If you’ve never heard of this little secret in La Quinta – a small guard-gated enclave of custom luxury homes directly across from Rancho La Quinta Country Club . . . well, you have now! The next time you happen to be driving on Avenue 50 between Washington and Jefferson Streets, be sure you make it a point to check out the beautiful entrance to The Estancias at Rancho La Quinta. These great luxury homes are built on half acre or larger lots – quite unusual here in our valley – and afford a definite sense of spaciousness for their fortunate residents.
The Estancias does not have its own golf course . . . BUT, residents do have the convenience of being just a quick golf cart drive away from all of the amenities offered at Rancho La Quinta Country Club. Along with the estate sized lots and magnificent mountain views, these 49 special homes at The Estancias at Rancho La Quinta offer just about everything one needs for the perfect desert lifestyle.
If we’ve piqued your curiosity and you’d like to visit The Estancias at Rancho La Quinta and tour the incredible homes for sale there, feel free to contact Kim Kelly to arrange your private tour.
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Interesting that La Quinta could actually have been 37 years old this year if it had been incorporated on the first try in 1975. Voters overwhelmingly rejected incorporation that year by a 2 to 1 margin, fearing higher property taxes.
Six years later in 1982, a group of area residents led by Fred Wolff tried again for incorporation . . . and this time cityhood was voted in. Fred Wolff would go on to become La Quinta’s first mayor. The incorporation process wasn’t easy – it required that a petition be signed by 25% of registered voters and that a feasibility study by approved by Riverside County Local Agency Formation Commission before being place on the ballot.
On the day the board was to vote on the incorporation of La Quinta, they were also considering a petition by the city of Indian Wells to annex the commercial area alng Washington St. and Hwy. 111. Indian Wells was attempting to secure the four corners at that intersection to try to keep commercialization out of their city.
The incorporation organizers took two busloads of people down to Riverside for a face-to-face meeting with Indian Wells’ attorneys and the people spoke out to support their stance. The LAFCO board also heard testimony from the Indian Wells contingency and from the commercial businesses at the four corners who did not initially support La Quinta becoming its own city.
The LAFCO board then voted – unanimously in favor of placing the measure on the ballot. Still, there were protestations from certain groups, but voters approved the measure to incorporate in a 3 to 1 vote.
Now the fastest growing city in the Coachella Valley, La Quinta is home to more than 37,000 residents and runs with a city budget of more than $40 million. The La Quinta of today plays host to world class events such as the BNP Parabis Tennis Open and the Humana Challenge (once the Bob Hope Classic). The La Quinta Arts Festival held every spring is considered one of the best of its kind in the country. Hollywood famous have made their homes here, such as Merv Griffin and Frank Capra.
La Quinta residents live here in the Gem of the Desert, as it’s known, for a reason . . . and they will tell you, they live here because it’s friendly, it’s about family and it’s beautiful and affordable. Nuff said.
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81-375 National Dr. short sale
Seller just accepted an offer on 81-375 National Dr., La Quinta, CA. Now the work begins in ernest for your Short Sale Listing Agent.
1. Seller receives list of required documents including financial docs, hardship letter and lender specific documents..all of which they already have a list of. Now it’s time to gather them up!
2. Buyer’s Agent receives copies of relevent docs.
3. Lenders packages are put together (two loans here..two packages)
4. Lenders packages are scrutinized and then submitted. One is online, one is via dinasour fax.
5. Follow ups are scheduled and relentlessly held to..
Remember that the Listing Agent in a Short Sale is your key to success. Both for the Short Sale seller as well as the new Short Sale buyer. We need to be organized, tenacious, and of the “never say die” mentality.
And the ride begins!
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Quite frankly, there are few, if any, communities in the fair city of La Quinta that don’t have a view. Some neighborhoods are tucked right next to the mountains like La Quinta Cove and Traditions . . . others have a more panoramic view from a distance, quite dramatic . . . like La Quinta Fairways.
La Quinta Fairways is a well kept secret in our desert, conveniently located off of 50th Ave. near Washington St. and right around the corner from Old Town La Quinta. It is a quiet neighborhood, but very accessible – just 10 minutes away from Hwy. 111 and about 20 minutes from Interstate 10.
There are 254 homes in La Quinta Fairways and it is adjacent to La Quinta Resort and Club – with several of the golf holes of the resort’s Dunes Course winding through this private gated community. Though membership to The Dunes Club is not included in LQ Fairways HOAs, residents can receive discounted rates to play by using their city resident cards. Discounts apply to the Mountain Course and La Quinta’s public course, SilverRock, as well. Since there is no Clubhouse, community pool or fitness center, all is available at the Resort and consequently La Quinta Fairway’s HOAs are much lower.
La Quinta Fairways’ homes were built from 1994 to 2000 and are located both on and off the golf course. The streets are quiet and ideal for families with children and pets . . . and people are noticably friendly here. The smooth stucco homes in neutral colors with tile roofs are one and two-story and many have private pools with front and rear patios and courtyards, making for the perfect desert lifestyle. Floor plans range from approx. 1700sf to approx. 4,000sf and spectacular views of the Santa Rosa Mountains are a bonus.
