Surviving on a fixed income is often feared by those getting close to retirement age.  With the high cost of living only continuing to rise, and retired people living much longer than ever before, it is no surprise that the mortgage industry has creatively begun to address this issue.  The solution is called the reverse mortgage and obtaining such a mortgage can help a retired couple remain in their home without the pressure of high mortgage payments.

 In a reverse mortgage, you have choices to make regarding the way you want to borrow the money.  The first type of reverse mortgage is to obtain a lump sum.  This type of mortgage allows the homeowner to take out a lump sum of cash for a percentage of the value of their home.  Realistically speaking, a home that is worth $300,000 will net the homeowner about $190,000.  Mortgage lenders take into consideration how old the borrowers are, where the home is located and if the home needs any upgrades or significant repairs when calculating a reverse mortgage payout. You can even pay down your credit cards through the loan.

 A lump sum payment has the highest interest rate for all types of reverse mortgages and unless you need a large sum of money, this type of mortgage may not meet your needs as other reverse mortgages can. 

 The second type of reverse mortgage is technically considered a line of credit.  If your current mortgage is not completely paid off, you will need to qualify for a cash payment in order to pay off the mortgage.  Once your mortgage is taken care of, you can apply for a reverse mortgage in the form of a line of credit.

 A third type of reverse mortgage involves receiving monthly payments from a lender, ensuring that you have extra money every month to meet your needs while on a fixed income.  A home worth $300,000 will roughly net the homeowner $1200 a month in cash payments.  The mortgage lender calculates the payment amount based on where the home is located, what the home is currently worth and how old the borrowers are.

 The final type of reverse mortgage is a combination of the three that are currently available.  You can opt to get a small cash lump sum to pay off your current mortgage, get small monthly payments and keep a line of credit open that you can access easily.

 To obtain a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 years old.  It does not matter what your current income is, only that you own your home or you are able to qualify for a cash payment to pay off the current mortgage.  People that own mobile homes will not be able to obtain a reverse mortgage for that property.

 Borrowers that want to obtain a reverse mortgage are required to meet with a financial adviser that has been approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  This is to make sure that the borrower understands exactly what they are getting into and what they can expect from a reverse mortgage.

 It is important to understand that when you obtain a reverse mortgage, the loan is not paid back until you die, sell the home, or move to a new location.  The loan is paid back once your home is sold from the proceeds of the sale.  If you have money left over after the loan is paid back, you or your heirs keep the money.  If once your house sells, there is not enough money left to pay back the lender, that was the chance the lender took and the loss is theirs.  Your estate does not pay off the balance.

 A reverse mortgage can help you stay in your home that you have loved for so long and that you are still able to enjoy.  There is no reason that just because you are retired you should have to worry about moving because you can no longer meet basic expenses.  Enjoy your home and your retirement.  A reverse mortgage may be just the answer for you to be able to continue to live your life as you have been accustomed.

I have a lender that can help in the Palm Springs area if you need more information on Reverse Mortgages  Click Here

If you are looking for Real Estate in the Palm Springs or surrounding area, give us a call, we would be glad to help.

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Established for over 21 years, the Palm Valley Country Club has built a solid reputation of excellence, perfection, and individuality. Offering premium features and many amenities, their background for delivering quality performance is strengthened daily, rivaled only by their determination to provide an exclusive club that out shines the rest and the best.

Both courses, the Challenge course and the Championship course, features a play over rolling emerald fairways framed with the stark beauty of the desert with its sun cast hues. Water features add a jeweled elegance in the almost surreal setting. With multi level greens and challenges along the way, either course promises to deliver a satisfying time for the golf enthusiast in you.

After playing the 63 holes on the Challenge course, or the 72 holes on the Championship course, wander in to the clubhouse; spread over 100,000 square feet, supplying the enjoyment of a myriad of activities, dinners, and so much more. You may want to relax with family or friends over a cold drink. Play Tennis or go swimming, to round out your day of exercise, or visit the fitness center for more focused workouts giving you a way to ease those tired muscles before you end your day indulging in a spa treatment that will have you very relaxed.

