Buying equestrian homes can be a daunting project for many, especially the first time around. There are myriad maintenance issues to consider, even when it comes to the best designed ranches and properties. Normal maintenance will definitely be a chore, and especially when the property has any strange characteristics.
If you already own horses, you know that it is a substantial financial commitment and one that requires a great deal of time. The same goes for owning equestrian homes, whether you’ve found the perfect piece of real estate in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, or a property in Santa Barbara.
Every task performed at a stable will be required of those owning a property where horses are kept. Horses require exercise on a daily basis, and even more so for those confined in paddocks and stables the majority of the time. In addition to exercising horses, the paddocks should always be free of trash and debris, especially broken glass. Fences always need to be in a perfect state to prevent horses from getting injured, and stable bedding must be changed daily. Unfortunately, droppings must always be removed to prevent flies and worm infestation. Tack should be properly cleaned and horses should be groomed after each ride. In addition, it’s typically normal for a horse owner to check the paddock twice a day to make sure horses have clean water and adequate feed, and that they are safely in the stable.
When you are planning your visits to check out real estate in Rancho Mirage or another prime area for equestrian properties, make sure to consider all the maintenance aspects. Think about equipment storage, irrigation, manure disposal, and obviously the amount of space when you visit a potential property or are already in the planning stages.
Click here to browse listings of some extraordinary equestrian homes.
image: sarasotafarms.org
More
Exciting news for those with Palm Springs homes for sale – The Wall Street Journal reports that property prices are rising at the fastest rate since 2006. Better yet—some real estate sellers are experiencing double-digit gains.
What’s exciting for those who are interested in selling anything from equestrian properties and retirement homes in La Quinta, to beach condos and downtown lofts, is that buyers are returning to a marketplace where property is in short supply. And we all know what happens when demand rises.
According to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index, which tracks home prices in 20 major metropolitan cities, in February of this year alone, prices rose 9.3% as compared to February 2012. Meanwhile, mortgage-interest rates hovered near record lows, and all 20 areas experienced year-over-year gains for the second consecutive month, which hasn’t happened since the 2005 crash.
The real-estate market’s rebound appears poised to continue for now. Even though the supply of homes for sale fell 16.8%, the sales of previously owned homes rose 10.3% from March 2012. Across the board, supplies are dwindling as foreclosures are slowing down, and many homeowners are either unable to sell due to aftereffects of the housing crash. Yet the economy has seen a boost in employment, while rising rents and falling mortgage rates make ownership more appealing. The Federal Reserve’s lower interest rates also contribute to the rebound of the real estate market, which reduces yields on a broader range of assets. Lower mortgage rates are creating urgency for traditional buyers, making those who take out mortgages less effected by recent price increases. With mortgage rates so low, owning a house is more affordable than it’s been in decades—investors of all sizes are buying homes, sometimes with cash, and often times converting them into rentals.
If you’re ready to seize the moment and view some Palm Springs homes for sale, equestrian properties or retirement homes in La Quinta, click here.
image: blog.metrobrokers.com
More
As we’ve mentioned many times in our blog, when you’re trying to sell a house, whether it’s property in Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells real estate, a beach cottage or one of the highly desirable equestrian homes in Southern California, curb appeal is key to attracting potential buyers and getting them to get out of their cars to take good long look.
Great landscaping can seriously enhance the style of your home and boost curb appeal tenfold. “Great” doesn’t necessarily have to mean expensive either. As long as it’s well-planned, intriguing and cohesive with the exterior of your home, you’ll be in great shape.
Pick a theme. Whatever you do, don’t try to combine more than one theme. Pick one and stick with it. If you’re working with Indian Wells real estate or property in Rancho Mirage, you may want to go with a desert or southwestern theme—just don’t try to mesh tropical with desert or a surf theme with Japanese garden.
Refresh planters. Get rid of weeds, prune everything so it looks neat, and plant seasonal flowers. You should also refresh mulch to replenish the color that is faded by sunlight. If you have a flower bed that has borders, make sure to clean the borders and replace anything that is damaged.
Install window boxes. Window boxes are an excellent way to add some charm to the exterior of your house. Plant flowers and plants that mesh well with your overall color scheme.
Add some artwork. Incorporate some pieces that are immune to the elements—in other words, items that don’t require a green touch. Wind chimes, fountains, birdbaths and sculptures are all good examples of pieces that you can use to complement your color scheme and exterior design. If you choose to have a fountain, which can add a very calming element to your garden or lawn, make sure to place them on ground level where they can be seen and heard, and avoid having them close to a tree, so that leaves aren’t dropping into it.
Click here to browse listings of equestrian homes, property in Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells real estate.
image: luckyardfarm.com
More
La Quinta Arts Festival
Maybe it’s the abundant sunshine or the picturesque beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Or perhaps it’s the impeccable, top-ranked golf courses and stunning hiking trails. Either way, it’s easy to understand why La Quinta is called the “gem of the desert.” Every year, tourists from all over the world visit the Coachella Valley, and many fall in love with the area and find themselves eyeing La Quinta properties while they’re here on vacation.
