoom upwards..Come on down!
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Two Bunch Palms Resort has been sold out of receivership to an investment group of Hollywood people. All of the new owners have been visitors to the Spa/Resort for many years and hopefully understand the uniqueness and sense of spirituality that presides over this magical place.
Two Bunch does need updating..
Any time a Facelift is considered, a doctor will always tell you that the original isn’t “lost, just different..and better.” Hopefully, that’s what will happen here. Two Bunch is a historical site, a draw to our Northern Valley and the mineral hot spas are unique and addictive. Healing waters, calming atmosphere, a touch of Hollywood thrown in, but entirely unique to Desert Hot Springs. Just one of the many venues unique to our Palm Springs Valley.
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