The staff at Palm Valley take your relaxation and satisfaction quite seriously, and constantly search for ways to better their services whether by example or through offering a myriad of amenities ranging from a warm up on the course, to all the best pro equipment available in the Pro Shop. The Pro Shop includes the best sports equipment available to assist you in your game. With the options to relax and unwind or exercise and stay fit, the best of both worlds are available here, at Palm Valley.

The real estate listings qualify as prime locations with the variety of 14 different floor plans offering a range of sizes from as small as 949 square feet to as large as 3,485 square feet. Homes these sizes are built to perfectly suit their occupants, and with the perks of a spa, golf courses, tennis courts, and so much more, the life is good. You can experience the stark beauty of the desert, paired with the luscious desert life.

These homes offer a sense of community while building an atmosphere of enjoyment and relaxation through a full schedule of activities and social engagements enabling you to interact with new and old friends both. The charm and elegance are the membership options that give you, the guest, and the choice of level of interaction you prefer.  The member advantage plan, the platinum club, or various club committees are the choices, and all of which will serve to enhance your overall enjoyment of the club.

If you would like to see property in Palm Valley Country Club, give us a ring,. We will show you around and help you find the home that suits you best.

Elaine Stewart - Remax Real Estate Consultants - La Quinta, CA (760) 668-2399

 

Nestled below the San Jacinto and the Santa Rosa mountains, the La Quinta Resort shines like a diamond amongst the beauty of the magnificent mountains. The natural splendor of the surroundings lends an air of surreal perfection to the awe inspiring resort spread over the desert in La Quinta, California. 

Offering a number of accommodation options ranging from charming rooms, referred to as casitas, to legacy villas. All the choices are amazing with the offer of guest amenities and various resort services. The casitas or single rooms offer a homey feeling paired with a natural privacy to give the guest a feeling of seclusion without being far away from real life. The suites are more suited to executive meetings or hospitality services, as they contain more room with larger spaces, allowing for family sized functions. The spa villas are for the more fitness focused guests, with nearby entrances to the award winning tennis club, and the Spa La Quinta. For a completely home type atmosphere, the legacy villas give you a home away from home, with the added benefits and amenities of the La Quinta Resort and Club.

Steeped in Old World decor, embracing the charm of the Spanish culture and design, the resort has embraced the new and the old, pairing it with the lure of the desert community, and created a location that will leave its guests awe struck. Boasting over 40 outdoor swimming pools and over 50 hot spas, guests at the resort are definitely given an excellent stay, and are made to feel privileged and pampered.

For those of you that dream of playing on some of the PGA WEST golf courses, treading in the footsteps of the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, and Arnold Palmer, to name a few, this course is calling your name. Grab your kit and head for those emerald green fairways with the spectacular view of the mountains to inspire you along the way and experience a truly dream filled course.

The world-class and infamous tennis club of La Quinta was repeatedly rated among the "Top 20" by judges with the Tennis Magazine, and this professional quality is offered to each and every guest of La Quinta Resort through the choice of clay or hard courts, a pool to rival any other Olympic sized grandeur, and a Pro Shop to make even the most hardy of tennis champions take notice. With more than 20 tennis courts of varying surfaces, the club has provided many years of fun, practice, and professional quality.

Judging from the staff and the perfection of the entire complex, the raves and reviews are justly earned by the resort through dedication and attention to details. Guests have traveled for miles around to visit and relax in spacious surroundings that encourage the atmosphere of pampering through amenities, services, and more. Surrounded by the awe inspiring beauty of the mountains along with the stark appeal of the desert, this pleasure driven oasis beckons to one and all -- paradise has a new name, La Quinta Resort.

If you would like to see for Homes or Condos for sale in the Palm Springs area, we would be glad to show you around. Call Elaine Stewart at 760 668-2399.

Surrounded by the inspiring beauty of the stark desert, with the majestic Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains in the background, Indian Wells Golf Resort brings new meaning to the term, heaven on earth. Rolling jade green fairways beckon to the golf enthusiast within, promising hours of challenging yet relaxing golf. Walkways meander around the courses, making navigation effortless and simple, while you enjoy the beauty of extreme factions of nature.