There’s no age limit on living the good life—the population in La Quinta is diverse and ranges in age; while it’s an ideal place to retire, many families, singles and young couples also find it equally appealing. Located in the former lakeshore of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla, La Quinta’s climate is sunny, hot and dry, which can be very healing for an array of health and medical conditions. In addition to the breathtaking mountain views and outdoor activities this resort town offers, there is also a thriving arts community, as evidenced by the La Quinta Arts Festival, which celebrates the artists, culture and businesses of the Coachella Valley region. Residents and those who own real estate in Indian Wells, Palm Desert or live in equestrian homes in other areas of Palm Springs flock to this incredible event every year.
While the warm winters makes La Quinta real estate a haven for snowbirds, an even greater draw are its world famous golf courses, such as the PGA West golf complex. The Robb report credited La Quinta as the leading U.S. golf destination, with more than 20 golf courses that are renowned for their luxurious greens, and prestigious tournaments including The Legends of Golf, the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and The Grand Slam of Golf, among others. Other outdoor activities such as hiking, tennis and horseback riding increase appeal for those looking for equestrian homes or real estate in Indian Wells, Palm Desert and the other surrounding cities.
In addition, many La Quinta properties boast impeccably landscaped greenery and unique water features, and the town’s chic shopping and fine dining options also draw a multitude of visitors. The city’s infrastructure is new and the town is very safe and family-friendly. With all of the year-round recreational activities, and the beautiful parks and trails nestled in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, there are few people who don’t find a wide range of features they love about this stunning town.
Click here to view equestrian homes and other real estate listings in the Palm Springs Valley.
image: lqaf.com
More
When it comes to cultural and recreational activities, it seems like our desert community outdoes itself every week! It’s no surprise that there is such increasing demand for homes for sale in Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re thinking about equestrian homes, country club living or want access to incredible hiking, there’s an area of Palm Springs that will be perfect for you and your entire family. The slate of activities taking place this weekend show you just how diverse and wide-ranging Palm Springs Valley truly is.
From April 5 through April 7, the Palm Springs Convention Center will host a Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit. This hands-on, interactive exhibit is perfect for all ages, and includes 60 animatronic, museum quality dinosaurs that you can actually get close to and touch.
On April 6 through April 7, the International Desert Flower Fragrance & Garden Show will take place at The Shops on El Paseo in Palm Desert. This celebration of springtime in the desert consists of a unique flower festival and plant sale that includes sampling from some of the world’s top fragrance, perfumeries and fashion houses, combined with entertainment and other fun. This year’s theme focuses on renewable energy and Palm Spring Valley’s unique alternative energy efforts that include both solar and wind energy. An opening night gala benefiting the Living Desert will take place on Friday, April 5th. For ticket information, visit LivingDesert.org, call 760.341.4058, or visit Desertflowerandgardenshow.com.
On April 6, from 9 am to 3 pm, the Desert Mountains Art Faire will take place at the National Monument Visitor Center. Enjoy this awesome art show amidst the natural beauty of the foothills of the picturesque Santa Rosa Mountains. Attendees have the opportunity to view and purchase a wide range of mediums, including paintings, pottery, sculpture, photography, and handcrafted apparel and jewelry.
There is something for every type of music lover as well, starting with Desert Symphony: Almost Elton John at the McCallum Theatre on April 5 from 9 to 11 pm. The Desert Symphony will present Craig A. Meyer, who is widely considered to be one of the best Elton John tribute artists due to his striking resemblance and amazing skills on the piano. Also on Friday from 9 to 11 pm, the Grammy-award winning Commodores, one of America’s favorite Motown funk/soul of the 1970s and 1980s will perform at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino. And at the Morongo Casino, world famous George Clinton will share his brand of funk. This show also takes place from 9 to 11 pm.
You will also want to check out the Indian Well Art Festival, which is covered in our blog earlier this week. And click here if you’re ready to browse equestrian homes or any other type of properties for sale in any area of Palm Springs, from Thermal and Indio to La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
image: desertflowerandgardenshow.com
More
Joe Theismann
This week marks the first “major” tournament on the LPGA tour and an exciting event that is a favorite of all owners of homes in Rancho Mirage: the Kraft Nabisco Championship. From April 1 through April 7, more than 100 of the biggest stars in women’s golf will compete for the coveted Dinah Shore Trophy at The Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. If you’re in town for a vacation or to look at equestrian homes in the area, there is no better way to take a break that the entire family will enjoy.
This tournament promises to be an action-packed event. With a rich history dating back to 1972, this highly anticipated tournament will include participation from defending champion Sun Young Yoo, 2012 Player of the Year Stacy Lewis, and international gold stars such as Ai Miyazato, Paula Creamer, Natalie Gulbis, Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin, Lexi Thompson, Michele Wie, Na Yeon Choi, Suzann Pettersen and Yani Tseng.
The 42nd Annual Kraft Nabisco Championship pro am will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Participants will have the opportunity to play with LPGA stars, as well as an array of exciting celebrities, including Anthony Anderson, Graeme Baxter, Alice Cooper, Oscar de la Hoya, Greg Ellis, Thomas Gibson, Carmine Giovinazzo, Greg Itzin, Bruce Jenner, Vinnie Jones, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Joe Mantegna, Ray Romano and Kiefer Sutherland, among others. Tickets are still available to participate.