La Quinta Fairways is truly a FIND !!! Allow Kimberley Kelly, Realtor with HK Lane Real Estate, to help you find your Desert Dream Home here . . . give her a call at 760-285-3578.
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Why is Old Town La Quinta such a destination for vacationers and residents alike??? The answer is simple . . . it’s quaint, it has charm, it’s not just a line of squared-off cookie cutter buildings with no soul. Au contraire . . . Old Town La Quinta has plenty of soul. It’s picturesque Main Street is lined with shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes and sets the stage for outdoor concerts, art shows, seasonal activities and a weekly organic Farmers Market.
Old Town has fountains, benches, winding streets and a green lawn area . . . all of which invite you to stay awhile. Once there, you’ll surely want to take in some good food and refreshment to complete your Old Town experience. Here are several establishments you will surely want to try:
- The Grill on Main – Relaxed, casual atmosphere, Classic American Fare, specialty micro-brews, an interesting wine list and full bar. Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Weekend Brunch served on Sat. & Sun.; Live Music every Fri. & Sat. night. Located at 78065 Main St., Suite 104
- Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill – A friendly, fun place for the finest pizza from their woodfired oven, along with tempting small plates, fresh salads, sandwiches and pasta. Their bar is a great place to meet friends or unwind watching the game, or you can enjoy a meal on our patio with great mountain views! Located at 78-015 Main St., Suite #100
- Solano’s Bistro – Recently moved to Old Town, this fabulous restaurant changes seasonally, offering fresh seafood, steak chicken and pasta for lunch, bar and dinner menus – along with beer, wine and a full-bar. Patio dining. Located at 78-075 Main St.
- Old Town Coffee Company – A favorite place for locals and visitors alike to hang out, people watch, dog watch, etc. But most important is their exceptional coffee brewed to order, fresh baked goods and light food. Their motto is ‘Where Good Friends meet Great Coffee.’ Located at 78-100 Main St., Suite #102
- Hog’s Breath Inn – It’s sister restaurant is in Carmel, serving specialty entrees and fresh seafood in a comfortable dining room and patio with outstanding views. Memorabilia from Clint Eastwood’s legendary movie career makes for a fun atmosphere, popular for lunch and dinner. Located at 78-065 Main St., Suite #200
- The Wine Bar at Old Town – Offering over 200 wines from around the world in their retail shop and 15-20 wines by the glass, any bottle from their retail shop, plus a number of micro-brew beers. A small friendly menu is available to accompany your wine selection. Located at 78-015 Main St., Suite #109
- Cool Options -Featuring all natural gelato and sorbetto – delicious and intense flavors made fresh with raw ingredients, no artificial additives or unhealthy fat; all natural sugar-free ice cream, homemade gelato pies, smoothies, Izze Italian sodas, etc. Located at 78-010 Main Street, Suite #108
So there you have it . . . there is no lack of fun and delicious dining experiences in Old Town La Quinta . . . from morning until night. See you there . . . and Bon Appetit !!!
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La Quinta's property values have increased..
Our Palm Springs Valley is rising it’s real estate value head..good for everyone living here or owning here. Buyers still get great value, but their selection is not as great and the price/sf has inched up a bit. It has become a very competitive Buyers’ market in La Quinta, California.
The Valley’s median home price, (half sold for more, half for less) was $210,000 in March. UP from $195,000 in February..a substantial increase. More luxury homes are being sold which pulls the median up. Across the entire valley, approx. 1,152 homes sold in March, a 3.3% increase from March of 2011. The big indicator? New Homes actually started selling! Approx. 60 new homes closed in March of 2012..that’s fantastic!
La Quinta Sales Statistics for March, 2012:
Total Sales: 166 Change from 2011 was up 19.4%!
Median price: $322,500 Change from 2011 was up 13.2%!
Highest priced Sale: $3,300,000 Median price/sf is up about 6% to $155/sf
If you are thinking of purchasing a vacation home or even moving up to a larger, or smaller, or newer property..2012 may be the year to actually do it! I am seeing a significant reduction of choices in all price points. Multiple offers are becoming the norm, so don’t try to “lowball” the Seller. Offer fair market value and make your offer clean and easy for the Seller. You’ll have a much better chance of success!
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We hadn’t had the chance to check out the Cliffhouse in La Quinta, perched on historic Point Happy, since it was recently taken over by Pacifica, the fabulous seafood restaurant and bar at The Gardens in Palm Desert. Pacifica is a class act and I could only imagine that the Cliffhouse would benefit by its new management. I had heard that the valet parking is a little dicey . . . and I must admit that I experienced that firsthand on Saturday. The energy of the valet team is a little aggressive and not welcoming – as they seem to cater to those driving Ferraris as opposed to regular “middle class” cars. BUT, once we climbed the stairs that meander next to the rock boulders and refreshing waterfall, we had regained our sense of good spirit and were delighted with what was to follow.
The Cliffhouse has a comfortable and earthy ambiance, that of a historic ranch house, offering magnificent mountain views from the indoor bar and dining area, an outdoor dining alcove carved into the adjacent granite mountain- complete with a flowing waterfall and a massive stone fireplace.