From the colorful flowers, blooming in all their glory, to the lush vegetation drawing the effect together, this golf haven has rapidly risen to the top amongst the ranks of the most impressive and most frequently visited resorts. What drew the attention? The particular care given to details laid the foundation for the later infamous LG Skins Game that served to rock the golfing world with appearances by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Annika Sorenstam, to name a few. This game, spread over two days, made a name not only for the golf resort, but also for the history of golfing as well while bringing attention and visitors by the hordes.

Are you planning a wedding or another type of special event? The resort is one of the most sought after locations for hosting any number of social soirees. The IW Club makes it their mission to ensure your satisfaction and the perfection of your gathering, by hosting and maintaining a level of perfection that far supersedes that of many other clubs. There are numerous packages available to suit your taste for the perfect reception, or perhaps you are searching for a dream wedding, you will find it all here. With the beauty of the mountains gracing your view, your guests and patrons can relax and enjoy them in this rustic venue while sampling a taste of true desert living located only minutes from historic Palm Springs.

There are a number of choices available to you for your pick of living accommodations while you visit the golf resort. Their locations are within close driving range of the resort, and they are included on spectacular golfing packages. To name a few, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, built by the notorious Hollywood couple, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, this picturesque getaway offers numerous amenities, and is located directly next to the golf resort. For a taste of the Mediterranean spa experience, the Miramonte Resort & Spa sweeps you away on a romantic journey enhanced by specialty stonework, Italian fountains and so much more. Dreams have been known to come alive in this luxurious location. The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa successfully mixes the classic with the contemporary, resulting in a chic decor that makes anyone feel instantly at home. Luscious delights, spa visits, and planned activities for children make these accommodations a luring temptation for families and couples alike.

No matter where you decide to rest your head, during the day your activities will be focused around the golf resort and the jeweled splendors the desert has to offer. Take your pick, try everything at least once, and keep in mind this is down time and relaxation is the key.

If you would like to see Real Estate properties in Indian Wells, please call us at the numbers below. Were commited to helping you find the home of your dreams.

With over 20 years of experiance in  Real Estate market,  Elaine truly enjoys helping people in the process of buying or selling a home.

Elaine Stewart - Remax Real Estate
(760) 668-2399 Mobile 
(760) 391-4415 Office
Desertrealestate1@yahoo.com

 

Many people now look forward to purchasing a perfect retirement home when they reach retirement age. Downsizing is a popular trend for people who don't want to continue to be deal with the expense or responsibility of maintaining and keeping up with a a large household during their retirement years.

There are many factors to consider when selecting a retirement home. Choosing among the many different retirement living options is an important decision. Most people don't want to have to move several times during their retirement years, so it's worth taking the time to research retirement living alternatives before choosing your retirement home.

Patio Home Living
Patio homes are a popular choice for retirees who don't want to maintain large house but who do want to continue living in a single family dwelling. These houses are relatively small, yet are designed to make maximum use of available square footage. Patio homes also have small yards, which means very little maintenance is required to keep the lawn in tip top condition.

Condominium Living
Purchasing a condominium can be an excellent alternative for retirees who want to completely eliminate yard work and many additional household maintenance responsibilities. One of the main benefits of condominium living is the fact that maintenance of yard and common areas is included in the maintenance fee. When you move into a condo, you'll never have to do yard work again.

Retirement Community Living
Retirees often decide to move directly from their single family homes to a retirement community. There are many advantages of retirement community living, such as the opportunity to live in a planned community designed specifically to appeal to and meet the needs of retirees.

Most retirement communities offer a wide variety of living arrangements, meal service, maid service, planned activities, transportation, and many other benefits. Some retirement communities provide residents with a lifestyle comparable to that of living in a five star resort on a full time basis.

Full Time RV Living
Some retirees decide to transition to a full time RV lifestyle, selling their homes and investing the proceeds in luxurious motor coaches that allow them to live comfortably on the road or in campsites and RV resorts anywhere they choose. Some retirees keep a home base, such as a patio home or a condominium, and alternate between spending time there and on the road.

Which Retirement Home is Right for You?
These alternatives are a few of the many retirement home options available to individuals seeking to make a change in their living arrangements during their retirement years. When it's time for you to think about the type of retirement home that will work best for you, spend time thinking about how you want to spend your time and where you will enjoy living before you make a decision. Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio is a great spot to start looking, call me to shedule a showing at Del Webs Sun City Shadow Hills call us at 760 668-2399.