Not only will this year’s winner be awarded the trophy and win a place in LPGA history, they’ll receive the famous white robe and thrill fans with the legendary leap into Poppie’s Pond.
Grandstands are located on the 1st tee, 9th green, 10th tee, 17th tee, and 18th green. There is no reserved seating at this tournament; seating is obtained on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If this event inspires you to browse real estate in this bucolic town, click here to view listings of homes in Rancho Mirage or equestrian homes in the area.
image: kncgolf.com
More
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.
image: keithandkinsey.wordpress.com
More
Have you made it out to the exciting BNP Paribas Open yet? If not, there are plenty of things to do in the next few days. There’s no better way to spend a day off from work, school or viewing equestrian homes and Indian Wells properties.
On Friday, March 8, the City of Indian Wells presents its Salute to Heroes Night following the first match of the evening. This annual ceremony, which is a favorite among fans, recognizes and honors veterans, military personnel, police and firemen. What makes this event even more unique and special this year is that the celebration coincides with the World War II Mobile Education Center exhibit. This innovative mobile exhibit, which will be open from 11 am to 7 pm, houses an authentic, meticulously preserved collection of original World War II memorabilia that includes weapons, American propaganda, uniforms, a restored 1941 Bantam Jeep and technological equipment of the era.
This awesome event is something that residents and owners of Indian Wells properties can be proud to be a part of, as it’s presented by their great city. The evening ceremony on Friday includes a performance by the Palm Springs High School Spirit of the Sands Marching Band, who had the distinct honor of performing at the 57th Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. All veterans and current military, police and fire personnel receive two complimentary tickets for the evening session with proper ID.
The Salute to Heroes and the BNP Paribas Open are a perfect example of the wide-ranging cultural and recreation activities that Palm Springs Valley offers to residents and visitors alike. If you or your family are looking at equestrian homes or other luxury properties in the area, these are the kind of unique, world class activities you can count on having access to every year.
image: tennisplanet.me
More
Most people are aware that Palm Springs is an ideal place to live for golfers, but not as many know that the Coachella Valley is a perfect place for equestrian homes. Not only does one of the most exciting horse shows take place in the Valley—the A-rated Horse Show in the Sun (HITS) Desert Circuit—but there are great equestrian trails nearby with stunning views to choose from, from Murray Canyon to the areas around Thousand Palms that are protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In addition, the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, which offers 253 miles of equestrian trails, is a short drive away.
The incredible climate that Palm Springs boasts makes it enjoyable to ride horses nearly all year long, which makes it worth it for horse owners to consider the area’s equestrian homes and properties with the potential to be converted. There are definitely areas throughout the desert communities that are ripe for horses—many already have barns, stables, paddocks, areas for training and miles of trails nearby.
If you’ve been considering real estate in Rancho Mirage or La Quinta, there is a wide range of properties to consider, from small and medium-sized to larger, ranch style homes. In fact, the Equestrian Centers International is located in Rancho Mirage, and can serve as a great resource to those looking to buy or sell horses, or even board their own. There is also the nearby Clancy Lane Boarding Stables, a full service boarding facility, and plenty of horse trainers and places to get horseback riding lessons in the area surrounding Rancho Mirage and La Quinta. Many horse owners also choose to find homes or ranchettes in the Indio area, which has quite a few farm properties.
Click here to browse some of the equestrian properties or other types of real estate in Rancho Mirage.
image: eqcntrintl.com
More
Buying a home is a huge endeavor, one that requires a multitude of research and paperwork. Whether you plan to buy Indio real estate or are looking for an equestrian property, there is much more than just the price of the home that must be considered when planning your budget. Knowing in advance what your homeowner’s insurance payment will be on a monthly basis will help you out significantly. Save yourself a headache and start shopping for a policy as soon as your offer is accepted—you’ll be very happy you did.
Before you start getting price quotes, you’ll need to obtain some information about that beautiful piece of Indio real estate in advance. An agent will want to know when the home as built, its location, the square footage, what type of roof it has, how old the plumbing and electrical systems are, and if any previous claims have been filed on the property. Getting answers to these questions in advance will streamline the process of obtaining quotes from different vendors.
When shopping for homeowner’s insurance, you may want to start by getting quotes from the company that handles your auto policy, and then getting referrals from friends or trusted colleagues. In order to get a quote, you’ll need to figure out how much coverage you want and what you can afford. Keep in mind that insurance companies typically don’t cover land in a standard policy, so if you plan to buy an equestrian property, make sure to let the companies you’re shopping with know about this specific element.
Another aspect that you want to take factor in is the deductible on your policy. One way to save money is by selecting a higher deductible. If you are comfortable with this, it can be a good way to save money. However, many mortgage companies have regulations in regards to their maximum deductible, so it’s critical to find this number out in advance before opting for a higher one.
image: cheaphomeinsurancerates.blogspot.com
More