We met our friends at the Cactus Grill indoors and the atmosphere was festive and upbeat. The bar menu bears resemblance to the old Cliffhouse one, with a few subtle changes here and there. It feels a little more upscale, but prices are still affordable. The service was good, the Pinot Grigio I selected from the Happy Hour list was delightful and my simple order of a Wedge salad was executed perfectly. It was served at room temperature and everything was sumptuous and fresh. My friends offered up tastings of their French Fries and the yummy dishes they had ordered. We were all pleased as punch and very happy with our “new” Cliffhouse experience.
Hopefully, the valet parking situation will be resolved over time – there is no more park your own car, you must valet park. I have no beef with that, but the parking dudes could stand to take some lessons in customer service and proper valet etiquette. I won’t let that stop me from returning to the Cliffhouse for another delightful repast . . . and the sooner the better.
Living in La Quinta just keeps getting better and better !
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With home prices still falling in La Quinta and across America, could the housing market really be healing? That’s what two of the major U.S. banks say – Wells Fargo and Chase. Their earning reports disclosed that more Americans are taking out loans, paying them on time and taking advantage of low interest rates to refinance.
Chase, the biggest bank in the U.S., says that their income from new home loans made from January through March is record-breaking. They issued 6% more loans than this time last year and received 33% more applications.
At Wells Fargo, the bank issuing the most home loans, booked the most mortgage fees since 2009 and issued 54% more mortgages than a year ago . . . and took in 84% more applications.
As manufacturing and consumer spending have held their own or grown, the housing market has been the biggest drag on our nation’s economic recovery. Home prices are still falling, but have slowed down in the past serveral years and more than half a million American homes were in the foreclosure process at the end of March.
Yet, the stronger mortgage business reported by Chase and Wells Fargo helped to surpass Wall Street’s expectations for first-quarter earnings. Signs are encouraging and it’s a wait-and-see process as the year 2012 unfolds.
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The number of La Quinta homes and homes across the country that received first-time foreclosure notices rose 7% in March from the previous month, marking the third consecutive monthly increase this year. This increase reflects the heightened efforts of banks in taking action against homeowners who are behind with their mortgage payments.
Some real estate experts are pointing out that we have not seen the last of rising foreclosures and that there will be many more to come down the pipeline. Foreclosure activity slowed down markedly in the fall of 2010 – that’s when claims began to surface regarding banks and mortgage servicers processing foreclosures without properly verifying documents. Since then, a $25 billion settlement was reached in February between the largest U.S. mortgage lenders and state officials. This paved the way for banks to now take action on unpaid mortgages, some of which have been hanging in limbo for months and years. These are the homes that may be looking at being foreclosed and eventually ending up back on the market.
Typically, foreclosures sell at a discounted price compared to other homes and these sales can drag down the value of neighboring properties . . . meaning that it could now take even longer for home prices in certain markets to gain value.
Some experts are saying that it’s likely that the new crop of foreclosures will arrive in smaller waves throughout the year rather than all at one time. The sad part is that even more Americans will be losing their homes, never good.
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Most everywhere across the country, and in La Quinta too, all you have to do is look in the local paper at the ‘For Rent’ section of the Classifieds to see that the rent prices are climbing. At the same time, home prices are either still declining or remain at a relative low. This is enough to get some reluctant home buyers into the game and ready to take the plunge into home ownership and the current spring selling season is reflecting this trend.
Other factors contributing to the increased buying activity – sales made by investors and second-home purchasers . . . but, realtors are saying that they are hearing complaints from people who are currently renting about the rise in rental prices. Experts are saying that due to the rising rents (avg. apartment rents rose by 2.7% last year) coupled with stagnant or falling home prices and available low interest rates, demand for entry level homes is on the rise. They also believe that 2012 will be the first year since 2005 that the percentage of apartment renters moving out to buy a home will increase from the previous year.
Some housing analysts say that historically, the cost to rent an apartment has been about 10% lower than the after tax cost of owning a home. That discount began falling in 2010 and last year disappeared entirely. By the end of last year, it was found that the cost to rent an apartment was about 15% higher than the cost to own a home – showing that conditions are “overwhelming” in favor of buying now.
But not all markets have been seeing the same trend – for instance, in Orange County and NYC, where home prices are extremely high, it is still cheaper to rent. But even NY realtors say sales of small studio and one-bedroom apartments are brisk because renters don’t want to pay such high amounts to rent – so may as well own.
Spring home sales are bustling . . . and the question remains, To Buy or Not to Buy . . . stay tuned !!!
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If you’ve never heard of this little secret in La Quinta – a small guard-gated enclave of custom luxury homes directly across from Rancho La Quinta Country Club . . . well, you have now! The next time you happen to be driving on Avenue 50 between Washington and Jefferson Streets, be sure you make it a point to check out the beautiful entrance to The Estancias at Rancho La Quinta. These great luxury homes are built on half acre or larger lots – quite unusual here in our valley – and afford a definite sense of spaciousness for their fortunate residents.