While there are some attractive things about selling your own home without the aid of a realtor, there are also some drawbacks. While a lot of people see the attractive savings in real estate commissions, they don't realize the little things that the realtor does that help sell the property, find the right buyer, and even safeguard a sale from falling through.

For Sale By Owners, also called FSBOs, are willing to go to great lengths to sell their homes themselves. They often put in many hours for the sake of savings and independence. However, they often must put in these arduous efforts because they don't have the experience to sell their homes efficiently. Here are some of the hazards the dedicated FSBO may encounter during the sale process.

These are only a few of the problems a homeowner can encounter when selling his or her own home. Before you launch yourself into this world, consider all your choices carefully, and listen to a listing presentation from your local realtor.

The homes are on the market longer.

For one thing, the standard MLS only allows only real estate agents access, so this limits the self-marketer to smaller MLS publications and newspaper/Internet ads. This lack of exposure often keeps the home on the market longer.

The homeowner covers marketing fees.

While the cost of putting an ad in the paper doesn't seem like much, over time it gets expensive. Add in the costs of color flyers, a sign with brochure holder, Internet advertising space, and maybe even your own website, and it adds up fast.

Buyers or browsers?

Often the FSBO gets a different sort of buyer-those who only want to "see" the home and not necessarily buy. For some reason they don't mind inconveniencing the FSBO with their purposeless intrusions. Sometimes they will even get people who just want new decorating ideas. A realtor will screen those out.

Prequalification.

The FSBO also often does not pre-qualify buyers like a realtor will. Prequalifying cuts down on intrusions for showings that may amount to nothing.

Buyers want to save money, too.

If a buyer knows you are saving a commission, he or she may offer you lots less than you are asking. Although you can use this financial cushion for negotiating a final price for a truly interested buyer, you are wasting your time with buyers who think they are entitled to your entire commission savings. Your best bet is to speak to a licenced Palm Springs Realtor, if you need assistance selling your home we would be glad to help.

Sun City Shadow Hills is Dell Webb's latest addition to the desert resort communities in Indio. It is another beautifully designed active adult living community.  Taking a deep rooted pride in excellence and dependability, Del Webb Sun City communities offer promises of  a myriad of activities, enjoyable golfing, tennis and community living that inspires even the most eclectic of tastes. The spacious Montecito Clubhouse boasts a full social calendar offering something for everyone to enjoy!

Call Elaine Stewart to take advantage of this special offer June 20th - 22nd

Call Elaine Stewart - Reamax Real Estate Consultants at 760 668-2399 to see property at Sun City Shadow Hills.

The Palm Desert Historical Society Museum has brought their creative genius into play, making available a truly magnificent venture guaranteed to tempt young minds to indulge in learning about their culture rich history, as well as capture the hearts and attention of everyone with a finished product worthy of display in any home or office.

Investing their talent and attention, Lynn Englar, Mark Lunn, and Terry Cardinal have created a spectacular tool geared toward educating people about the desert and the community surrounding it that comprises their life story, both past and present. Terry Cardinal, the Director of Membership Development (Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce) in 1977, determined the need for passing on the wealth of knowledge gained from the pas, to the future generations was a task that was both necessary and important.

Rallying the aid of a knowledgeable educator named Lynn Englar; the solution to this educational and fun learning adventure was planned and brought into existence after the addition of Mark Lunn to the creative team. ColorMeOnline.com is a brilliant display of a myriad of pictures covering a broad range of topics from historical buildings to animals of the desert, famous masterpieces, and locations.

Currently available online, are 100+ paintings that are fully downloadable to be colored by children or anyone else interested in viewing history in a colorful and fascinating way. Embarking on an intellectual journey made simple and easily remembered through beautiful designs and paintings, the Palm Desert Historical Society Museum has produced a valuable tool for not only helping to educate young children, but also enabling them to maximize the learning process by actively taking part in determining their view of color and design to some of the most famous masterpieces known to man.

