In South Palm Desert, you could drive right by this charming community and not even know it is there. It’s Cypress Estates, one of the few small gated communities in South Palm Desert.
Cypress Estates was built in 2003, making it even more attractive with its newer construction. These nine Tuscan styled homes offer high quality appointments, upgraded features and is very private. Finding newer homes in the price range of approx. $370,000 to approx. $740,000 in South Palm Desert is not easy – but the homes in Cypress Estates fit the bill quite nicely.
These exquisitely detailed homes at Cypress Estates have highly desirable features such as high ceilings, tall windows, Pebbletec pools/spas, barbeque areas, chef’s kitchens featuring granite slab counters, center islands and stainless appliances, and other amenities.
Cypress Estates is conveniently located with walking distance of fashionable El Paseo and Washington Charter School, making it close to some of the best dining, shopping and schools the entire valley has to offer. Go South on Portola from Highway 111 and you will see Cypress Estates’ entrance gate on your left.
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It’s good news in Palm Desert that Federal regulations are helping to significantly reduce the amount new homebuyers pay for closing costs. That’s another incentive for prospective buyers – especially those who have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time to jump back into home ownership again.
The average cost of closing on a mortgage has fallen over the past year by 7.4% according to a recent survey by Bankrate.com. As of the end of June, a homebuyer looking to close on a $200,000 mortgage with 20% down paid an average of $3,754 – which was $300 less 12 months earlier.
Included in these costs are origination expenses (such as application fees and the cost of doing credit checks) and third-party fees (such as those paid for title searches and insurance).
Attribute this decline to new regulations that requiring lenders to be more accurate when estimating closing costs for borrowers. The regulation was put into place 2 years ago as part of the Real Estate Settlement Practices Act and requires lenders to provide a “good faith estimate” of third-party fees that is within 10% of the actual amount the buyer will pay.
Third party fees dropping is actually indicates that the lenders are doing a better job at estimating what the actual costs will be.
How refreshing !!!
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Well, I’ve been hearing about it and talking about it myself for years here in the Palm Springs Valley is “When are we getting a Whole Foods in the desert?” Well, wait not more . . . Whole Foods Market has finally confirmed it is opening a store in Town Center shopping center in Palm Desert.
Previous scuttlebutt had Whole Foods moving into the now defunct Toys R’ Us across from the Desert Crossing shopping center. Apparently, that’s not the place, but the Best Buy building just a hop and a skip east from the Toys R Us along Highway 111 will be the place. Best Buy will be relocating to the old Circuit City space in the Desert Crossing shopping center.
Obviously, Palm Desert is thrilled to be the lucky Desert City getting the market. Though residents in some of the other Desert Cities will have a bit of a drive, it will be worth it if you are a fan of Whole Foods fare. Town Center shopping center where the new Whole Foods will reside will be undergoing renovation and expansion . . . and there are more announcements yet to come.
Whole Foods currently has 329 locations and says it has plans to open 25 more stores by fiscal year’s end this fall. It will probably be next fall before the new Whole Foods opens up here.
All I can say is Yippppeeeeeee !!!!!
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It’s a must go to
in Palm Desert . . . if you like deliciously fresh, innovative and inspired food, a friendly warm and welcoming atmosphere, a place where people are meeting up and talking and laughing, somewhere to pick up cool FrencH and Mediterranean themed gifts . . . Clementine is all of that, and so much more !!!
It’s a deli, it’s a cafe, it’s a marketplace, you can get a beer, glass of wine . . . a Mimosa. It’s the new “go to” place in the desert, and for having only been open for a matter of weeks, it’s doing gangbusters.
Jennifer and Christophe Douheret are the talented and creative couple who gave birth to Clementine – its first incarnation was located beside Trader Joe’s in Palm Desert two years ago where it began as Clementine Patisserie. What a lovely little place where you could get a latte and something scrumptious that was baked right there onsite, like a fresh almond croissant. The French bistro furniture out front of the store coaxed you to sit for a spell and enjoy the desert day.
