The City of La Quinta has a proposed plan to put in a roundabout near the entry of the La Quinta Cove neighborhood at the intersection of Eisenhower Dr. and Calle Sinaloa. The roundabout would replace the existing four-way stop there.
Roundabouts are used extensively in Europe and are becoming increasingly popular in this country. They require those vehicles approaching it to have to slow down and yield to circulating traffic, thereby reducing accidents by up to 60%, according to traffic engineers
There are already four roundabouts located in La Quinta and they keep traffic moving without having a signal there. Because the roundabouts force traffic to slow down, there is a reduction in broadside collisions from drivers who run traffic stops.
The roundabout is expected to be installed later this year and will cost approximately $600,000. Additional landscaping could run the cost up more, and one design includes installation of an art piece that serves as an entryway to the Cove neighborhood.
Some Cove residents who got a look at the new road design are not in favor of it. Nearly 7,700 cares travel on Eisenhower Dr. up into the Cove during off-season, and city staff estimates that the number increases 10% during peak season. That’s a whole lot of cars coming in and out of the Cove.
FYI – the La Quinta Cover Neighborhood Association is in favor of the roundabout. Landscape designs will likely go before the City Council at its meeting on July 17.
What are your thoughts?
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Not to fear . . . despite budget restraints in the cities that make up our Palm Springs Valley here, there will still be fireworks to top off your Independence Day celebration !!!
On the east end of the valley, in La Quinta, there will be a Parade of Lights tomorrow at 6pm, with fireworks starting at 9pm. Both will be held at the La Quinta Community Center Park at 77-865 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta. The events are free; for more info, call 760-777-7035
In mid-valley at Palm Desert, there will be live music starting at 7:30pm with fireworks following at dark – at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 73-510 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert. The events are free; for more info, call 760-346-0611, ext. 416
On the west end in Palm Springs, there are fireworks scheduled at 9:15pm at the Palm Springs Stadium at 1901 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs. For more info, call 760-323-8272
Everyone have a fun and safe Fourth of July !!!
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The Gates are re-opening in New Home Developments in La Quinta..
New homes in La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley have been languishing for the past 3-4 years. After working in the New Homes Industry for 5 years myself, it was like running into a wall.
But in the first quarter of 2012, the New Homes Industry is beginning to show much forward momentum. There are currently more Buyers than homes for sale in many areas of La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley. Many Buyers are just getting tired of the “used and often tattered” conditions of resale homes..especially what’s left after the Investors have picked them over. The timing is perfect for the New Homes industry to pick up, as shown in today’s Desert Sun.
It might be the right time if you are considering buying a home in our beautiful winter paradise, to consider a new home once again..
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La Quinta Buyers..do you qualify for a mortgage with a 3 in front of it???
You too could qualify for a mortgage rate with a 3 in front of it. Refinance? Same thing. This is a very enlightening article from today’s New York Times talking about a young couple that did just that. Huge documentation will be required of course, but that’s true with ANY mortgage or refi.
The keys are…
1. Your Credit score..it needs to be in the 700’s minimum.
2. Money in the bank..prove you can cover a couple months’ payments.
3. Job Security..prove you’ve got a good job that seems secure
4. Other assets? The more cash, or paid off assets..the higher your odds.
The appraisals are starting to come in where they should here in the Palm Springs Valley, so if you’re qualified, why not give it a go? Of course..the paperwork will be equal to that of a Short Sale, so have your docs in order!
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Beautiful La Quinta
…and not just the City of La Quinta. All the desert cities through the Palm Springs Valley showed significant increases in Sales numbers (up approx. 6.1% from May, 2011).
My Equity Listings (standard sales) are generating multiple offers now too..it’s NOT just the short sales or foreclosures. If Sellers price their properties right..and I mean in the Luxury Market too..they WILL sell! Don’t get greedy, continue to be sensible and take a look at this article from today’s local paper about the Sales numbers and price changes for La Quinta and the Palm Springs Valley.
The number of distressed properties dropped from approx. 48% of sales to approx. 40% of combined sales. Inventory levels: Single Family homes: 2,266 and available Condos: 1,113.
The Median sales price in La Quinta jumped to $302,000 and there were a total of 165 Sales closed. Median sales numbers are up through the entire valley by approx. 6% from a year ago. This is due to more luxury properties selling. Good news for the Housing Market in our Valley.
Inventory has not been this low since 2005! Combine that with great mortgage rates and the heat is on!
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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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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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If you live or vacation in La Quinta, you’ve no doubt seen bikers on our streets – sometimes it’s a lone cycler just out for a little spin . . . without the spandex, just taking it all in. Sometimes you’ll see serious groups of bikers, indeed, decked out in their multi-colored spandex on their Titanium racing bikes, curled over the handlebars with their heads down . . . making their way to the Old Town Coffee Shop for some rest and refreshment. It’s very European, it’s the Southern California lifestyle. What’s not to love about the plethora of outdoor opportunities we are so fortunate to enjoy here in our Valley.
The Bear Creek Path that winds along the perimeter of La Quinta Cove offers close-up scenic views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and is a favorite for many bikers. It starts at the base of the Cove at Avenida Montezuma and skirts along the base of the mountains on the right side of the canyon, eventually connecting with Avenida Bermudas which takes you on around the left side of the canyon and leads you to intersect with other established biking routes.
Whether you’re a casual peddler, a serious racer or fall somewhere in between, La Quinta offers many scenic paths to satisfy any biker. The City has produced a Bike Route Map to help you locate established routes around the area and also provides the ‘Rules of the Road’ – worthwhile reading to familiarize yourself with local requirements.
Enjoy your spin, heed the ‘Rules of the Road’ . . . be safe and see you at Old Town Coffee Shop for a morning coffee !!!
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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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We get spoiled with our farmers’ market being right here in Old Town La Quinta – it’s such a unique and quaint venue for surveying all the gorgeous produce of the season… as well as flowers, breads, live plants, organic cheeses, farm fresh eggs and other irresistable goodies.
And while you’re there at the Market, you must of course partake at the Old Town Coffee Shop – sitting outside sipping your latte, munching on a delicious muffin and watching the parade of people and adorable dogs go by. It’s relaxing, it’s beautiful, it’s just the best.
And then … summertime comes, and well, the Certified Farmers’ Markets in La Quinta and Palm Desert shut down because of the heat. But all is not lost, if you don’t mind driving over to Palm Springs on a Saturday morning. The Market has found an indoor venue there and will continue their weekly offerings of incredible fresh local items.
The Market will be held on Saturdays at the Palm Springs Pavilion at 401 S. Pavilion Way (you’ll have to Google it). The hours are 8am to 12:30pm.
For more info, call 760-898-5250 or 760-880-4917. You can also go online at certifiedfarmersmarket.ning.com
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