Divided under two main categories are three additional sub categories that include numerous sub-headings covering a compilation of art history lessons taught through pictures for coloring? Each individual picture includes an explanation of the painting, animal, or location being displayed. The masterpiece paintings also include a number of multiple choice questions created by educators in the grade school level, geared specifically toward encouraging memory enhancement.

The two main categories are Masterpiece Collections, and Nature Collections. Under these two are the three more in depth headings of Color Me Masterpieces which gives children a vast number of choices between such pictures as Matisse's "Lady Playing Guitar", Rousseau's "The Sleeping Gypsy", "Portrait of Mother" by Whistler, and the ever popular "Mona Lisa" by Advance, along with so many more. Also parts of this collection are the American Art Masterpieces and some Masterpiece Sculptures that serve as an integral part of the history of the United States. Color Me Nature gives children a wide variety of bird and mammal pictures to choose from, while Color Me Location provides pictures of local historical locations in the surrounding Palm Desert area as a means of teaching the children about their community. Currently undergoing construction is a number of other collections, Plants, California, and Reptiles & Amphibians.

Sharing history with your children in a fun and relaxed manner is what ColorMeOnline is all about. They have created a tool to help you build a strong foundation for your children as they search for knowledge and understanding of their past, in an effort to perfect the future.

 

There are over 200 vendors offering art, handcrafted gifts and wonderful food every Thursday night from 6-10 p.m. Come down to Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. You can also shop in one the many shops along Palm Canyon Drive. Many shops, art galleries, and restaurants that stay open late. Join us from 6:00 pm -10:00 pm October-May 7:00 pm -10:00 pm June - September Stroll beautiful Palm Canyon Drive. We're dog friendly!

Brought into existence 15 years ago by social interaction between a small number of people joined by their enthusiasm for cars, the Palm Springs Cruisin Association has grown from a small group to well over 100 club members and as many as 125 cars on average, at each monthly cruise.  Started by Bob Hunt and Loren Orcutt as a means for connecting with other car enthusiasts, this association has grown in both size and reputation with their charitable fund raising activities.  Known mainly for their annual benefits for the Bread of Life and Dr. Sebastian George Cancer Foundation charities, this group excels in their enthusiasm for helping mankind and their own community by hosting fund raisers geared at raising money for a number of valid causes.

The group activity schedule includes a monthly cruise night located on the corner of Calle Encilla and Amado at the exotic Spa Resort Casino gracing downtown Palm Springs.  For a night of fun, friends, and an enjoyable atmosphere, these cruises are normally scheduled for the first Saturday of each month from September to June.  Welcoming everyone and anyone, the collection of over 150 spectacular cars ranging from hot rods to corvettes, street rods to classic cars, and many more are available for free viewing, accompanied by a variety of activities that include the entire family.

Kids and adults alike are welcome to try their luck in the slot car racing, coloring and model car contests, and for those risky enthusiasts, a hula hoop contest lures contestants with the promise of fun and laughter.  Interspersed between the entertainments that accompanies each cruise night are 50/50 drawings and a raffle, giving you a chance to help support the clubs endeavors to aid their fellow man.

A pit stop at their spectacular website gives you a variety of options to choose from through a list of click-able links that make user navigation a breeze.  Leaving the competition in the dust, the club devotes an entire page to explaining their purpose driven continuity of a tradition started fifteen years ago, and provides numerous links for additional information or help, depending on your interest.  The list of links includes, but is not limited to Hot Rod Hotline, Palm Springs Corvette Club, Dr. Torch Designs, and several others.  For you enthusiasts looking for a sister site that offers more thrills, activities, and cars, the links page is designed entirely with you in mind.

Race over to the Members Rides page for a glimpse of the club members and their individual choices of motor masterpieces.  Sporting a broad range of makes and models spanning a wide selection of the early years, these vehicles have been lovingly cared for, restored, and kept in mint condition with a meticulous dedication that can only be the result of being a die hard car enthusiast.

Even if you have no understanding of cars, attending one of these amazing events is a must-do, so grab your friends and family, visit the website for the Palm Springs Cruisin Association and get the date for the next monthly cruise night and become a part of something big, fun, and unforgettable. If you are interested in crusin around Palm Springs and looking at some Real Estate, give us a call. We would be glad to help!