Purchase money to Rental income..
I’ve been reading about these large investment groups, Blackstone, Colony Capital, and others and wondering if we’d see them here in the La Quinta or Palm Springs Valley area..well here they are! This morning on the MLS, the La Quinta Cove recorded about 40 sales..and were they under-valued! I checked property histories and TAx records..sure enough. Block purchases and sales.
Investment groups, Hedge Funders..all buying blocks of homes for huge amounts of cash, cleaning them up cosmetically and renting them! Good or bad? Both I think..
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Southern views from your pool
The ever popular Ventana plus Casita floorplan, is offered with the most amazing southern fairway, Lake, and mountain views. This home is special. The Ventana is famous for its large great room to media room, to kitchen, to outdoors flow… Truly an entertainers dream. Approximately 4370 sf, and offering four bedrooms and five bathrooms plus a large bonus room with media built-ins, this home is family friendly. Take the tour here!
The current owners have added many, many upgrades. Among them are..
- Quartzite floors flowing from the interior to the exterior .
- Custom built-ins in the great room, media room ,and the bonus room.
- The chefs kitchen features Viking appliances ,oversized granite eat bar ,double ovens and dual dishwashers
- The resort style pebbletec pool and spa, features a swim up bar
- Surround sound, wood plantation shutters, and custom fans throughout
This home has new carpets, new dual pane and tinted windows across the southern side of the home ,and brand new designer furnishings. The view will knock your socks off, and the homes flow and warmth will make you, your family & friends, feel VERY welcome!
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 5/11 FROM 12-3 PM!!!
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The Living Desert’s Brew at the Zoo
If you’re ready for the weekend, there are lots of things going on in Palm Springs. People buy homes in La Quinta and real estate in Indian Wells so they can live the relaxing and rejuvenating desert lifestyle, and the weekends here give you exactly what you need to do just that. Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo or simply want to relax with some wine, there’s an option for you this weekend.
Friday, May 3 from 6 – 9 pm, the Desert Willow Golf Resort is hosting Uncorked, a wonderful event filled with delicious food, wine and spirits. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample mouthwatering international cuisine prepared by the popular chef Francois Gaertner, coupled with wines and spirits, and set to live music in the stunning desert landscape.
On May 4 at 8 pm and May 5 at 6 pm, renowned comedian Gabriel Iglesias will perform his standup comedy routine at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino.
On Saturday, May 4, from 9 – 11:30 am, Friends of the Desert Monument will lead Snakes and Lizards of the Mountain, an easy, two-mile hike from the National Monument Visitor Center. Participants will learn about and try to find National Monument reptiles.
On Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 pm, the Living Desert will host its 4th Annual Brew at the Zoo, one of Southern California’s most popular beer festivals. This year’s theme is “Saving Wildlife One Beer at a Time.” The event features three live music stages, Paradise Island, Discovery Ale House, Exo-Luxury Safari Lounge hosted by Hot Purple Energy, VIP Lounge with jazz combo, premium wine and beer, deluxe appetizers and private animal encounters, Brew Blends, food demos, beer and wine pairings, a gourmet raffle, non-alcoholic beverages and more! Over 2,000 guests and 35 vendors are expected to attend. For tickets, call 760.346.5694 ext. 2121.
On Sunday, May 5, the Sundays in Summer Cabaret Series 2013: Alix Korey Celebrates Ethel Merman will take place from to 4 pm at the Arthur Newman Theatre.
Also on May 5, the Mariachi Divas will perform a live concert at the Morongo Casino from 3 – 5 pm. What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
If the diverse slate of activities whets your appetite to find your dream house in Palm Springs, click here to check out real estate in Indian Wells and homes in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
image: livingdesert.org
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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
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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
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This weekend is an amazing example of the diversity of Coachella Valley. You’ve got everything from stunning, relaxing retirement communities and celebrity golf tournaments to the hip events that people travel all over the country to attend, such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (aka Coachella) and Stagecoach. This weekend marks Weekend One of Coachella—an event attended by everyone from international tourists and celebrities to residents and owners of real estate in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and the surrounding desert communities.
This annual three-day music and arts festival takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, and features indie, rock, hip hop and electronic music. Founded by Paul Tollett, Coachella features blockbuster music acts in addition to a wide variety of installation art. The event officially began in 1999—over 10,000 people attended, with headliners including Beck, Tool, Morrissey, Rage Against the Machine and The Chemical Brothers. However, it was reported that the event didn’t generate a profit and was therefore almost ended after the inaugural event.
While there was no festival in 2000, organizers gave it another try in 2001, bringing excitement to music lovers, including those who lived nearby or owned Indio real estate. Jane’s Addiction headlined and the effort was more profitable than the first year. In 2002, the recently reunited Siouxsie and the Banshees, Oasis and Bjork headlined, proving to owners of Indio real estate and other members of the community that the event could stimulate the economy. In 2003, The Beastie Boys Red Hot Chili Peppers, Iggy Pop and The Stooges performed, selling out and drawing worldwide attention to the event.
Since then, the event continued to expand—in 2012, it was scheduled to take place over two weekends, becoming an even bigger draw to attendees from all across the globe. An extremely popular array of diverse, award-winning and legendary musicians and bands who have performed at this festival include Arcade Fire, Duran Duran, Prince, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Kanye West, Blur, Muse, Swedish House Mafia, Daft Punk, The Cure, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Nine Inch Nails, Gorillaz, Radiohead, MGMT, The White Stripes, Roger Waters, Florence and the Machine, Swedish House Mafia, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and even a hologram of Tupac Shakur.