Move the clock up to now – the second incarnation, which has morphed into Clementine Gourmet Marketplace & Café. As it says on its Facebook page, Clementine “is a beautiful homage to the bright marketplaces of ‘The Countries of the Sun, ‘ describing Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and other countries along the Mediterranean.” Jennifer, Christophe and their handsome, talented and attentive staff now offer a wide array of take-home deli items, delicate desserts, breakfast and lunch options, and fabulous gift ideas.
You can dine in at Clementine . . . or take out. Stop by on your way home from work to pick up something mouthwatering for your dinner or a dinner party. You can pick out dishes from the deli case, stop off at the pasta bar or just order a glass of wine and take in all of the good energy of the people working and dining there.
Don’t be surprised to be greeted at Clementine’s front door as if you are an old friend. There is something at this establishment for everyone and you owe it to yourself to stop by and see for yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed. But you may suffer a bit as you try to pick out which delectable dish from the many offered that you will nosh upon today. Just remember, you can always go back and try something new another day.
Located at 72990 El Paseo (and Monterey) in Palm Desert.
Breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday. Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
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Looking for fun and refreshing things to do now that it’s officially summer and the triple-digits are upon us?
One of the Palm Spring Valley’s coolest attractions is none other than the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. It is owned by the city of Palm Desert and operated by the Family YMCA of the Desert. There is something there to please every member of the family. . . every age and fitness level.
The facility sits on 8 acres in Palm Desert’s City Center Park and includes 3 year-round pools for exercise and pleasure. There is a 50 x 25 meter Olympic-sized competition pool which allows for lap swimming and competetive events. It is also equipped with 1 and 3 meter diving boards.
The 50-meter by 25-yard Olympic-sized competition pool provides long course and short course options for lap swimming or competition events. It is equipped with one and three-meter diving boards.
The 25-yard family recreation pool is shallow, heated and features two waterslides and a wade-in entry. And the splash playground pool is ideal for those younger in age.
The Aquatic Center can be rented out for special events such as birthday parties, swimming competitions, corporate events, etc.
Admission: $4 for Palm Desert adult residents and $6 for adult non-residents: $3 for seniors over 60 and children ages 6-12 residents and $4.50 for non-residents: $2.50 for children ages 2-5 residents and $3.75 for non-residents. Annual and 3-month passes are also available.
Location: 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive on the northeast corner of Civic Center Park in Palm Desert.
For more information about the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, call 760-565-7467 or visit pdpool.com.
Just don’t forget to wear your sunscreen !!! See you there !!!
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Palm Desert is proud to be home to a private, gated classic style country club called Chaparral. Driving through the front gates, you are met with breathtaking mountain views and an olive tree-lined avenue giving way to rolling fairway and water views.
Chaparral Country Club was established in 1980 and designed by famous golf course architect Ted Robinson. Homeowners and guests only are allowed to play the 18-hole course coined “the Little Monster” by Robinson himself.
With its picturesque mountain views, 13 lakes and 45 bunkers, this executive course offers challenges and opportunities from tee to green on every hole. Members also have access to a full-length driving range, practice bunkers with chipping greens, two practice greens and a 18-hole putting range. It is truly a golfer’s dream here at Chaparral.
But there is more to offer at Chaparral than just golf. With 6 lighted tennis courts and 21 heated pools and spas, there is something to offer for every active desert lifestyle. The full-service clubhouse features two restaurants for fine dining, as well as a lounge for relaxation after an afternoon of golf or tennis. Many social events keep members active and provide opportunities for socializing, as Chaparral is known for being a very friendly community.
The course is surrounded by 625 exceptionally well-maintained attached homes offering dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, manicured fairways and greens. Floor plans range from 2bd/2ba and 3bd/3ba at 1520 – 2150sf. In the past 17 years, there have been no member assessments, as the club operates under fiscally sound controls.
Aside from the wonderful people, amazing views, fabulous amenities, etc., Chaparral is about location, location, location as it is situated right in the heart of Palm Desert and is only minutes away from shopping on the renowned El Paseo, the McCallum Theatre, The River and so much more. Palm Springs International Airport is less than 30 minutes away.
The living is easy and affordable here at Chaparral. If you would like to tour this lovely community and find out more about what is for sale there, contact Kim Kelly with HK Lane Real Estate. You’ll be glad you did.
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