This year’s lineup includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Social Distortion, Wu-Tang Clan, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, New Order, Benny Benassi, Lumineers, La Roux, Moby, Vampire Weekend, Eric Prydz, Descendants and many other killer acts.
If you have time before or after the event and are interested in real estate in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage or Indian Wells, click here to browse some amazing listings.
image: cheekychicago.com
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The first week of April is a big one here in the desert! If you’ve been eyeing homes in La Quinta, Palm Desert or another area of Palm Springs, then now is the perfect time to come visit, check out some real estate listings, and solidify your love for our vibrant communities.
The Kraft Nabisco Championship takes place all week long at the Mission Hills Country Club in beautiful Rancho Mirage. Steeped in tradition, this highly anticipated tournament is the first stop on the LPGA tour, with the Dinah Shore Trophy at stake. Whether you like to play golf or enjoy it as a spectator, getting a taste of the impeccable courses here will make you dream of finding properties in Rancho Mirage or buying real estate in a nearby area.
Tonight from 8 to 10 pm, Broadway star Linda Eder will grace McCallum Theatre with a much awaited performance. On Wednesday, April 3, another Broadway performer, Vicki Lewis, will perform at the Annenberg Theater. Ms. Lewis won the 2007 Ovation Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in the world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s Hotel C’est L’amour. Her Broadway credits include Chicago, The Crucible, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Damn Yankees and Snoopy!!! The Musical. The show will take place from 6 to 8 pm.
From April 4 through 8, the American Documentary Film Festival will take place right here in Palm Springs. Since we’re only about two hours away from Hollywood by car, we’ve got a great audience of film aficionados, and are on our way to seeing this become the largest documentary festival and market on the west coast. The festival will commence with an Opening Night Spectacular with Dionne Warwick, who will host the evening’s feature, Whitney Houston & Her Family: Voices of Love. In addition, there will be a live performance by the nationally-renowned gospel choir, Voices of Calvary. There will be screenings, seminars and other events during this exciting festival.
If you’re feeling inspired by these activities and are thinking about making a move to the desert communities, know that we’ve got even more going on this week alone! Click here to view some gorgeous homes in La Quinta or properties in Rancho Mirage.
image: americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com
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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.
image: palmdesertfoodandwine.com
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If you’re considering buying a home, then it’s time to arm yourself with a game plan. Whether you’re interested in finding a beach house, a condo or luxury properties in La Quinta, there are some strategies you should put into place and information you should seek when preparing for such an important transaction.
The most important step on this checklist is to find a real estate professional that you trust and that has the right expertise for your transaction. Deciding to hire the right kind of broker, short sale realtor or other type of agent for the type of purchase you want to make is what will make the difference between a stressful transaction and one that moves forward smoothly and productively.
One of the next most important things is to get your credit score as high as possible. The higher it is, the lower both your down payment and monthly payments will be. Depending on the market, many experts say that to avoid paying huge fees and having to put down a sizeable down payment, you should probably strive for a credit score of 700 and above. While there are many qualified buyers in lower ranges, this is a good number to work towards. Pull your credit reports and dispute any discrepancies, and stop applying for new credit for about a year before you plan to start looking for that gorgeous beach house or luxury properties in La Quinta.
Next up on our checklist: seek a price range that’s within your financial comfort zone. Certain financiers require your monthly payments not to exceed between 28 and 31 percent of your monthly income. This is a good formula to work with when assessing the home you can afford—you should calculate the potential payments for a property in your price range and add in any increased expenses, such as insurance or HOA fees, and see if you can live with the difference.
Finally, start saving now. Most real estate professionals recommend saving around 20 percent of the intended price range for a down payment. Obviously, some lenders accept much less, but a larger down payment may be better for your future. Start saving now, even if you’re not in the market yet. When you do enter the marketplace, and if you’re working with a good short sale realtor, you may need to move faster than you thought when some incredible deal comes your way.
image: kgi.org
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Do you think you’ve found your dream house in Palm Desert? If so, we hope you’ve followed the tips for buying homes in parts one and two of this blog series, and are ready for the next few tips we have to share. Whether you’re seeking luxury properties in La Quinta, Indian Wells real estate or a vacation home in another area of the Coachella Valley, you’ll definitely benefit from preparing yourself as much as possible.
1. Set up a home inspection. If you really think you’ve found that dream house in Palm Desert, then schedule an inspection as soon as you can—it is by far one of the best ways to protect yourself. A proper inspector or engineer will examine the premises thoroughly and be able to identify issues that you may not be able with an untrained eye. Typically, an inspector will evaluate the interior plumbing, electrical systems, insulation, air conditioning, heating systems, and all aspects of the visible structure.
2. Make adjustments. If problems are found during the inspection, don’t freak out. This is a great opportunity to make adjustments in the price based on the potential costs of future repairs
3. Make a fair offer. Once you’ve incorporated the home inspection findings into your budget, have your agent or short sale realtor help you establish the price you’re willing to pay for the house. In addition to the home inspection findings, factor in the prices of similar houses recently sold in the neighborhood. For example, if you’ve been scouting luxury properties in La Quinta and found one you want to make an offer on, have your real estate professional investigate the sales of equivalent properties in the last six months.
4. Investigate homeowners insurance. If you’re ready to make an offer, start getting quotes immediately for homeowner’s insurance so that you can determine a real budget. This is different than renter’s insurance, as you want to insure the structure, not just the possessions and contents of the home. Be sure to take into account weather and climate related issues relevant to the particular area, such as flooding, earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes.
image: canvascreekteambuilding.com
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